07 February 2023

Aberdeenshire teachers to get a lesson in the future of technology for schools

More than 200 teachers from across Aberdeenshire will be looking at the future of technology in schools later this month.

The LoveLearning team at Aberdeenshire Council – which supports the use of digital technologies to enhance learning, teaching and assessment - has organised the event at Inverurie Academy next Wednesday (February 15).

With the opening address by head of education Vincent Docherty, he said: “As a physics teacher, I’ve always had a passion about how continued developments in digital technology can help the learning process for everyone.

“This event promises to be a motivating day for our teachers right across the shire, hopefully inspiring them to look at what technology is out there and how it can enhance our pupil’s learning.”

Keynote speakers will include Michael Conlon from XMA, a company providing digital technology to schools across Scotland, exploring the future of technology in education and Aberdeenshire.

Headteacher in the Scottish Borders Jill Lothian will be discussing the impact and benefits of pupils in the Borders having exclusive use of a digital device at home and school.

The day will be rounded off with tech-giant Apple discussing the opportunities technology can create in learning.

There will also be a learning plaza in the Academy hall with more than 20 exhibitors including Google and Education Scotland, giving teachers tech demonstrations and ideas for the classroom.

Teachers and pupils will be showcasing examples of their use of technology in the classroom, including:

•    Daviot School: Children’s blogs, design work and making pictures talk with Chatterpix 
•    Hillside School: Coding club
•    Newtonhill School: Minecraft Education
•    Hill of Banchory School: Showing the use of iPads, Chromebooks and coding club.
•    Kemnay Academy: Pupils will be showing their video editing skills with iMovie and use of Minecraft Education
•    Mintlaw Academy: Digimaps and virtual whiteboards.

Throughout the day, teachers will take part in workshops looking at coding, Google Workspaces, using GarageBand in the expressive arts as a tool for podcasting and creating music soundtracks, and the importance of accessibility.

Chair of the Education and Children’s Services Committee Cllr Gillian Owen said: “I am very much looking forward to attending the day and finding out how technology can enhance our children and young people’s learning.

“There are a wealth of websites, apps, programmes and devices that can feed into our curriculum and it will be interesting to hear how these have worked not only in some of our schools but right across the country.

“This isn’t about replacing people or traditional teaching but enhancing and preparing the next generation with the opportunities that technology can create in learning.”