SCOTS kids are to be encouraged to take their iPods and mobile phones to school – to download their lessons in a new teaching scheme.
Educational video and audio is to be made available to tech-savvy teens through iTunes – the digital download music service.
iTunes are to open up a new dedicated schools section called iTunes U which will offer the free educational content.
And the new technology has been even been praised by Star Wars director George Lucas who believes the technology “puts his own country to shame”.
Education bosses hope the innovative way of learning will engage more children in the education process.
And teachers believe the online files will give extra help in subjects such as foreign languages and business studies.
Downloads approved
Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) is the latest educational body to sign up for the digital teaching aid after the Open University and Oxford University paved the way last year.
The video clips available for download have been created in conjunction with the school inspectorate and the Scottish Government.
The digital scheme will also give teachers tips on how to deal with a classroom of rowdy teenagers and educational theory presentations by international experts.
And in an innovative plan, training on the Curriculum for Excellence could be provided and downloaded to a mobile phone so teachers can learn on the move.
Bernard McLeary, chief executive officer of LTS, is excited about the new opportunities the technology will bring to the modern day classroom.
He said: “Our society needs access to information to come from a variety of sources to fit into our busy lifestyles.
“This is crucial if we are to develop education in Scotland.”
The downloaded content can be played back on a variety of electronic devices like mobile phones, iPods, computers, game consoles and even television.
Star Wars director backs scheme
LTS has been congratulated by sci-fi expert George Lucas for being at the cutting edge of educational technology.
Lucas heads an educational foundation in the US and has said “the LTS schools’ Glow intranet system had put his own country to shame”.
Glow allows educational material to be shared in schools across Scotland and hosts a video conferencing service which pupils can log on to and watch lessons hundreds of miles away.
Schools minister Keith Brown said that the iTunes initiative showed once again Scotland was leading the way in education.
