31 October 2017

School pupils in the city will soon be able to access the most innovative learning programmes to help ensure they stay ahead of the digital curve.

Primary and secondary schools will become the first public buildings to benefit from an ongoing deployment of an ultrafast network in Stirling.

Around 7,000 pupils, teachers and school staff will have access to full-fibre internet connectivity. This will give classrooms the speeds and bandwidth needed to adopt digital tools such as smart boards, and enhance education with innovative e-learning initiatives such as coding and app-building.

One of the first schools to be connected is Allan’s Primary. Some of the initiatives it plans to implement include Google Classroom, a suite of tools that facilitates learning, development, collaboration and achievement tracking; and an app design project that aims to showcase historical sites in Stirling’s old town.

Other schools across the city will be leading the charge for digital skills by working towards the Digital Schools awards and participating in challenges set by a new partnership between technology startup incubator Codebase and the University of Stirling.

Full-fibre connectivity will support Stirling Council’s ambition to ensure that all young people leave school with the ability to use a wide range of digital technologies in the workplace. Furthermore, it will help to reverse the existing trend that sees one-in-five adults in Scotland lacking basic digital skills.

The network is being deployed through a partnership between the local council, CityFibre and MLL Telecoms.