The Empowered Learning project is part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s ambitious and inclusive education strategy, Edinburgh Learns for Life. 39,000 iPads have been issued in a 1:1 roll-out thanks to a £17.6m boost to learning and teaching. Empowered Learning is a project that has given your child/children their own personal iPad for their learning. By giving the pupils access to iPads, teachers can:

provide more opportunities for your child to be more creative and actively engaged in their learning
help your child communicate and collaborate with their peers
provide feedback that is more effective at helping your child improve
provide access to apps that can help your child learn and personalise their learning experience
give your child schoolwork which is specific to their learning needs
help your child develop essential skills to prepare them for future study and employment in an increasingly digital world
All children across the City of Edinburgh now have fair and equal access to technology with their own iPad. We have also provided opportunities for teachers to learn how to effectively use their iPads to support your child in their learning. We started issuing their iPads in December 2021 and the deployment to all pupils and teachers in December 2022

What is the rationale behind the Empowered Learning project?

Empowered Learning was aimed at supplying fair and equal access to technology for all children across the City of Edinburgh. It has been ensured that all children from P6 to S6 now have personal access to digital and online learning materials at home and in class. Giving children an iPad, met a key part of the 15 outcomes and actions from the Council’s three-year business plan ‘Our Future Council, Our Future Council.’ ‘increasing attainment for all and reducing poverty-related attainment gap.’

The 1:1 programme has reinforce our aim to become one of the world’s ‘smartest cities’. Last year Edinburgh was listed in the smart city of the year digital 100 shortlist following our recent work with CGI and other partners to enhance connectivity and embrace modern technologies. In addition, the roll-out met Article 29 (goals of education) for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which highlights the importance of developing every child’s personality, talents, and abilities to the full.

How is the delivery of the project being managed?

The project is a partnership between the City of Edinburgh Council and CGI, our ICT service provider. An Empowered Learning team helped administer the project by the Project Manager and Chief Executive.

Why iPads?

The partnership we have with CGI, gave us the benefits of having expertise with the IT marketplace who can see trends from all over the world. The team researched several devices and platforms that would benefit the children for learning and picked the iPad as the most reliable device. There are several reasons why we chose the iPads as our Core device for learning and teaching for example:

iPads are cost effective, easy to use, fast, robust and have great battery life
They provide access to an excellent range of educational tools and functions
The iPad Operating System (iOS) has a wide range of accessibility features and makes a great device for pupils with additional support needs
Apple supports the platforms in the schools that teachers use daily

This makes it an excellent device to help pupils with additional support needs work more independently and unlock learning to their full capacity

When are networks getting upgraded?

Network health checks were carried out prior across all schools and were upgraded if the network needed extra bandwidth. If issues occurs, further checks can be made to ensure that bandwidth is as it should be.

When will teachers and pupils get their iPads?

We agreed that the roll-out schedule would start in December 2021 and be completed by December 2022, which was successful. Teachers were provided with their iPads first, then Secondary schools, followed by Primary and Special.

How will I get support?

The Empowered Learning programme has provides bespoke professional learning to all school teaching staff who already use iPads. We have provided several resources to all Empowered Learning to be a smooth transition into the classrooms.

How will pupil deployment work?

We agreed that the pupils would receive their iPads after the teachers and this was completed by December 2022

What apps will be available?

The project has provided access to a full suite of Apple and Microsoft 365 apps plus 50 additional curricular apps. We are currently reviewing app requests from each sector/subject area and will consult to agree a finalised list. There will be a facility to request such apps if needed and are more suitable to each class.

When will my school receive their iPads?

The deployment of the iPads began in December 2021 and the last deployment was completed at the end of December 2022.

Are individual iPads really necessary?

The importance of digital technology in the learning environment was outlined by the Scottish Government in their 2016 publication “Enhancing Learning and Teaching Through the Use of Digital Technology: a digital learning and teaching strategy for Scotland”. By providing a personal iPad we have fulfilled our expectations as a local authority and delivered the vision for digital technology in education. A 1:1 roll-out has promoted personal development, effective communication and helped expand skillsets to prepare for the future met educational needs for learners.

What can the iPad be used for in my class?

The iPad is equipped with suited of core apps designed for education. In general, the 1:1 roll-out has improved teacher/student dialogue and feedback since learners now have immediate access to an iPad. Increasing dialogue in this manner has allowed work to be shared quickly, in class or as part of homework.

How much control do I have over my learners’ iPads?

All iPads are controlled by Mobile Device Management (MDM) software and have the Apple Classroom app installed. This is supplemented by additional filtering software to provide browsing security. This combination gives staff full control over the learners’ experience and allow mechanisms such as; freezing/locking screens, remotely wiping iPads or viewing browsing history etc. Controlling the iPad is necessary to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our learners as well as directing effective learning and teaching experiences.

Will I have iPads to give to new learners at my school?

Yes, all learners will have access to an iPad once they are provided with their Scottish Candidate Number (SCN) if they have come from anywhere out with Scotland. If they have moved from another school, an iPad will then be provided.

Who will have an iPad?

All learners from P6 to S6 will have an individual iPad. Learners from P1 to P5 will have access to a shared iPad within the classroom. All school teaching staff each have an iPad to use within their classroom.

How will I access my iPad and its storage?

Your unique Managed Apple ID (MAID) is to access your iPad. Files and date can be held in Microsoft 365 or iCloud.

What other key learning platforms will I be able to use online?

Microsoft 365 supplies a coherent core platform for the delivery of learning and teaching. There are a range of appropriate apps available on the iPad to meet curricular needs. In addition, learners and staff can access a range of online learning tools where these have been approved for use.

Where do I access professional learning?

Bespoke professional learning is available on the myLearning Hub. An initial set of 10 courses have been developed and more courses will be developed in response to emerging needs.

What will happen if I move school within the City of Edinburgh Council?

You will need to return your iPad and its accessories when leaving. You will then be issued with a replacement one by your new school.

What will happen if I leave the City of Edinburgh Council?

You must return your iPad and any accessories to your school.

How do I back up my iPad?

You should save all your files in M365 or iCloud. This will ensure that your data is safe, secure and compliant.

We will share further FAQs and more information on the programme in due course via email and/or on the web.