Technologies

​Learning in Technologies will allow your child to develop skills, knowledge, understanding and attributes through creative, practical and work-related activities across a range of areas. They will be able to use these skills in business, computing science, digital literacy, food, textiles, craft, design, engineering, and graphics.

Mr Mark McKenna, our STEM (Science, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics) Co-ordinator and Specialist, delivers a planned progression of Technologies experiences and activities from P3-P7 and advises P1-2 staff, as well as all staff, in delivering their own Technologies activities, linked to studies.

DIGITAL LEARNING

Mobile Technologies Beginnings….

In January 2011 we approached the eLearning Foundation at BETT about possibilities of introducing leasing scheme for mobile devices. In March 2011 we took part in a webinar with eLearning Foundation to discuss possibilities further and in May 2011 attended meeting with staff from Portobello High School and Sciennes Primary School, hosted by Dave McKee.

Two iPads purchased and trialled by a few staff and pupils throughout school in May 2011.

Eight iPads were purchased for P6 class use by lead teacher Wendy French in August 2011. Wendy requested a further eight, then a further sixteen, making a class set. The pace of development was fairly rapid, but was directed by Wendy herself. Two P6 stage colleagues began using the set with their own classes. The set was also used in a P7 class and by our Science and Technologies specialist, Mark McKenna.

In February 2012 we were  approached by City of Edinburgh Council to take part in a 1:1 pilot with three other Edinburgh schools – two primaries and two secondaries (Sciennes Primary School iPads, Broomhouse Primary School and Forrester High School Android tablets and Gracemount High School Toshiba Netbooks). Sciennes Head Teacher Alison Noble invested in a further class set and CEC provided a third set. (All the other schools subsequently moved from other devices to iOS devices.)

We were then invited to take part in a National 1:1 pilot with eight other Scottish schools which launched on 16th March 2012. With huge support from our Parent Council we are now in the fortunate position of enabling most of our pupils access to mobile technology to support learning and teaching.

DIGITAL SAFETY PROGRAMME

For many years, Sciennes has implemented a Digital Safety programme, annually in February, from P1-P7 and held a number of parental sessions to support partnership working.

What skills will my child develop?

Within Technologies your child will develop and demonstrate:

  • knowledge and understanding of the big ideas and concepts of the technologies
  • curiosity, exploration and problem solving skills
  • planning and organisational skills in a range of contexts
  • creativity and innovation
  • skills in using tools, equipment, software, graphic media and materials
  • skills in collaborating, leading and interacting with others
  • critical thinking through exploration and discovery within a range of learning contexts
    discussion and debate
  • searching and retrieving information to inform thinking
  • making connections between specialist skills developed within learning and skills for the world of work
  • evaluating products, systems and services
  • presentation and communication skills
  • an awareness of sustainability

What will my child learn?

Each area of the curriculum is broken down into experiences and outcomes. These are clear and concise statements about children’s learning and progression from pre-school to S3.

Read the experiences and outcomes for technologies.