Nicola Douglas: Technology in Schools

At their virtual Club meeting on Zoom on Thursday 4th February, an almost full turnout of Hawick's Rotarians welcomed Nicola Douglas, brought up in Hawick but now a teacher of Chemistry at Selkirk High School. She told members of the many ways in which modern technology is being used to educate children remotely while the schools are closed because of the pandemic. The distribution of tablets to Borders pupils had been a controversial issue several years ago but had paid great dividends recently. All her pupils had these at home, and, in cases where there was inadequate wifi signal, a separate booster unit could also be given out. This allowed the staff to send out work, to monitor how it was being completed, and to have online conversations with the pupils. Pupils are also able to record oral work. She illustrated her talk with samples of onscreen work, which could be saved to the tablet, and could then have further information added digitally, by writing with a stylus or with one's finger on the screen.

Many questions followed Nicola's impressive presentation. Rotarians Ron Sutherland and Ron Smith, both retired teachers, commented on the opportunities offered for class lessons by this modern technology. A well deserved vote of thanks was given to Nicola by Rotarian Jane Cox.