DigiSmart
DigiSmart teaches struggling 9-10 year olds how to use computers and the internet in a safe, structured way by working through fun but challenging literacy projects and presentations. Every year, almost all catch up completely; some children, like Connor, even start speeding ahead. This achievement then brings added confidence, extra motivation and better attitude, enabling DigiSmart to regularly transform difficult underachievers into successful, happy learners.
You can read more about DigiSmart – and its impact on the ground – in SHINE's 2009 Supporters' Magazine (page 4). Download Now
The grant recipient
LIFT for Learning is a dynamic young charity that seeks to reach, inspire and support those from disadvantaged backgrounds who have limited access to information technology.
the DigiSmart programme
What it aims to do
- develop digital and traditional literacy skills and raise achievement levels
- transform disengaged pupils into successful, confident learners who can act as peer consultants in the use of the internet
How it works
LIFT for Learning works closely with schools to identify children who are struggling to keep up with their peers and sets up a series of after-school workshops that use the internet in a structured and fun way and provide specialist tuition.
DigiSmart clubs are run weekly over two terms. They are for groups of 10 to 12 students in year 5 (9-10 years old) and are delivered by teams of three adults. LIFT for Learning provide the programme, training and ongoing support. Schools and City Learning Centres host the clubs and provide the teaching staff.
Results
The DigiSmart programme has a dedicated Monitoring and Assessment Officer who observes workshops, monitors the quality of the programme and uses an assessment database, reading tests and questionnaires to evaluate the impact of the programme on children's learning and motivation.
Results for a sample of Year 5 DigiSmart pupils:
- ICT: 97% of pupils started below the national level expected for their age and 94% finished at level 4 or above (the expected level for Year 6 pupils)
- Reading:48% of pupils started below the national level expected for their age and 90% finished at or above the expected level at the end of Year 5
The funding and replication
SHINE made a grant for LIFT for Learning to create the first three DigiSmart clubs in south-west London in 2001. Since then SHINE has supported the set up a number of SHINE Zones - clusters of disadvantaged wards in which there is a network of DigiSmart clubs. There are now clubs running for more than 300 students a year from schools in Wandsworth, Kensington & Chelsea, Ealing, Tower Hamlets, Hammersmith & Fulham, Windsor & Maidenhead and Manchester.
The production of 'DigiSmart in a Box' - a model complete with training information and tuition materials - is ensuring that the project roll out of DigiSmart is swift, effective and sustainable.
SHINE has made several grants to LIFT for Learning, for programme development, set up, delivery and expansion costs. The Lehman Brothers Foundation Europe sponsored the set up of DigiSmart in Tower Hamlets. Additional funding is provided by other trusts and foundations.
Funding: £1,092,131 to LIFT, over ten years (2002-08)
Visit LIFT for Learning's website:http://www.lift.org.uk/dsinfo
"It's like a gift this project - only 5% of pupils have computer access at home so it's giving them an opportunity they would not otherwise have."
Headteacher, The Alton School
"My daughter does nothing but talk about what she does during the club... I can't wait until it's my turn to have a go!"
Parent of a DigiSmart child
"I have learnt a great deal myself about the internet. Even as a regular user, there were things I did not know."
Headteacher, St.Barnabas & St. Philip's school
"DigiSmart has had a really big impact on their confidence back in class [and] being able to solve problems... It improves their ability to persevere when the work gets a bit tough and it also improves their motivation... They've gained grades we didn't think they would get and DigiSmart played a really big part in that."
Head Teacher, Ladybarn Primary School
"When I took over as head teacher of a second school down the road I asked for DigiSmart to be there as well."
Head Teacher
"DigiSmart helps me improve in my learning, it helped me with my SATs from Level 3 to Level 4 and it helped my confidence... it teaches you how to learn, it teaches you how to listen."
Digismart Student
"You're actually learning loads of different things but you don't really notice it because it's that fun."
Digismart Student
Quotes
"It's like a gift this project - only 5% of pupils have computer access at home so it's giving them an opportunity they would not otherwise have."
Headteacher, The Alton School
"My daughter does nothing but talk about what she does during the club... I can't wait until it's my turn to have a go!"
Parent of a DigiSmart child
"I have learnt a great deal myself about the internet. Even as a regular user, there were things I did not know."
Headteacher, St.Barnabas & St. Philip's school
"DigiSmart has had a really big impact on their confidence back in class [and] being able to solve problems... It improves their ability to persevere when the work gets a bit tough and it also improves their motivation... They've gained grades we didn't think they would get and DigiSmart played a really big part in that."
Head Teacher, Ladybarn Primary School
"When I took over as head teacher of a second school down the road I asked for DigiSmart to be there as well."
Head Teacher
"DigiSmart helps me improve in my learning, it helped me with my SATs from Level 3 to Level 4 and it helped my confidence... it teaches you how to learn, it teaches you how to listen."
Digismart Student
"You're actually learning loads of different things but you don't really notice it because it's that fun."
Digismart Student