Item 13 - Developing our Digital Strategy for Education
West Dunbartonshire Council · 18 March 2026
Back to Educational Services Committee — 18 March 2026 and its agenda
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by the Chief Education Officer Educational Services Committee: 18 March 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Subject: Developing our Digital Strategy for Education 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide an update on plans to develop our Digital Strategy for Education, and provide opportunity to participate in gathering stakeholder views. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that Committee: a) note the plans to develop our Digital Strategy; and b) encourage participation in the gathering of views from stakeholders through the website. 3. Background 3.1 In 2016 we developed our existing Digital Strategy for Education in West Dunbartonshire. 3.2 Our existing strategy provides guidance on the use of traditional devices (desktops, laptops, chromebooks and tablets), an ‘Acceptable Use’ policy and outlined our approach to supporting learning through the use of ‘ourcloud.buzz’ – our name for the ‘G Suite’ tools and services provided by Google. 3.3 So much has changed since 2016. The range of devices has grown to include wearable technologies such as watches, rings and glasses. In 2016, robotics and artificial intelligence were the product of small scale research, not the global industries we see today. 3.4 We didn’t know it at the time, but by 2016 we were three years into a global mental health crisis being partly fueled by the use of technology. In a world that’s always switched on through social media, children and adults find this difficult. For children and young people finding their way in the world, a digital world where perfection is the norm is hard to compare themselves with. Finding your sense of self in a digital world full of influencers takes confidence, at a time when most education establishments provide little advice on the use of social media. ITEM 13
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3.5 Although we now have a social media policy, how this relates to the curriculum needs developed. At a time when many countries in the world are considering action similar to Australia in banning tools and services for children and young people, we need to ensure we are well informed of the views of our stakeholders in writing our Digital Strategy for Education. 3.6 Since 2016 the world has survived a global pandemic, and we have watched as more and more of our interactions become digital. Indeed, interactions with Artificial Intelligence have increase exponentially. The ‘human’ element of interaction has changed, and our Digital Strategy for Education needs to reflect this to help our young people grow and develop, and find their place in the world. 4. Main Issues 4.1 We plan to develop our Digital Strategy for Education over the next four months, returning to committee in September 2026 with our finalised strategy. To help us do this, we’re planning to do four things: Gather stakeholder views; Create Collaborative Groups; Collaboratively develop the draft policy; and Seek stakeholder views on the draft policy. 4.2 To help us develop our Digtial Strategy for Education, we’re keen to gather the views of our stakeholders across a number of different areas. To make this more straightforward, we’ve created a website where stakeholders can choose which section(s) they wish to engage with: https://sites.google.com/ourcloud.buzz/digital-strategy/home 4.3 There are 9 sections where people can give us their views: 4.3.1 Our Vision: "Technology supports my wellbeing and assists my learning." 4.3.2 Infrastructure & Cyber Security: We need to make sure our infrastructure can support our needs, and that cyber security keeps our users and their data safe. 4.3.3 Traditional Devices: In our learning, we make use of traditional devices - desktops, laptops, chromebooks and tablets. Some schools elsewhere in Scotland have taken the decision to ban mobile phones. 4.3.4 Wearables: Wearables are more and more common - fitness trackers, watches, rings, glasses - all of these could be used for learning, but some present risks to security or privacy. 4.3.5 Platforms, Apps and Software: For the last 10 years, we've been using 'ourcloud.buzz' - our name for 'G Suite', applications provided by Google.
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We've now got access to Microsoft 365 tools. We're one of a very small number of local authorities who don't use 'Glow' the Scottish Schools Digital Network. 4.3.6 Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence brings great benefits to work and learning, but many of the original developers of the technology raise serious questions about its safety. We want to explore more fully the risks and benefits of AI in education. 4.3.7 Social Media: Our present approach to social media discourages its use in the classroom and speaks of the dangers, but does little to help young people understand how best to interact with others online, build a brand or manage their wellbeing. 4.3.8 Acceptable Use: In the past, 'acceptable use' was more about what you couldn't do than what you could. Should we be developing 'ethical use' to help our young people and staff? 4.3.9 Anything Else?: Have we missed anything important? Is there anything else that you think needs to be part of a digital strategy? Next Steps 4.4 Gathering views through the website will run until the end of the April 2026. Stakeholders can choose to complete any sections they like in the survey. We’ll also ask them if they’d like to be involved in a collaborative group to help us develop the aspects of the policy they are most interested in. 4.5 Collaborative groups will run in May 2026 to develop the draft Digital Strategy for Education. 4.6 We’ll then seek feedback on the draft policy prior to the summer holidays, with a view to returning to committee in September 2026 with a finalised policy. 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no direct people implications resulting from the consultation. 6. Financial Implications 6.1 There are no associated costs with this report. Time to undertake the analysis of the responses to the feedback would be covered by central officers and participation in collaborative groups will be asynchronous and on a voluntary basis. 7. Risk Analysis
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7.1 Failure to have an up to date Digital Strategy for Education would mean that we are not best supporting the wellbeing of our staff, children and young people, nor would we be maximising the benefit of the variety of technologies for learning. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 An Equalities Impact Assessment will be undertaken for the draft digital strategy once developed, prior to returing to committee for approval in September 2026. 9. Consultation 9.1 Legal Services and the Section 95 Officer have been consulted on the content of this report. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 With a focus on the wellbeing of our children, young people and staff in tbe use of technology, our Digital Strategy for Education contributes directly to Outcome 1 ‘our communities are resilient and thriving’ in our Strategic Plan. 10.2 Promoting the best use of technology for learning, our Digital Strategy for Education contributes to Outcome 4 ‘our council is inclusive and adaptable’ in our Strategic Plan. Gillian Hamilton Chief Education Officer Date: 09 February 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Person to Contact: Andrew Brown Senior Education Officer Email: andrew.brown@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices: None. Background Papers: PP2.10 Virtual Learning Environment. Wards Affected: All wards