Educational pilot project links ScottishPower with North Lanarkshire schools and Do Be, ‘21 century training experts’

In a unique business partnership, ScottishPower and North Lanarkshire Council are jointly funding an innovative educational pilot project, using technology-based learning techniques pioneered by Fife-based Do Be Limited.

Founded only two years ago, Do Be is now working with 34 education authorities throughout the UK - 18 in Scotland - that have endorsed  the company’s  ‘21st century method of learning‘ using MP4 players pre-loaded with training content and the latest study skills.

In the North Lanarkshire pilot project, Do Be will not only be supplying 300 MP4 players to 10 designated schools in the area but also specialised staff training, as well as a parents initiation evening.

‘This is essential’, says Do Be founder-director Louise McDonough (32). ‘These days, teachers are facing a generation of ‘digital natives,’ pupils who are wholly conversant with blogs, Bebo and the like. So teachers need to be familiar with the technology.’

Adds Louise: ‘At Do Be, we believe that how you engage young adults is central to how much they actually take in. Pupils need to learn in a way they want to learn, to empower them and encourage them to want to be the best they can be.’

As part of its ongoing community investment programme, ScottishPower has recognised the value that Do Be, with its contemporary approach to learning, has tapped into the zeitgeist of 21st century teaching.

Phil Duffield, Head of ScottishPower Learning, said: “ScottishPower has been supporting school programmes that help pupils to develop new skills since 1996. During this time, technology and learning methods have progressed at a fast pace. We think that the Do Be learning tools are innovative and will engage both children and their teachers in a constructive and relevant way and we are delighted to be supporting this pilot project.“

For the Council, David Rankin, Primary Enterprise Development Officer, adds: ‘North Lanarkshire Council Learning and Leisure Department is happy to be involved with Scottish Power in the pilot project with Do Be Limited. This is seen as an excellent opportunity to link technology to enterprise and curriculum.’

Note to Editors:

Founded two years ago by Louise McDonough, Do Be Limited is based in Fife, Scotland and provides MP3 and MP4 players, pre-loaded with content ranging from study skills and cognitive techniques to sporting motivational tools. It also provides downloadable pod casts (www.do-be.co.uk) for the education, sports and corporate markets. Do Be is currently working with 34 local authorities (18 in Scotland) throughout the UK to help children improve their learning.

The integration of Iberdrola and ScottishPower, successfully completed on April 23 2007, has created a new organisation, which is one of the largest electricity groups in Europe with a presence in more than 30 countries and 22 million points of supply. The new group is also the world’s number one renewable energy operator with 7,000 MW of installed capacity and a pipeline of more than 40,000 MW.

Since its inception in 1996 ScottishPower Learning (SPL) has helped 15000 young people through its employability training programmes. Last year, SPL won the Business in the Community big tick award for its school to work programme.

Based in the heart of Scotland, North Lanarkshire Council services the needs of a population of around 323,000 people and covers one of the largest local council areas in the country. For more information, www.northlan.gov.uk

For further information, please contact:

Louise at Do Be on 01383 829969

David Rankin at North Lanarkshire Council on 01236 757742

Paul Ferguson at ScottishPower on 0141 566 4515