The DigiSmart project was conceived in 2000 to improve the reading and wider literacy of under-achieving children aged 9–11 by taking advantage of the growing digital medium. An initial pilot in 2001 was supported by charitable funding. By 2004 DigiSmart was partnering with schools across London and a second pilot commenced in Manchester. Subsequently the project was rolled out across the UK — by 2016 working with schools in over 70 local authorities.
The team of educators involved in making and shaping DigiSmart encompassed a skillset and experience spanning primary and secondary school teaching, university research, teacher training, pupil assessment, authorship, design and digital media. All shared a commitment to equal chances for children. All shared a passion to engage children in the wonder of reading and of learning, motivating them to achieve and enjoy the excitement of success.
Fundamental to DigiSmart was a core attention to reading skills. The project focused on teaching and developing explicit reading techniques in order to create a breakthrough for struggling and/or reluctant readers in Years 5 and 6 at primary school, motivating them to give reading a go, gain confidence and achieve evidence of their progress. Activities supporting writing, researching, speaking and presenting were developed to amplify the core reading foundation.
In 2013 the project’s positive impact on children’s reading and literacy attainment was confirmed in an External Evaluation by the University of Roehampton, London. The Evaluation Report stated: “It is clear from the data collected during the research that pupils participating in DigiSmart achieve real progress in literacy. Impact is quick and sustained, and there is overwhelming evidence of pupils’ increased confidence in themselves as readers.”
The project in its original development phase was supported by grants and donations, enabling it to roll out to 1,000 schools, 3,400 teachers and 20,964 children by 2016. Children’s progress in reading was tracked and assessed — before and at the end of their participation in DigiSmart. Data amassed between 2002–2016 evidenced that all children improved in reading: 90% made strong gains and over 50% exceeded age-related expectations. Improvements in confidence, attendance and behaviour were also recorded.
The DigiSmart initiative was sustained for a total of 25 years, adapting to ever-quickening technology shifts and digital innovations. In 2016, in response to requests from teachers to use the materials more flexibly, resources from the original classroom activities were remodelled, and teaching videos included, to support further and more widespread dissemination. The first groups of children who took part in 2001 may now have children of their own. Some may be teachers. “Pass it on”, that is the hope.