The SCHOLAR Programme explained (courtesy of Heriot Watt University)

Do you know about the SCHOLAR Programme?
Would you like a password to see what SCHOLAR is about?
…read on...

Education is changing. We know that many students learn better if they can be shown visual explanations such as animations, or if they can learn at their own pace (e.g. by accessing material on the computer outside of the classroom).

Heriot-Watt SCHOLAR is the world’s largest e-learning education programme, with 60,000 registered users. Created by Heriot-Watt University, based in Edinburgh, SCHOLAR provides computer based learning materials to support teaching and learning in a wide range of subjects at OLHS:

Advanced Higher: Biology, Business Management, Chemistry, Computing, French, Information Systems, Maths, Physics

Higher: Accounting, Biology, Business Management, Chemistry, Computing, French, Human Biology, Information Systems, Maths, Physics, Psychology, Spanish

Intermediate 1/2: Maths

The SCHOLAR programme is designed to promote self paced, student centred learning in a teacher supported environment. The online learning materials are complemented by opportunities for teachers to attend staff development workshops and learn how to use SCHOLAR when teaching.

SCHOLAR offers a well proven, innovative approach to academic study within schools, Further Education colleges and foundation programmes within universities. Over 400 secondary schools in Scotland are benefitting from using SCHOLAR.

The online learning materials have been professionally developed and consist of textual and graphical descriptions, animations and simulations and online formative tests. The material is embedded within a Virtual Learning Environment that provides channels for student and teacher communications, frequently asked questions and progress reporting and monitoring.

• A recent survey showed that SCHOLAR had an 80% acceptance rating by teachers and that 95% of students would recommend the programme to a friend.
• 32% of the online study time is undertaken by students out of school hours.
• Peak usage time is between 7pm and 9pm Monday to Thursday in direct competition with prime-time television.

Staff in school have been provided with passwords for issue to all pupils studying the relevant subjects. If your son or daughter has not yet received their password, encourage them to ask Mrs Mulholland or Mrs Macfadyen in the LRC.

In order to see the course materials SCHOLAR provides for your son or daughter, go to our website at

Next click the Login button and you will be presented with a list of SCHOLAR courses and links that you can browse to get a better idea of the resources that are available.

Please note that this password does not provide access to the following features:
Discussion – chat boards for students, tutors and teachers to discuss courses
Reporting – allows students to monitor their progress and assessment results

We also welcome your feedback. Email the SCHOLAR Unit at info@scholar.hw.ac.uk