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A school for special needs students in Edinburgh, Scotland, has started a test program to help special needs students become more independent. The school, Pilrig Park School, has made history by being the first in Scotland to give GPS tracking devices to its students. Pilrig Park wanted to save time and worry for its teachers by enabling its special needs students to travel safely to and from school on their own.

The GPS assistance allows the school staff to use the time formerly spent accompanying students for other tasks. The portable tracking devices also gives the students’ parents or guardians peace of mind. The hand-held devices allow authorized personnel (like teachers and parents) to view the student’s exact location in real time. The small satellite devices also have a button that immediately notifies those with access. If anything happens on the bus trip to or from school, the student call for help easily.

Although Edinburgh has used GPS technology to assist its elderly for over four years, the school’s use of GPS marks a breakthrough for special needs students all over the world. Teachers have praised the program, saying it helps students become better prepared to face the world by building confidence and helping them become more independent.

According to school staff, the technology also helps teachers by allowing them to “concentrate on those pupils who need a higher level of support.” Since this program has proven effective in Scotland, it may soon grow to be used by other students around the world. Special needs students as well as many other have been able to use GPS to improve their quality of life. In the future, even more creative uses for GPS will make the news.

Article Written by Greg Bartlett