Almost 60,000 pupils across the Lothians will be given PDAs in a
bid to boost learning in Scotland.
All pupils over the age of 10 in the selected schools will be given
the devices, as will some 6,000 teachers.
The children will also be given access to free wireless internet
under the £25m scheme, which could be funded by The National
Lottery.
The four Lothian councils involved are understood to be considering
founding a charitable trust so as to become eligible for Lottery
funding.
The move follows a pilot scheme in Wolverhampton which reported
improved results in mathematics and science after school children
were given PDAs to use full time.
Free mobile access to the internet at all times is seen as a
practical benefit to keep children interested in schoolwork by
allowing online access to course material and homework.