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Mapping digital steps for an upper secondary school

Mapping digital steps for an upper secondary school
Published at 20 June 2025 | Lithuania

General details

EDIHs involved

Customer

EDIH logo
Customer type: PSO
Customer size: Medium (50-249)
Customer turnover: N/a

Services provided
Networking and access to innovation ecosystems
Training and skills development
Technologies
Internet Services & Applications
Robotics
Artificial Intelligence & Decision support
Laser-based manufacturing and materials processing
Sectors
Education

Challenges

Svencioneliai King Mindaugas Gymnasium is located in a town of 5,000 inhabitants in Eastern Lithuania. The Upper Secondary School serves just over 300 students aged between 16 and 18.

Upon taking office, the new school director was faced with the challenge of assessing the school’s existing digital infrastructure and developing a strategy to modernise the institution. With a strong ambition to become a forward-looking, innovative educational centre, the gymnasium partnered with VILNIUS TECH (Vilnius Gediminas Technical University) to work toward its vision of becoming a “School of Future Engineering”, placing digital technologies at the heart of its development strategy.

An initial assessment revealed a heterogeneous technological landscape: while some classrooms were equipped with modern smart screens, others relied on outdated interactive whiteboards — and a number of classrooms had no digital tools at all. Furthermore, the school expressed a clear interest in upgrading its technology curriculum and expanding its resources for robotics education.
 

Solutions

The EDIH4IAE.LT experts carried out a comprehensive assessment of the school’s digital infrastructure, following international best practices. Based on the results, tailored recommendations were provided to help standardize technologies across classrooms. One key proposal was the installation of interactive screens with unified software in all classrooms, which would streamline IT management and enhance the user experience for both teachers and students.

During the process, potential suppliers were identified, and it was discovered that some manufacturers were offering up to 50% discounts on interactive screens when replacing outdated boards. This allowed the school to achieve significant cost savings while modernizing its equipment.

In addition, the following innovative solutions were recommended to support the school’s digital transformation:

  • Robotics and technology teaching tools: including ShapeRobotics Fable robots, magnetic construction kits, 3D printers, and laser cutting machines.

  • Interactive learning equipment: such as iDesk tables, interactive walls and floors, and sand tables.

  • AI-powered technologies: notably the EditAI system, aimed at optimizing teaching and learning processes.

  • Digital learning platforms and textbooks: including “Vedliai,” “Eduka,” and “Eduten.”

Results and Benefits

The digital transformation at Svencioneliai King Mindaugas Gymnasium is currently underway, with a strong focus on the long-term, phased implementation of innovative technologies.

The project aims to deliver a sustainable strategy to enhance the quality of education. By gradually introducing interactive tools, robotics equipment, and AI-based systems, the school is creating a modern learning environment that promotes student engagement and skill development—particularly in STEAM fields.

To date, all investments have been financed through the school’s own budget, with additional support from the local municipality. This funding model ensures that implementation aligns with available financial resources, prioritizing the most impactful technologies. A phased approach has been adopted to guarantee that each new solution is fully integrated and effectively used in the learning process.

This gradual adoption of innovation is already yielding benefits:

  • Increased student engagement and creativity

  • Improved learning outcomes through interactive and hands-on tools

  • A clear path for the school to become a regional hub for educational innovation

The municipality has actively supported the initiative by co-funding equipment and improving infrastructure. At the same time, the involvement of EDIH experts has proven essential—offering tailored advice that enabled the school to:

  • Select the most appropriate solutions

  • Avoid unnecessary expenses

  • Optimize procurement and budget allocation

Although the full rollout will take time, the transformation is progressing steadily. In the coming years, the implemented technologies are expected to reduce time spent on lesson preparation, training, and administrative tasks—accelerating the return on investment and enabling better use of school resources.

Ultimately, this initiative stands as a model for gradual and sustainable digital transformation in public education, demonstrating how significant progress can be achieved even with limited funding—thanks to strategic planning, expert guidance, and local collaboration. 

Perceived social/economic impact

On a social level, the integration of advanced technologies—such as interactive floors, smart screens, robotics kits, and AI-based tools—will create a more engaging, dynamic, and inclusive learning environment. This modern educational setting will foster key 21st-century competencies such as creativity, critical thinking, and a strong foundation in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) subjects. As a result, students will be more motivated and better equipped to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital society.

Moreover, teachers will be empowered to deliver higher-quality, personalised instruction, better aligned with the individual learning needs of their students. This shift will contribute to more equitable learning outcomes and improved educational performance across the board.

Economically, the project lays the groundwork for preparing students to thrive in the future job market, particularly in technology, engineering, and innovation-driven sectors. By strengthening digital and STEAM-related skills, the initiative enhances students’ career prospects and supports the long-term economic development of the region.

The modernization of the school’s infrastructure also has the potential to:

  • Attract external investment, including funding for joint innovation or education projects

  • Draw students from surrounding areas, boosting enrollment and enhancing the school’s reputation

  • Foster partnerships with universities and technology companies, increasing opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration

In the long term, the adoption of a unified, digital learning ecosystem is expected to optimize resource use, streamline the management of teaching and learning processes, and reduce operational costs—for example, by decreasing reliance on printed educational materials.

Measurable data

Although the digital transformation at Svencioneliai King Mindaugas Gymnasium is still in progress, the implementation of key technologies is already showing potential to significantly enhance teaching quality, learning outcomes, and administrative efficiency. The following measurable impacts are anticipated:

  1. Student Engagement: The introduction of interactive technologies—such as smart floors, walls, sand tables, and robotics kits—is expected to significantly boost student interest and participation in STEM subjects.
    Projected Increase: Student enrolment in technology and robotics classes is expected to grow by 20–30% within the first year.

  2. Learning Outcomes: With the integration of digital tools like interactive screens and digital textbooks, student performance in STEAM subjects is projected to improve.
    Expected Impact: A minimum 10% increase in average student achievement in STEAM disciplines during the first year of implementation.

  3.  Lesson Efficiency: The use of standardized digital systems, supported by targeted teacher training, will simplify lesson planning and improve instructional delivery.
    Efficiency Gain: Teachers are expected to reduce lesson preparation time by at least 20%, enabling greater focus on personalized learning and student support.

  4. Administrative & Management Efficiency: The implementation of digital infrastructure will streamline maintenance tasks and resource coordination, easing the workload on administrative staff.
    Time Savings: School management is projected to save approximately 30% of their time through improved system integration and resource optimization.

  5. Financial Benefits: By leveraging manufacturer discounts, the school has already saved up to 50% on the purchase of interactive equipment.
    Return on Investment: Full ROI is expected within 2–3 years, due to cost reductions in areas such as teaching material updates, equipment maintenance, and administrative processes.
     

DMA score and results - Stage 0

At the start of the collaboration with the company, a Digital Maturity Assessment (DMA) was conducted to evaluate its initial state. The results of the baseline assessment (T0) revealed the following scores: Digital Business Strategy – 11%, Digital Readiness – 25%, Human-Centric Digitalisation – 31%, Data Management and Security – 14%, Interoperability – 9%, and Green Digitalisation – 16%. These figures highlighted key areas for improvement and served as a foundation for planning targeted digital transformation actions.

Lessons learned

Do's – Key Success Factors

  • Conduct a thorough needs analysis
    Begin with a detailed assessment of existing infrastructure and work closely with school leadership to identify priorities. This enables realistic planning and phased implementation based on actual needs and financial capacity.

  • Develop a structured, phased implementation plan
    A gradual rollout of technologies helps ensure sustainable progress and allows the institution to adapt over time.

  • Collaborate with trusted suppliers
    Evaluate multiple proposals and negotiate terms. This can lead to significant cost savings, as seen with the discounted acquisition of interactive screens.

  • Invest in teacher training
    Proper training is essential for the effective integration and use of new technologies in the classroom.

Don’ts – Challenges and Pitfalls

  • Don’t rely solely on a limited budget
    Depending only on school and municipal funds can slow down implementation. Future projects should consider seeking external funding opportunities (e.g. national or EU-level grants) to accelerate progress.

  • Don’t underestimate interoperability issues
    Some technologies may not work seamlessly together. It’s important to choose compatible solutions from the outset or dedicate sufficient time for integration planning.

Other Information

The digital transformation at Svencioneliai King Mindaugas Gymnasium stands out for its flexible funding strategy, long-term vision, and focus on impact.

By combining school funds with municipal support, the project follows a phased implementation approach, allowing steady progress despite limited resources.

It also emphasizes capacity building, aiming to strengthen the digital skills of both teachers and students, with a strong focus on robotics and STEAM education.

Technologies are selected for their interoperability, ensuring the creation of a cohesive, efficient digital ecosystem.

This project shows that with strategic planning and smart investment, schools can achieve meaningful innovation and long-lasting benefits—even on a modest budget.