Scotland set to Glow brighter

Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) is continuing to lead the way with ICT developments in education with the announcement that Glow, Scotland’s national schools intranet, is to undergo a period of enhancement based on user feedback.

A two year extension to the original five year contract with RM – the solution provider for Glow – will deliver improvements to the Glow service designed to create an enriched user experience. These improvements have come as a direct result of comments received by the National Glow Team through the online discussion forums and help group.

As part of the ongoing refreshment, Glow will soon support user blogs and wikis, allowing pupils and classes to create web pages and online diaries to showcase their work to other schools across Scotland. Promoting individualised learning and collaboration, this will be the first time Scotland has had access to a national education blog and wiki service.

From now until summer 2010, the improvements will begin to go live, starting with the introduction of four new graphical ‘themes’, allowing users to choose their favourite presentation.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop, says:
“It’s great to see that Glow has been embraced by teachers and learners alike, with over 3 million log-ins to date. These improvements are in response to their feedback and are testament to the value of collaboration and co-operation. Through participation, users have a real chance to help shape their experiences of Scottish education.

“The Glow intranet allows schools across Scotland to plan, create, publish and interact – promoting individualised learning and widening support. As a tool to support Curriculum for Excellence it makes an invaluable contribution. These enhancements will allow us to use 21st century technology to support 21st century learning and teaching.”

Bernard McLeary, chief executive of LTS, says: “At LTS we are dedicated to providing the tools that teachers and practitioners expect from a modern learning environment to support the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence.
“Every day Glow users across the country are exploring the opportunities and benefits that this secure network offers to enhance their education experience. It is through feedback from these users that we have begun a period of enhancement to the service.

“Through Glow, Curriculum for Excellence will continue to transform learning experiences and teachers’ approaches.” 
In addition to the new themes, blog and wiki services, users will also benefit from an improved service from Glow Mail, with richer features.

Terry Sweeney, chief executive of RM, the solution provider for Glow, says, “I am delighted with the latest developments with Glow and the two year extension making this a seven year contract. With its improved functionality, Glow will now deliver even greater learning opportunities to the students in Scotland and better reporting.

“Glow remains the only national educational intranet in the world and has been internationally recognised by winning the IMS Learning Impact Award. Now that all 32 local authorities are signed up to Glow the young people of Scotland have a great opportunity to improve their life chances through access to the very best educational resources available online.”

Ends
 
For more information contact:
 
Kirsten Blackie
Media relations officer
Learning and Teaching Scotland
E: K.Blackie@LTScotland.org.uk
T: 0141 282 5036 M: 07535 657 117

Notes to editors:

1. The vision of the Scottish Government, Glow is managed by Learning and Teaching Scotland. The online network is revolutionising the way Scottish education is delivered. It is breaking down geographical and social barriers to allow greater joined-up working across the country, linking pupils and educators from Shetlands to the Borders, in a variety of innovative educational activities.

2. Learning and Teaching Scotland is the lead organisation involved in the development and support of the Scottish curriculum and is at the heart of all major developments in Scottish education  www.LTScotland.org.uk