Glow has been a major part of our nation's development in technologies for learning. Some great work has been carried out with Glow and many resources have been created with it. It has given many teachers and pupils a safe and closed environment to explore tools that the on-line world can provide. It allows secure sharing and collaboration across the whole of Scotland.
The announcement asked us to consider the best free services and tools which we could use to extend Glow.
Current Services and Future Replacements
Current Service |
Possible Replacement 1 |
Possible Replacement 2 |
Possible Replacement 3 |
Possible Replacement 4 |
Possible Replacement 5 |
|
Glow Groups |
Google Sites |
Google Groups |
Wiggio |
A Wiki Farm, most of glow groups functions can be replicated on a wiki. |
Office 365 Edu SharePoint 2010 Online |
|
Discussion Forums (phpBB) |
self hosted phpBB forums |
Facebook |
|
Live@edu /Wordpress |
Office365 Edu SharePoint 2010 Online |
|
Blogs |
self hosted Wordpress MS |
Blogger |
Wordpress.com |
Live@edu / Wordpress |
Office365 Edu SharePoint 2010 Online |
|
GlowMail |
GMail |
Hosted mail solution |
Live @ Edu |
Live@edu Exchange Online |
Office 365 Edu Exchange Online |
|
GlowMeet |
continue with Adobe Connect Solution (but open up the mobile app too) |
Google+/Google Talk(?) |
JaNet Desktop VC |
Live@edu Live Messenger or Adobe Connect |
Office 365 Edu Lync Online |
|
Kelidos (VLE) |
self hosted Moodle |
self hosted Sakai |
|
Live@edu Moodle Integration |
Office 365 Edu SharePoint 2010 Online |
|
Shibboleth (authentication service) |
Agreement with OpenID |
Google+ |
Twitter
|
Windows LiveID /Shib/SAML lots of options |
ADFS/SAML/OpenID lots of options |
|
Wikis (MindTouch) |
MindTouch (few problems with mindtouch at the moment, swf files. Video...) |
MediaWiki |
Google Sites |
Wikispaces |
|
|
GlowLight |
iGoogle |
|
|
|
SHarePoint 2010 WebParts |
|
ePortfolio (currently using WP Blogs) |
Mahara (possible integration with Moodle) also keeping current WP blogs |
My Showcase (has a Moodle plugin) |
wordpress without glow complications |
Live@edu SkyDrive |
Office 365 Edu SharePoint 2010 Online |
|
New Services
Services
Many of the services above would fall under the Google Apps for Edu service. Offered free to education these tools could become the new "core" of Glow and make use of our single sign-on. Another alternative could be the Microsoft Live @ Edu offering.
Other thoughts
How do we take forward the best of the services of the web together with our single sign on? Which of these features should we retain? What other online services could we use as replacements. Is there scope for partnership with providers to have Glow landing pages and sign-on at other services sites? single sign on?
How for instance to we maintain links between current service and National Assessment Resource ( NAR ) and also build links to on-line assessment like SOLAR. There will too be some content that may be hosted remotely but will require authentication.- ideally authentication that can differentiate between teacher and learner.
How do we make best use of pupil and staff data recorded in MIS (Management and Information Systems)? The current Glow pulls through teaching group structures, attendance stats, tracking and monitoring information- should this remain? Is there an opportunity, with 28 Local Authorities using the same MIS, to look at nationalising it?
Could we include a method of formal reporting to parents?
Do we need to develop/obtain a Glow API so that third-parties can develop applications that use Glow content? Could a third-party API (such as that used with Google Docs) do the job for us?
Is there an opportunity to provide facilities that support staff development- tie in CPD Find, booking CPD, the PRD (Professional Review and Development) process, Teacher Induction Scheme, GTC notifications of change?
How do we avoid the support overheads of plugins and software updates for some of the "free tools" that have been suggested? Should we set a minimum requirement that all services must be hosted to reduce support and updates required on individual devices?
How do we encourage the use of mobile devices when some plugins aren't available for browsers like Chrome, Opera, Safari and HMTL 5 not supported until IE9 (which cannot be installed on WinXP)?
Other points of reference
Lots of great content and examples of great use has happened inside Glow. But what about outside? Where is the great practise which we should consider when looking to the future?
- Edubuzz is a learning network for learners in East Lothian, Scotland.
- CompEdNet: an educational community for sharing and discussion between Scottish Computing Teachers.
- Sputnik: a mailing list run by the Institute of Physics and used by many physics teachers in Scotland.
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