A real hot topic at the moment, this GLOW stuff. Everybody has different views on this, and as usual if you speak to one hundred teachers you will probably get one hundred different takes on just how useful a piece of kit it might or might not be. The technorati on the TESS web forum decry GLOW as too simplistic and way behind current ICT technology. Examples of comments are…

 ”Moodle will do all glow does and more, no much much more.
How much cash has been spent on GLOW training? How much better could you have spent the cash yourself?

“I’d have given teachers with an interest access to webspace, the ability to install the software on their work pc and introductory training at collage.
Centrally template files could have been made up. Perhaps the teachers could produce resources which others would use. The teachers making up the resourses must get paid.
Cost a fraction of GLOW, materials produced and probably shared”

I think these people are missing the point somewhat. The point, as I see it anyway is to bring together learning communities across Scotland. Pupils, parents, teachers…using software that is easy to use, and more importantly, to understand if you are not computer oriented. I’ve been using GLOW with a group of parents and their children and they love it. The parents in particular can see the possibilities including the impact on the exam results of their children through ‘active learning’ using materials on GLOW set up by teachers and their pupils. Compared to just trying to study by reading a book or notes, it’s streets ahead. So many things are brought together under one roof by GLOW. Yes, there is more advanced software available. Moodle might have been an option, but GLOW is going to be a common and more importantly, a standardised base for most to use effectively. All the other stuff is good, but disparate, and harder to understand if you are trying to put it together. And again, one hundred teachers will put it together in one hundred different ways. Not so with GLOW. It might be a little low-tech for many people’s tastes, but these are in the minority. For many teachers, GLOW will be the tool that lights the ICT fires, particularly those who don’t use ICT at the moment for whatever reason. It does the job, and will do it well, as the little bugs and gremlins are ironed out through use by the early adopter authorities.

My own school has adopted a team approach to the roll-out of GLOW and it’s working well. Different abilities, ICT-wise so different speeds of progress, but much collaboration and gaining of valuable experience. I have to admit, I was cynical about this approach at first wanting to be hands-on solo with the project, but I was wrong. It’s too much for one person in a school to handle (unless they are out on a full-time secondment to the task)well, in a secondary anyway. Different jobs and responsibilities can be handled by different individuals who can then share experiences working together to smooth the roll-out pathway in the school. I certainly value the support of my colleagues on this journey, and that includes our area mentor.

To the cynics I would say this – like it or not, GLOW here to stay and you have a duty to make it work. A duty to your pupils and their families. Stand and carp from the sidelines if you want, but you’ll find yourself increasingly left in the dark if you do.