I’ve been interested in online learning tools for some time; I initially wanted to set up a Moodle (although I didn’t really know how – but that’s what Google’s for) but for one reason and another decided waiting for Glow was a better option (although in the meantime I have set up – and recently neglected – a blog for my Higher class). Fife is the last authority to get Glow (although I’m told our rollout is going to be very big and widespread, overtaking some of the others) and I basically pestered and begged networked and exercised my people skills until I was allowed to sign up as a Glow mentor. And on Thursday and Friday of last week I attended my Glow mentor training classes.
Lookit what I made!
I know, it’s not much use to my current Higher class (sadly) as I think they’ll have finished the course by the time they get their logins (staff aren’t getting theirs till Easter – not sure about pupils. Summer, probably). But I’ve learnt a lot while making the site about Glow groups – and, crucially, organising Glow groups.
First impressions are mixed. Glow is powerful, yes, but hard to navigate and clunky it is (sorry, showing my geeky roots here). It is difficult to find relevant groups (I can’t believe there isn’t a “groups” search yet) and I don’t quite understand why I’m automatically a member of the drama teachers’ group but not the biology one. Yet, I am very excited about Glow coming to my school. The potential for communication and discussion with pupils is immense. Being an organisation addict, I am already geeking out about having different levels of groups, each with its own discussions and links and files. And I’ve not even started to find out about Glow Learn yet!
Realistically, I think I’ll have trouble, as a mentor, convincing many members of staff that Glow is a good thing. Its innate clunkiness will instantly turn off those who need my help to send an attachment (in the unlikely event that you ever read this, you know who you are). But for those staff who are into the ICT stuff – like me – I think it’ll be a godsend.
Is it Easter yet?
