Glow – Schools IT Excellence Group set up

Education Secretary Michael Russell has appointed the Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Muffy Calder to convene an ICT Excellence Group to consider the future development of the schools’ intranet ‘Glow’.

As previously indicated, the new ICT excellence group will draw on the experience and expertise of end-users, and educational technology experts to scope the long-term user-centred future of Glow.

Speaking about the the establishment of the group, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell said, “It is crucial that the next generation of Glow allows schools to harness the power of technology for learning, to keep pace with rapidly evolving developments and speak the language that young people speak online.”

“Professor Calder’s group will have the challenge of imagining a future for the service that can be customised to the individual requirements of our young people, is dynamic and can remain relevant for years to come. I look forward to receiving their advice later this year.”

The group members confirmed today are:

• Prof Muffy Calder, Chief Scientific Adviser, Scottish Government
• Prof Ian Sommerville, Professor of Software, University of St Andrews
• Prof Mike Sharples, Professor and Chair of Educational Technology, Open University
• Mr Ewan McIntosh, Director, NoTosh
• Mr Charlie Love, Teacher of Computing, Cults Academy Aberdeen
• Prof Bill Buchanan, Professor in the School of Computing, Edinburgh Napier University
• Mr Hamish Budge, Education Support Officer, Comhairle Nan Eilean Sar, Isle of Lewis
• Prof Jeff Haywood, Vice Principal Knowledge & Management, CIO & Librarian, University of Edinburgh
• Mr Neil Winton, Principal Teacher of English, Perth Academy
• Mr Tony Rafferty, National Parent Forum of Scotland
• Mr Fraser Speirs, Head of Computing and IT, Cedars School of Excellence
• Mrs Jaye Richards Hill, Former Learning Community Principal Teacher
• Mr Martin Dewar , Digital Director, Young Scot (who will also facilitate the involvement of two school pupils in the group)
• Professor Stephen Heppell, Chair in New Media Environments, Centre for Excellence in Media Practice, Bournemouth University
• Ian Stuart, Deputy Head Teacher, Islay High School
• Ms Polly Purvis, Director, ScotlandIS
• Jo Bell, Principal Teacher, Ardler Primary, Dundee.

Glow is currently used by teachers, pupils and parents to support learning and share resources. Developed in 2005 as an education intranet with a potential user base of 1.5 million users, comprising learners, parents and carers, teachers and other staff supporting education across Scotland.

Related information:

Cabinet Secretary outlines user-centred approach for Glow

Engage section – ICT in Education Programme

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