Glow Update – Password reset, potential copyright infringements, Google Meet and SharePoint

Glow Password Change Reminder

The national learner Glow password reset began on the 24th August and staff will be prompted to reset their passwords from 7th September.  Please note you will be prompted to change your password on login so no action is required prior to this.

It is recommend that staff encourage, where possible, learners to update their passwords to ensure they know them in the even of a local lockdown or requirement to learn remotely.  As part of the password reset we would encourage everyone when they are updating their password to review  the Glow Community Rules .

For full detail on the password reset and advice on setting up strong passwords see our previous blog post – here or visit Glow Connect – here


Changes to Google Meet functionality for external guests

Google have made some changes to the G Suite for Education offering within Glow which impacts staff’s ability to conduct Glow Meet sessions with non Glow users.  Full details on how this could affect meetings with external guest (non Glow users) can be found in our previous blog post – here


Storage and publishing of Copyright Material in Glow

Education Scotland have reported that they have received concerns from publishers and content providers that some Glow users in Scotland may have contravened copyright legislation by storing or publishing non-licensed materials through Glow.  This included the posting entire books on publicly available websites/social media.  While it is recognised this was done with the best of intentions to assist in teaching and learning it does contravene copyright regulations.

Please be aware copy written materials should not be published or shared on blogs, Google Sites or social media without a license or permission to do so.  Unlicensed materials should not be stored in Glow if they fall outside of the fair dealing requirements which allow extracts of licensed material to be used for “giving or receiving instruction”.

More details can be found in our previous blog post – here on the content providers website or the CLA (Copyright Licensing Agency) website – here


Moray Glow SharePoint Site Updates

Following an audit of the Moray Glow SharePoint site we have identified a large number of document storage sites which have no content in them and have not been accessed in the last 12 months.  These sites will be made read only from 31st August and deleted during the Autumn holiday.  If you wish to retain any of these sites contact details will be posted at the top of each site with instructions on what action is required.  This is the initial phase of a larger SharePoint project intended to create a more user friendly document storage space, the design of which will allow for flexibility, security and longevity.


What Glow should be used for?

The Digital Learning Team are receiving increased requests and queries with regards to creating Glow accounts for non-teaching/non education staff, the storage/sharing of sensitive information through Glow and allowing external users to collaborate using application accessed through Glow, such as Teams.  We would like to remind everyone that Glow’s remit is as a tool to enable learning and teaching with stringent guidelines on account eligibility.  Non Glow users can not be added to Teams or access SharePoint sites.  More details on what constitutes appropriate uses of Glow can be found here – Glow Appropriate Use .

Changes to Google Meet functionality for external guests

Google have made some changes to the G Suite for Education offering within Glow which impacts staff’s ability to conduct Glow Meet sessions with non Glow users.  Following the update staff will only be able to conduct face to face video meetings via Google Meet in Glow with users who are signed into Google with either their Glow Google account (@my.glow.scot) or a recognised Google account.  This means that Google Meets can no longer take place with users who were previously joining with other types of email accounts (hotmail, outlook, or moray.gov.uk) or joining the meeting by entering a display name prior to joining.

External guests can still join Google Meets, but they will have to be signed into a Google account to do so.  This will mean that the host will see the user name and email address when the guest tries to join the Meet rather than the name they had typed prior to joining.

Please note Google Meet is not enabled in Moray to allow learners to participate in face to face online sessions when accessing Google Meet via their Google account in Glow.

 

ALERT – Phishing email targeting teachers and education staff

There have been reports by a number of teachers and education staff in local authorities across Scotland that they have been receiving phishing emails which appear to have come from their Head Teacher’s personal or school email account.
The fake email requests that the recipient purchase Amazon vouchers on behalf of the Head Teacher as a gift for staff due to their hard work during lock-down and that the voucher details are then sent to the Head Teacher’s personal account as they are having issues with their corporate or Glow email account.

These emails are a scam!  Please do not purchase any vouchers.  Delete the email and inform your Head Teacher if you receive one.

Citizens Advice have reported that 36% of  British adults have been the target of a scam since lockdown began, and phishing is just one method being used.  For more details on how you can protect yourself against scams visit Take Five To Stop Fraud and remember their top five tips –

    1. Never disclose security details, such as your PIN or full banking password
    2. Don’t assume an email, text or phone call is authentic
    3. Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting
    4. Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right
    5. Stay in control – don’t panic and make a decision you’ll regret

For more information on staying online check out our Internet Safety Page – click here.

 

Share your digital learning journey

We would like to start running short educator lead webinar sessions to highlight and share all the fantastic work going on in the digital learning space in Moray.

 

If you have a created a Blog, Google Site, OneNote, Sway, Form, SharePoint Site or anything else you think others might be interested to see or benefit from hearing about your experience, please let us know at – learntech@moray.gov.uk

 

We will assist you in delivering a short (20 to 30 minutes) informal webinar and Q&A session.

Answers to the top 10 questions Learning Technologists get asked everyday about Glow

TEAMS

Teams is telling me to download the app, do I have to?

No, you can use Teams in your internet browser, Chrome works best.  Teams will suggest you download the app, which is free and does have some additional features for video conferencing; however it is not available on school computers and is not required.  When working/learning at home you can chose to use the app on your own device if you have permissions to do so.

I can’t chat 1 to 1 with my teacher/learner in Teams, it says this feature is disabled by the administrator can you switch it on?

The chat function in Teams for learners is disabled nationally within Glow and can’t be switched on locally.  Discussions are taking place with Education Scotland, Glow Key Contacts and RM Unify who operate Glow.  Any changes will be communicated. Questions you do not wish to post inside the Team should be sent via your Glow email.

I can’t see my pupils when I am doing a video conference meeting in Teams, can you switch it on?

The video is disabled for learners nationally within Glow and can’t be switched on locally.  Discussions are taking place around two way video conferences with learners and any changes will be communicated.

GOOGLE CLASSROOM

I have tried to email a learner/teacher in Google Classroom and its says it disabled by the administrator, can you switch it on so it will work?

Gmail is disabled for all Glow users nationally, so any emails regarding learning should be sent via your Glow Outlook email address.  Any notifications from G Suite products will be forwarded automatically to your Outlook email account.

I can’t see my pupils when I am doing a video conference meeting in Google Classroom via Google Meet.  It says it’s disabled by the administrator, can you switch it on?

The video is disabled for learners nationally within Glow and can’t be switched on locally.  Discussions are taking place around two way video conferences with learners and any changes will be communicated.

Can I use Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint with Google Classroom?

Yes, but  these documents will have to be added as attachments.  The default programmes used to create new documents within Google Classroom are part of the G Suite such as Doc, Sheets and Slides.

GENERAL

I am being asked to enter my Microsoft account details when I try to get into my email or other Office 365 applications, what do I enter?

When you see the Microsoft sign in pop up box you need to enter your full Glow email address.  Your Glow email is your user name followed by @glow.sch.uk for school users or @glowmail.org.uk for non school users.

When I am trying to use Glow sometime I get an error saying my browser does not support the action, what do I do?

When using Glow it is best to use Chrome as your internet browser.  Some applications accessed within Glow are not comparable with other browsers such as Firefox or Internet Explorer.  It is also worth ensuring that your browsers is update with the latest version of the software.

I have forgotten my password, how to I get it reset?

Contact the school in the first instance and they will be able to reset your password.

Can I use [insert product name] now that we are teaching/learning remotely?

The same data protection procedure is in place even when working remotely and only approved software, apps and websites should be used.  If you wish to use a new product a DPIA form will be required to review the product prior to use.

 

Remote Learning Support

A website has been created to help parents/carers support learners in accessing Glow and saying safe online.  The aim of this resources is to get learners logged into Glow where they can access long term support resources.

You can access the website using the following link – Digital Support Website

You can also find links for families of children in primary schools to support their child’s learning and development – here.

Data Protection – Do I need to complete a DPIA form?

Before purchasing or using a software programme, app or website Data Protection should be considered.  If the product requires you to create an account, enter information about yourself or other people then a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) is required to comply with Data Protection legislation. The DPIA is reviewed by the organisation’s Data Protection Officer, who will decide whether to approve the product.  On some occasions specific guidance is placed on the use of the product, for example additional parental consent requirements, data purging schedules or limits on information to be provided.

A link to download a blank DPIA and view full list of all the products that are authorised for use, products which schools are completing DPIA’s for and DPIA’s currently being reviewed can be found at the top of the Education Weekly Bulletin issues to all schools and support teams.

Do you always need to complete a DPIA?

The short answer is yes, but if you are creating an account for a product or website using generic information not linked to a specific person then the DPIA should only require the screening questions to be completed.  For example creating an account using the school name rather than a person’s name, using a generic admin email account not a personal email and entering the school address instead of a home address.

It is worth considering when creating accounts to access resources whether generic information could be used without breaching the terms and conditions of the account you are creating.

If you have to enter personal details to create an account or to use a programme when should you complete a DPIA?

The DPIA should be completed prior to purchasing any new product or subscription.  This will ensure that you are able to use the product straight away after purchase.  It is also worth checking if you are renewing an existing subscription that was originally taken out prior to the updated Data Protection legislation coming into law that it has been reviewed and authorised.

Where can I find out more information?

You can find full guidance on completing the Moray Council DPIA form in the Data Protection Guidance – HERE

For general information about Data Protection legislation visit the Information Commissioner’s Officer by clicking – HERE

Don’t forget you can complete the Moray Data Protection training module on CLIVE

Any specific questions about completing the DPIA, products approved/rejected or currently under review can be directed to learntech@moray.gov.uk.  The Learning Technologists will liaise with the DPO on your behalf.

What Digital Learning might look like

Located on the National Improvement Hub, Education Scotland have published a document which aims to provide examples of digital learning activities and how they can be incorporated into a range of contexts at early, first and second level.

The document lists the experiences and outcomes in the left-hand column with suggested learning activities in the right-hand column.

These examples are not exhaustive and are only to illustrate how educators can include the digital literacy and computing science experiences and outcomes into cross-curricular contexts.

This exemplar has been developed to support practitioners  in early years settings and primary schools when they are planning learning and teaching of the digital literacy and computing science experiences and outcomes.

You can access the document using the link below –

What Digital Learning might look like exemplar

Signing In to Microsoft account in Glow

 

 

Some users when trying to open Office 365 from their Glow launch pads are being asked to Sign In to Microsoft in order to access Office apps.

If you see the message shown in the picture, simply type in your Glow email address and click ‘Next’ to progress to the Office 365 home page.  Your Glow email is your user name followed by @glow.sch.uk for school users or @glowmail.org.uk for non school users.  Examples for both email formats are below –

gw20bloggsjoe@glow.sch.uk

gw20bloggsjoe@glowmail.org.uk

You may be asked to repeat this action if you log onto a different computer or have cleared your browser’s cache.

If you have any issues logging in to Office 365 via Glow please email learntech@moray.gov.uk

2024 CLPL Opportunities

Places for all of the CLPL sessions details below can be reserved on the Moray CPD Manager.

The list below will continue to be updated as new sessions are confirmed.  Please sign up via the interim Education CLPL Offer site.

 

Date Time Session Location Delivered by
14/01/2025 4pm – 5pm Safer Internet Day Preparation Session  Online Digital Learning Team
23/01/2025 4pm – 5pm Alternatives for Google Jamboard Online Digital Learning Team
30/01/2025 4pm – 5pm Google Sites for Profiling – Set Up Online Digital Learning Team
6/02/2025  4pm – 5pm Google Sites for Profiling – Adding Content Online Digital Learning Team
27/02/2025 4pm – 5pm Safer Schools Scotland App for Teaching and School Communities Online Digital Learning Team
04/03/2025 4pm – 5pm P7 Transition Resources Launch Online Digital Learning Team
11/03/2025  4pm – 5pm Making the most of Forms Online Digital Learning Team
19/03/2025 4pm – 5pm Translation Tools Online Digital Learning Team
25/03/2025 4pm – 5pm Tools for CRIS (Cyber Resilience and Internet Safety) Online Digital Learning Team
17/04/2025 4pm – 5pm Offline Computer Science Online Digital Learning Team
22/04/2025  4pm – 5pm Coding with Scratch Online Digital Learning Team
29/04/2025 4pm – 5pm Support for Code Clubs Online Digital Learning Team
14/05/2025 4pm – 5pm Learning Accelerators in M365 (Glow) Online Digital Learning Team
20/05/2025 4pm – 5pm Digital Citizenship Online Digital Learning Team
12/06/2025 4pm – 5pm Digital End of Year Housekeeping Online Digital Learning Team

 

 

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