Category Archives: CLPL

CLPL, Microsoft 365, News & Updates

Important Changes to Microsoft 365 Licensing – Action Required

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The upcoming changes to Microsoft 365 licensing will affect all Glow users, including staff and students. Please read this guide carefully as it contains information about how these changes will impact you and what actions you need to take.

Overview of changes

  • From the 1st of August 2024 users will no longer be able to download or authenticate Microsoft desktop applications through their Glow account.
  • They will also not be able to activate products such as Word, Excel or PowerPoint desktop apps using their Glow M365 credentials.
  • If users have previously downloaded and activated Microsoft Desktop Apps, they will no longer work with your Glow account.
  • This is a change in Microsoft licensing that affects all Glow users, both staff and students and may impact home devices as well as in-school devices. For further information on how to access the desktop apps at home, please see here.
  • Please note, if you are using the mobile apps, these will continue to be available.

What does this mean for Renfrewshire staff and pupils?

  • The changes to how Microsoft 365 licences are now managed, means that Renfrewshire Council staff and pupils will need to authenticate their Microsoft 365 accounts and desktop apps in a new way.
  • As you can no longer sign into the Microsoft 365 desktop products with your Glow email address, teaching staff who previously did not have a renfrewshire.school account, will now be given one.
  • This Renfrewshire Microsoft 365 account will be in addition to their Glow account and can now be used this to authenticate desktop apps instead.
  • The changes from Microsoft now mean that staff or pupils using a Glow Microsoft 365 account will only be able to use Glow Microsoft 365 tools, such as Word, Excel, Teams, etc, online via their browser. You can continue to use Class Teams as before, via the browser.
  • Teaching staff and pupils will have access to the full desktop version of Microsoft 365, when required, via their new Renfrewshire Microsoft 365 account.
  • It is important to note that this new renfrewshire.school account should not replace your glow e-mail address. It is simply used to authenticate desktop apps.

I am a teacher with a renfrewshire.school address; how does this affect me?

  • If you already have an @renfrewshire.school account and you currently authenticate your Microsoft 365 tools via this, you will be unaffected.
  • If you are unsure what account you have, please see the section “How to Check Your Microsoft Licence” in the guidance.
  • It is important to note these changes only apply to the desktop apps. You can continue to use the Microsoft 365 suite of tools within Glow by signing into your browser as before.
  • If you wish to access work at home, you will be able to do this on your staff laptop.
  • If you wish to share documents with pupils via your existing Glow Teams, you will need to download the document and then upload the document to Glow via the browser for pupils to access this at home.

I am a teacher without a renfrewshire.school address; how does this affect me?

  • If your main Microsoft 365 account is provided via Glow, you will now have a @renfrewshire.school account that you can use to access the Microsoft 365 desktop apps, if required.
  • Please see the section “Authenticating Microsoft with Your renfrewshire.school Account” in the guidance.
  • If you wish to access work at home, you will be able to do this on your staff laptop.
  • If you wish to share documents with pupils via your existing Glow Teams, you will need to download the document and then upload the document to Glow via the browser for pupils to access this at home.

I am a member of non-teaching staff; how does this affect me?

  • If you have a renfrewshire.school account, you will be unaffected and will continue to authenticate the desktop apps as before.
  • If you are unsure what account you have, please see the section “How to Check Your Microsoft Licence” in the guidance
  • If your Microsoft 365 account is provided via Glow, you will now need to access Microsoft 365 tools via the browser.

I am a pupil; how does this affect me?

  • Pupils can continue to use the Microsoft 365 suite of tools within Glow by signing into Glow via the browser as before.
  • Please see the section “Authenticating Microsoft with Your renfrewshire.school Account” in the guidance for steps on how to access the Microsoft 365 desktop apps, if required.
  • Please note pupils cannot access their Glow Email via the Outlook app. Pupils should continue to access Glow Email via the browser by logging into Glow as normal.

Further Support

If you have any issues accessing your new renfrewshire.school account, please contact csbit@renfrewshire.gov.uk in the first instance.

For further information on the changes, please see Glow Connect.

CLPL, News & Updates

Annual Glow Password Reset #GlowScot

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At the beginning of the academic year, all Glow users will be prompted to change their password when they login to Glow.

We would like to encourage everyone to remember the Glow Community Rules when using Glow. Be secure: always keep your Glow password to yourself and remember to log out of Glow when you are no longer using it.

Password Change for Pupils (from Wednesday 9th August)

From the 9th August pupils will be prompted to change their password next time they log into Glow. Any changes or password resets prior to this date will be replaced by the annual password change on the 9th August.  This password change should provide an opportunity for pupils to choose a password that is easy for them to remember but difficult for others to guess.

Please follow the Password Guidance on Glow Connect to help stay safer online and to find out what makes a strong password when using Glow.

Supporting Pupils with a Password Change

Staff should be aware that if they are supporting pupils to choose a strong/new password that this should be unique to each pupil. They should not be advised to use the same password as the rest of the class. It is not good practice to have a whole school or class password as this may encourage inappropriate use of Glow. In addition, the previous 12 passwords may not be used.

Staff may be supporting pupils to choose a strong password or younger learners to change their password whilst in school or at home. We would encourage pupils to change their password in school, however we are aware that some pupils may be learning at home, with the password change being supported by parents/carers. We would ask that parents/carers do not access Glow directly.

The Password Guidance page will also provide hints like using a group of words or a phrase or a using password grids to support younger learners.

Password Change for Staff (from Wednesday 28th August 2024)

Staff are also encouraged to choose a strong password. When prompted to choose a new password there is a minimum requirement and a password rating is displayed to reflect this. The Change Password button will only be enabled when the minimum requirement for this account type is met. Again, the previous 12 passwords can not be used.

Issues with changing passwords

Staff can contact the Glow RM Unify Administrator at their school/establishment.

Staff at each school/establishment should be able to support pupils’ to reset their Glow password.

Thank-you.

 

CLPL, News & Updates

Adobe Express for Education in Glow #GlowScot

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Adobe Express for Education in glow graphic

Adobe-Express-for-Education-Info-Graphic

As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance digital literacy and creativity among our students, we would like to introduce you to Adobe Express for Education. This suite of tools offers a range of creative resources that can benefit both educators and learners, such as:

Adobe Express Suite:

  • A free, web-based and mobile app suite designed for creating and sharing visual content.
  • Includes tools for graphics, presentations, videos, and websites.
  • Provides easy-to-use templates and design elements.

Creative Tools Available:

  • Graphics: Design eye-catching visuals for presentations, posters, and social media.
  • Presentations: Create engaging slides with customizable templates.
  • Videos: Edit and produce video content for classroom projects.
  • Websites: Build simple web pages to showcase student work or class projects.

Educational Benefits:

  • Enhanced Creativity: Students can express themselves through various media formats.
  • Increased Engagement: Interactive content captures students’ attention.
  • Developing Digital Literacy: Familiarizing students with design tools prepares them for the digital world.
  • Collaboration Opportunities: Students can collaborate on creative projects.

Getting Started:

  • Access Adobe Express Suite via Glow. Use Microsoft Edge browser and you will see the Adobe Express tile within the Renfrewshire LaunchPad.
  • Explore self-paced learning resources, participate in live lessons, and access UK-aligned lesson plans.

To find out more, check out all the info on Glow Connect:

Glow Connect Adobe Express

Or on our Adobe Express Wakelet!

CLPL, Microsoft 365, News & Updates

Microsoft Office Desktop Apps, Changes for Glow Users @GlowScot

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In August 2023, Microsoft announced changes to their licence model programme that would ultimately impact the Glow Microsoft tenancy.

Since the announcement, the Glow Team have been engaging with Microsoft to discuss their planned changes to establish the exact impact to the Glow Microsoft tenancy, and what options are available in light of our contract.

We have been updating your local Glow Key Contacts periodically and have run several engagement sessions.

We would now like to share the update below that is currently planned to be rolled out by Microsoft to Glow Users from the 1st August 2024.

Regards, The Glow Team

Microsoft Desktop App Changes

  • From the 1st August 2024 users will no longer be able to download the Microsoft desktop applications through their Glow account
  • They will also not be able to activate products such as Word, Excel or PowerPoint desktop apps using their Glow M365 credentials
  • Please note that if users have previously downloaded and activated Microsoft Desktop Apps, they will no longer work with your Glow account

This is a change in Microsoft licensing that affects all Glow users, both staff and students and may impact home devices as well as in-school devices.

The alternatives to using the desktop applications is to use Microsoft 365 Web Apps and Microsoft Apps on a mobile device

Microsoft 365 Web Apps

There will be no impact to users currently accessing the Microsoft 365 Web Apps via a browser e.g. Chrome, Safari, Edge.

Glow users will still be able to use the full functionality provided via the Microsoft 365 Web Apps, that can be accessed in a browser using your Glow credentials.

  • Access https://glow.scot and log on to access RM Unify
  • Use the Microsoft Product tiles to launch M365 e.g. OneDrive tile

Further help:

https://glowconnect.org.uk/docs/desktop-apps/microsoft-office-desktop-app-august-2024-changes/#8-toc-title

Microsoft Apps on a mobile device

There will be no impact to users currently accessing the Microsoft Apps via smaller mobile devices e.g. phone or tablet

You can use mobile apps on devices smaller than 10.9 inches.

Further help:

https://glowconnect.org.uk/docs/desktop-apps/microsoft-office-desktop-app-august-2024-changes/#9-toc-title

Guidance and FAQ support

Please click on the link below to access our dedicated page on Glow Connect to find out more.

Glow Connect – Microsoft Office Desktop App – August 2024 Changes

This page includes information regarding:

  • What products are affected?
  • What products are not affected?
  • How to find out if your product is affected?
  • How you can still use M365 Apps using your Glow account
  • FAQs for Microsoft Desktop App changes

Regards, The Glow Team

 

CLPL, Microsoft 365, News & Updates

Microsoft tools available in Glow – Professional Learning @GlowScot

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These PL sessions are available to book now via CPD Manager!

Please see below screenshot of new CPD listings for the above course. This course is running cross five dates however, not all dates need to be attended which is why there are separate listings to avoid staff being marked as absent for a course that they are not required to attend. The ‘overview’ session taking place on 12/09/24 and ‘session 4’ taking place on 16/01/25 are the two sessions that need to be attended and have been uploaded together under course ID number: 87176. Sessions 1-3 can be applied for in addition to the ‘overview’ and ‘session 4’ based upon whether staff think they would be applicable to them and therefore, have also been uploaded as individual listings. The course ID numbers for these sessions are noted below.

Please note that some of these sessions are taking place face-to-face and others taking place online. Details of where these courses are taking place can be viewed via the respective CPD listing however, please note that the sessions that are running face-to-face do not yet have a venue and will currently show on CPD as ‘AA – to be advised at a later date’ until a venue has been arranged and CPD is updated.

‘Session 1’ taking place on 25/09/24 course ID: 87184

‘Session 2’ taking place on 24/10/24 course ID: 87186

‘Session 3’ taking place on 20/11/24 course ID: 87187

Please feel free to pass this on to your teams/colleagues who may find this course useful.

 87176

 

 

87184

87186

 

87187

 

87176

Microsoft Tools in Glow: 4.00 – 5.30 pm

Overview of Glow Microsoft Tools (face-to-face)

 

Session 1 – delving deeper into Microsoft 365 (online)

Session 2 – delving deeper into Microsoft 365 (face-to-face)

Session 3 – delving deeper into Microsoft 365 (online)

 

Session 4 – sharing what you have learned and how you have used Microsoft tools (face-to-face)

Overview: 12/09/24

 

Session 1: 25/09/24

Session 2: 24/10/24

Session 3: 20/11/24

 

Session 4: 16/01/25