ICT@Grove Academy
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Overview
Kenny Stewart is Principal Teacher of Computing at Grove Academy in Dundee. All S1 pupils at Grove follow a common ICT course aimed at providing them with the ICT skills they will need for life-long learning. With the introduction of Glow to Dundee, Kenny saw an opportunity to consolidate the digital resources used in the ICT course into a Glow Group. In this cookbook, Kenny describes how he and his staff have structured the Glow Group to provide their pupils with anytime, anywhere access to learning intentions, course materials, homework exercises and how the group can facilitate personalisation and choice for the pupils.
Video Clips
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Video Clip |
Length |
| Computing – S1 Course Glow Group part 1 In this video, Kenny outlines the rationale for the group.
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2:41 |
| Computing – S1 Course Glow Group part 2 In part 2, Kenny describes how the group is structured and how that structure can allow for pupil choice.
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6:32 |
| Adding extra page tabs A standard Glow Group has four pages when it is created. In the Computing – S1 Course group, Kenny has created additional pages to match each of the topic areas in the ICT course. This video clip shows you how to add extra pages to a Glow Group.
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0:50 |
| Multiple Documents web parts Kenny makes use of multiple Documents web parts in the group to store different document sets for each of the topics. Simply dragging on another Documents web part to your Glow Group can have unexpected results. This video clip takes you through the process for adding additional Documents web parts to a Glow Group.
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4:01 |
Graphical User Interface
Kenny has introduced a graphical user interface to the group which allows pupils to navigate to a topic area by clicking on an image. Kenny was inspired to add the GUI element to his group after reading a cookbook outlining the work carried out by David Lines, Senior Officer (Curriculum) in Midlothian’s ICT Development Team. David has been a driving force behind the use of graphical user interfaces in Glow to streamline navigation. David has created a CPD tutorial aimed at showing users how to create engaging user interfaces using commonly available tools and the Text Editor in Glow. The tutorial is contained within a Glow Group and David has opened the membership of this group to all staff in Scotland. The link to the group is below (Glow login required).
Creating a Graphical Interface
Ingredients
What Kenny used to develop the Computing – S1 Course Glow Group:
- A Glow Group
- Multiple Documents web parts
- Image web parts
- Text Editor web parts (for the graphical user interface and coloured text)
Impact
From his commentary, it is clear that Kenny is very positive about the ability of Glow to support the learning and teaching of the S1 course. The group makes use of a number of Glow tools to add impact:
- The Text Editor web part allows Kenny to publish lesson learning intentions, provide advice on projects and attach support documents for homework and project work
- Web Links web part provides a quick jump point to frequently used web sites
- Document web parts –populated with worksheets, homeworks and assessment materials all providing the pupils with anytime, anywhere access to resources
- Discussions web part – provides opportunities to explore topics more deeply
In making use of a variety of Glow tools, Kenny and his staff have developed a Glow Group that is engaging and relevant for their pupils. The group provides an easy access point for a variety of information sources, stimulus to deeper learning and opportunities for collaboration.
In the video clip below, Kenny sums up his views on the impact that Glow is having.
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Video Clip |
Length |
| Impact
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2:10 |
