SCHOLAR: A Mini Glow?

Whilst at this year’s SETT conference I and my colleague, Dave Rawson, attended a rather interesting seminar:
‘SCHOLAR: A Mini SSDN’ Gerry Toner, Heriot-Watt University.

Quote: Scholar Website

‘Heriot-Watt University is rapidly becoming a world leader in creating the inclusive and supportive e-learning environment that helps people to learn at the times and in the ways they choose. Drawing on its special expertise in interactive and distance learning, SCHOLAR materials have been specially written by subject specialists from schools, colleges and the university. They bring together the best of innovative learning with tried-and-tested educational approaches’


Having been a keen and active user of the Heriot Watt Programme, I was very curious as to what Toner had to say. His comparison of SCHOLAR and the vision of Glow was of no surprise to my own preconceptions.



Online resources and tools available on a private Intranet anywhere anytime.
Sharing Ideas, expertise and resources nationally for both Teachers and Pupils.
Online assessment that can be accessed by Teachers and Pupils.

In the short term, my opinion is the biggest difference will be the number of persons involved (50,000, Scholar: 800,000 approx, Glow). I feel ‘Glow’ will initially embark with the majority of attributes that Scholar maintains. Eventually, in the longer term, Glow will succeed in revolutionising education. It will be a Premier, National, Education based intranet. This will prove to be fundamental to the ‘Curriculum for Excellence' and an invaluable asset for pupils, staff and eventually parents alike.

Bring on Glow!