There are a number of Google Workspace for Education Core Services made available through Google Workspace in Glow. The Education Scotland Glow Team are continuously developing a list of requirements based on user feedback and other factors to ensure the configuration of Google Workspace in Glow meets our user’s needs. Glow Customers can also request third party apps and extensions to be added to their tenancy. Guidance on requesting these is available here.
Any changes to the offering in Glow are subject to a governance process and updates will be issued to Glow Key Contacts as required. All changes to the configuration will take into account safeguarding, privacy, usability and must fit with the overall service requirements in Glow. If you have any queries about functionality or changes to the configuration, please speak to your Key Contact in the first instance.
Additional Services #
Users will not be able to access Google Additional Services when logged into their Glow Google accounts unless this has been enabled for them by their Local Authority or Establishment. Google Workspace is an opt in service and not all Glow users will have a Google account.
This does not affect Glow users who are using other services unless they have logged into their associated Google account. Chromebook users are logged into their Google account by default. Users accessing Glow via a browser are only logged in to their Google account when using a Google tile (such as Google Classroom) via their launchpad.
Please be aware that these tools may contain video and/or voice recording technology. As the Data Controller, please ensure all data is handled in line with your organisations data handling policy, the GDPR and the Data Protection Act. Should you require further information relating to the handling and management of this type of data please refer to your Data Protection Officer.
This is a list of all live Additional Services within Glow: #
Click the title to open the link.
Frequently asked questions #
What is the difference between Core Services and Additional Services
Core Services are purely educational and include services such as Drive, Classroom and Calendar while Additional Services are designed for consumers and include services such as YouTube, Google Translate and Google Maps. Additional Services are not covered by the Google Workspace for Education agreement and may have their own separate Terms and Conditions.
More information can be found on Google’s support site.
Why can’t I access Additional Services by default?
Google require consent to be obtained and maintained for all users before they can use Additional Services. If a user is under 18 this has to be parental consent.
This consent is for Google to use personal information collected whilst using these services. UK GDPR requires a positive opt in by users if their data is being collected and used so consent has to be given by users (or parents for under 18s) before access is given and this happens.
Was this always the case?
Up until 1st September 2021, when users attempted to access Additional Services while signed into their Google account, an unauthenticated session would open and the services would be accessible. The user would not be signed in so any use would be anonymous.
Following the changes being made by Google, if a user is logged in to their Google account then access will be blocked unless the service is turned on for them. Google will no longer open an unauthenticated session.
How do I get access?
If you are a Google users in Glow and logged in to your Google account you will not be able to access Additional Services unless your Local Authority or Establishment has enabled this for you. This will involve giving consent for personal data to be collected and used by Google. A message saying the service is turned off will be shown.
Consent, and therefore access, will be managed by your Local Authority or Establishment. This may be managed in different ways depending on where you are based so should be discussed with your local Glow Contact. Some Local Authorities or Establishments may not wish to make these services available at all.
Are there any other ways to access these services?
These services can still be accessed when not logged into your Google account or while using a private browsing session that is not logged in. It should be noted that, for safeguarding purposes, private browsing is not available for learners using managed Chromebooks.
Embedded YouTube content will still be visible via Google Classroom as per the Google support article when the YouTube service is OFF, i.e. users who do not have access can still view videos that are embedded as a resource in assignments, etc. This means all Classroom users will be able to view videos without YouTube being turned on for them and personal data being collected. All users can continue to link and preview YouTube videos in Docs.
Whitelisted apps and extensions cannot be searched for and installed individually by users through the Chrome Web Store unless they have access to Additional Services. However, these can be forced installed for staff, learners or all using the
app process.
I work for a Local Authority or Establishment and am responsible for our Google tenancy. How do I manage access for users?
This is done via a Google sheet that is only available to named users. These users will be able to add in user names to the sheet and any account listed will get access to the Additional Services that are available in Glow.
These are:
– Chrome Web Store
– Google Earth
– Google Maps
– YouTube
– Google Arts & Culture
– Google Translate
– CS First
– Applied Digital Skills
– Looker Studio
– Google Read Along
There may be a delay between updating the sheet and user access changing.
Consent and how the sheet is used may be managed in different ways depending on where you are based so this should be discussed with your local Glow Contact.
Is there anything else I should know?
Some aspects of Additional Services are restricted so that they are age appropriate.
To improve the functionality of existing and future Additional Services available on Glow tenants, all Teaching and non-Teaching Staff accounts will have a setting of over 18 with all Learner accounts remaining under 18. More information on the differences can be found on the Google Support Page.
Currently the Additional Services available within Glow are Chrome Web Store, Google Earth, Google Maps and YouTube. The enquiries form should be used for any questions relating to these or other services.
User Feedback #
Are there any Additional Services that you’d like to see included within Glow? Browse a list of all Additional Services via this link.
Your Glow Key Contact can then reach out and make a request via our enquiries form
Alternatively, please reach via Glow.Engagment@educationscotland.gov.scot if you have any questions re this service.
Latest News regarding Google Additional Services within Glow #
Google Read Along
Overview: Google Read Along is a free reading app specifically designed for children ages 5-9 to help them learn to read in a fun and engaging way. There are dedicated sections for educators and resources to support with using Google Read Along. Features: Interactive reading experience: Children read aloud to a friendly virtual reading buddy…
New Google Additional Service within Glow
Looker Studio Opt in Service As you may know, Google Workspace is an opt in service so not all Glow users will have a Google account. Once Local Authorities have opted into Google Workspace, they can also enable Google Additional Services. Google requires consent to be obtained and maintained for all users before they can use Additional…
New Google Additional Services within Glow
Google Arts & Culture and Google Translate Opt in Service As you may know, Google Workspace is an opt in service so not all Glow users will have a Google account. Once Local Authorities have opted into Google Workspace, they can also enable Google Additional Services. Google requires consent to be obtained and maintained for all users…