Back to School with Glow, August 2026
The "Back to School with Glow" page for August 2026 consolidates essential updates on Glow, organised into categories like Microsoft, Google, and Apps. It provides guidance on housekeeping, security, and new tools, along with platforms for sharing experiences. Feedback is encouraged via email for continuous improvement.
Adobe Express: Back to School Updates
Live lessons for ages 7-13 are 75 minutes long, with a 40-minute natural break and video recordings available for later use. Various sessions include topics for different occasions, while new Adobe Creative educator training is also offered. Exciting lesson topics are provided in an accompanying eBook for the Scottish classroom.
Microsoft is retiring Exchange Web Services (EWS)
Microsoft is retiring Exchange Web Services (EWS), a legacy technology for accessing Glow email and calendar data, between October 2026 and April 2027. This change affects several email apps. Users should update their apps or consider switching to Outlook for continued access.
Microsoft 365 Copilot Notebooks for Staff
Copilot Notebooks, available for Glow staff, centralise teaching resources using AI to enhance organisation and planning. Users can store various materials, while the AI can summarise documents, create outlines, and suggest questions based on the notebook's content.
NotebookLM is now Gemini Notebook
Google has rebranded NotebookLM as Gemini Notebook, enhancing its functionality within the Google ecosystem. This AI-powered tool aids in research and learning, allowing users to upload materials for summarisation and interactive engagement. It supports diverse outputs like podcasts and infographics, facilitating efficient study processes and content creation.
Prompting Progress: Bringing Beowulf to life using AI within Glow
A Primary teacher from Calderwood Primary School shares their experience using Gemini Education and Notebook to teach the Talk for Writing program. The tools facilitated lesson planning, engagement, and differentiation for various learners. The teacher emphasises their value in creating resources and adapting materials for better student understanding and inclusivity.
Gemini Notebook – Now includes short video overviews
Gemini Notebook offers Short Video Overviews that convert lengthy documents into concise one-minute videos optimised for mobile devices. With AI narration and animated visuals, this tool helps users grasp core concepts quickly and efficiently. Designed for students, teachers, and creators, it emphasises a single idea per clip for effective information retention.
Import 3D bar charts into Google Sheets
Google Sheets has updated to support the import of 3D bar charts, which previously displayed as 2D. Users can now easily import Excel files containing 3D graphs, enhancing the experience by preserving the intended visual representation. This improvement streamlines data visualization for users transitioning between platforms.
Canva Education – Live Webinar Opportunities
Canva Education is a free platform tailored for educators and learners, providing tools for creating engaging visual content. It features templates and collaboration options that enhance digital literacy. Upcoming webinars will help educators integrate Canva into their classrooms, focusing on creativity, differentiated learning, and efficient design practices.