RE: new pilot
It depends on several factors. Will you be learning on your own or will you have an instructor? Where will you be flying: an AMA sanctioned club field or a local park / field / backyard?
If you will be flying with an instructor at a sanctioned field, then there is no difference: choose what you like best. If you will be learning on your own and/or will be flying at a local park / field / backyard, then electric is the only acceptable choice. Glow planes are significantly heavier than electric, making them far more dangerous. It is irresponsible, and in most areas illegal, to fly glow planes in a non-AMA sanctioned location.
Electrics are far lighter and can be much slower than glow, making them a lot better for a beginner. They are also generally cheaper for a beginner, and if you go with foam, much easier and less costly to repair. If you choose electric and plan to learn on your own, checkout the HobbyZone SuperCub if you want to do ground take-offs and landings; and the Multiplex EasyStar if you want to handlaunch and bellyflop land (if your field has no decent landing strip). These are absolutely the two best beginner planes currently available.