Week 5 Reflection task 4 - Glogster

Reflection task 4 - Technology group 3: Glogster

Meme created using Make a meMatic app for iPhone

Glogster is regarded by some as a ‘virtual scrapbooking tool’, where digital bits and pieces are arranged, presented and uploaded to an online audience.

I see Glogster as so much more!

A dynamic, interactive, multimedia platform, Glogster is a digital tool that has endless possibilities in a primary school classroom. While initially developed as a social networking platform for teenagers, the development of GlogsterEDU has equipped teachers and students with a tool that is capable of transforming learning experiences (GlogsterEDU,2014). A Web 2.0 tool, glogs (or graphical blogs) allow users to create and publish digital ‘posters’ via an interface which enables the amalgamation and organisation of text, images, audio, video, static and interactive graphics, and data. Once signed up to GlogsterEDU via a simple process, educators are able to invite their learners to participate in, generate, collaborate on, and share glogs at individual, classroom and school levels; presenting opportunities for use as collaborative learning spaces (Gorman, 2010). 

Glogs are generated through the use of a ‘simple drag and drop function’ which enables users to place digital media items onto a blank canvas or chosen template (GlogsterEDU, 2014). An array of interactive graphics, templates and special effects are already available for use in Glogster and there is also the capacity to upload and insert YouTube videos, digital images and audio files. Initial forays in glog creation can be frustrating, as users attempt to navigate the drag and drop process; however, the ability to control this function improves after recurrent use of the program. 

Examples of how blogs can be used as tools to present information, ideas and learning experiences across a unit of work can be seen here. As a teacher, being the sole creator and presenter of these particular blogs, their use in a classroom sits within the Substitution and Augmentation levels of the SAMR model. However, if learners were to generate and publish similar glogs, this would elevate their application as a learning tool to the levels of Modification and Redefinition. This document created by GlogsterEDU presents some fantastic examples of how glogs can be used as a digital learning tool. It includes lesson plans, rubrics and links to additional media resources.

Further examples of how Glogster can be used within the context of a primary classroom can be seen in the following table:

References

GlogsterEDU. (2014). The standard for digital learning and online curriculum. Retrieved from                              
                       
                        http://edu.glogster.com/what-is-glogster-edu

Gorman, M. (2010, October 10). Changes at Glogster…great info and links for all levels of users [Web log 

                        post]. Retrieved July 29, 2014 from 

                        http://21centuryedtech.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/changes-at-glogster-great-info-and-

                        links-for-all-levels-of-users/

Roche, C. (2011, May 28). Glogster in the classroom [Web log post]. Retrieved July 28, 2014 from 

                        http://techmeetsed.com/2011/05/28/glogster-in-the-classroom/