Learning Tool 3- Glogster!

Learning Tool 3- Glogster!

Glogster is a Web 2.0 tool that allows users to create virtual posters combining text, audio, video, images, and hyperlinks and to share them with others electronically. Using Glogster’s educational site, Glogster EDU, teachers can establish class lists and monitor student activity while protecting privacy and anonymity. The NCTE Definition of 21st Century Literacies (2008) states students must be capable of designing and sharing digital information. Similarly, the IRA position statement, New Literacies and 21st CenturyTechnologies, recommends the integration of digital tools into classroom activities, emphasizing the teachers’ responsibility to prepare students to use digital media effectively. Providing learning experiences that not only engage these users but also prepare them for the world outside is vital, using an online tool that provides an engaging use of technology is rudimentary, in this instance Glogster ticks all the right boxes. With the capability to employ numerous text boxes, images, audio, hyperlinks and video, Glogster supports numerous learning styles. When I first began using Glosgter I found the manipulation of the information boxes difficult, click here, exit there, edit this etc. But after a few posts I soon got the knack of the process. I could have spent hours and hours looking at all the cool designs to put text and titles into, and the frames to place images in. Deciding to use a collage effect, (mine is certainly lacklustre to some of the amazing creations I viewed), I selected a range of text box designs. I also popped in an image, which was quick and easy! I played around with the audio tool, initially embedding a recording of my voice, but at this stage it was giving even me a headache! Glogster.edu is a great tool to use in the classroom, it allows the teacher to view up to 200 student profiles, monitor what the students are doing and what progress they have made and also allow students to have access to your own Glog. This form on online creating tool is supported by the learning theories, Connectivism (Siemens, 2005) and Social Constructivism (Vygotsky, n.d.). Students are able to not only create their own interpretations of the topic based on their experiences, but they are also able to identify knowledge they can use. As it is a creation of their own individuality students must find the knowledge they wish to portray individually. Within the classroom Glogster has many uses, on a broad, whole class level, Glogster can be used as a diary for students to outline what they have learnt, excursions they took, class projects they completed and so on. This could be moderated by the teacher and then collated at the end of the year. It can also be used as a multi modal support for students to present their information, for example a link to a blog may be placed in the Glogster but the Glogster has the ability to look fun and creative, wheras the limitations on decoration in a blog make it difficult. It could be used as a graphic organiser in the brainstorming stages of a unit, this can then be reflected on at the end of the term where students can see how far they have come and what they have learnt. It is also a great tool for mind mapping, an essential skill in organising information stored in the brain. Glogster is not just a pretty poster maker, it can be hyperlinked to reference sites, include images, have snippets of video and audio to increase modality, making it an educational tool for the 21st Century. When it comes to Glogster their are some important points for the Teacher to consider, first is the fact that it is in essence a networking site, so teachers must establish firstly if it is allowed under their schools internet code and secondly ways to keep students protected. Using the educational version of Glogster is a good place to start, settings are able to be controlled where the teacher can monitor students interactions and also innapropriate material can be flagged. The issue of image copyright can also come into play, students must be taught in what context they can use their own images, (in the case of having other people in the image), and also the Creative Commons image search that has copyright free images. The technique of Glogster will need to be scaffolded to students through continuous modelling and monitoring from the teacher, a tutorial video may be a good way to start the unit. Glogster is a tool that empowers the new age learners we have in the classroom today, it moves beyond paper and markers to create an experience for both the learner and the viewer!