Glogster

Glogster

http://www.glogster.com/

About two years ago, I attended a weekend seminar that focused on web-based teaching and learning strategies. Like most others, I found the seminar to be highly informative, if not slightly intimidating – as someone who grew up with America Online and Instant Messenger in the 1990s, I was something of a “pre-digital native.” While I accepted that computerized technology would eventually become an integral part of school curriculum, I did not know how to blend the online world with my own teaching. Sure, I could instruct my kids to “tour” different geographic locations around the world using Google, but couldn’t they do that at home already?

Glogster opened up a world of teaching possibilities to me. The website allows students to easily create interactive virtual posters. These posters are fun and easy to create, channeling student creativity into learning; within minutes of my guided tour, I had created a poster detailing the events of my summer vacation. Pictures, videos, and text from the internet or personal computers can be added to each poster with ease. These posters can be used for summative evaluations or short in-class activities. The only drawback is the expense of a yearly account, but otherwise, Glogster is a terrific blend of student expression and digital learning.

Contributor: Mike Sandstrom