"Glog" is a term that refers to "graphic blogs." In other words, these are a visually-based account of something. Think of a poster only with animations, sound, video, pictures AND text. "Glogster" is a free program that offers users the chance to visually display information on any particular topic of their choice.
In a classroom, glogs can be an effective way to synthesize or summarize information researched or even just to make fun posters on personally relevant topics. Glogster provides a rubric that can be used to evaluate a glog that I have altered to fit more with how I wanted to "mark" glogs made by my students. There is also a checklist found here as a "quick and easy" method of surveying how well a student has met certain basic requirements in completing a glog.
There are countless examples of finished glogs contained on the edu.glogster.com website and searchable on the internet. If you are looking for a way to introduce new technologies into your classroom practice, glogs can be an ideal (and powerful) first step on that journey. Give your students the opportunity to learn computer skills and exercise their creative powers using a safe and supported web 2.0 application.
Here is the first glog poster I have created for "Ignite. Incite. Inspire." (this blog).
This slideshow shows you step-by-step instructions on how to use the Glogster program.
Showing posts with label glog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label glog. Show all posts
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Begin Your Web 2.0 Journey
A common theme that runs through most educational discussions on technology seems to be web 2.0 tools. These are applications that allow a teacher to deliver content, and a student to receive it, by designing it online. Things like glogs, blogs, wikis, prezis all offer a new way of reaching students and reshaping the learning process. The problem with these programs is not a new one in the education sector - time.
It takes time to navigate new technologies. Time to become comfortable with them. Time to purposely plan for their use and its impact on classroom learning. Time is always at a premium.
Training does allow for the opportunity to be exposed to these web 2.0 tools, but the majority of training often comes as an after-hours, during breaks, or informally delivered chance with a colleague. Steps in a new direction can be trail-blazing for your classroom practice; but they still need a path - and this path requires a guide. Whether your guide is self-guided learning on the internet at home or networking with a colleague during lunch; your choice of guide can make or break whether you choose to take these new tools and actually use them.
Here is a starting point for those who want to be exposed to some of the possibilities out there. This website offers a list of different kinds of web 2.0 tools and explains their purpose and use. It is not exhaustive and should be merely a starting point. If you truly want to begin your journey of web 2.0 technologies, choose ONE thing and implement it. Let it be messy. Show the students how it looks to figure things out...in front of them. You will be modelling resilience, problem-solving and patience. These are some of the most important skills a student can learn. It serves no benefit to always be perfect and properly execute a lesson as a teacher. Students need to see a mentor struggle to envision what strategies will lead to success.
Don't get overwhelmed if you're new to this. It is a process and simply reading this blog post has landed you somewhere on the web 2.0 path. Now choose your next step if the time is right for change.
It takes time to navigate new technologies. Time to become comfortable with them. Time to purposely plan for their use and its impact on classroom learning. Time is always at a premium.
Training does allow for the opportunity to be exposed to these web 2.0 tools, but the majority of training often comes as an after-hours, during breaks, or informally delivered chance with a colleague. Steps in a new direction can be trail-blazing for your classroom practice; but they still need a path - and this path requires a guide. Whether your guide is self-guided learning on the internet at home or networking with a colleague during lunch; your choice of guide can make or break whether you choose to take these new tools and actually use them.
Here is a starting point for those who want to be exposed to some of the possibilities out there. This website offers a list of different kinds of web 2.0 tools and explains their purpose and use. It is not exhaustive and should be merely a starting point. If you truly want to begin your journey of web 2.0 technologies, choose ONE thing and implement it. Let it be messy. Show the students how it looks to figure things out...in front of them. You will be modelling resilience, problem-solving and patience. These are some of the most important skills a student can learn. It serves no benefit to always be perfect and properly execute a lesson as a teacher. Students need to see a mentor struggle to envision what strategies will lead to success.
Don't get overwhelmed if you're new to this. It is a process and simply reading this blog post has landed you somewhere on the web 2.0 path. Now choose your next step if the time is right for change.
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