Discussions

School, Library, or Organization Name: Glogster EDU

Co-Presenter Name(s): 

Country from Which You Will Present: Czech Republic

Language in Which You Will Present: English

Target Audience (such as primary school teachers, high school administrators, students, etc.): Middle/High School teachers, administrators

Short Session Description (one line): How can the usage of Glogster EDU in the classroom benefit instructors as well as students (practical as well as theoretical discussion)?

Full Session Description (as long as you would like):

Glogster EDU is an innovative educational tool, utilized the world over to encourage Global Learning. With Glogster EDU, students can express their creativity and knowledge of a subject by creating "Glogs" - digital multimedia posters with graphics, photos, videos, and voice recordings. Scholars as well as teachers who utilize Glogster EDU now have the means to organize research, create thought-out work, and present effectively, all while learning to use an visual network. Today, innovative technologies such as ours are needed not only for youth but also for adults to adapt and grow in our ever-growing global society.

Glogster EDU connects teachers with their classrooms/students in many ways. Primarily, the product puts the teacher in the physical position to be more interactive with students by moving them away from the whiteboard to walk among the students, speak with them, all while using the Glog on a whiteboard to help present. 
Students are able to connect more with each other because they are able to create Glogs that are seen by the whole class, and then must present them. The creation/presentation process allows the students to become more confident in presenting, and instills pride in their work.

Finally, Glogster EDU is also being utilized for one of the most modern transitions between traditional, in-the-classroom learning to self-directed learning by means of the flipped classroom Instead of learning material in the classroom with the teacher, and struggling with homework at home, students are, in a sense, “self-teaching” at home, and asking question (doing “homework”) in the classroom later. This is a greatly beneficial way of getting students to master the art of self-directed learning early on. It also encourages more active speaking and conversation between the teacher and the student in the classroom. Follow this link to access an iBook regarding the usage of Glogster EDU in a flipped classroom setting.

Glogster EDU helps to increase Global Awareness by connecting students as well as teachers from all parts of the world. The Glogs on the website reflect different people, cultures, countries, languages and topics. All teachers and students have access to these Glogs in a safe, secure environment. 

At Glogster EDU, we are also very active in solving global issues, and involving our users as well. We hold regular contests and campaigns regarding global holidays such as Earth Day, and global tragedies such as the Haitian Earthquake.

Finally, Glogster EDU solves global classroom problems. We provide an entertaining educational environment for those who hold the question: How do we engage students through methods they are familiar with (i.e. web-based, social media), while keeping the content educational. 

How do we help teachers to become more familiar with technology-based Creative Learning? We have proven to be beneficial in not only helping students to learn, but helping teachers to teach. Teachers have compared the usage of Glogster EDU in the classroom to other similar tools such as Prezi and Powerpoint, which are both beneficial tools in their own right. What makes Glogster EDU unique is that we are not simply a tool to regurgitate information to a class of students; we are used to provide a more lifelike, realistic representation of a topic.

Glogster EDU is an innovative, educational technology that is beneficial for students of all ages. It breeds creativity and confidence in its users, and helps to erase the global boundaries that we have set up over time. We hope to continue as one of the hands involved in reaching the global learning goal.

Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:

http://edu.glogster.com