Glogster

Glogster describes itself as a "platform for the creative expression of knowledge and skills in the classroom and beyond.  We empower educators and students with the technology to create GLOGS - online multimedia posters - with text, photos, videos, graphics, sounds, drawings, data attachments and more."  To me, that sounds awesome.  A digital poster?  So 21st century.  The coolest part is that there are so many great ways to use them.

On their blog, an "Ambassador" user describes 40 Ways to Innovative Teaching Using Glogster EDU. This is a phenomenal list of creative ways to use the digital posters in the classroom.  As a newsletter, a getting-to-know-you tool, flipped classroom, graphic organizers, assessments... the list goes on and on! The website says that it is the #1 Online Learning Tool in the US.  Woah, that's a big deal.  I get how this tool has so much potential.

I think the best part is how user-friendly this tool is.  (I think that this is starting to be a common theme in my Web 2.0 reviews.  Not user friendly?  No review.)  Anyway, the whole process of creating a glog is super easy.  It has a drag and drop interface, and you can choose from several images/text boxes/backgrounds in their gallery.  Once you have your account set up, you can use one of the templates, or you can create one from scratch. It's pretty fun to click around on the page and find creative ways to display information and pictures.

PURPOSE:  To create a digital poster is the most basic purpose of this tool.  You can use use Glogster to create a plethora of resources for your classroom.
AUDIENCE: Students AND teachers!  Students for projects, homework, etc.  Teachers for presentations, graphic organizers, timelines, etc.
USABILITY:  Takes some practice to figure out what everything does.  But they have video tutorials, and plenty of examples to learn about the possibilities.