Week SIX

During the past weeks of E-Learning we have looked at an array of digital technologies that we can incorporate into the 21^st century classroom. This week’s reflection will focus on the digital technology that we have used as part of this course, Glogster; which I have gained an understanding from the first week. Glogster a program that is relatively easy to use, allowing students and teachers to import and create interactive posters using text, images and videos.

Key benefits to the user is that it enables users to develop their capabilities within the classroom of ICT whilst enhancing the creative learning experiences of students. Students’ knowledge that’s been obtained throughout their course can be demonstrated by engaging with others through Glogster.Students benefit from using Glogster, gain learning outcomes including using technology tools to display knowledge and understanding in ways that allow classmates and others like local members to view and comment of works created. Being able to collaborate with fellow students, teachers and the world and receiving feedback. Being able to use writing processes, visual and media literacy to communicate understandings and by providing feedback to peers, with easily being able to edit posts. As Glogster can be used in a variety of ways, it’s easy to incorporate into any subject or lessons of any year level. The benefits of students using Glogster is that they are able to create posters on new knowledge, take notes from other posters and gather further information whilst being able to fully edit their own work. Glogster also enables Teachers the ability to design learning experiences which in turn engages students within classroom activities, maintaining a positive outcome for all.

Within my subject areas, I would use Glogster in a variety of ways through creation of classroom activities using the SAMR method. Within a Manual Arts or Geography lesson I would use Glogster, creating lessons based on Australian demographics or safety within a workshop. SAMR levels can then be used as below. 

Substitution: Create a posters, introducing the topic Australian Demographics/ Workplace Health and Safety and have the students taking notes on the topic.

Augmentation: Students contributing to posters on Glogster, poster created by the teacher. The use of a video or other media embedded into Glogster with questioning for students to answer, enabling students to re-post based on the video or media which then can be assessed for students understanding.

Modification: Students create informative posters on population Growth or Safety using a machine, using the information and statistics provided by the teacher, students design and create their own posters. These posters will be displayed for feedback from teacher, public and other students within the classroom to see, posting constructive feedback.

Redefinition: Students creating their own poster on the effects of Population Growth/ Workplace Health and Safety using the knowledge they have learnt about their topics as well as research information provided. The posters they have created will allow teachers to provide feedback on student progress as well as provide the students opportunities to creatively express new knowledge.

Glogster has proven to be an easy productive tool that is able to be incorporated into the 21^st century classroom at any level or subject. Students are able to display the creativity whilst increasing their engagement in the class with their peers and teachers, while improving the developmental processes of students ICT capabilities of technologies. This Glogster tool enables teachers to provide feedback on students at a constant rate enabling modification to learning to be adjusted as required.