What is Glogster?
Glogster is an online software program that allows users to create interactive posters using a variety of multimedia. One benefit of the program is that posters can easily be accessed and shared with others through a variety of electronic devices. According to Bedrule-Grigoruta and Rusu (2014) there are over 2.8 million glogs on the Web. Digital posters allow users to transform ideas into dynamic interactive learning experiences. A higher education instructor can purchase a license ($95 cost) that will allow access for up to 25 students; the institution can also purchase a license ($400 cost) for 10 faculty and up to 250 students (Glogster Edu, 2015).
Using Glogster in Online Learning
Interactive posters can bring active learning, student engagement, critical thinking skills, and collaboration into the online teaching and learning environment (Bedrule-Grigoruta & Rusu (2014). Instructors can create interactive posters to keep students engaged and provide a collaborative and fun way to promote a new way to learn course content. Students can also design interactive posters in a creative and fun way to demonstrate their learning.
Ethical Considerations
As Bates (2013) suggests, once information goes out to the Web, it is considered public information and no longer private. Any interactive poster created through Glogster should be considered public and faculty and students should be advised on policies set forth by their institution.
Glogster Used for Positive Social Change
With new technologies being developed every day, it is important for educational institutions, as well as businesses, to stay abreast of these advancements in order to remain competitive in a highly technological world (Bedrule-Grigoruta & Rusu, 2014). Glogster helps students to develop competencies in area such as cutting edge technology, communication, collaboration, creativity, and problem solving—all skills needed for today’s workforce.
~ Sharon
References
Bates, A. (2013) Sustainability and ethical considerations [Video file]. Laureate Education (Producer). Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Bedrule-Grigoruţă, M. V., & Rusu, M. L. (2014). Considerations about e-learning tools for adult education. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 142, 749-754. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.07.610
Glogster Edu (2015). Retrieved from http://edu.glogster.com/?ref=com
Dr. Sharon Hope 
Sharon,
I have never used a Glogster but I have seen an app that an Adobe engineer showed me that he created and it was similar. You could click around the poster and informational pop-ups would appear. I could envision his app being used as a lesson or even useful for an exam review.
This was a little over a year ago at a distance education conference in FL. Not sure if it was in development but we had a long chat and he said that he believes his team is on the brink of creating a fully functions LMS that is an app with gradebook, electronic rubric, self-assessments, even able to upload and down load Word documents.
I think as the technology and the bugs are worked out into an affordable packages that more schools will be interested in a fully functional app that contains everything and more that are now in our LMS.
Mark B
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Sharon,
Is this a technology you would like to use? I think I will have to admit that I have limitations here that would inhibit my ability to envision this in one of my classes. Maybe if I saw it in action I would be able to see some potential. This is just one of those cases where I would really need to do some thinking on how to use it in conjunction with content learning for my discipline.
Now that I think about it though, it might be interesting for my film class. I’m still trying to get the school to allow me to make copies of movies so they can watch them at home and open up huge blocks of time for us to do some learning in the classroom instead of watching movies.
Jim
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Hi Jim, here is a site that will help you to get idea of how to use interactive posters for history lessons. I think it is a creative way to get students involved. It’s almost like power point presentations being on steroids. 🙂 ~ Sharon
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Hi Mark, I first learned about Glogster at a technology conference. I have not used them yet in my teaching, but I already have a few ideas in my head as to how to incorporate them into my teaching. I think the first year experience students would be a great place to start using this technology. It may foster ideas for them for presenting as they travel down their educational path. ~ Sharon
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Hi Sharon,
I have never heard of Glogster, but no surprises there. From your description here I envision it as a great interactive tool for designing educational materials in health care. I like the click and display more info options and how it can be a truly collaborative effort.
As you know I am a big fan of group work, and even in-class this would be a great way to design a tool for interactive education and then present it to the class.
Cecile
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Hi Cecile, yes, Glogster can be used by teachers to create interactive lessons and by students to create group or individual projects. It’s another technology tool that can be educational and fun at the same time! ~ Sharon
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Hi Sharon,
I have never heard of glogster but it sounds quite intriguing. I quote don’t understand the idea of ‘posters’ but I assume it’s like posting something on twitter? What ideas do you have for using it in lessons?
I think any social media or online platform has an ethical issue. Since it is public, anyone can see and technically respond which could go against college policy.
Joshua
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Hi Josh, imagine an actual poster (white cardboard)–now think of it electronically. You can add text, images, hyperlinks, etc. to it. It’s a great way for an instructor to visually engage students. On the other side, students can also create their own electronic posters–it would be a fun collaborative project. 🙂 ~ Sharon
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I have never heard of this, Sharon. Very interesting. Could be a great way to send a flash of information. Very informative, thanks.
Debi
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