Review of the Pros and Cons on Glogster

            Integrating technology in the classroom is one way in which teachers can reach all types of learners. Technology, in general, has many capabilities and opportunities to enhance student achievement and learning. Glogster provides a multi-dimensional technology tool to serve multiple intelligences using the tiers of the Bloom’s Taxonomy model. Moreover, teachers and students can communicate interactively and present an array of educational presentations and projects. Since social networking isn’t a new but popular trend, using Glogster in the classroom makes class discussions and activities relevant to student experiences and interests. However, when utilizing an online technology resource for educational purposes, an evaluation of the tool must be conducted. A closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of Glogster will be discussed below.

            As technology grows, Glogster offers Glogster Education for teaching purposes. GlogEdu provides creative ways to publish online posters, projects, activities, and much more in the classroom. Most importantly, teachers are given the authority to manage and monitor student activity of blogs, comments, profile displays, content, and other lawsuit-related aspects if their students are registered under their virtual classrooms. Nonetheless, teachers have the opportunity to educate their students on digital use, knowledge, awareness, competency, and citizenship. Furthermore, Glogster assists teachers to promote and build on student imagination by making content material relevant and meaningful and to encourage cooperative learning by sharing each other’s work with classmates, other online users, and through class websites. Not only technology is integrated with the GlogEdu features, but also content standards are reinforced implementing interdisciplinary activities to facilitate student learning. For example, teachers can construct lesson plans on social studies and apply it by assigning students to create job advertisements through the use of Glogster. What’s more, students can conduct research through Glogster using its browsing options on various subject areas.

            For the students, they have the advantage to showcase their knowledge, application, and creativity on their glogs and profiles with the use of pictures, video clips, audio recordings, website links, and other features. Glogster also accommodates those students who are withdrawn or shy with avatars that they can customize, as well. More so, all their work can be shared with other social networks, like Facebook and Twitter. Lastly, the students receive feedback from their teachers and friends and teacher ratings on their personal glogs.

            On the other hand, Glogster has its disadvantages in the classroom. The main disadvantage is obtaining a reliable Internet connection and accessibility. In some schools, certain social networks are blocked or their wireless connection is poor. Another issue to consider is the age-appropriateness for educational activities. Glogster is beneficial to those students in the secondary level, but complex to those in the primary level. Additionally, Glogster has numerous features, which would require time and practice to use the tool efficiently. After the member has taken a tutorial, he or she will notice that upgraded features would have to be purchased under the Premium Plan. Lastly, virtual classrooms can have a maximum of 200 students. However, the teacher would have difficulties in monitoring that many profiles without the proficient skills and classroom management.

            In short, Glogster is a multi-media technology tool that opens doors in education used to demonstrate students’ creativity, innovation, digital citizenship, knowledge and awareness, products, and many more. It encourages social interaction and development to enhance student learning. Teachers can take advantage of the features provided by Glogster, too. Glogster enables teachers to create lesson plans that are designed to meet the different learning styles of all students and initiate students to use their critical thinking skills. Teachers can interactively communicate with their students through comments, feedback, and ratings on a daily basis. However, the disadvantages that follow are Internet connection and age-appropriate grade level for its uses. Without Internet connection, it is impossible to use Glogster. Also, Glogster is appropriate for students in higher education due to complex technical applications. Other than that, explore the world of glogging and showcase your expertise!