Having completed the Prezi assignment before Glogster, I was disappointed with the limitations in editing interface and content of Glogster. I missed the ability to zoom in and out, and stretch/scale objects and boxes within the content. Frequently returning to the scrollbars instead of being able to drag navigate the editor made for a cumbersome experience.
Glogster seems far more restrictive than Prezi, so I don't think it will get as much use in my classroom. What I might use it for is a quick/simple layout project. Because Glogster is so limited, it will offer less distraction in style and effect for the students than other media projects. When the material to be covered is specific and limited, Glogster may serve as an option for students. However, I would not be likely to introduce Glogster to the students after I had already completed Prezi assignments with them.
More specific to this assignment, I chose to create the glogster around a topic on Thunderstorms. I appreciate the opportunity to maintain a single contact point for the students (as in Prezi). The images, links, and text information located on a single interface allow me to highlight the ideas I want students to focus on. This will be especially useful in the Alternative and Cyber environments I work in, in which students work more independently than traditional classrooms. The Glogster interface will allow students to access the resources with little difficulty or need for additional instruction.
This assignment was also my first experience using the Quiz Builder at Discovery Education. I already have many "assignments' at Discovery Education, but the bulk of them have been created as an easy way to direct students from online courseware to the specific streaming video resources selected to supplement each topic. The Quiz Builder allowed me to provide additional instruction and assessment opportunities. In practice, I will likely start with quiz builder assignments to verify that students have viewed the extra resources provided (the current courseware allows them to check off even if they do not access the link). To maintain the consistency within the courses, I will likely keep writing assignments and video responses in an additional file which students will submit to digital dropboxes within the courseware. Integrating the Discovery Education assessment results into the courseware is possible, but must be done manually and in a cumbersome manner.
To date, I have offered one Glog assignment. Early this year, I offered a student the chance to explore it and prepare a course project as a glog in a pilot fashion. Initially, she found it difficult to navigate and edit her Glog, but was soon on her way to developing a project on public health. This experience was before Prezi, so now I am uncertain about the likelihood of returning to Glogster.
Link to Glog: http://menakerj.edu.glogster.com/tstorm/
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