The culmination of my inquiry project was to create a multi modal presentation using Glogster and I did it!
I love my glog!
This is a great tool that I will use both personally and in my classroom. It is easy to use. I used photoscape to edit my images, then uploaded them to glogster. I added sound from the web and from my computer and I added a voice recording using my sound recorder (found in accessories). Adding text and graphics are also easy, with many options to choose from. Once your pictures are uploaded, they can easily be moved in to the fore or background using the edit function.
I chose to make my glog using family photos from 2011. Right now my class is creating visual autobiographies on paper, in the future, we will use glogster.
Originally, I had planned a combination of tools designed for advanced and intermediate users for my Web 2.0 Inquiry. Now, seeing myself for the novice I am, I stopped focusing on the cool tools I could use and looked instead to my goals for this adventure*.
#1 - I want to create a multimodal presentation.
I want it to have interactive images, video and my voice. My Dad always said "anything worth doing is worth doing well" and though annoying to hear as a child, it is really true. I realize now that some of my past creations were not this. I want to show myself that I can create a presentation to be proud of.
#2 - I want to be a more efficient user of the Web.
I want to be Web literate. To me, this means being able to access information easily and effectively; and then, to actually use the information.
#3 - I want to edit photos.
I love taking pictures but I have never used a photo editor it is something I really want to learn how to do.
#4 - I want to build a strong foundation of knowledge that I can use as a platform for learning and teaching Web 2.0 tools.
With my goals as the cornerstone, I looked for tools which would help me reach them.
#1 - Photoediting and Photosharing
#2 - Voicethread
#3 - Social Bookmarking
#4 - RSS and Blog Aggregators (i.e. Google Reader)
#5 - Blogging
#6 - Glogster
I tried to organize my time effectively, giving one to two weeks to explore a specific tool, especially during times where there is overlap or other commitments. During my set exploration weeks, my weekly blog postings will serve as evidence of the trials and triumphs of my adventures.
*Technically it is an assignment but, to have value to me, I consider it an adventure I am choosing to embark on.
