Glogster

The 'About Me' Glogster Assignment

My digital photography class is taught as an exploratory course, meaning that it is only a six week course and is a chance for students to figure out what subjects they find interesting while learning a variety of new skills in different areas.  Six weeks is such a short amount of time for me to get to know these kids so one of the assignments I give my 7th graders combines digital photography, technology and getting to know them.

I teach my students about Glogster and how to create a Glog of their own and then ask them to create one that portrays their personality and intersts through a series of photographs and graphics.  Below is a screenshot of my example for them.

My general requirements are that they include their name (obviously) and a minimum of 5 photos (3 of which they must be the photorapher of) portraying their interests, lifestyle and/or hobbies.  I have also added the requirement that one photo is their head superimposed onto another body to show what they want to be or something they want to accomplish when they grow up (it can be from running a marathon to joining the military, anything goes with this one).  My example does not have that included, however superimposing is a skill I like to teach the kids, so this was a fun way for me to incorporate that skill.  They also need to include at least 3 graphics that are fitting with their personality and Glogster theme and either a link to a website of interest or upload a video that ties into their lives in some way, shape or form.  In my example I added a link to the one and only MissArtyPants blog (Shocking, I know)! 

I encourage them to use minimal text and let their pictures tell the story.  At the end of the project, we share our Glogs with the class and tell a little about ourselves.  It's surprising how many students still learn something about their peers this way, even when they've known each other since kindergarten.

If you'd like more details about the lesson itself, how it's taught or Glogster (an online graphic blog) let me know, I'd love to help!