1+-+Essential+Elements

Essential Elements Initial Intentions - [|Cacoo Web]

Check out the Tips, Tricks, & Tutorials Page for more details on Essential Elements! media type="youtube" key="MvC47fUANLk?fs=1" height="385" width="480" Basic Version Thoughts... **GRAPHICS**- There's such a variety, so we try to focus on making sure that our graphics make sense with our glog's purpose. My students "hunt" for the animated ones - I don't blame them! Natalie came up with a great idea for using the same graphic multiple times for bullets when listing items.  TEXT- We've learned this year how to choose what kind of text will best suit the need. For example, bubbles = "quotes" to correlate with photos, titles = short text and labels, and stickers = lengthier text such as facts. **VIDEO** - Utilizing our digital cameras to create their own videos are so engaging. It allows the students to be creators offline and problem solve as they take each others' video for a specific project. **SOUND** - We've used the iPod and uploaded clips, but we'll be exploring the GRAB feature more. **WALL** - It can be such an understatement or the main feature of a glog. Students take on how they use the "background" is always interesting and shows their personal style. Premium Version Thoughts…
 * IMAGE**- Since we now have a shared folder at our district, this has opened up a whole new world for my students. For their final project, they not only had access to copy-right free images we located together, but to every other group's photos and videos that they'd taken down at the school pond.

DATA- We used it for our notes page for our pond project. It could really be used to "attach" about anything to a glog. My only thinking is that if you want others to know that the little bitty paper clip is there and that there's important information available use some text and/or graphics to nake it more known.  **CLASS CREATION**- We'll be utilzing this more next year, but I'd value it extremely if my students were older. PROJECT CREATION - Initially, I thought that this would deter from their own creativity. Yet, for some of my students, this will be the starting point that they need to succeed. I'll be exploring the use of creating templates more. ASSESSMENT OPTION - What a nice element to have. It's wonderful how the developers at GlogsterEDU left it open-ended so that teacher can choose formative or summative assessment options. Just be sure to have your students check their messages so they receive their grades and comments from the teacher.
 * DRAW**- My primary students LOVE this feature. Yet, I've used it to create quick arrows and circles as well. A super-useable feature for any glogger!

Other Option Thoughts... FRAMES/PLAYERS- Some utilize this feature consistently, while other students like it simple. The frames and players add just that extra little decorative touch to videos, sound clips, and images!  LAYERING- My students often forget about this element. They spread everything out. Sometimes they run short on space and I'll suggest maybe they want to "bring it forward" or "put it behind" to create less scatter and more room. **CLONING -** Did you find an element you'd like to use over and over? Just clone it. This time saver is priceless! There are times that my students could re-use some of their favorites non-stop if there was an infinate cloner setting like in SMARTnotebook.  LINKING - This has been very beneficial to link all of the glogs they've designed together. This creates only one glog to embed, plus gives room for the project to be explained to the viewers. For an interactive lesson on a topic, the link feature would be valuable.

COLORS/FONT- Not only can you alter the basics, but the actual text sticker or title can be changed as well. The students have adapted to the fact that sometimes they need to adjust the size of their text. They need to be careful that all of their words are seen and that they are the correct size for the object they've chosen. ** FX - ** I learned what this was about from Tiffany this year! She was creating shadows and couldn't wait to share what she'd found with me. I'm glad she did!