Because it's Cute ....

... is not a reason to use a technology tool. 

There should be an educational reason and purpose to use technology.If the teacher wants to use GlogsterEDU, their reason shouldn't be "because it's cute".  What would be some good educational reasons to use GlogsterEDU? Let's look at a couple:

• NC Essential Standards for Information and Technology Skills K-5.TT.1 Use technology tools and skills to reinforce and extend classroom concepts and activities.
• NETS for Teachers: 2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments - Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to
  maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers.
• NETS for Students:1. Creativity and Innovation - Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.  

Teachers plan using their curriculum goals and objectives. So, if the teacher was going to teach Science Grade 2 Goal 1: The learner will conduct investigations and build an understanding of animal life cycles, they could decide a good tool to use would be GlogsterEDU. The teacher didn't decide to use a tool just "because it's cute". They were meeting goals, objectives, and technology standards. 

I believe these are excellent reasons for using tools to enhance curriculum, don't you?

Update: I was reading through Twitter and came across this blog post by Michael Gorman (@mjgormans) and wanted to post a link here. Ten Steps to Transforming Past Lessons for 21st Century Learners.  I feel that his #2 and #3 steps fit very nicely into this blog post. Please go and read this post for more information.

Image: 'give a hoot' http://www.flickr.com/photos/83156837@N00/5151942206