Final Reflection

Final Reflection

What a technology rich summer!  I am so very excited to share and integrate all the new technology apps, programs, and tools we learned this summer with students and colleagues.  Throughout the summer, as I was working on class work for this course, my daughters were so interested and curious about my technology assignments (especially the cartoons and comics).  I can only imagine the excitement and enthusiasm I will see when I introduce technology assignments in the classroom. At our district, we do not receive very many technology trainings (because of funding), so I know my colleagues will also be very excited to learn and use new technology tools.  

Blogs and Blog Readers- great tools to organize and find blogs of interest to you. 

Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter- a teacher and a librarian can use Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay connected with students, teachers and parents.  Social medias can also be excellent methods of creating professional learning communities.

Infographics- great resource to display important information and data with graphic visual representations. Students can use infographics to present research.

Screencasts- a digital recording of computer screen and audio narration.  Screencasts can be placed on the library website to help patrons with library and research skills.

Videos and QR Codes- creating a book trailer was amazing.  Book club students could create book trailers for the school library website.  QR codes can be posted throughout the school and library for easy access to book trailers.

Cartoons and Comics- middle school students love comics and they are going to be so excited to create comic strips as an assignment.

Podcasts- digital audio files available on the Internet that can be used as academic instructional tools in the classroom and library.

Digital Storytelling- creating a digital book for the first time was a great experience using Book creator.  Students can create digital books to present projects.

Here is my Final Reflection digital book, click below:

Final Reflections

Click to read this book, made with Book Creator

https://read.bookcreator.com

Podcasts

Podcasts

According to Nicole Henning, the author of the article Podcast Literacy, podcasts are digital audio recordings that play "an important part in today's digital literacies."  There are so many different types of podcasts, including:

• interviews
• conversations
• how to
• recordings of entire seminars or lectures
• historical recordings
• found footage
• music performances
• improv comedy
• audio drama
• storytelling
• scary stories
• scripted or nonscripted material
• a series of episodes meant to be listened to in order (serialized)

Podcasts are being used as instructional tools in education and libraries need to facilitate patrons in locating podcasts of interest.  The school library should also educate students and teachers on using podcasts in the classroom. The librarian, as a technology leader, should be leading with a strong library podcast being posted weekly.  There are so many new resources, apps, and technology features that can be promoted through a library podcast.  Student thrive on technology.  Publishing library podcast about technology would be highly beneficial for students and teachers. Three different webapps for creating podcast are Soundcloud, Audioboo, and Podbean.

Soundcloud is an excellent webapp for podcasts.  I made an account and posted a podcast within minutes.  Soundcloud is very user-friendly and easy to use.  There different subscription plans, even one for students at half price, and also a free account.  My only experience with creating a podcast had been with Podbean, in my opinion, Soundcloud is very similar to Podbean.  Excellent webapp!  Go check it out for yourself! https://soundcloud.com

Audioboom was difficult and confusing to use.  I created an account but was unable to upload a podcast without being charged $9.99 to upgrade.  This webapp was not user-friendly!  https://audioboom.com 

Podbean is an awesome webapp for podcasts!  I had used Podbean before and found it very user-friendly.  I was able to upload my podcast within minutes using Podbean.  Simple and easy to use!  Podbean is an excellent webapp! I chose Podbean to post the podcast made by my partner Patricia Aguilar and I, titled Becoming a Librarian, because of its great organization and easy to use features. Check it out! https://www.podbean.com

Becoming a Librarian- Patricia Aguilar and I researched insightful information about librarians starting their careers. We searched for helpful tips to help guide new librarians through their first year. The articles we gathered were written by experienced librarians that have already gone and been through the struggles to creating a successful library program.  The articles provided great advice for beginning librarians. 

Educational podcasts- As a current 7th grade science teacher I was interested in researching popular educational science podcasts to introduce to my students.  The following podcast were the ones I found most interesting. 

60-Second Science 

Hosted by Scientific American Team 

Overview:Being up-to-date on the newest developments in science doesn’t have to take long. Tune in every weekday for quick reports and insighful commentaries on the world of science — it’ll just take a minute.

Link: www.scientificamerican.com

Fun recent episode to try: Is Lying a Good Strategy?

Talk Nerdy @CaraSantaMaria 
Hosted by Car Santa Maria 

Overview:
A new but highly recommended podcast featuring the talented Cara Santa Maria. Cara has dedicated her life to improving science literacy by communicating scientific principles across media platforms. She is also the newest member of the wonderful Skeptics’ Guide to The Universe podcast featured below. Talk Nerdy combines clever interviews with a inspiring curiosity for everything science. One of our favorites!

Link: www.carasantamaria.com

Fun recent episode to try: Special Guest Dr. Steven Novella 

The Guardian Science Weekly

Hosted by Ian Sample @iansample & The Guardian Science Tea 

Overview:
An incredible mix of breaking science news and deep analysis, this podcast is science journalism at its best. The Guardian’s science team bring you the current topics and fascinating interviews from the worlds of science and technology — all wrapped into a magazine style format.

Link: www.theguardian.com

Fun recent episode to try: The Potential of Quantum Computing 

References

Croft, T. (2019). Starting a new library position: Suggestions and recommendations to kickstart a new role. Access, 33(1), 4-11. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.shsu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lls&AN=135445571&site=eds-live&scope=site

Franklin, L. (2019). Nine new teacher librarians: An effective onboarding model. Teacher Librarian, 46(4), 22. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.shsu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=137354425&site=eds-live&scope=site

Greekwrapped. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.geekwrapped.com/posts/the-20-best-science-podcasts

Hennig, N. (2017). Podcast literacy: Educational, accessible, and diverse podcasts for library users. Library Technology Reports, 53(2), 1-42.  
http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.shsu.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=0d278cb2-9a87-4b83-9f73-5d3b585161e3%40sdc-v-sessmgr02 

Cartoons and Comics

Cartoons and Comics 

Using comic strips in the classroom can be FUN and an effective learning tool for students.  There are so many free websites that allow you to create free comic strips, including: ToonDoo, Pixton, and MakeBeliefsComix.  I definitely plan to share these websites with all my colleagues at school.  Students enjoy working with technology and with our new computer lab, integrating lessons with comic strips with any subject/lesson will be simple and easy for teachers.   

ToonDoo

The comic strip above is the first comic strip I have ever created and I used the excellent website ToonDoo. This website is very simple and easy to use.  I was able to create a free account and create my first comic strip within minutes. Saving and downloading the comic strips to my computer using ToonDoo was a breeze. There are so many choices and options to create a variety of different and diverse comic strips on this website. I can see students having fun creating comic strips with instructional information they are leaning in the classroom. I made a comic strip about cells, which I cover in my science class, but I can see making comic strips for any lesson and all subjects.  Awesome website!  Go check it out!  http://www.toondoo.com/    

Pixton

Pixton is another great website to create comic strips.  I was able to create an account easily by signing in with my google account.  It was fun to create my avatar for my account, including selecting the color of my hair, clothes, glasses, eye color, nose, lips, and so much more.  Although it was easy to create an account and select my avatar, when creating the comic strip there were a lot of choices that were locked and unavailable with the free account.  I do feel there was a limited selection for making the comic strip.  I created a comic strip about volcanoes to continue with the science theme.  All subjects and lessons, again, can be used for creating comic strips.  The best feature I liked with this website was the selection of different facial expressions on the characters.  Pixton is a good website with limited selection with the free account.  https://www.pixton.com/

MakeBeliefsComix

Great website to make short comic strips without having to make an account.  There was an abundance of selections options for backgrounds, characters, masks, balloons & prompts, greeting cards, words, objects, and background color.  It was very easy to change the size and position of the characters and objects.  I really like the option to email comic strips you create and/or you can also save it online if you create an account.  I chose to create a comic strip about books!  Very impressed with the abundance of selection options available for free!  This was my favorite website for making comic strips by far! Check out this website for yourself: https://www.makebeliefscomix.com

Tellagami: I did search for the app on my iPad but was unable to successfully download the app.  The following message was given: The developer of this app needs to update it to work with iOS 11.  

Videos and QR Codes

Videos and QR Codes in the Library

YouTube Channels

The following YouTube videos are from libraries and I have selected two videos from each channel.  The first video for each channel is the one I think will be the most helpful for students and the second video will be the one that I think students will like the best.

Calypso Gilstrap YouTube Channel

How to Use EBSCOHost video is the video I think will be most helpful for middle school students doing research.  Learning how to use EBSCOHost will be highly beneficial for their higher level education.  EBSCO Host is an essential resource when doing research and learning how to navigate through the database properly is important.

Norman Public Schools Celebrates Your Freedom to Read video supports the freedom to read by having staff read excerpts from frequently challenged and banned books.  I think that students would like this video the best because it encourages and motivates students to celebrate their freedom to read whatever they choose to read.

theuniquietlibrary YouTube Channel

Tillery Tutorial Video: Creative Commons 101 for Senior Project Slides video is the video I think would be the most helpful for students learning about using photos from the internet.  Students always like including photos on their research papers and it is essential for students to know how to use photos properly from the internet.

The Importance of Choice for Igniting Student Passion and Learning Through Research Projects video is the video I think students would enjoy watching the most.  It is about a student who put her personal passion of photography into her research.  This video will encourage students to take their research projects to the next level and integrate their own passion into the research they conduct.

pikesvillehslibrary YouTube Channel

PHS Financial Aid Workshop video is the video I think would be the most beneficial for students in high school.  It has been my experience that students have an abundance of questions about the financial aid and scholarships.  This video would be an excellent resource to start with.

Movie Wood 377127322529277 video is the video I think students would like the best.  In this video a student is sharing her personal experience and insight for graduating high school and moving onto college.  Students learn so much from their peers and are also more receptive when listening to other students.  This is a great video with excellent recommendations and experiences to help students make positive graduating and college decisions.

bbmsmedia YouTube Channel

eResources @ BBMS is an great video that I think would be the most beneficial for students to watch.  Learning about the different eResources and how to access and use them in and out of school is important for student to become knowledgeable of. 

Using the Ticaster- Nick's Q3 project video is the video I think students would like the most.  It has been my experience that the majority of students enjoy learning about new technology.

Animoto

The book I chose was Lies You Never Told Me by Jennifer Donaldson.  This book is listed on the International Literacy Association's Young Adults' Choices 2019 Reading List. It is a young adult thriller with high reviews.  This was my first time using Animoto and it was extremely user friendly and simple to use.  Animoto is so well created and put together, that downloading the book trailer to YouTube was a breeze.  Having music options already in the program is an excellent time saving feature. 

Book Synopsis

Gabe and Elyse have never met. But they both have something to hide.

Quiet, shy Elyse can't believe it when she's cast as the lead in her Portland high school's production of Romeo and Juliet. Her best friend, Brynn, is usually the star, and Elyse isn't sure she's up to the task. But when someone at rehearsals starts to catch her eye--someone she knows she absolutely shouldn't be with--she can't help but be pulled into the spotlight. 

Austin native Gabe is contemplating the unthinkable--breaking up with Sasha, his headstrong, popular girlfriend. She's not going to let him slip through her fingers, though, and when rumors start to circulate around school, he knows she has the power to change his life forever. 

Gabe and Elyse both make the mistake of falling for the wrong person, and falling hard. Told in parallel narratives, this twisty, shocking story shows how one bad choice can lead to a spiral of unforeseen consequences that not everyone will survive. - Goodreads

Here is the QR code for the trailer I created for Lies You Never Told Me by Jennifer Donaldson:

QR Codes

QR code (Quick Response Code) is a type of matrix barcode that provide quick and easy access to digital information.  In the library, the librarian can create book trailers (using Animoto) and provide students with QR codes to access trailers easily.  Librarians can also encourage students to access instructional videos using QR codes posted throughout the library.  QR codes can be made for teachers to have easy access to instructional online resources.  Posters can even be made by the librarian for the classrooms to have posted, with names of resources/websites and QR codes.  After researching information on QR Codes, I found that librarians are also using QR codes to promote the use of E-books by patrons by posting the codes throughout the library (Ratajeski & Kraft, 2015). 

Reference 

Ratajeski, M. A., & Kraft, M. A. (2015). Use of QR Codes to promote E-books in medical 
       libraries. Journal of Electronic Resources in Medical Libraries, 12(1), 11-14. 

Screencasts

Screencasts

Screencasts are video creations that can be used for instructional purposes in the classroom, library, and just about anywhere.  The possibilities for using screencasts are endless.   There are numerous web applications online that allow you to create a free account and record screencasts.  Of course, there are limitations to the number of recording you are allowed with a free account. 

Screencast-o-matic

The first web application I tried was Screencast-o-matic which is a screencasting and video editing software tool that does need to be download into your computer. Screencast-o-matic was extremely user-friendly and I was able to record and upload my video recording within minutes.  I decided to make a recording that I can utilize in the classroom.  I always start by school year with science fair and every year students always have a difficult time finding science fair project ideas.  I talked to my librarian about the issue and she has provided science fair websites on the library web page for student to have easy access to project ideas.  In this recording, I am demonstrating where to locate and reviewing the science fair project websites.  This video will be a huge help in the classroom starting August! 

Icecream Screen Recorder 

Before trying Icecream Screen Recorder, I did try Jing but had numerous failed attempts with downloading the software.  Compared to Screencast-o-matic, which was extremely quick and simple to download, when downloading Icecream Screen Recorder it took longer and in my opinion was more difficult.  When I was able to open up the program, I was lost and confused with the program.  It took me a while to understand the program and finally record a video. I decided to continue with my idea of science fair videos.  Every year I have to demonstrate how to construct a data chart on Excel.  Even after a class presentation, I will always have students come back asking if I can explain it again.  Having a video prepared for them to go back and review will be a great support in the classroom.  One last note, Icecream Screen Recorder has a limit of 5 minutes and at the end of my recording the video cuts off.  Of course, you can upgrade your account for a fee and not have any time limits.  

Favorite Screencast Application: Screencast-o-matic

Screencast-o-matic was easy and simple to download, extremely user-friendly, and allows more recording time.  Screencast-o-matic is a excellent resource that can be beneficial anywhere, especially in education.  My science fair screencasts are just two example of screencasts that can be utilized in the classroom. I will definitely be working Screencast-o-matic as an instructional tool in the classroom from now on! Exceptional resource!