Videos & QR Codes in the Library

There are many tech tools that can be used to re-imagine learning, both in the library and the classroom.  In this blog, we will specifically be looking at YouTube, Animoto, and QR codes. Each one has a variety of educational uses that can be used to enhance learning for both students and teachers.


YouTube

While YouTube is known for its entertainment value, it also includes a wealth of valuable learning opportunities. Students can access tutorial videos, online read-alouds, and upload their own videos as evidence of learning. What's great about YouTube is that users have the ability to follow their favorite channels and keep up to date. As a classroom teacher, I created an account and uploaded content tutorials for parents and students. The feedback was very positive, as it was a way to preserve instruction. Along those same lines, I have used YouTube as a way to build community by uploading videos of school wide events and showcase student work.

As an instructional tool, YouTube can be used for students to create tutorials for other students. It now includes videos that are compatible with Google Cardboard, allowing students to experience virtual reality and 360 degree interactive views. I looked at the following library channels and found these great examples of student videos.

Channel: Calypso Gilstrap

I found this video to be the most helpful to students because it guides them through the steps needed to navigate the library website successfully.

I think students would like this video the best because it features an educational tool that will help them directly with class assignments. Sometimes, digital resources can be overwhelming, but having a how-to video like this can make the learning process more successful.

Channel: The Unquiet Library

This how-to video shows students how to upload their work into Slideshare. Looking at the other content in the channel, uploading student work is a common practice, so I think this would be the most helpful to students.

This video would probably be one of the most liked because it features a fellow student who was able to get a collection of her stories published. 

Channel: Pikesville HS Library

This particular video would be the most beneficial to students because it features the steps to seeking financial aid for college.

Students would probably like this video this most because it shows students having fun during their Wii Party in the library. What a great way to catalog great memories!

Channel: BBMS Media

This video would be the most helpful to students because it walks them through the various digital resources at their disposal. 

I remember when the mannequin challenge went viral and the kids couldn't get enough. With so many students in this video, I think they would probably like this one the most!

Animoto

Animoto is an edtech tool that allows users to create videos. It is relatively easy to use and students can customize their videos with various backgrounds, music, and photos/videos. A huge bonus is that educators are able to create a free account. After receiving a code, educators can create student accounts to track videos that students make. There are quite a few options available, without having to upgrade your account.

Another thing I found helpful is that the site offers a link to their blog, which includes a tutorial to help users. In the library, students could use this tool to create book trailers for books they have read. I could also envision students creating news videos or commercials.

Overall, I enjoyed making my first video and would use it again in the future. I have included the book trailer I made using Animoto.

Lai, T. (2011). Inside out & back again. Harper.

Publisher Synopsis: Inspired by the author's childhood experience as a refugee—fleeing Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon and immigrating to Alabama—this coming-of-age debut novel told in verse has been celebrated for its touching child's-eye view of family and immigration.

Hà has only ever known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, and the warmth of her friends close by. But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. Hà and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope—toward America.

This moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing received four starred reviews, including one from Kirkus which proclaimed it "enlightening, poignant, and unexpectedly funny."

QR Codes

QR (Quick Response) codes are machine readable codes that store URL information. They provide quick access to information using multiple devices. Most devices have an app that can be downloaded to read these code. There are free sites available that will allow users to create their own codes, and it is compatible with Google.

Check out my QR code for my Inside Out & Back Again book trailer below:

Within the library, QR codes can be a helpful tool to enhance learning in various ways. I have used the codes to promote our library website and online book fair, by posting these in areas of the school that parents frequent. I have also used these when designing a scavenger hunt for my students, saving them time by not having to enter the URLs. This would be a great tool for students to use to cite sources by creating QR code for the source they used.

When considering the different ways these codes can be used, another great use would be as support for students that are struggling with reading and writing. This can be a quick way for them to access the content they are needing. I think the possibilities are endless when planning ways to use QR codes.

Screencasts, Instagram, and Flipagram

Social Media is no longer just a way to keep up with friends. It is finding its way into education through creative thinking. Most kids jump at the chance to use any type of technology, so it makes sense to use tools that are relevant to them to engage them in new and innovative ways. In this post, I will be looking at Instagram and Flipagram and their uses. In addition, I will be sharing my experience with Screencast-o-matic and Screencastify. After reviewing each one, I will give you my top pick in each category.

Instagram

Although I had used Instagram in the past, it was for personal use rather than the classroom. At the time, I had never considered that it could have a place within a learning environment. There are many possibilities that make this app worth considering. Instagram is an online photo sharing app that allows users to add filters to their images and share them with other users. Instagram is available on all Apple products and Android devices, making it a lot easier to access and utilize, as many have access to these devices.

One negative aspect is the geo-tag feature. This allows users to see the location where photos were taken. Instagram does offer a way to disable this feature, keeping the location private. With regular school use, educators will need to be mindful and monitor student use closely to prevent any misuse of this feature.

Within the classroom, there are many ways Instagram can be used to engage students. When looking into how to incorporate social media in the classroom, one idea stood out to me. I would have students take pictures of themselves with their favorite books and in the caption, they can give a quick review of the book. I think this will spark excitement in the students because it's definitely a step away from a typical written review. I could easily imagine participation significantly increasing with this being an option. I could also envision students using this tool as a way to keep track of their final products, when they create in makerspace. They could refer back to their pictures and see the evolution of their thinking.

I created an Instagram post to highlight the great things our students created during makerspace time. Please remember to always make sure any photos of students that you share have written parental consent. Without it, you are violating student privacy.

After we read Jon Klassen’s, I Want My Hat Back, kindergarten used Strawbees to create their own hats!

A post shared by @ elc038 on Mar 16, 2018 at 10:29pm PDT

Flipagram

I had never heard of Flipagram prior to this review, but decided to give it a try after reading some blogs about its positive use in the classroom. The app basically creates slideshows from your images. It allows you to have some creative freedom by being able to rearrange the photos into your desired order. A big plus is that you are able to pull images from your device and other social media platforms. It reminds me of creating a presentation on Powerpoint, in that you can set the transition time and add music to the background. You can use your own music or take advantage of their search feature. Just be mindful not to violate fair use.

The app does include a microphone option, allowing you to record your voice and narrate your slideshow. I think this would be a great feature if you were using Flipagram to enhance instruction in the classroom. Students could take a series of photos throughout the writing process, and then create a slideshow. They could narrate the writing steps and share their creation with other students. It's a great way to offer student centered learning and give students the opportunity to take ownership of their learning.

When creating your slideshow, keep in mind that in order to post your final product on Flipagram, the length of the slideshow must not exceed thirty seconds. I liked that it gives you additional sharing options, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and many more social media sites. You are also able to embed the slideshow you have created on other websites.

Ultimately, despite the lack of user support through a tutorial, the app was relatively easy to set up and use. While simple to use, I found it to be basic, and there wasn't anything really eye-catching about it. After careful consideration between Instagram and Flipagram, I would choose Instagram unless I specifically needed a slide show. I think that using a lot of images at once can be somewhat distracting, so if I felt like I needed more of a presentation, I would use a different resource.

Check out the slideshow I created using Flipagram!

View on Flipagram

Screencast-o-matic

I had some familiarity with screencasts because out of sheer necessity, I had to create a couple this year for both students and teachers. My first two experiences were with Screencastify. It was pretty easy to use and set up. It is an extension through Google Chrome, so there was no download required. The audio quality was average, but I was not a fan of the video quality. It almost has this slight haze over it. Also, it had a ten minute limit which is okay under some circumstance, but was a pain for my purposes. I ended up having to re-record my screencast several times, cutting out more and more information to get it under the limit. In comparison, Screencast-o-matic did require me to download software, which took several minutes. However, I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to record up to a fifteen minute long video.

 Additionally, I like that there is a video editor available with an upgrade (Grrr...I know...it's always about an upgrade.) Normally I would not even consider going "pro," but it only costs $1.50 per month. That is a pretty good deal considering all of the extra options it will afford you. One thing to keep in mind when using this app is that once your video is published, you cannot edit it further. Screencastify did offer some options for editing, but it was minimal compared to Screencast-o-matic.

While recording, I also had the ability to adjust the screen capture. I could crop as much of the screen as I wanted, eliminating the need to close my five hundred tabs I keep open at any given time (which I had to do when using Screencastify.) I found this to be less obstructive, and it allowed me to maintain other work I had going without having to close everything I didn't want viewed.

Both sites allow the videos to be saved as MP4s, and they can be uploaded directly to Youtube. I loved the Screencast-o-matic had an custom embedding feature that let you resize the screencast to fit your selected site. Although I have more experience with Screencastify, I would use Screencast-o-matic in the future. I just found that it felt easier to use, and I would be willing to upgrade for the minimal fee.

In addition to making the screencast below, I previously made a how-to video for teachers on my campus, showing them how to create a Google Site. These screencasts are so handy, and I think it benefits so many viewers because they are not just listening to instructions; they can work along with them step-by-step.

Infographics

Infographics are not a new concept, but they are gaining popularity due to the variety of ways in which they can enrich learning. You might be wondering, "What is an infographic?" It would be easy to say it is a visual representation of content, but it is so much more. These amazing tools can include both visual images and text, presented in a way that allows the reader to better understand the connections found within the content. Their ability to stand alone, without the need for further explanation, makes them a valuable component of education (Gray, 2010).

Prior to this blog, I had not made an infographic before. Looking through Pinterest made the task seem a bit intimidating, but I looked through three different webapps that can be used to create infographics: Easel.ly, Piktochart, and Infogr.am  I am going to discuss the similarities and differences between them, before letting you know which one was my top pick!

All three webapps offered a free option, although they each limited some options, trying to sell you an upgraded account. The sign up itself was relatively quick and easy. Looking at each one, they all provide free templates that can be modified to suit your needs. I found that Infogr.am had the fewest free options. All of the most visually appealing templates were only accessible through the pro upgrade. Easel.ly had the most free templates, with Piktochart not too far behind. Infogr.am's editor was easy to use, but I thought their templates looked a bit boring. I wanted something that was bright, but readable. This site was just too basic for my tastes.

The two remaining sites, Easel.ly and Piktochart, both offered media uploads which is a great option to make your infographic interactive. Each of them were easy to navigate and provided a variety of options such as including images, text boxes, and themes. If you need help during the process, Piktochart has a tutorial video, but Easel.ly has a live chat option, which I loved! The ability to share your creation was present in both, but Easel.ly offered a pdf download, whereas Piktochart was a shareable link or image.

While Easel.ly had the most visually appealing templates, Piktochart offered more charts. For the purposes of my infographic, I found that Piktochart met my needs the most because I wanted more access to charts. Additionally, while the Easel.ly templates were more dynamic, I was drawn to the simplicity of the Piktochart templates. I didn't want a lot of distraction from the information. If you aren't planning on purchasing an upgraded account, I would suggest you consider your needs first before determining which site to use. In the future, I could see myself using both depending on the content. Take a peek at my first infographic, made with Piktochart!

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References

Kehaulani, S. K. (2015, February 19). The Skills Americans Say Kids Need to Succeed in Life.                    Retrieved March 09, 2018, from
        http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/02/19/skills-for-success/

Gray, D. (2007, April 06). What is an Infographic?. Retrieved
        March 09, 2018, from
        https://communicationnation.blogspot.com/2007/04/what-is-infographic.html