I can’t believe this semester is over. I really enjoyed every project, that I amaze myself at how I went ahead and kicked my technology FEAR!! We always talk about how hands on activities/experiences help the students make connections. Well, I’m here to testify that it is true! I was truly nervous about this class and even before because if I ever had a tech problem I would go to Ms. Little (our school librarian) or my husband to solve the problem rather than go head on and try new things. Ms. Little has always told me that I needed to kick that fear because she is the go to person on our campus even though we have a technology teacher on campus. I did fall into trouble with one assignment this semester and gave up even after my husband was willing to help me work through it, but I learned that at times you will just need to step back, reflect on the troubleshooting problem and try to tackle it again at a later time.
There were a few technology programs/applications that I enjoyed and are beneficial for students. I really enjoyed the Cartoons/Comics assignment that I can’t wait to use it this summer. The 4th grade classes are reading novel units that I would love for students to extend their learning by creating a cartoon or comic when they come in to the library. I was thinking that maybe the 5th graders should create an Infographic to promote Clue 39 to other library patrons. Since, they will be 6th graders soon; they will be able to capture the essence of the story with an Infographic. These technology applications will help students express their creativity and learning about the book they are reading. As a reading teacher, I’m very excited about using Online Book Communities.
Since I’m still in the classroom, I will be using BiblioNasium to share my books with students and parents. I think it was a great way to keep parents in the loop of what books you are recommending for the students or requiring. Once in the library, I will jump to Shelfari. I really liked the easy access, display of bookshelves and how it didn’t display other books that you didn’t post on your bookshelf. The reason for using Shelfari as a librarian is because we will no longer just be sharing with one class, but rather the whole school. I will be able to promote books to the school using this online book community.
As for which technological tool gave me issues, (drum roll please) Screenr!! I was so disappointed with the program and with myself as I mentioned before. Screencasting is a great option to create informative screencasts or promotions, but we will need to explore other programs such as Screencast-o-matic or others for students to use. Honestly, I did enjoy creating a screencast, so it doesn’t get thumbs down just because I had problems with one program. This teaches us to move on and find another program that will be feasible for our students.
All the technological tools presented in this class were AWESOME!! My favorite was creating the Book Bus Announcement for the Podcast assignment. This mobile library has been a great way to promote books for our rural communities. On another note, it’s taking me a while to get accustomed to blogging, but I guess it’s about getting outside of your comfort zone. Writing doesn’t come naturally to me and I hesitate when I’m trying to get my thoughts across, but with this class I have conquered two fears writing and technology!!!
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Friday, June 26, 2015
Instagram and Vine
Instagram and Vine are very popular with middle school and high school students (tweens/teens). I did learn about Vine just last year from my sixteen year old niece. Geez, can you say old!! And here I thought I was trendy because I Facebook. lol For the past few years, I've had many daily discussions with Jamie, our school librarian, and she had mentioned that our 5th graders were so into Instagram. She had mentioned that this was a greate avenue to promote the library for our 5th graders, but like everything there is red tape on opening an account under the school. Either way, like Facebook and Twitter, these are two great avenues to reach parents or students on what is happening in the library. Since, I really don't use my Instagram account, you won't find memes only photos of my family. Here are a few:
I know that my vines and Instagram accounts aren't as popping, but learning how to use it is powerful. Here are a few ways to use Vine and Instagram in the classroom/library:Showcasing students work, capturing field trip memories, creating a vine for our Science Fair Project, Science scavenger hunts, and possible writing prompts. I can see myself utilizing these two social media outlets to promote classroom activities and in the near future the LIBRARY whereabouts!!!!
I know that my vines and Instagram accounts aren't as popping, but learning how to use it is powerful. Here are a few ways to use Vine and Instagram in the classroom/library:Showcasing students work, capturing field trip memories, creating a vine for our Science Fair Project, Science scavenger hunts, and possible writing prompts. I can see myself utilizing these two social media outlets to promote classroom activities and in the near future the LIBRARY whereabouts!!!!
Too screen or not to screen is the question
OMG!! It's amazing on all the accessible technology out there to get the word out about how to use a program, application, or just to give information. I team teach and I normally read the same book twice and by the end of the second round my throat is aching. Screencasts are excellent for the library especially when demonstrating how to use a search engine, database or school catalog rather than repeat yourself to each student. Working in the library as the librarian this summer, I've caught myself showing 5th graders how to use Destiny Quest, mind you they've been exposed or taught how to use it since Kinder. So, with that being said, a screencast can be created and put on the desktop for students to see and review how to use it or others that have information you want to share. I think screencasts may also be used for Book Fair announcements and have teachers share at their leisure or put on the tv on a loop.
Screenr
What a disappointment!! Now that I've semi calmed down. This program is pretty simple to record. The problem is all the obstacles and a possible aneurysm you may get from trying to figure out how to publish your work. I googled for help and I found out that it wasn't just me having difficulty publishing my work. I'm afraid my computer may get a virus from running that program. I had to okay that I was aware of possible risks. It took me 3 hours to finally throw in the towel and give up on publishing my work. I went through two search engines, two computers, and multiple recording attempts and nothing. Oh, my favorite part, "Hum, I don't recognize the user!" Seriously, I've only create my account hmmmmm 1,000 times. Okay, I may be exaggerating, but my stress level went up the roof with this issue. I will not use this program and don't recommend it to anyone. Boy what a disappointment!!
Screencast-o-matic
What can you say about Screencast-o-matic? I'm not quite sure if it was easier than Screenr. They were both pretty easy to record. They were not complicated self explanatory or check out the video on how to create. The problem that I've been enduring is the publishing. I finally published via YouTube and it took awhile to become available to view. Publishing wasn't difficult, it gave you a few options to publish work. I did like how you didn't have to go through the whole Java hassle and hmmm who are you again. I did like how you are able to delete work immediately rather than clicking done and choosing whether to publish or discard like screenr. Whoops, wait my work never got published.
On the other hand, I would recommend Screencast-o-matic for students to publish work or if I want to share information about a program with students. Like I said before, they did make it a lot easier to create and publish.
Screenr
What a disappointment!! Now that I've semi calmed down. This program is pretty simple to record. The problem is all the obstacles and a possible aneurysm you may get from trying to figure out how to publish your work. I googled for help and I found out that it wasn't just me having difficulty publishing my work. I'm afraid my computer may get a virus from running that program. I had to okay that I was aware of possible risks. It took me 3 hours to finally throw in the towel and give up on publishing my work. I went through two search engines, two computers, and multiple recording attempts and nothing. Oh, my favorite part, "Hum, I don't recognize the user!" Seriously, I've only create my account hmmmmm 1,000 times. Okay, I may be exaggerating, but my stress level went up the roof with this issue. I will not use this program and don't recommend it to anyone. Boy what a disappointment!!
Screencast-o-matic
What can you say about Screencast-o-matic? I'm not quite sure if it was easier than Screenr. They were both pretty easy to record. They were not complicated self explanatory or check out the video on how to create. The problem that I've been enduring is the publishing. I finally published via YouTube and it took awhile to become available to view. Publishing wasn't difficult, it gave you a few options to publish work. I did like how you didn't have to go through the whole Java hassle and hmmm who are you again. I did like how you are able to delete work immediately rather than clicking done and choosing whether to publish or discard like screenr. Whoops, wait my work never got published.
On the other hand, I would recommend Screencast-o-matic for students to publish work or if I want to share information about a program with students. Like I said before, they did make it a lot easier to create and publish.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
The Internet of Things and what it means for librarians
Raine, L., Pew Research Center.(October 2014). The Internet of Things and what it means for librarians. PEW Internet and American Life Project. Digital version of this report at http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/10/28/the-internet-of-things-and-what-it-mean-for-librarians/.
Who would've thought that a wonderful change to the world, such as having access to mobile internet would bring a change in the librarians role. Raine explains " the librarians role has completely changed along with the library space and media." For instance, our library has gone completely wireless. A few colleagues from other campuses, were surprised to find that we had a mobile computers rather than a sitting area with a computer and printer. A librarians role has changed from circulating and shelving books. Librarians are sought out for their technology knowledge and implementation. The belief that cyber librarians will take over a library is pretty obnoxious. Yes, they may know more languages, knowledge, etc., but the personal interaction and human contact for assistance is put best by Raine, "Librarians are modelers of lifelong learning and value upgrading. How can cyber librarians top that?
It has been noted that everything is networked. Some examples of how our world is embedded by networking are fit trackers, home alarms, cell phone devices, pads, watches, tracking keys, and the list goes on and on. Surveys were taken about how beneficial is it for everything to be networked. Survey says, 83% beneficial and 17% no. Let's take a look at the positive and negative effects of how the internet is embedded in peoples lives.
Negatives Positives
* privacy challenges * convenience
* complexity of technology * safety
* humans not adapting to reality * useful information
* being without IOT (ex. always checking * tracking activities
mobile devices) * setting thermostat with
* humans will not know how to fix things mobile device
that don't work
The list of negative and positive effects of IOT is longer, but seeing just a few captures the essence of how the internet is embedded in our daily lives. Now does this mean that librarians should become obsolete. ABSOLUTELY, not. I think the general idea of everything becoming IOT shouldn't intervene but more cross paths and enhance student's knowledge of what the world has to offer with the guidance of a librarian.
52 pages (154 out of 150 pages)
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Cartoons and Comics
As I was exploring these sites, I realized that a student's creativity will be seen through this activity. I've often used cartoon strips for Reading or Language Arts assignments, but using these applications to get content across will take it to a different level.
MakeBeliefsComix
The moment that I didn't have to register to use this program, I gave it a thumbs up. As a teacher, it does become a bit cumbersome to use and create accounts for all the students. This will make the process move smoother and faster. The simplicity of this program is user friendly for elementary students. It offers enough features to create a comic. The changing of features is manageable for students to use on their own. This program doesn't offer a large variety, but enough to create one to express concept being taught. I did like the option of language to create comic. This will enable our ELL and Bilingual students to create one in their language. Saving the project wasn't difficult, but it did not offer an embed option like the other two programs. I had to save it to my drive and upload comic to the blog. After learning how to embed items to my blog, you kind of get used to using this new knowledge. I was able to share my work via email also. On a side note, I would've liked more COLOR to give a pop into your comic.
Pixton
Ooh LALA!!! I really enjoyed using Pixton. I LOVED all the extra features that MakeBeliefsComix didn't offer. I enjoyed how the characters and settings were a little bit more real. I really enjoyed the color and details that are offered in the features. Pixton offers a beginner and advanced option for the comic strip. This will allow for those students that are a bit more creative and willing to take a risk, to enter the advanced option of the comic strip. The advanced option allows you to change the setting and character for each frame rather than keeping the same setting/characters and changing the position for the characters. I think that this option is EXCELLENT for students that like to take a challenge. On another note, Pixton is kind of pricey if purchased for the whole school to use. I calculated about $1,225 for a school of 700. It's not bad if we can persuade our administrators how this program can be incorporated in all subjects. Pixton offers many ways of sharing your work such as embed, via social media, etc. and saving it. Two-thumbs up for me!! Now I wish I would've created a more exciting comic. Okay, who am I kidding, I'm not that creative. lol
ToonDoo
ToonDoo was fun!! I really enjoyed all the features it had to offer. The features were simple, but a large variety with a tad of cuteness. I enjoyed that it allowed the user to change the setting within each frame without deciding if you were a beginner or advanced. As times, that option does intimidate some users not to go that extra mile with their creativity. I really enjoyed expressing my interests by using a different setting for each. This program is so user friendly that all elementary students would be able to utilize and create comics.
All of these programs have so much to offer. Yes, it went from simple to a variety of features being available for usage, but nothing our kids wouldn't enjoy using. MakeBeliefsComix does offer less features, but it has the potential to create a sensible comic. ToonDoo and Pixton are the BMW's for comic strip creating. They have all the bells and whistles. I can see myself incorporating these strips in vocabulary building, where students can show usage of words in context. These comics may also be used by students demonstrating how to solve a math problem. The lesson possibilities are endless using these programs. Now, instead of using paper comic strips, my class will be able to demonstrate their knowledge using these programs.
MakeBeliefsComix
The moment that I didn't have to register to use this program, I gave it a thumbs up. As a teacher, it does become a bit cumbersome to use and create accounts for all the students. This will make the process move smoother and faster. The simplicity of this program is user friendly for elementary students. It offers enough features to create a comic. The changing of features is manageable for students to use on their own. This program doesn't offer a large variety, but enough to create one to express concept being taught. I did like the option of language to create comic. This will enable our ELL and Bilingual students to create one in their language. Saving the project wasn't difficult, but it did not offer an embed option like the other two programs. I had to save it to my drive and upload comic to the blog. After learning how to embed items to my blog, you kind of get used to using this new knowledge. I was able to share my work via email also. On a side note, I would've liked more COLOR to give a pop into your comic.
Pixton
Ooh LALA!!! I really enjoyed using Pixton. I LOVED all the extra features that MakeBeliefsComix didn't offer. I enjoyed how the characters and settings were a little bit more real. I really enjoyed the color and details that are offered in the features. Pixton offers a beginner and advanced option for the comic strip. This will allow for those students that are a bit more creative and willing to take a risk, to enter the advanced option of the comic strip. The advanced option allows you to change the setting and character for each frame rather than keeping the same setting/characters and changing the position for the characters. I think that this option is EXCELLENT for students that like to take a challenge. On another note, Pixton is kind of pricey if purchased for the whole school to use. I calculated about $1,225 for a school of 700. It's not bad if we can persuade our administrators how this program can be incorporated in all subjects. Pixton offers many ways of sharing your work such as embed, via social media, etc. and saving it. Two-thumbs up for me!! Now I wish I would've created a more exciting comic. Okay, who am I kidding, I'm not that creative. lol
ToonDoo
ToonDoo was fun!! I really enjoyed all the features it had to offer. The features were simple, but a large variety with a tad of cuteness. I enjoyed that it allowed the user to change the setting within each frame without deciding if you were a beginner or advanced. As times, that option does intimidate some users not to go that extra mile with their creativity. I really enjoyed expressing my interests by using a different setting for each. This program is so user friendly that all elementary students would be able to utilize and create comics.
All of these programs have so much to offer. Yes, it went from simple to a variety of features being available for usage, but nothing our kids wouldn't enjoy using. MakeBeliefsComix does offer less features, but it has the potential to create a sensible comic. ToonDoo and Pixton are the BMW's for comic strip creating. They have all the bells and whistles. I can see myself incorporating these strips in vocabulary building, where students can show usage of words in context. These comics may also be used by students demonstrating how to solve a math problem. The lesson possibilities are endless using these programs. Now, instead of using paper comic strips, my class will be able to demonstrate their knowledge using these programs.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Online Book Communities
As I explored several online book communities, I realized that at one time I myself shared what I was reading on Shelfari. Therefore I already had a bias opinion of which would be the best option for teacher/student/parent interaction. I already felt that Shelfari was pretty simple to use, but as I evaluated the other options, the top one for education was yet to come.
Let's start out with Shelfari. Well, as you can see from my screenshot, it is easy to navigate and add books to the shelves. It keeps count of how many books you have on your shelf and one can also rate the books by adding stars. I felt that using the search bar was exceptional for locating books to put on the shelves. There is a drop bar that allows you to arrange books by author, title, or date. I was surprised that Shelfari didn't allow you to shelve books based on genre or specific categories for book selections. It also has the capability to change the way the shelves are arranged. A major issue that I encountered was uploading my profile picture. I tried many times and no such luck. I also didn't appreciate unblocking my pop ups to allow Shelfari to search through my Facebook for friends or family members using this book community. Overall, I'll give it a 4 out of 5 for user friendly. It is student safe and only shows what you have on your shelf.
I've always used Goodreads for book reviews. I wasn't aware that I could shelve books that I was interested in or read. Goodreads has tabs on top of shelf showing recommendations, friends, My Books, and areas to Explore. It is easy to navigate and add books to your shelf. One different option that Goodreads offers is breaking down your shelves by genres or authors, etc. that will help you and others identify the books on your shelf. Goodreads is like Shelfari, it keeps count of total books in your bookshelves and total in each category you created. Once again, I think that this online book community is student/parent/teacher friendly, but not the winner.
LibraryThing is easy to manage for any level of online knowledge. It is at the level of Shelfari. I enjoyed the easy navigation and adding of books. If you are unable to find a book, with available options to search in, you may import a book into your shelf. The books on your shelves may be displayed by showing the cover or listing the books. There is an edit sort bar to sort books by title, author, publication date, language, Dewey, ISBN, and etc. LibraryThing gives more sorting options compared to Shelfari and goodreads. LibraryThing has a Groups tab on top and it gives you an option to start your own group. This would be perfect for parent/teacher/student book talks, etc. Hands down this was one of my favorites, and it may be used with all grade levels, especially middle school and high school students.
I did not like Booklikes. Booklikes is at the bottom of the list for user friendly and student engaging. This online book community is more like a blog than a bookshelf. You are adding titles as you read and give a quick synopsis of what you have read. Books were difficult to add, so therefore it took two different entries to enter titles of books. I didn't like the advertisements on the top of the blog. Very distracting!! Sorry, but TWO big Thumbs down on this community.
We have finally reached the WINNER!!! Biblionasium is the best option for student/teacher/parent interactions about books. It is a little bit time consuming in adding books, but it allows you to enter reading level, which group, and mark as favorite/recommended/required reading. One is to note, that teachers aren't adding 25 selections at one time, so therefore it won't take as long as the first time one is being set. This online book community is also safe for children, where one will not have the adult content on page such as Booklikes. Biblionasium includes book trailers, option to read a few book pages, or author interviews. This community allows you to manage many groups and usernames are given to protect student's identity. As far as I can see, Biblionasium is perfect for student engagement.
In closing, the different online book communities that I explored are all fair use based on once taste. Some were a lot simpler to use that others and others were just not quite student friendly. If I had to order these communities from student friendly to horrible they would be as follows:
Biblionasium
LibraryThing
Shelfari
goodreads and ............
Booklikes.
If an online book community is going to be used for student/teacher/parent interaction, then Biblionasium is the one to go to. The others are open to the world, even though you may add a new group, students may be exposed to inappropriate content.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
What is a podcast?
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as "a program (as a music or talk) made available in digital format for automatic download over the Internet. Wondering how it works, there are various tools to use to create an Internet broadcasting such as Audioboo, Podomatic, and GarageBand just to help you get started. I used SoundCloud to create a school announcement and it was pretty simple to use. Many librarians are using this type of program to differentiate instruction. We have heard about differentiation instruction in the classroom, but it also extends into the library. This type of instruction is helping our auditory learners make better connections with the lesson and are able to review it at a later time if necessary, and help students become better public speakers. Podcasts is usually used to retrieve and disseminate information, but some librarians are putting a spin to the 21st Century Learning. The podcasts don't just enhance student learning, but support school goals and AASL guidelines and standards for the 21st Century Learner. A few examples on how podcasts is be used in the library is as follows:
-Advocating Literature
-Book Promotion
-Promoting the library (Storytelling, Summer School Bus, Book Fairs)
-Book Talks
-Book Review
-Sharing student research products
-Poetry Slam
-Sharing school news
-Staff Development
These are just a few examples on how creative instruction can drive the learner to disseminate information in a different format. I created a district library promotion. Our district started a summer mobile library for our students that live in rural areas to receive 2 new books each Friday during our summer break. These podcasts allow students to share their work via internet.
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