Final Reflection

 This class certainly took me out of my comfort zone when it comes to technology.  I have always been a consumer of things like Instagram, or used other people's products in my classroom, but I have never really created my own.  I was proud of myself when I figured out how to embed something into my blog!  I was most excited for the cartoons and comics.  Although some were hard for me at first, I had a lot of fun making them and thought of all the ways I could use them in my classroom.  I was also excited about the Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter assignment because I use these platforms all the time and thought it would be easy.  However, Instagram took me a while to figure out how to create videos and add music to them.  I have always looked at other people's but I never knew how much goes into creating them.  I learned a lot making my video and it turned out to be a lot of fun.  I will definitely use Instagram when I become a librarian.  

The most difficult apps for me were the screencasts and the podcasts.  For the screencast it was not hard to make but trying to share it was somewhat difficult.  While using Screencastify I had a very difficult time embedding my video into my blog and was frustrated with the program overall.  Screencast-o-matic was much easier to use and made me feel more confident using and sharing my videos.  The podcasts also took me a little bit to figure out.  I had to record the audio on my phone with the Podbean app and then sign into my account on the computer to post it to my blog.  I was able to figure it out but it took more steps than I wanted.  Also, I never could figure out how to get my voice and my partners pre-recorded voice on the same recording so ultimately I had to just record myself.  These two assignments were  difficult for me but I learned so much doing them.  

As a teacher I really think that the Animoto and the comics would be most beneficial to students.  I liked the Pixton app the best for comics.  These apps can be used in so many ways for students to show what they have learned.  I also think that they give students a way to be creative when sharing their thinking.  Animoto is easy to use and has templates to get you started which is perfect for students who may need a little more support.  Pixton is also a fun and easy to use app that allows students to create comics.  This app could be used by students to demonstrate something they have learned, share their creative writing, or even to teach social skills through comics.      

I used one of my favorite apps Animoto to create my digital story reflection.

Universal Design for Learning

 While looking at the guidelines for the Universal Design for Learning I was pleased to see that I already use many of these things in my classroom.  Optimizing individual choice has been a push in my school for the last few years and I have started to grow quite comfortable with it.  I have noticed that giving students choice in their learning gives them ownership and engages them.  I also activate or supply background knowledge especially when starting a new topic.  Many young students need to be exposed to pictures and videos that will help build their schema for new topics especially in science and social studies.  Using a K-W-L chart is one way that I can engage students and get their background knowledge going.  I think listening to each other also helps students because I often hear students say “I’ve seen that too” or “I’ve been there before”.  Sometimes they are not aware of the knowledge they already have.  

A guideline that I could use right now is developing self assessment and data.  I think that it is important for students to self reflect on their learning.  To take note of what went well and what didn’t when learning something new.  Also giving them the opportunity to create goals for themselves allows them to take control of their learning and engage them more often.  I think that this would also be a useful tool for students to see growth or lack of growth with their learning behaviors.  Students need to see what it is that is impeding their learning through behavior so that they may take the initiative to improve it. 

One of the guidelines that I like but would need some more support with would be using multiple tools for construction and composition.  I love the idea of having students show what they know using various modes of communication.  However, I think that this could be difficult for me with just the management piece of it.  How will I ensure that students are truly learning?  I would have to let go of some control to allow students to choose the mode that is best for them.  However, done correctly I think that this guideline would be powerful for student learning.  

I decided to learn more about how implementing Universal Design for Learning can benefit students with disabilities.  One of the greatest things about UDL is its goal to impact as many students as possible.  Long gone are the days when a student with disabilities only went to the library to check out a book and then later return it.  Now libraries are a place for research and exploration for our students with disabilities.  There is such a vast array of formats for all learners to use such as Talking Books, Braille Libraries, easy-to-read, and large print texts.  There are also various media such as DVD, audio, databases, digital catalogs, and indexes.  All of these make obtaining information something everyone has access to.  According to the article UD and UDL: Paving the Way Toward Inclusion and Independence in the School Library when librarians use the principles of UDL when planning resources for students to gather, interpret, and organize information this ensures that all students are able to access the information that they need.  The Oregon School Library organizes its research site by the categories: learn to research, find information, and cite my resources.  Each one of these categories reflects the UDL guidelines.  Students have access to multiple means of representation as well as engagement.  

        In the article Academic Libraries and the Principles of Universal Design for Learning Nall suggests that reference sections should be available in as many communication types as possible.  By offering text, chat, in-person, phone, etc. each student can choose the method that works best for them and how they process information.  When applying the UDL guidelines librarians can offer all of these choices and more to ensure that all students are getting the information that they need in a way that best suits their learning styles and needs.  “We are already putting in the effort to design our buildings, collections, services, and web pages. Considering the needs of the learning disabled will lead to a more welcoming and accessible library experience for all“. (Nall 2015).

Works Cited

Blue, Elfreda V., and Darra Pace. “UD and UDL: Paving the Way Toward Inclusion and Independence in the School Library.” Knowledge Quest, vol. 39, no. 3, 2011, pp. 48-55. EBSCO. Accessed 17 April 2022.

Gavigan, Karen, and Stephanie Kurtts. “AT. UD, and Thee: Using Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning in 21st Century Media Centers.” Library Media Connection, no. January/February, 2009, pp. 54-56. EBSCO. Accessed 17 April 2022.

Nall, Clark. “Academic Libraries and the Principles of Universal Design for Learning.” C&RL News, no. July/ August, 2015, pp. 374-375. EBSCO. Accessed 17 April 2022.

Podcasts

 Podbean

The podcast app that I am most familiar with is Podbean.  I first used this app over the summer when I had to create a podcast for another class.  I found this app easy to use and I was able to download it to my phone.  It is a free app that allows you to create podcasts as well as browse and listen to other podcasts.  They have sound effects that you can add to your podcast as well as a variety of background music.  The only thing that I was unable to do was add another voice to my podcast.  I was unable to add my partners recording to mine to make one podcast.  Therefore I had to record both of our parts myself.  There are many ways to share your podcast on social media, embedded into a blog, or shared by direct link.

Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is a free app that allows you to record up to 2 hours of audio each cycle for free.  This app had a few more bells and whistles like magic mastering which fixes the volume on your audio to make it uniform throughout the episode.  It also had something called dynamic content that allows you to record a set introduction to your episodes.  However, I could not figure out how to add it to my episode.  So I was unable to use it.  This app seems to be more for the serious podcaster.  It lets you design your own thumbnail with Canva and you can share your podcast with all the major podcasting apps and social media.

Audioboom

This app is not free.  It is $9.99 per month or $99 per year.  This app also seems to be more for the serious podcaster who has several podcasts they may be working on.  This app allows you to share with all the major podcast apps and social media.  You can also embed your podcasts into your blogs.  Audioboom allows more than one person to work on your episodes and includes the capability to add a cohost.  Because you are paying for this app you have an unlimited amount of podcasts.  This app is for someone who knows what they are doing in podcasts and wants to monetize their podcast.  

The app that my partner and I used was Podbean.  I recorded a podcast that we co-wrote about what an ideal elementary library looks like.  

Podcasts in the Library

Some benefits of podcasts for the library is that it is another way for librarians to get information out to their students.  I think that it would also be fun to allow students to use podcasting as a way to share what they are reading or what is going on with the library.  

Some challenges would be learning the ins and outs of using a podcast app.  Having the time to really work with and understand all of the tricks and tools on how to make a successful podcast is difficult.  Also, learning how to edit sound clips together was difficult for me and would require extra instruction.

Some librarian podcasts that I found were: 

American Libraries' Dewey Decibel Podcast- this one discusses hot-button library issues and plans.

Circulating Ideas- this podcast is on librarianship

Cyberpunk Librarian- a podcast about all things digital in the library.

The Librarian's Guide to Teaching- this podcast gives you teaching tips and ideas for the library.

Cartoons and Comics

 Fotojet

The first comic creator site I used was Fotojet.  For the most part I found this site pretty easy to use.  I was able to quickly locate the comic strips and choose one to work with.  It was easy to insert pictures and add the text.  You can also use this site to edit pictures, make photo collages, and create photo invitations.  One of the cons was that there were limited choices for free.  Many of the templates are only available if you upgrade your membership.  The price is not too expensive, it is between $4-$6 per month depending on what plan you want.  If I was regularly using this site I would consider it.  The only other con was that I was unable to figure out how to change the speech bubbles on the comic strips.  It seems that you are pretty locked in to the layout of whatever template you choose.  Also, the print was very small, I have a touch screen and was able to enlarge it while I worked but that would be difficult for people who are working on older or desktop computers.  Overall, I thought this site was fairly easy to use and fun!  

Pixton

I really enjoyed using this site.  I thought that it was very easy to use and had so many choices for your comic strip.  Everything was laid out perfectly that it made it so easy to use.  You have control over everything from background and characters to facial expressions.  I really had a fun time making my comic strip using this site.  However, when I went to share the strip it would not let me unless I upgraded.  I was unaware of that until after I had already spent time making it.  I found this to be a huge con.  In order to post for this review I had to grab a screenshot of the comic I made and upload it to my blog as an image.  I really loved this site for its ease of use and great selection but when I couldn't share what I made I found it very frustrating.  

Make Beliefs Comix

This site did not have all of the bells and whistles of the other sites but it was easy to use and I think students would like it.  I also found that the site had many different resources for different writing prompts and lesson ideas.  When it came to making my strip there was not a lot of fun choices for characters and backgrounds and it was kind of a hodgepodge of styles.  However, everything was free and they aren't hounding you to upgrade.  Overall, this one was not the fanciest but I think it would be a fun and free resource for students to use in the classroom.  

Ways to use comics in the library and classroom:

• to answer frequently asked questions in the library 
• to demonstrate knowledge of learned material
• book reports
• all about me at the beginning of the year
• writing workshop
• to demonstrate class rules

Comic strips are a fun and engaging way for students to share information.  I think they would be a great and fun addition to any classroom or library setting.

Videos and QR Codes in the Library

Videos 

Videos are a great tool for the library.  Here are some ways they can be used in the library:

• to show how to use the online catalog to search for books
• to show how to use the library's databases to research
• book trailers 
• upcoming events in the library
• showcase student projects

The Unquiet Library:

The first video is the most helpful because it is showing students how to use creative commons images in their work.  This video shows students what creative commons is and why it is important.  It also shows them how to find images that they can use in their projects.

The second video is one that I think students would like best.  It shows how students can use the app Evernote in their real lives.  It shows a student sharing how she uses Evernote out of school and the features that it has that she finds helpful.  

Pikesville High School Library

The first video is the most helpful because it shows students the steps of how to make a paper slide project.  It has two students sharing the process of how they made their project using vocabulary words that they were studying for the SATs.  

The second video is a parody of "Pimp My Ride" but instead they are doing "Pimp My Binder".  This was such a fun and creative way to show students how important it is to stay organized with your school work and school supplies.  The video is engaging and fun to watch.

BBMS Media

The first video is the most helpful because it shows students how to use NoodleTools to form a website citation.  This is helpful because students can refer back to the video any time they need help with adding their citations.  It is also useful that it provides step by step instructions that students can follow along with.  

The second video is a fun parody of Star Wars and overdue books.  I think this would be great to show at the end of the year to encourage students to get their books turned in.  It is a great attention grabbing way to get your point across.  

QR Codes

QR codes are another great tool for the library.  Here are some ways QR codes can be used:

• book trailers
• students can make voice recordings of book reviews to post on the book itself or a bulletin board
• link to the library website
• library newsletter
• link to interest surveys

    It’s boys vs. girls when the noisiest, most talkative, and most competitive fifth graders in history challenge one another to see who can go longer without talking. Teachers and school administrators are in an uproar, until an innovative teacher sees how the kids’ experiment can provide a terrific and unique lesson in communication. In No Talking, Andrew Clements portrays a battle of wills between some spunky kids and a creative teacher with the perfect pitch for elementary school life that made Frindle an instant classic.

Scan the code below for my book trailer for No Talking by Andrew Clements.

Screencasts

 Screencasts are a great tool that can be used in the classroom to teach students how to do something on the computer.  I found screencasts to be very helpful during the pandemic when students were home and did not know how to access assignments online.  I could send out a video or post it in Google Classroom so that they could go through the steps with me.  Screencasts can also be used in the classroom to show students how to find sites for research or how to create something for a project.  The possibilities are endless.

Screencast-o-matic

I downloaded and tried out the screencast-o-matic app on my computer.  This app is free but you can pay to upgrade and get better options such as unlimited video time.  I found this app to be easy to use.  You can record just your screen, just your camera, or both which I found to be a nice feature especially working with kids who may want to see your face while you talk.  I also like that it allows you to record up to 15 minutes for free.  It also gives you several options of where to upload your video when you are finished.  There are easy to use editing tools that allow you to customize and perfect your video. 

Screencastify

The other app I chose was screencastify.  I used this app often during the pandemic when we were all online.  This is also a free app with the option to upgrade for a fee.  This app allows you to record your desktop, browser tab, or webcam. This app also gives you the option of recording your webcam and screen at the same time.  Screencastify only allows you to record a video up to 5 minutes for free, to record any longer you have to upgrade.  This app also has easy to use editing tools to perfect your videos.  You have a few more sharing options with this app.  As a teacher I like that you have the option to share straight to Google Classroom which is nice because we use Classroom all the time and this makes sharing easier.  

Overall, both of these apps are great and easy to use. They are very similar but the biggest difference is the length of the video that you can record for free. I could probably limit my videos to 5 minutes for some things but I like having a longer time with the other app. Also Screencast-o-matic was much easier to embed on my website. Screencastify was much more difficult and I was only able to post the link. Therefore I chose Screencast-o-matic as the app that I liked the best.

Here is my screencast using Screencast-o-matic showing students how to access and use Pebble Go and Pebble Go Next.

Here is a link to the video of how to use the Sora App using Screencastify.  Click here.

Infographics

 easelly

The first site that I checked out was easelly.  I found this site to be easy to navigate and basic.  It has a good amount of free templates for you to choose from with many options for free.  You can upgrade for a much larger selection with the pro account.  They have three different options: student, individual, and business.  I decided to make my infographic by not using a template so I could see all of the features that were available.  There were many pictures, graphs, and text options to choose from and I found it easy to navigate.  Making the graphs was easy to do and fun!  It did not take me too long to organize my information and get my graphic made using this site.  The only con I found was trying to get the text to move forward or back behind an image.  I got a little frustrated because it seemed self explanatory but turned out to be more difficult.  Overall I thought it was a good site and fun to use.

Piktochart

The next site that I visited was piktochart.  This site had a lot to offer.  They not only had templates for infographics but also for presentations, posters, reports, flyers, and  social media.  There are a ton of free templates for you to choose from in each category.  This site has three different pricing options: free, Pro, and Enterprise.  When you upgrade to Pro you get more storage options.  This site gives you impressive looking graphics and makes your work look professional.  A couple of cons for me was the limited storage space in the free account and the overwhelming number of choices.  I think this is a great site for people with experience but as a not-so-tech-savvy person I found it to be overwhelming with so many bells and whistles.

Infogram

The last site that I visited was infogram.  This site has many different templates for a variety of projects including: infographics, reports, slides, dashboards, and whiteboards.  Each category had some template options for free.  However, I found that most of the templates required an upgrade to use.  There are five different account choices: free, Pro, Business, Team, and Enterprise.  The pieces ranged from $19 a month to $150 a month.  This site has a ton of options and seems like the perfect fit for someone with experience and looking for professional quality.

Overall, the sites were somewhat easy to navigate with minimal experience required to make a basic project.  They each had some nice templates that would accomplish my goal.  However, I found easelly the easiest to use.  It did not have all of the fancy features that the other sites had but I found it straightforward and simple to navigate for someone just wanting to complete a basic project.  

Geiger, AW. “Public library use in U.S. highest among Millennials.” Pew Research Center, 21 June 2017, https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/06/21/millennials-are-the-most-likely-generation-of-americans-to-use-public-libraries/. Accessed 28 February 2022.