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.

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

 

Facebook

Some advantages of using Facebook in the library is that you can instantly update parents and students about what is going on in the library.  Many parents use Facebook and it is a good communication tool to announce special events like book fairs. I also noticed that schools use Facebook to showcase what the students are doing in the library.  I saw student made videos, artwork, and makerspace projects that the students created and shared.  Some of the schools use Facebook to share services that they are offering such as Sora and curbside pick up for online learners.   I noticed that many parents commented on the student projects and contest awards.  These comments lead to further engagement and keeps the parents checking the site which helps to communicate other needs with the parents.  This would come in handy when books are due or volunteers are needed.  

One disadvantage is that many of the students no longer use Facebook.  As my own middle schooler told me “Facebook is for old people”.  So if you want to use a social media platform to reach students I would not use Facebook, however if you want to reach their parents it is a good choice.  

Twitter

After viewing some of the Tweets from the educational technology leaders I discovered that they share a good amount of information for teachers and librarians.  Many of these people share ideas for technology use such as new apps or programs.  For instance Kathy Schrock @kathyschrock tweeted:

 

Take a look at these great daily learning activity calendars of K-8 content-related activities offered by @DiscoveryEd. (Free for all K-8 teachers in the US.) Sign up here: https://t.co/gKFBXwIsRN

— Kathy Schrock (@kathyschrock) October 14, 2021

I found this particular Tweet very interesting because I use Discovery Education all the time at school and this could be useful to me.  They also share links to resources that can be used in the classroom or the library.  For example, Gwyneth Jones @GwynethJones tweeted: 

Hispanic Heritage Month YouTube Videos - appropriate for Middle or High Schoolshttps://t.co/l26hnNyzbY#FutureReadyLibs #TLChat #EdChat #HispanicHeritageMonth pic.twitter.com/ahEjZAgj9Q

— Gwyneth Jones (@GwynethJones) September 30, 2021

They also post about upcoming events they are going to or involved in that may be of interest to teachers and librarians.  Overall I feel like Twitter is a great way to find new tips and tricks in real time.  The information is current and useful to educators.  It is also a great way to connect and share ideas.  I think that Twitter is a great way to show parents and students what is going on in the library. This is an easy way to promote things like book fairs, book clubs, and author visits to the community.  Many students have Twitter accounts so it is a great way to reach students specifically.

Instagram

Instagram is another great way for librarians and teachers to share what is happening in their classrooms and libraries.  Many Librarians share videos on how to do things around the library, display ideas, and lesson ideas.  Often times links are included for freebie lesson plans or display ideas.  It is nice to be able to watch a video of something being done instead of just looking at a still picture.  I also follow several librarians that give good book reviews and professional development ideas on their Instagram accounts.  Also, Instagram is popular with the students so you know that you will be reaching students easily. This is another great platform to promote events in the library or resources that are available to the students. 

The only con that I can think of is that many parents may not be on Instagram. However, I think that is true with all social media.  Some people may be only on one platform or none at all.  Librarians should make a goal to be on at least two platforms, one to reach as many students as possible and one to reach the parents.

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References

Hudson, H. (2016, August 7). 10 Surprising Ways to Use Instagram in the Classroom - We Are Teachers. WeAreTeachers. Retrieved February 13, 2022, from https://www.weareteachers.com/10-surprising-ways-to-use-instagram-in-the-classroom-2

The Social Institute. (2022, January 14). 10 Things Students Wish You Knew About Social Media. The Social Institute. Retrieved February 13, 2022, from https://thesocialinstitute.com/blog/10-things-students-wish-you-knew-about-social-media/

Blogs and Blog Readers

 Blog Reader

After going through the list of feed readers and trying a few I settled on Feedly.  I chose this one because it was simple to use.  Some of the other choices had more bells and whistles but were a little more complicated to use.  I chose Feedly because it was very easy for me to search for blogs to read and add them to my list.  I like how all of my blogs are neatly ordered in the sidebar.  I can clearly see what blogs I am following and I can even organize them into categories.  Then, once I have read an article on the blog I can mark it read so it no longer shows in my feed.  This makes it simple and clean and easy to see what is new.  There is also a feature that gives you more suggestions of blogs based on what you are already reading.  

The Book Wrangler

https://thebookwrangler.com/

The Book Wrangler is written by Michael Rawls, an elementary school librarian.  I chose to follow his blog because he gives practical and useful lesson plan ideas.  He also shares many great diverse book ideas and activities to go with them.  He shares ideas for library displays and different resources you can use in the library such as Epic.  He also shares many resources that you can simply print and use.  If you are looking for fun and creative ways to teach students in your library then you should give this blog a read.

The Library Voice

https://vanmeterlibraryvoice.blogspot.com/

The Library Voice is written by Shannon McClintock Miller, she is the director of Innovation of Instructional Technology and Library Media at Van Meter School in Iowa.  She is a speaker and consultant for the Future Ready Librarians.  She is also a 2016 ISTE Making IT Happen Recipient as well as the 2018 AASL Leadership Luminary Social Media Superstar.  I chose to follow her blog because she posts frequently about reading events, lesson ideas, and technology tips.  Her blog keeps you informed of current events in the world of school librarians. This blog is a great way to stay up to date on topics of interest in the field of library science. 

Watch. Connect. Read

http://mrschureads.blogspot.com/

Watch. Connect, Read is written by John Schu, he is a children’s book author, part time lecturer at Rutgers University and the children’s librarian for Bookelicious.  On his blog Schu shares new books and book trailers.  This blog is a great way to keep up with all the new releases and to see what books you might be interested in.  He also has authors take over the blog and they talk about their books and why they wrote them.  This is a great blog full of information for your collection development needs.

Great Kids Books

http://greatkidbooks.blogspot.com/

This blog is written by Mary Ann Scheuer, a high school librarian in Albany, C.A. She was also the co-chair of the 2017 AASL National Conference.  This blog is mostly reviews of books.  She also includes some professional resources such as links to ALA, digital media, and tech tools. This is a good source of information for books to buy and read.

The Daring Librarian

https://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/

This blog is written by Gwyneth A. Jones, she is the Future Ready Teacher Librarian at Murray Hill Middle school in Howard County, Maryland.  She is also an international Keynote EdTech and Librarian speaker as well as a Google Certified Innovator.  This blog gives you plenty of information about the everyday life of a librarian.  She talks about weeding, collection development, and display ideas.  Links to various presentations are also included on her site for you to read.  This blog is full of good information for new and experienced librarians.

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