Videos and QR Codes in the Library

This week's post examines how some libraries have used videos and YouTube for instruction and promotion. When I began my library science graduate program, I knew I was going to have to learn some new technologies. And I have. But not in the way I anticipated! I thought I would have to create a database and of course, I knew I'd have to learn cataloging. I did NOT anticipate learning how to use social media and web 2.0 tools as part of my master's program! But I'm so glad it is!

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One exciting way to use videos in the library is to create book trailers for titles you want to promote. One of the most interesting nonfiction titles I've read this past year is by Susan Bartoletti called Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow. Read the synopsis of this fascinating but chilling study of how peer pressure and propaganda were used in WWII Germany here.

I created a book trailer of Hitler Youth in Animoto, which offers free accounts for educators. It's really easy to use and there's a bonus: educators can create 2 minute videos to use in the classroom free of charge! You will have to renew your membership every year, but that's a very small inconvenience.





To see my video on YouTube, capture my QR Code here.






Want to see how librarians across the country are using videos in their libraries? Just scroll on down. There's a wealth of creativity out there!

Norman High School

Norman High School's video channel offers a good selection of instructional and promotional library videos which demonstrate how librarians can use YouTube in their libraries. The first video is a screencast which explains how to use the EBSCO databases for research. The idea is great, which is why I included it in my examples; however, the display is small and hard to read. Which brings to light what librarians should avoid when creating screencasts.

But students are sure to enjoy this playful video of the school mascot navigating the library. And it could also be used to introduce new students to some of the areas of the library in a clever manner.



The Unquiet Library

The Unquiet Library channel has a wealth of examples that show how a librarian can use videos to provide instruction. I had a hard time choosing a favorite, but I think the screencast that teaches students how to search and use Wikimedia Commons images is extremely valuable. The librarian does an excellent job of explaining how to find copyright friendly images, which is a critical element for research and informational literacy instruction.

I also enjoyed the video of the library going to the students in the cafeteria. It's such a great idea!







Pikesville High School

 

Pikesville HS has literally dozens of videos on their channel. One is quite helpful for registration but my favorite is one students made with the librarian to honor hip-hop music for Black History Month. This is a seriously FUN librarian!










Check her out in this video....









Bonnie Branch Middle School



This channel features many student created videos that are terrific examples of how students can create videos as evidence of learning and also how videos can engage students in the library program.

Instagram, Flipagram, and Screencasts-Tools to Increase Student Engagement and Improve Technology Instruction

 March 12, 2017

Instagram at school? Why yes, yes indeed!

I'm going to admit it, I've never been one to share images on Instagram. I've had an account for years and when I had to use my account to explore this topic, I was chagrined to find I have only about 60 photos posted to it. I can honestly say I've never given a thought to using it in the classroom, perhaps because I teach 3rd grade. I certainly am beginning to see that it has a definite use as a proof of learning tool in the classroom and in a school library.

Ideas to use Instagram in the school library:

• Create a school library account for students and parents alike to follow.
• Post pictures of library events such as guest readers and author visits to your account.
• Students can post their MakerSpaces creations to the school account.
• School activities like book clubs or poetry jams. 
• Feature a reader of the week.
• Share book reviews 
• Create memes about a book or book character using photos of themselves.

If you want to add text to the photos, there's are many free options available on the Apple App Store or in Google Play for Android. I used one called Font from Apple's App Store for this photo. I love the font and I did this all from my phone. I had to rotate the picture by pinching and turning, which explains why it looks unlevel. You'd have to play around with the apps you think work best or make a few choices available on the device.

Now you wouldn't want to allow students unfettered access to your Instagram account. Just let them use the library devices to take photos of the activity and then you can upload the photos yourself (you wouldn't want to allow students to upload directly to the school account😱!!)

Flipagram-Make those photos into instant slide shows.

Now this is a tool I can definitely see a use for in the classroom. I remember using Animoto a few years back and it seemed like a lot of work for a 15 second video, even if it was free. Flipagram makes it easy to create slide shows using your devices existing photos as well as live videos that can be shared. But the best part? Adding your own music of course! I used these pictures of my students with their baby pictures and added Happy by Pharell to make it more fun. It was SO easy and free too! This would be a wonderful digital storytelling tool to use in the library.

https://flipagram.com/f/15OUH6EujDL/embed

Screencasts

Have you ever wondered how people make those computer tutorial videos? I always have and never realized how easy it is! I made a screen cast using Jing, which is also a great tool for saving screen shots. I shared an infographic I made last week in Canva, so this week I thought I'd make a little instructional screen cast about how to use Canva. There are other tools, like ScreenCast-Omatic, which I know is also very popular.

Using screencasts to present instruction is a standard form of instruction for online content. But it can also be a useful tool to share instructions for students. I use Google Classroom for my 3rd grade students and if I'd known how easy make a screencast actually was, I'd have made them for my 3rd graders long ago. I think I would have saved myself a lot of frustration when it comes to giving instructions about technology!

Here's my screencast about how to find the online resources on the Arlington ISD website.

I hope you have some fun incorporating these tools into your library and classroom instruction!

References

Hudson, H. (2014, August 7). 10 Surprising Ways to Use Instagram in the Classroom - WeAreTeachers. Retrieved from https://www.weareteachers.com/10-surprising-ways-to-use-instagram-in-the-classroom-2/

Moore, A. (2012, June 7). Using Instagram in the classroom. Retrieved from https://prezi.com/fvbrbbznr7ee/using-instagram-in-the-classroom/