So first off, I created an Instagram account that I can use as a librarian, in the future. For right now, I made it as kind of a "family library" account, where I've posted about books that I like for my own kids (since I'm not actually a librarian yet... and I'm not actually in the classroom right now, since I'm staying at home with my baby).
Here's a few of my posts, thus far...
I think Instagram would be a great tool to use in the library, in various ways. I can see it being used in similar ways as facebook or twitter. I think it would be even more beneficial in secondary libraries, as ways to really draw students into the library. I read a few articles online about ways to use Insta in the classroom, that I REALLY liked. There were suggestions for projects, like making an account for certain characters (like, what would you find on their accounts, if they had Instagram), showcasing student work (you could definitely showcase books of the week/month or student picks, in the library), how famous people in history would use Insta... I think there are a lot of possible ways to use Instagram in the library. I'm not too sure how many views an elementary library account might get, with students who most likely won't be using Instagram yet, but perhaps it could be useful for parents? I know that many parents ask about book recommendations for their kiddos and this could be a way to make such suggestions. Also, it could be used as a way to showcase ideas of how to keep kids actively reading during the summer.
Next, I played around with Vine. Like I said earlier, I had to read up on this outlet. And then I wasn't exactly jazzed, because your videos are limited to 6 seconds. It's kind of the same reason I don't exactly love Twitter- I'm a verbose person naturally, so I don't like for my words and thoughts to be limited. BUT I do understand the positive side of having to get a point across quickly... especially if your audience is a kid- those short attention spans need info in a short and sweet presentation sometimes. The funny thing about my first experience with Vine is that I had to use my husband's phone, because mine had died. I asked him if he had Vine on his phone and he literally downloaded it yesterday! Ironic? He's a teacher/coach and stays pretty up-to-date with technology, as he uses it with his students and athletes. He uses Twitter WAY more than I do. I think it's because it's a very popular form of social media with his students and athletes.
Here's my first attempt at creating a vine (emphasis on FIRST ATTEMPT... I will be playing around with this, in the future, for ways to use it more effectively in the library....)
Obviously, this isn't exactly what I would use, it was just my first attempt at playing with the app. I really liked an article I read on 8 Ways You Can Use Vine To Teach Reading Comprehension, where it listed ways one might use Vine. Again, just like with the other social media outlets I've played with, I think Vine could be used in various ways in the library. It could definitely be used to bring attention to a certain book, it could be a little teaser for a certain book, Vine could be used to video library happenings, or display certain book collections available in the library. Like with Instagram, I think this form of social media might be more beneficial in a secondary library, than an elementary library- especially because it would have to be parents that logged into the app. The minimum age for Vine is 17, so elementary age students would not actually have access to this outlet. In that case, Vine could be used to show what students are doing in the library (as long as student's faces are not shared, or there is permission for their faces to be shown on websites...) In the secondary setting, I think students could really have some fun with this form of media, for various projects. Librarians could use Vines to bring attention to books student's might find interesting, or to display other aspects of the library that some students might not be aware of. Again, this form of media is going to take some getting used to, for me, but I think it has a lot of potential.
Lastly, I explored screencasts. I was introduced to screencasts in my first grad school class. I've found since I began grad school, that screencasts are pretty popular among professors. And I am EVER so grateful! As I began my online grad-school experience, I was fairly anxious about having online classes where I don't get to be face-to-face with my professors and peers. I was especially worried that I would not understand explanations of either assignments or information, because I'm a pretty visual person, and learn much better by seeing something explained, and not just reading about it. Screencasts have been a HUGE help! Now, I LOVE watching other people's screencasts, but actually creating my own screencast made me feel a little uncomfortable. I am so critical of myself when I hear my recorded voice! And I don't want to sound like a robot reading off a script, but I don't want to fumble my words and make zero sense either. Basically, I'm insecure when it comes to public speaking (unless it's in front of 5-10 year olds) and apparently my brain feels like voice recordings are a form of public speaking. So I sweat it! I TOTALLY see the benefits of screencasts, and I'm glad that I've been stretched and made to actually create one, so that I can get over my anxiety. I think this is an incredibly helpful tool for students and parents alike! I know that as a teacher, parents are always asking how to do certain things or for help with certain things. Creating a screencast would be a wonderful way to explain things for parents, or even for students to reference for a reminder, if say, they got home and forgot exactly how to access something on the computer or the exact process of completing a task for homework. They could simply visit the screencast and then complete the task they need to complete at home. I love how this tool allows you to be with your students at home, in a way. I can imagine that this would be incredibly helpful in difficult math classes in high school, for explaining how to complete certain equations... I think I would have been a little more successful in high school math, had I had access to screencasts and my teachers taken advantage of such technology. As for using screencasts in the library, I LOVE the idea of using them to help remind students how to access certain parts of the library website, like how to put a book on hold or search the catalog. For younger students, this can be difficult to remember, and having to explain it to 22 second graders, every time they come to the library, could get old quick! Also, I think screencasts are a great tool to use to help teachers! I've moved around a lot and I feel like I've had to teach myself about the library in a lot of the schools I've taught in. It would be insanely helpful for new teachers (or teachers who suffer from pregnancy brain and constantly forget little things... like ME), to have a place to find screencasts on how to navigate the library site and ways to help students, as well as screencasts that inform teachers what all the library and the school technology has to offer.
All in all, I've found that when I'm required to actually create accounts and really use the technology I've been learning about, I get a little more comfortable, even though at first I may have been stretched a bit. I like the idea of using Instagram and Screencasts, but Vines are going to have to grow on me. My goal is to be an elementary school librarian, and lately I find myself struggling to figure out how to use some technology (mainly social media platforms) for the age range I would find in such a school. I can see using the technology to reach parents and the community, as well as new teachers. Of the three mediums I experimented with this last week, I think screencasts might be my favorite, simply because of the way they can help ANYONE who might use the library cite (students, teachers, parents, admin, community...).
I have so many Apps now, but I am finding them all pretty useful and creative. My favorite was the screen cast videos. They can serve a create purpose in our workplace.
ReplyDeleteI have so many Apps now, but I am finding them all pretty useful and creative. My favorite was the screen cast videos. They can serve a create purpose in our workplace.
ReplyDeleteI think Vine is popular with kids because it's quick and to the point it just doesn't require to much attention. I liked it because of that, quick and to the point. The only thing is that it is so open to anyone and the thing it contains I don't feel comfortable showing my students.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I love that you incorporated your experience for the life you are living now (I'm in a similar boat). It's hard when your not in the classroom or library on a daily basis. I also love that the SHSU professors use screen casts and I can see how it would be popular for many schools implementing the flipped classroom model too.
ReplyDeleteYour experience is not only helpful for you, but also allows others to "feel the fear and do it anyway"! Your examples are great.
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