Final Reflection

This course LSSL 5391 Internet for School Librarians was a challenge in the sense that I had never used mos of the programs or apps used in this class. I gained so much tech knowledge through this course, it was extremely informative and it provided me with great exposure to technology used in and or for the library.

The assignments that were very exciting to work on were the cartoons and comics, infographics and my blog. I really enjoyed creating short comics, as I am a great supporter of graphic novels in the classroom because I believe they help build reading interest, especially in high school students.

The assignment that I found very difficult to create was the Youtube, Animoto and QR codes, it proved to be a challenged since I had to familirze myself and learn about Animoto and QR codes. In the end, I was able to complete this assignment, but it took a big effort.

The most beneficial and impactful lessons that I will use and incorporate are the podcasts, screencasts, and the use of QR Codes for the book trailers that I create when I become a librarian. It will be great to create monthly podcasts to keep my library patrons up to date with what is going on in my library and to inform them about the resources the library has to offer!

Below is the link to my Animaker:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJHjJ3ID2FA

Podcasts

Podcasts are like personalized radio stations for today's generation. The fact that podcasts can offer an array of information or just be used as a platform for those who want to voice their opinions, ideas, or for librarians to promote literacy is amazing! Podcasts rely on the listeners' imaginations as they have no screens for visuals like a television show does!

Librarians can use podcasts to promote books, perhaps even do a weekly or monthly book review or even create an online book club and have podcasts on the selected book; that would be a great way for teacher-librarians to use podcasts as an educational tool. Moreover, a librarian can create podcasts promoting the library, informational podcasts, how to search the library catalog for a book, to promote Reading Events, or even teach students how to create one for their classes! 

When creating podcasts as a librarian, always make sure to follow your school district's school policy and be in accordance with the American Library Association regulations.

There are so many features that I like about podcasts, the fact that they can be used for educational purposes is by far the best. Also, the personalized touch of content is great, as you can create the content exclusively for your purpose, lessons, review, topic or opinion. 

In addition, podcasts are growing in popularity, and new teacher-librarians can easily create them, as many are free and easy to download or subscribe too. Soundcloud, Audioboo, and Podomatic were all fairly easy to sign up for, I just created a user profile and provided my email address.

Some challenges that can occur with podcasts are that you need to set up a routine for your listeners, versus having it a sporadic times. It is important to set a timeline, will you be creating podcasts daily, weekly, bimonthly or monthly? The length of your podcasts also has to be set in accordance with your target audience and demographics. Being an effective pod-caster takes some work, so be ready to work hard to establish an effective routine based on your goals and objectives. 





This program was very easy to set up, I created a basic account and was able to publish my podcast with ease. There are five simple steps to follow when creating your podcast using Podomatic:
1. Select the media for your episode (then proceed to upload your file, the length of your file will determine the waiting period).
2. Enter a title and description (make sure to have a good title that will attract your targeted audience)
3. Add an image (this is optional, but you can upload a picture that is related to your podcast)
4. Choose a quality level (there are three quality levels to choose from, so it is up to you)
5. Publish! You can choose to make it private or public.
All in all, I would rate it at a beginner level in user-friendly usability, this program was fairly easy to use.

Below is the link to my podcast using Podomatic:
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/cmontes/episodes/2018-11-17T19_44_22-08_00

To subscribe to this program was easy, I just signed up for it, and created a user profile. There are three different options for those seeking to create a podcast, two of them have a fee. Also, I found it easier to use on my Iphone versus my laptop, since the features and layout is much more user-friendly on the phone. AudioBoom has a sidebar from which you can go to your home screen, your radio, downloads, follows, playlist, and settings. To create a post you go through your profile and then do your recording and then upload to publish your podcast. This program took fairly long it took about 5 minutes to completely upload my file versus Podomatic which did it like in 10 seconds and Soundcloud took like 3 seconds to upload the audio. You also have the option to share your podcast, copy the link or URL address as well. Overall, I would rate it at am intermediate level in user-friendly usability. 

Below is the link to my podcast using AudioBoo:
https://audioboom.com/boos/7090522

The layout of the website for Soundcloud makes it easy for the user to access its features with ease. On the top information bar it has its options: Home, Collection, Try Pro, or upload your file. Once you click on upload it gives you the option to upload your file, you then name and describe your podcast, upload and then simply publish-you can choose to make it public if you want. For the most part, Soundcloud is easy to navigate, I think it is geared to intermediate level users, podomatic was the most easiest to navigate.

Below is the link to my podcast using Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/cristal-montes-577943825/podcast-lesson-on-the-elements-of-fiction-by-cristal-montes


I used all three programs and uploaded my podcasts to all three, so that I could effectively evaluate which of the three would be the easiest to navigate. I chose Soundcloud as the best option for my podcast, it is the most well known programs out there; students are more likely to already be familiar with it so it will be easier to capture their interest. I have used Soundcloud before, so I was able to use it with great ease and publish my podcast within seconds!

Finding educational podcasts is very easy to do, you can search with in Soundcloud, Podomatic, and AudioBoo or simply do an internet search and you will find an array of educational podcasts that you can subscribe to and listen to them!

Ted Talks Daily podcasts brings you the latest information, it is accessible through Apple podcasts, Google play and RadioPublic. 
https://www.ted.com/read/ted-podcasts

A great podcast is Hardcore History: each episode is done by Dan Carlin and provides information and quality research. You can find this podcast in https://www.dancarlin.com/hardcore-history-series/

The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast By Jennifer Gonzalez

This is a great podcast in which educators, administrators, students and the community can discuss and learn. You can find this podcast in https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cult-of-pedagogy-podcast/id900015782?mt=2

Cartoons and Comics

Graphic novels play an important role in the literary world! Without comic books, some readers would not be able to enjoy all the wonders that reading has to offer! It is important to always have books that all of your patrons will enjoy. 

ToonDoo

http://www.toondoo.com/Home.toon

To access ToonDoo you need to create a free account. This site is very colorful and very visually appealing, especially for the young user. The drop-down menu for each category makes it user-friendly. To create a comic, you first select a layout based on how many panels you want to have. All of the accessibility features, characters, backgrounds, props, Text bubbles, and special features are easy to access, simply by clicking the desired image. It is very easy to save your comic strip, you simply title it and then publish it, you can choose to make it public, keep it private or share with friends. There are limited backgrounds, but that's where customization comes in place and you have the option of uploading your own personal images. Students as young as 3rd grade through high school will be able to use it fairly easily. 

Pixton

https://www.pixton.com/

To access Pixton you need to create an account. This site is designed in a clean-cut style, it is aesthetically pleasing, and would appeal to older students, grades 7-12th graders. To create a comic strip you have to customize each panel, this site does have limited features, and not a lot of variety in characters, themes, or backgrounds. The comic strip was moderately difficult to create, younger students might find this a bit challenging to do. To save it you would have to upgrade your subscription. Overall, this site would be most beneficial to middle school to secondary students. 

MakeBeliefComic

https://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/

It is very easy to access MakeBeliefComic, all you do is type up the website and start creating your comic strip. This site is very bright and colorful and grabs the user's attention. It has a scrolling menu in which you can choose characters, masks, balloons and prompts, greeting cards, words, objects, and backgrounds. It is fairly easy to use, I can see students who are in the first grade all the way through high school students being able to use it and navigate the site without much assistance. Once you create your comic strip you have the option to print, email or save it and you can also publish it, as well. However, there is not a big variety in characters and backgrounds, but you are still able to make a quality comic strip with the free features it offers. All students would be able to use it since it is a free site and you don't have to create an account. 

As the librarian, I would dialogue with my teacher-colleagues regarding how comics can be used in the classroom to help students with low reading levels and/or those who are visual learners. Highlighting that there are graphic novels based on all genres of literature and that they contain the same elements found in prose combined with film features to help students develop literacy. Moreover, graphic novels help students develop varied insights and to make inferences based on their interpretation of the images. Essentially, graphic novels are of high interest to students and can help increase world connections through them. 

Fun Fact: I am the Department Head of our English Department at Martin High School in Laredo, Texas. My mentor is our school librarian Mrs. Deborah Garza-Garcia (who won librarian of the year in our district last school year) and in speaking to her, she said our Martin High School Library has 3,874 graphic novels making it the largest collection of comic books in our school district. 

Videos and QR Codes in the Library

With technology having such a dominant presence in today’s schools, YouTube and QR Codes are great resources that can be used for educational purposes to promote the library! QR Codes are amazing, they can be used to promote new books and have print outs of them all around the library so that students can scan the codes and see if they would like to read that book!

The best Youtube videos from the NHS Library Channel are:

1. The most helpful for students: How to Use EBSCOHost- this video provides a step by step guide for students to find articles or resources that they need.


      https://youtu.be/BezObVKkqOo

2. The video that students would like best: Tiger Visits The Norman High Library is the video that students would enjoy the most because it is their mascot visiting their library and making it a fun experience! 

https://youtu.be/NeUhXLvFAi4

The best Youtube videos from the Unquiet Library Channel are:

1. The most helpful for students: Tutorial Video for Tillery: PowerPoint "How To" Basics this video is excellent as it provides a step by step guide for all students, especially for those who do not know how to use power point or it can also serve as a great review as well.
   
      https://youtu.be/CFlaZyGa2vo

2. The video that students would like best: Scenes from The Unquiet Library August 2012 this is a great video that shows quick snap shots about their library in a fun and energetic manner. 
   
      https://youtu.be/wdqhiFBbNEs

The best Youtube videos from the PikesvilleHS Library Channel are:

1. The most helpful for students: Snapshot of The Panthers Librar video is the most helpful as it shows the students what is available in their library, like Edmodo and YouTube.

        https://youtu.be/zat-1kHF5sY

    The video that students would like best: Back to School Night video would be the most entertaining one for the students, it is very upbeat and the music and effects are attention getters. 
       
       https://youtu.be/dNHBur9Muiw

The best Youtube videos from the BBMSMedia Channel are:

1. The most helpful for students:  NoodleTools- How to use a pre-formatted database citation can help students when they are citing their sources for their research papers.

       https://youtu.be/gUQ136Ae22o

2. The video that students would like best: Belle - Beauty & the Beast - Overdue Library Book Parody is a fun and engaging video, it is about overdue books and the lyrics were changed to match the topic!

      https://youtu.be/E4eLQMPtDYw

Promoting literacy is a must, just like movie studios create movie trailers to hook viewers and audiences, I as a future librarian, will use YouTube to create book trailers, promote literacy events such as Family Reading Night, make videos on how to use the library resources and how to access the library’s online catalogs.

Animoto is a great tool to create book trailers with. I created my book trailer on the book Jumanji written by Chris Van Allsburg.

      Synopsis:

Jumanji is a 1981 fantasy children's picture book, written and illustrated by the American author Chris Van Allsburg. The book is about a magical board game that implements real animals and other jungle elements as the game is played; thus the dangers which the players have to overcome in the  game also appear in real life.

This is the book trailer I created using Animoto: https://animoto.com/play/CJntGx1q01NEjkps1bfoDA

QR Codes stand for Quick Response Codes and can be created for many different purposes. QR Codes can be used as great instructional and educational tools such as, promoting book trailers, reviewing lesson units or chapter summaries of a book, a research paper or just a quick review for library patrons on frequently asked library questions.

Here is the QR Code for the book trailer I created for the book Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg. Scan it with your phone and enjoy!

Screencasts and Instagram

Screencasts are a great way to teach mini lessons for students, especially those dealing with a technology tool. This is a very handy technology tool that can be extremely useful to teach others!


Below is the link to my Screencast on how to access the Alexandria Library (How to search for a book) from home. I uploaded my Screencast to Youtube making it easier for public view.

http://youtu.be/1hha4Vmqiyw?hd=1

With the technology immersion that is all around us in 2018, students' are becoming more and more technological thinkers, meaning you cannot expect them to learn and you cannot teach them how students were taught ten or twenty years ago. Instagram is a platform that can be used for educational purposes!

Below is the link to my Instagram video:

https://instagram.com/p/BpKkQXhlS-s/

Infographics

Teaching with infographics is a creative way to grab the students’ attention! Infographics provide a visual representation of the information that the teacher is teaching the students! There are infographics all around us!

As an English High School Teacher, I have even seen infographics in the English STAAR Exams. In the English I or English II STAAR Exams, students are tested on media literacy questions, they are given an infographic related to the reading selection and must be able to correlate and answer the designated question correctly.

 So for this assignment exploration, I explored and reviewed the following three sites, EASEL.LY, PIKTOCHART, INFOGR.AM, but in the end I chose to use a different site to create my infographic. I used Venngage. https://venngage.com/templates/infographics

EASEL.LY

https://easel.ly/

Easel.ly’s design is simple and the web page layout is not very conducive for those who are not technologically savvy. It would be more geared to an intermediate user who is used to adding media or hyperlinking sites into their design. The text features are all on the same text bar which can make it a little bit confusing when editing your infographic. Overall, this is a good site to create more in-depth infographics for those users who are not beginners.

PIKTOCHART

https://piktochart.com/formats/infographics/

PIKTOCHART webpage layout is more advanced, it has scroll down features and a Q&A section for questions you might have about creating your infographics. This site offers more customization for the infographics you are trying to create and can provide you with the high end edge if that is what you are looking for. All in all, this is a good site for experts or professionals.

INFOGR.AM

https://infogram.com/

INFOGR.AM is an amazing website to create infographics on because it is already linked up with current events or articles and it already provides premade examples for you. This site is for those looking to create infographics, reports, charts, dashboards, maps and social media visuals. Overall, this is a great site that takes customization of your data to the next level!

VENNGAGE:

https://venngage.com/templates/infographics

 I used this infographics site because I am familiar with it, and have used it in past assignments. It provides templates that you can customize and add your information and data into. This one is the one I found most user-friendly and teacher friendly, that once you create your infographic it can be immediately published and shared for free!

Below is the link to my infographic that I created using information from an article in the Pew Internet Research Project.

Infographic from:

https://infograph.venngage.com/ps/2VoCntFQk/how-nonprofit-organizations-use-live-streaming

Facebook Pages and Twitter

The power of social media is undeniably strong within this generation. As I searched Facebook Pages I saw that many libraries are using social media to promote literacy in a positive and relevant manner to the public and community.

Mrs. Albert's Library-Facebook Library Page of C.C. Ronnow Elementary
Promotes their library services.
Reading books using Facebook Live.
Promotes student literacy.
Shows library staff.
Promotes author and new books.

Laredo Public Libraries
Promotes city wide literacy events
Library itenary and hours
Story time events for the public
Clubs and Social Activities
Weekly or monthly literacy events
Library Media Centers for public.

Mission High School Library
Promotes their library services.
Promotes student literacy.
Shows library staff.

Neat fact: The high school in which I teach in also has their own library page. Our Martin High School Librarian, Mrs. Deborah Garza-Garcia, who is a Sam Houston Alumni, uses social media to promote literacy in a positive manner and has transformed our library into a fun, interactive and welcoming place for our students, faculty, and community. She promotes all their activities with her Library Club: Martin High School Library Club Facebook Page

In closing, social media if used correctly can be a tremendous positive tool for libraries and librarians to use.

I found that the Ed-tech leaders all promote technology and provide tips on how to integrate it into the content or library.

@kathyschrock is an educational technologist and EdTech Presenter.
Her tweets regarded edtech websites, updates on technological programs and apps. She made references to her blogs, and TECH Share Live.

New @DiscoveryEd Kathy’s Katch blog post is live for September. “Favorite tools for schools, part 1”


@lbraun2000 is a learning consultant, educator, librarian and teen advocate.
Tweets promote youth services, shares articles, mentions workshops, technology articles, and instructional technology tools.

“As teachers [& library staff], we must setup a classrm environment where students feel safe enough and brave enough to share their ideas. They should be able to trust that their classmates & their teacher will treat their ideas w respect and curiosity.” ascd.org/ascd-express/v…

@dwarlick is an ED tech leader.
Mr. Warlick's tweets shares podcasts, tips for encouraging students, youtube playlists, conferences. edublogger, and podcasts.

It’s out, after four years of reminiscing, writing and reading and re-writing, “A Quiet Revolution,” 40 years of tech in education. goo.gl/7Ff8Zg #edtech

@GwynethJones is the daring librarian and she happens to be my favorite on the list. Her tweets encompass and promotes student services, promotes literacy, the love of reading, conferences, novel, EdChats, and Twitter challenges.

Awww this is the SWEETEST! Thank you! I'm so glad she is loving the books! Does she seen the new Illustrated #HarryPotter books yet?! They are pretty cool!

@jimlerman is an educator, designer, author, and project director.
His tweets promote the implementation of media literacy, classroom strategies, and student achievement.

Tips to enhance the impact of Content Curation in eLearning via @edumorfosis sco.lt/5O1hBp

Feed readers are great technological tools that one can use to keep track of the different websites or blogs without having to go back and forth between web browsers. The Blog Reader that I decided to use was Feedly. I chose Feedly because of its simple and user friendly features. In contrast, I felt that the feeder NewsBlur was more challenging to use, since I am not as technology savvy, as I wish I was. Moreover, Feedly is an app that is very practical and easy to use, and it made it easier for me to access content and make collections of the articles, websites or topics that are of high reading interest for me. Another feature that I liked was that you can link it to your social media accounts, making it even more relevant to use along with them.

Blog: Mighty Little Librarian

http://www.mightylittlelibrarian.com/

The “Mighty Little Librarian” is a blog created by Tiffany Whitehead, who is a school librarian, who integrates technology in the library.

 I decided to follow this blog so that I can learn and read about what she does in her library. I really liked that she uses technology, which is ever so present in our lives, to make the library a fun and inviting place for readers!

Blog: Teen Librarian Toolbox

http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/

The “Teen Librarian Toolbox” is a blog affiliated with the School Library Journal and it provides updates and important information regarding the literacy world.

I chose to follow this blog because it is multifaceted, it provides book reviews. Games, new and upcoming YA Literature, Reading projects, reflections and other important and relevant resources for young adult readers.

Blog: The Daring Librarian

https://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/

This blog really captured my attention, “The Daring Librarian” is written by Gwyneth A. Jones who is a teacher librarian and Ed Tech Leader. Jones’s blog is not on informative and filled with great tips and information, it is also very interesting and a fun read!

“The Daring Librarian” has become my new favorite blog to read, which is why I decided to follow it. Her posts are always an interesting read and quite informative. I really liked that she is also friends with fellow librarian and blogger Tiffany Whitehead!

 Blog: YALSABlog

http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/

This is the official blog of the Young Adult Library Services Association and the Blog Manager is Allison Renner. The YALSABlog is all about providing the latest information and new practices for library services; it offers resources for its members and library community.

I decided to follow this blog because it is relevant for Young Adult Readers, it raises awareness and facilitates innovation to and for its members and as a future librarian it is important to be up to date and emerged in what is important to and in the literacy community.

Blog: Librarian.net

http://librarian.net/

This blog is written by Jessamyn West, who is a librarian, writer and technology instructor and consultant. This is a really unique weblog by a librarian and it offers tips and important information.

I followed this blog because it is filled with great information for new librarians and media specialists in general. This blog is great and provides information on a range of topics like recommended reading lists, tips, relevant and important literary updates, and advice on mostly everything related to library services.

TUMBLR:

http://cmontesshsu.tumblr.com/