I had the privilege of being in Dr. Hoffman's reading cohort at the University of Texas at Austin for a year and a half during my professional development of my education centered degree. We called him Jim and he would often say the title quote to us over and over. We would sit there, the 19 of us, and try to understand how we look forward through the rearview mirror. Many of us would counter that we would then be looking backwards. It was not until a group of us were in a car going to get burritos that it hit us. Maybe even transformed us. Here is what I learned.
We must always know where we came from to gauge how far we have come. When we drive through this life of ours, we can get on auto pilot and miss so much. It is when we glance at what is behind us that we gain perspective of our surroundings. If we truly reflected with these small glances back we would have a far greater perspective than our tunnel vision forward.
I started this blog as an assignment for a class and I saw my first trimester of pregnancy, an almost 5 year old boy, a husband who has been hit hard this summer by the heat and his Multiple Sclerosis, 3 portfolio level grad school classes in 26 days and just put my foot to the metal. So much of the moth of July has been me at my desk looking at my backyard tree and working.
It is the moment now as I type where I remember to look in that rearview mirror and breath. I see my first year as a librarian ahead and I am excited and freaking out! I know I still have hours this fall and spring in my grad school program at Sam Houston State University with a baby on the way and agin, my first year as a librarian. I worry about how are we going to do this and then I stop and look back and think, if I could do ALL that I have and I have- I got this.
EVERY technology post has been my first with the exception of screencasting. Dr. Perry pushed me further than she will ever know but I have my rearview mirror and will always know that I am better for her classes. I know that if I can challenge my creativity and push the way I do then I will be okay in my first year as a librarian. I am going to be okay. We all are.
This really is a journey and it is only beginning. As the saying goes, we are only guarantied one thing, change. Shine on friends!
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Instagram and Vine in the classroom? Something to post home about!
Ok, before I go and endorse using these for the classroom, please let me take a moment about privacy. When you can post to Facebook, question your privacy. When the app wants to post for you, you know what to question. Please read the privacy policy, your district's acceptable use policy and let us all do our due diligence to inform our students about their privacy rights.
Both Instagram and Vine require mobile devices. Vine requires more high tech devices than Instagram. I have an older android and Vine would not allow me to film even though the phone takes decent video. It was easy to use Instagram.
I can see this going both ways right now with districts buying iPads and other tablets and/or considering chromebooks. I have not explored the use of chromebooks but I am looking at one right now for purchase. I will blog more on this as the experience presents itself. With the mobil devices and tablets, using apps like Instagram and Vine become more possible. For this blog, this is what I am going to explore.
Instagram allows for pictures to be taken, edited, formatted and shared as quickly as the user can do so. This would be a great way to collect data in science, create stories in writing and appreciate academic applications. You can have all photos go to specific tags like #myschoollibrary and all photos that carry that hashtag would be viewable. This is a teaching point because many students do not fully understand that any one who looks for that #________ will find their photos. To have the ability to view each other's photos, there has to be public settings in place to allow access. This also offers a teaching point about who students follow and who follows them. Many students are already using this program to post photos to their social media so it would not be far reaching to use Instagram but I would make sure that all your i's are dotted and your t's crossed with your administration and technology. It would not hurt to include parents as well and I encourage such collaboration. This might seem daunting but it is worth the creativity that students will add to their projects when they can bring in visuals they have created instead of just relying on creative commons.
Here is a photo from Instagram of my tree in my backyard. It keeps holding onto this branch from last fall and it strikes me odd how much people and trees can be alike.
Vine allows for videos to be made. 6 second videos. The cool thing is that the program is responsive to touch and is an in-web camera so it does not utilize your storage on your mobile device. How the touch works is that the Vine app will film if you are touching and stop if you are not. What came to mind was a few things, setting up classroom or library rules and having the students make a Vine and then put them together or even trying to tell a story through this. Vine is was acquired through Twitter and operates as the video version. Privacy concerns are present. I am also concerned with some of the videos posted because there is not a filter for sexual content and while 6 seconds does not sound long enough for anything, one might be surprised by what has popped up on the homepage. Same argument with Instagram, many students already have the accounts. It would take clear expectations on how to utilize this service while on a school wifi or district devices.
Seriously consider the pros and cons of both services and find out what you students already use. I feel that sometimes the only person really concerned with privacy is the librarian but I fear the day that there is no one. Not going to happen as long as we care and continue to educate!
Thanks for coming along on the journey! Shine on friend!
Both Instagram and Vine require mobile devices. Vine requires more high tech devices than Instagram. I have an older android and Vine would not allow me to film even though the phone takes decent video. It was easy to use Instagram.
I can see this going both ways right now with districts buying iPads and other tablets and/or considering chromebooks. I have not explored the use of chromebooks but I am looking at one right now for purchase. I will blog more on this as the experience presents itself. With the mobil devices and tablets, using apps like Instagram and Vine become more possible. For this blog, this is what I am going to explore.
Instagram allows for pictures to be taken, edited, formatted and shared as quickly as the user can do so. This would be a great way to collect data in science, create stories in writing and appreciate academic applications. You can have all photos go to specific tags like #myschoollibrary and all photos that carry that hashtag would be viewable. This is a teaching point because many students do not fully understand that any one who looks for that #________ will find their photos. To have the ability to view each other's photos, there has to be public settings in place to allow access. This also offers a teaching point about who students follow and who follows them. Many students are already using this program to post photos to their social media so it would not be far reaching to use Instagram but I would make sure that all your i's are dotted and your t's crossed with your administration and technology. It would not hurt to include parents as well and I encourage such collaboration. This might seem daunting but it is worth the creativity that students will add to their projects when they can bring in visuals they have created instead of just relying on creative commons.
Here is a photo from Instagram of my tree in my backyard. It keeps holding onto this branch from last fall and it strikes me odd how much people and trees can be alike.
Vine allows for videos to be made. 6 second videos. The cool thing is that the program is responsive to touch and is an in-web camera so it does not utilize your storage on your mobile device. How the touch works is that the Vine app will film if you are touching and stop if you are not. What came to mind was a few things, setting up classroom or library rules and having the students make a Vine and then put them together or even trying to tell a story through this. Vine is was acquired through Twitter and operates as the video version. Privacy concerns are present. I am also concerned with some of the videos posted because there is not a filter for sexual content and while 6 seconds does not sound long enough for anything, one might be surprised by what has popped up on the homepage. Same argument with Instagram, many students already have the accounts. It would take clear expectations on how to utilize this service while on a school wifi or district devices.
Seriously consider the pros and cons of both services and find out what you students already use. I feel that sometimes the only person really concerned with privacy is the librarian but I fear the day that there is no one. Not going to happen as long as we care and continue to educate!
Thanks for coming along on the journey! Shine on friend!
Oh no! Where is a good article to read? Pew, I mean PEW research!
I love a good research article, something about knowing makes me feel more alive.
I can't say that it satisfies me on any level because I find I just have more investigating to do. Another part of why becoming a librarian spoke to me. I enjoy the PEW research center because they work towards neutral reports void of any political slant and do their best to avoid biases. Today I have pulled three articles that address similar issues we face as librarians in a technology advancing world. Please consider these articles or presentations and enjoy!
This slideshare is fantastic because it is to the point and gives us as the librarian a reminder about why we are seeking to learn more about technology. I always remind myself that technology is just a tool and it is how we use said tool that makes music, art or junk. Check out slide 18! Also, consider the thoughts to use more marketing and public relations!
I can't say that it satisfies me on any level because I find I just have more investigating to do. Another part of why becoming a librarian spoke to me. I enjoy the PEW research center because they work towards neutral reports void of any political slant and do their best to avoid biases. Today I have pulled three articles that address similar issues we face as librarians in a technology advancing world. Please consider these articles or presentations and enjoy!
This slideshare is fantastic because it is to the point and gives us as the librarian a reminder about why we are seeking to learn more about technology. I always remind myself that technology is just a tool and it is how we use said tool that makes music, art or junk. Check out slide 18! Also, consider the thoughts to use more marketing and public relations!
The changing world of librarians from Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project
The following presentation is a good build from what to consider about the previous presentation and start to focus on how the information is being used by patrons through a digital platform. Interestingly, the last report I choose after this presentation is highlighted on slide 24! Most librarians would admit that they see google for kids research but wait until you get to that slide! WOW!
The following presentation is a good build from what to consider about the previous presentation and start to focus on how the information is being used by patrons through a digital platform. Interestingly, the last report I choose after this presentation is highlighted on slide 24! Most librarians would admit that they see google for kids research but wait until you get to that slide! WOW!
Reading, writing, and research in the digital age from Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project
The last article is progression of my latest search for better understanding and really brings application into the forefront. How Teens Do Research in the Digital World . This is a long read but I will challenge you to the full worth of the 115 pages. I will also add that there are many charts, infographics, quotes and dialogue dispersed so it is not bad at all! This collaborative came from Advanced Placement (AP) teachers and the National Writing Project (NWP) teachers around the country. This was a look at grades 6-12th and they did their best to have diverse geographies and demographics represented. This is geared towards teachers but there is a reason why their students are struggling and appear overwhelmed by the amount of sources to research online. Read this article and see how we as librarians can fill this need and help connect students to better methods than trial and error. Many are not using databases and while the research did not address how they were searching, for example using Boolean searches, they address what they used. We have learned the tricks mostly on our own and it is part of why we are librarians. Most kids will not become librarians so it is our job to ensure that they are successful and that we teach them what we have learned. Our teachers will thank us for it.
PEW pages 168
As always friends, shine on and thanks for being part of the journey!
The last article is progression of my latest search for better understanding and really brings application into the forefront. How Teens Do Research in the Digital World . This is a long read but I will challenge you to the full worth of the 115 pages. I will also add that there are many charts, infographics, quotes and dialogue dispersed so it is not bad at all! This collaborative came from Advanced Placement (AP) teachers and the National Writing Project (NWP) teachers around the country. This was a look at grades 6-12th and they did their best to have diverse geographies and demographics represented. This is geared towards teachers but there is a reason why their students are struggling and appear overwhelmed by the amount of sources to research online. Read this article and see how we as librarians can fill this need and help connect students to better methods than trial and error. Many are not using databases and while the research did not address how they were searching, for example using Boolean searches, they address what they used. We have learned the tricks mostly on our own and it is part of why we are librarians. Most kids will not become librarians so it is our job to ensure that they are successful and that we teach them what we have learned. Our teachers will thank us for it.
PEW pages 168
As always friends, shine on and thanks for being part of the journey!
Monday, July 28, 2014
Comic strips in the library!
Getting a 4th grade boy to write can be hard. Why not introduce students to comic strips. I have used hand drawn versions for a while in my classroom but drawing skills can often discourage even the most creative story teller. In steps computer created comic strips!
This comic strip was created using a program called Pixton. It is simple to use and allows you to create characters that looks like the author. It is easy to choose the background and the characters respond to the background. You can also rearrange the character and the bubbles auto adjust to to the text.
This comic strip was created using a program called ToonDoo. The options are a different from Pixton in that it is as not as simple to create a character that looks like the author but it is easy to add props and change the background even though I did not choose to do so in this comic. This would be the best website to use with elementary students.
Using comic strips is something to consider to help students to better express themselves.
Thanks for coming on the journey with me! Shine on friend!
Screencasting to flip a classroom or show a how-to!
At some point we have ventured to Youtube or a Wiki to watch a video how-to of something. I just recently watched how to make a rain stick with a poster mailer. Easier than you might think! Let's look at ways we can use screencasting programs to bring the explanation in a re-playable format!
Screencast-O-Matic is another free site that depending on your operating system can be ran through the website or downloaded to your desktop. There is a limit to how many you can save on the free version so I just choose to publish to my Youtube account. With Youtube, you have the choice to make a video private of publicly available. In this video I walk you through making a comic on ToonDoo.com
The first site I used is called Screenr and is ran through the website so that nothing needs to be downloaded to your desktop. The down side is that you only have 5 minutes to record so you have to be to the point. In this screencast, I show how to look up a Creative Commons photo on Flickr.
Screencast-O-Matic is another free site that depending on your operating system can be ran through the website or downloaded to your desktop. There is a limit to how many you can save on the free version so I just choose to publish to my Youtube account. With Youtube, you have the choice to make a video private of publicly available. In this video I walk you through making a comic on ToonDoo.com
Other options include Jing and the tablet app, Explain a Website to check out.
So why make screencasts? They are easy and I am often surprised by how many things that a simple video makes that much easier to digest the information and understand. In terms of flipping the classroom, using a screen cast allows for recording of powerpoints, searching and researching as well as explaining while the student sees what is on your screen. The power is in the student's hand because the student may pause, go back and review unlimited times for attainment of the concept. The sites are free and worth a look and trial.
Thanks for being on the journey with me! Shine on friend!
Friday, July 25, 2014
Book Communities you can visit in your pajamas!
There are many reasons to join a book community online. Sometimes it is easier to talk about books in a format that allows you to think through and edit your thoughts instead of going to a formal book club and competing with others trying to say their take on the book. I have used them to get an idea about what normal people think about a book. Online book communities might even give you an outlet to discuss books you love when others in your physical community don't get it.
Today I am going to focus on 5 book communities online.
BookLikes allows the user to blog, create a reading timeline and to keep track of books. I will admit, I found this one the most frustrating because to navigate you must go to a drop down menu and it is not as easy as the others to find books. I was unable to find one of my books and it is a Blue Bonnet nominee!
LibraryThing allows you to catalogue your books and would be a good choice for a classroom library or a personal library at home.
Selfari is created by Amazon which makes me wonder about privacy. Being connected to Amazon allows for a ton of cool features and as soon as I started typing in the 2014-2015 Texas Blue Bonnet list it recommended all the books I wanted to add. The wish list is connected to you amazon account so if others have access to your wish list they could purchase the book for you.
GoodReads is a great sight because it has established communities, is very easy to use and you can import your Amazon books into the program. This does raise concerns about privacy. There are often good reviews and the readers are passionate about their books. This would be a good site for high school students and to act as a good bridge into college to continue their love of reading.
BiblioNasium is awesome. I see this as the site to use in my library classroom and really as a way for students to vote on and review the 2014-2015 Blue Bonnet books. It is secure and there are messages to parents e-mails you can send. This site creates a way to bring the whole family into the library. Out of the 5 this one is for educators.
For the screen shots I used PowerPoint in my reviews. I have an older Mac that would not allow me to down load a really cool app that would have allowed for more lively explanations of each profile page.
If you are operating a newer version, have an android phone or iphone then, check it out!
The app is called Skitch and if you are using the web, iPhone or iPad or Android, check it out!
As always, thanks for coming along on the journey! Shine on friends!
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Ready to podcast? Can you hear me?!
Maybe you thought that podcast were reserved for news and sports programs and yet I challenge you to re-think the podcast for you LIBRARY! You can do this!
Here is a video about how to podcast using Garageband from Mac, Audio Boo and Podomatic.
Once you have set up your podcast program of choice, check out my example of ways you can use your podcast in the library classroom setting!
listen to ‘Use a podcast in your library!’ on Audioboo
As always, Thank you for joining me on my journey! Shine on friend!
Here is a video about how to podcast using Garageband from Mac, Audio Boo and Podomatic.
Once you have set up your podcast program of choice, check out my example of ways you can use your podcast in the library classroom setting!
listen to ‘Use a podcast in your library!’ on Audioboo
As always, Thank you for joining me on my journey! Shine on friend!
Friday, July 18, 2014
Youtube, Animoto and QR Codes! Oh, my!
Librarians are in the middle of exciting times and we have the opportunity to not just jump on the technology band wagon but take the reigns and lead our students to greatness through technology education! There is a reason why when I was looking for a position that it was hard to find librarian as the job title but easy to find listings for library media specialist.
Here are three technologies that will make your school library that much more technologically appealing, Youtube, Animoto and QR codes.
To explain technology, I find it easier to show and tell than just tell alone. The following are four schools who are using Youtube in interesting ways. For each of the four schools I will have an example of what would be cool to show or teach the kids and an example of what the kids themselves may like.
I am listing the schools by their Youtube channel. A Youtube channel allows you to post your videos in one place an manage who sees you videos. You can choose to have private links where only people who have been provided the links can see the video or you can choose public for anyone to search and find. If your video is made by or shows students, I would caution you as the librarian to consider your media policy of using student images to determine which setting you choose.
BBMSmedia
The first video is one that would be a great way to show students how they could make a video as a project. In this case both videos are for returning books at the end of the year.
The video that student might really enjoy would be the following because it is fun and would offer a challenge for the visual effects for you more daring students:
Pikesville High School Library
The first video would be great for teachers to make to preview for the following year or for students to create as a way to give advice to next year's students.
The second video the students would like to see their AVID binder presented in a fun way other than the teacher showing how to set up an organized binder.
The Unquiet Library
This is a great Youtube channel and if you want inspiration as to what your school channel could become, start here! I will admit, I have more than once come to this channel in the past to learn how to do things like access to creative commons photographs!
Students would like this idea presented in this video of taking books to the cafeteria to check out when done with lunch. If you have to do lunch duty then this might be something to consider!
The NHS Library
I really like the idea of having an orientation to the library and could even see this as a way to create the tones and expectation for a new year. Technology changes, new books come out, this might be something to consider at the start of this year.
Students would really like the opportunity to interact with text, display their abilities and hear and see literature in action. Having a poetry night might be a cool idea to consider. National Poetry day is April 24th!
I hope that these Youtube videos gave you some things to consider moving forward in the school year!
Animoto is a fantastic website and if you are an educator you can sign up for the educator account which will allow you to make 5 minute videos for free instead of 30 seconds. If you want longer, you will have to pay. This is a great sight for videos and presentations. I have seen librarians and students alike use it for book talks and book trailers. Bellow you will find a QR code that will link you to an example I made for Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.
QR codes are easy to make and scan. A student can use a phone, mp3 player equipped with app access and tablets to scan codes.
The Adventures of Library Girl blog has offered some great ways to use QR codes in the library. My personal favorite is that she makes them to place on books that are out of date for information as a way to update a book when budget does not allow for ordering the most up to date. Making QR codes is free and there are different ways to make them for any type of media including but not limited to websites, blogs, Youtube videos and SO much more! Here is a quick link to try it for yourself! You can also search the app store for your type of phone.
I really hope that you enjoyed the examples of Youtube, Animoto and QR codes. Please consider using these in you library and expand your journey as a librarian. Shine on friends!
Here are three technologies that will make your school library that much more technologically appealing, Youtube, Animoto and QR codes.
To explain technology, I find it easier to show and tell than just tell alone. The following are four schools who are using Youtube in interesting ways. For each of the four schools I will have an example of what would be cool to show or teach the kids and an example of what the kids themselves may like.
I am listing the schools by their Youtube channel. A Youtube channel allows you to post your videos in one place an manage who sees you videos. You can choose to have private links where only people who have been provided the links can see the video or you can choose public for anyone to search and find. If your video is made by or shows students, I would caution you as the librarian to consider your media policy of using student images to determine which setting you choose.
BBMSmedia
The first video is one that would be a great way to show students how they could make a video as a project. In this case both videos are for returning books at the end of the year.
Pikesville High School Library
The first video would be great for teachers to make to preview for the following year or for students to create as a way to give advice to next year's students.
The Unquiet Library
This is a great Youtube channel and if you want inspiration as to what your school channel could become, start here! I will admit, I have more than once come to this channel in the past to learn how to do things like access to creative commons photographs!
The NHS Library
I really like the idea of having an orientation to the library and could even see this as a way to create the tones and expectation for a new year. Technology changes, new books come out, this might be something to consider at the start of this year.
I hope that these Youtube videos gave you some things to consider moving forward in the school year!
Animoto is a fantastic website and if you are an educator you can sign up for the educator account which will allow you to make 5 minute videos for free instead of 30 seconds. If you want longer, you will have to pay. This is a great sight for videos and presentations. I have seen librarians and students alike use it for book talks and book trailers. Bellow you will find a QR code that will link you to an example I made for Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.
QR codes are easy to make and scan. A student can use a phone, mp3 player equipped with app access and tablets to scan codes.
The Adventures of Library Girl blog has offered some great ways to use QR codes in the library. My personal favorite is that she makes them to place on books that are out of date for information as a way to update a book when budget does not allow for ordering the most up to date. Making QR codes is free and there are different ways to make them for any type of media including but not limited to websites, blogs, Youtube videos and SO much more! Here is a quick link to try it for yourself! You can also search the app store for your type of phone.
I really hope that you enjoyed the examples of Youtube, Animoto and QR codes. Please consider using these in you library and expand your journey as a librarian. Shine on friends!
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Bloglovin' me some librarian blogs!
Yep, that is me showing joy that I can read my top five blogs at Bloglovin'! You can sign in with your Facebook and even share what you find inspirational with others! This was also the easies to create and set up. There are blog suggestions or you can do what I did and search the blogs you want. There was not a librarian category, maybe we should change that! The name is also fun and I am never ashamed to admit if marketing works!
I looked into other blog readers but was not impressed. I also looked at Bloglines and Newsblur . Bloglines has a cool local lean, unfortunately there just aren't enough Dallas/Ft. Worth blogs that I want to follow right now for librarians. PLEASE let me know if you find a great one because I would love to read it! Newsblur looked really cool in the trial and I liked all the options but I could not login and they kept wanting me to pay a membership fee. They say it is free but the hassle was a huge turn off.
So, what are the 5 top blogs I like to read and can now read in one place? Glad you asked!
These are ranked in no particular order, I have a favorite that changes as each post is posted.
A Media Specialist Guide to the Internet is a great blog about combining the technological side of our job an the library side. The catch phrase is, "You never know when you need a cybrarian." This blog is not authored by just one author but a consortium of librarians from all levels and paths. I also like that the blog allows for guest blogs. It is through a guest blog that I found out about Research Ready from the makers of Easylib. There are tips for just about every aspect of the library. The blog is not the most visually appealing, it is all grey bars and menus but the information more than makes up for the aesthetics.
The Blue Skunk Blog is authored by Doug Johnson and addresses everything from technology, librarians, teachers, education, education politics and fantastic ramblings. I always like his spin on things and appreciate his off beat sense of humor. I find his site a place to mull over things and really like when he makes personal posts as well. His latest post is about cleaning out your home(page) and offers good tips.
The Adventures of Library Girl is authored by Jennifer LaGarde and I just love her. She pushes the edge with technology, she even created a livebinder on her blog with so many fantastic resources for librarians. She is the blog that suggested using QRC codes to update books that you cant order newer versions of with the most current up to date websites and information. She speaks at events and is always sharing things that I really want to replicate.
The Daring Librarian is the most visual inspiring blog and where I one day want to be! It is also cool that the author is also a Mrs. Jones, just like me! She incorporates awesome graphics for all of her posts and she inserts appropriate humor to keep the reading entertaining. I always enjoy her witty style and blend of personal and professional. I also want to figure out how to embed tweets like her!
The Unquite Librarian is authored by Buffy Hamilton. I will not lie, I was first interested in this blog when I read the about page and found out her name was Buffy, for any pre-teen/teen who grew up watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you might understand. Yes, she is a blond as well! Besides my teenage connection to her name, she writes great blogs about pushing what it means to be a modern librarian.
Check them out and then come back to see how I grow as a librarian as well! After all, I am just starting this journey. Shine on friends!
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
I got the 411 in a Visual Aid! AKA: Infographic
In my grad school classes at Sam Houston State University in the lone star state of Texas, we have been asked to present an article from the Pew Research Center in an infographic.
To say I freaked out, well that would be an understatement. Part of becoming a librarian is stretching and embracing technology so here I go!
Before I could even look at articles I had to know, what is an infographic and why does spell check not recognize this as a real thing? Well, it is! After direction from Dr. Perry, I was able to find this great site!: 10 Tips For Designing Infographics
The research article I found that really interested me was Where Teens Seek Online Privacy Advice written by Amanda Lenhart, Mary Madden, Sandra Cortesi, Urs Gasser and Aaron Smith. In the article it talks about who teens turn to about privacy in the largest context of social media but online privacy in general. Here is my first infographic to explain the articles findings:
To create the Infographic I used the free site easel.ly it is a great site and you really have to play around with the features to get the hang of the site, I made the mistake of clearing and lost everything and had to start over more than once!
Other sites to check out would be Piktochart and Infogr.am.
To check out the article yourself:
Cortesi, Sandra, Gasser, Urs, Lenhart, Amanda, Madden, Mary, Smith, Aaron. (August 15, 2013). Where teens seek online privacy advice. Pew Research Internet Project. Retrieved from:http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/08/15/where-teens-seek-online-privacy-advice/
Pew Research page count: 7 pages
To say I freaked out, well that would be an understatement. Part of becoming a librarian is stretching and embracing technology so here I go!
Before I could even look at articles I had to know, what is an infographic and why does spell check not recognize this as a real thing? Well, it is! After direction from Dr. Perry, I was able to find this great site!: 10 Tips For Designing Infographics
The research article I found that really interested me was Where Teens Seek Online Privacy Advice written by Amanda Lenhart, Mary Madden, Sandra Cortesi, Urs Gasser and Aaron Smith. In the article it talks about who teens turn to about privacy in the largest context of social media but online privacy in general. Here is my first infographic to explain the articles findings:
Other sites to check out would be Piktochart and Infogr.am.
To check out the article yourself:
Cortesi, Sandra, Gasser, Urs, Lenhart, Amanda, Madden, Mary, Smith, Aaron. (August 15, 2013). Where teens seek online privacy advice. Pew Research Internet Project. Retrieved from:http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/08/15/where-teens-seek-online-privacy-advice/
Pew Research page count: 7 pages
Monday, July 7, 2014
A little birdie told me on twitter.....
What happens when you mix some of the biggest names in technology and education then offer an outlet through tweets on twitter? Amazing arrays of personal, professional and random fantastic reads!
Here is who you should be following for education/technology at Twitter.com:
Kathy Schrock @kathyschrock
Jim Lerman @jimlerman
The Daring Librarian @GwynethJones
Buffy Hamilton @buffyjhamilton
Tony Vincent @tonyvincent
Linda Braun @lbraun2000
Check each one out, they are worth their digital salt so to speak! Technology is not the future, just a way for us to express how we see the future and to make that dream become reality! Now get following and who knows who will come along and follow you! Thank you all for being amazing teachers!!!!!!
Facebook for the School Library
Every now and then on Facebook, I just get board. Lucky for me, there is a search bar that allows me to look up people or words. As a soon to be new librarian, school library is on my mind! So, what happens when you type school library in that search bar for friends at the top?
That is right, more than 1,000 pages have School library in the name! So how are these Facebook pages being used? First off, not all are schools but publications, blogs, university programs for librarians and public libraries. There are schools in the K-12 setting both public and private. Librarians are using them for every thing from posting quotes, online posters to events, book talks and reminders. A trend I saw was not as many likes for the library page as the school they represent. I even saw one library, Luna Middle school state they were closing the page and going to Edmodo, a Facebook like page for education.
Is this part of the social media movement necessary? Yes, I believe it is. Any way we can spread the word about the library and all the fantastic programs and resources, we should take full advantage of and it does not hurt that it is free! There are not many pages with comments to the actual school library posts or status updates so I do not see it as much of a thought provoking forum as much as a way to advertise and bring awareness. As librarians, we represent the whole school so professionalism is a must, there is no need for the personal biases, leave it for your personal page!
Want to learn how to set up a Facebook? Check out the screencast! How to set up Facebook Screencast
That is right, more than 1,000 pages have School library in the name! So how are these Facebook pages being used? First off, not all are schools but publications, blogs, university programs for librarians and public libraries. There are schools in the K-12 setting both public and private. Librarians are using them for every thing from posting quotes, online posters to events, book talks and reminders. A trend I saw was not as many likes for the library page as the school they represent. I even saw one library, Luna Middle school state they were closing the page and going to Edmodo, a Facebook like page for education.
Is this part of the social media movement necessary? Yes, I believe it is. Any way we can spread the word about the library and all the fantastic programs and resources, we should take full advantage of and it does not hurt that it is free! There are not many pages with comments to the actual school library posts or status updates so I do not see it as much of a thought provoking forum as much as a way to advertise and bring awareness. As librarians, we represent the whole school so professionalism is a must, there is no need for the personal biases, leave it for your personal page!
Want to learn how to set up a Facebook? Check out the screencast! How to set up Facebook Screencast
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