Podcast

I am a huge fan of podcasts! Podcasting is a great way to listen to various topics that interest you and share about topics you know. Podcasts are not only radio show topics but can also include cooking, crafting, religion, education, and favorite television shows. If something interests you, there is most likely a podcast for you to listen to. Librarians and teachers can use podcasts for simple things such as book talks, interviews about book-related topics, and book club discussions. You can create a podcast on just about anything. The possibilities are endless. 

There are several options when it comes to creating your own podcast. I chose to take a closer look at Podbean, Buzzsprout, and Anchor. Each of these podcasts has its pros and cons, and I'd love to share my experiences with you. 

Podbean

Podbean is the podcast hosting service that I have used for past assignments. It is free to use but does offer an unlimited audio version for $9 a month, unlimited plus for $29 a month, and business for $99 a month. You can sign in using your Google sign-in.  It is definitely great for beginners and those just starting to use podcasts. Podbean has been great for introducing me to the basics of the podcast; the recording, loading, and publishing are easy and quick to create and share. You can even publish a podcast from your phone/mobile device. It does have a drawback, such as there isn't an option to edit within Podbean. I would recommend Podbean to anyone that is just getting started with podcasts. 

Buzzsprout 

I have never heard of Buzzsprout podcasting until it was listed as a podcasting tool to research. It consists of a free plan for podcast hosting. Users can get up to 2 hours of audio for free, but there are also upgrades that you can pay for $12 a month for 3 hours of audio per month, $18 a month for up to 6 hours of audio, $24 for up to 12 hours of audio each month.  Episodes can be easily created and available to many different places. Buzzsprout also helps with the transition to get podcasts on iTunes or Spotify. One drawback is that after 90 days with the free version Buzzsprout deletes your files.  

Anchor

My group decided to use Anchor as our podcast hosting service. Anchor is free to use and is easy to login in using your Google sign-in. You can access Anchor through the web/browser version, android, and iOs platforms. Anchor is an all-in-one platform that you can create, distribute, monetize your podcast from any device, and collaborate or have guest speakers join easily. There are several ways to create your podcast; you can record it on the app or choose an audio file from your library. You can edit within the app and include interludes, sounds, songs, and even voice messages. Anchor is my favorite podcast hosting service out of the other two. 

My Recommendation

I enjoyed using Anchor as my podcast hosting service. I can work on something from my desktop, and the app version will update immediately. The connectivity between the browser/web version and the app is great. I was able to take my m4a file, and drag/drop when on the web version or click the file on the mobile version. I like that I can edit in Anchor and put multiple files together to make one final podcast. 

Our Podcast! 

My group chose to create our podcast using Anchor. The episode covers two literary leaders in the library world; Jennifer LaBoon and Dr. Arnulfo Trejo. The different segments were recorded by Margarita Castillo and me (Lorina Ramirez). 

Click this link to listen to our podcast! 

Podcast in the library

- You can create a podcast to share tips and tricks about digital technology apps with faculty! 

- You can create a podcast where students give book recommendations/ reviews.

-You can create a podcast on how to use the library databases.

-You can even have students create a podcast about their favorite authors. 

How to find an educational podcast

To find podcasts for you to listen to, first think about your interest in regards to librarianship. Look at publishers, organizations you belong to, and authors. This will help you get started at looking for podcasts that will interest you. 

Here are some podcasts to check out! 

• American Library Association 
• Librarian Influencers 
• Library Leadership 
• Circulating Ideas
• Cyberpunk Librarian 

Cartoons and Comics

 I truly enjoy reading cartoons and comics as an adult. Graphic Novels' popularity is on the rise, and it would be crazy not to take advantage and apply this in the classrooms. Comics are so much fun to use in the classroom and library! I truly enjoyed trying out these various digital technology applications to create comics. They each have their own pros and cons, and I'd love to share what I learned and created.

Check out these comic makers: 

FOTOJET

FotoJet took me a while to get the hang of. I liked that I was able to log in using my google sign-in. You can get an upgraded membership for $6.99 a month, or you can save a little money by signing up for an annual membership fee of $39.99.  The layout is a lot like using Canva. Once I started playing around with various templates and got a feel for the features, it started getting easier to use. Fotojet has a limited amount of templates and focuses primarily on photographs.  I searched their images to find the ones that I can use. You can upload your own photos to personalize your comic. 

I believe FotoJet will allow students to explore their creativity, and I would definitely try to challenge them to brainstorm their comic first. Once they have a general idea of what they want, I would have them take their own pictures to create the comic's storyline. Fotojet was easy to save and was done in one easy click. 

Pixton

You can log in to Pixton by using your Google login. Pixton offers a free basic educators account, which allows teachers to make simple comic strips. When I was creating my comic, I was limited to the details that I could add. If I wanted to add more details, I had to upgrade my account. Pixton offers educators a monthly pack that costs $9.99 a month, an Access Everything deal for $24.99 per month, and an annual All-Access Plan for $99 a year. There is also an option for your school or district to pay for All Access Plans for multiple teachers, but your school or district may request a quote.

The characters are customizable; you can change their outfits, facial expressions, hair color, and hairstyle.  The features you can edit are background, characters, focus, words, faces, and actions. By the time I changed everything, an hour had gone by, so it does pull you in with the options you have.

I believe students will love using Pixton. It aligns with most graphic novels' look, and they would get a kick out of creating one on their own. It was effortless to get the hang of the program, and I think they would create amazing projects even with just the free, basic features. It was easy to save and download. You can also share via email and social media. I truly enjoyed using this app over FotoJet. 

MakeBeliefsComix

MakeBeliefsComix was my least favorite of the three. You don't have to sign up for an account, and I could log in using my Google sign-in. There are no upgrades that you can purchase because it is a free application. It was limited, and I felt like I didn't have much freedom to create a great comic. With MakeBeliefsCoxic, students will not be able to use their own original work. There are a few characters to select from, and they each only have a few poses to choose from. The images look old and outdated. The dialogue bubbles can't be moved, but objects and words can be added, which makes up for the dialogue bubbles not being able to be moved. You can print, share, save and email your comic. I emailed my completed comic and saved it to my desktop, and uploaded it to my blog. It wasn't a quick one-step process. 

My Thoughts: 

I loved using Pixton and FotoJet. I can see both of these applications working well in the classroom and library. My least favorite of the three was MakesBeliefsComix, and this is because it has fewer features than the other two. How can we, as librarians, get teachers on board using comic makers in the classroom? Here are some ways we can share comics with our colleagues. 

Sharing Comics with Colleagues:

• Try to be creative and fun by adding a comic that you created into an email. It can be fun and have information about what you are doing in the classroom. 
• Come join my professional development and learn how to make a comic. 
• You can incorporate comics into your lesson plans. You can even collaborate and co-teach with the teacher on how to digitally create comics. 
• Have students plan and create a comic based on a story that you read. 
• Instead of having students write a boring paper, challenge them to bring their paper to life by making a comic. 

Videos and QR codes in the Library

YouTube has become one of the most used forms of social media for kids and adults. Librarians and teachers can create YouTube channels to model library activities and teach lessons.  Students love using YouTube! It’s also a way to transform students into creators.

Check out some of these amazing libraries' YouTube videos that help students highlight the fun learning and activities in the library. 

The NHS Library: 

 Which video is the most helpful for students?

Norman Public Schools Celebrates Your Freedom to Read. This video was helpful because it was interesting and very educational when discussing your freedom to read whatever you want. After all, librarians must be biased regarding selecting materials they provide and must abide by all patrons' privacy rights.

Which is the video that the students would like the best? 

Tiger Visits the Norman High Library.  I am the librarian at a Primary campus, and I can only imagine how excited my students would be if they were to spot our mascot roaming the halls. I feel it is entertaining to watch no matter what age you are. 

The Unquiet Library: 

 Which video is the most helpful for students?

Tutorial Video for Tillery: Powerpoint "How To" Basics. Students will find this video helpful because it gives them a step-by-step tutorial on creating a PowerPoint for their research.

 Which is the video that the students would like the best? 

Video Tutorial: Finding CC Images Using Compfight. Students would like this tutorial the best because it gives them tools to find free images to use when creating presentations to use in class.  

Pikesville HS Library: 

 Which video is the most helpful for students?

2014-15 Course Advisement.  This course advisement video is most helpful to students because it is important information that all high school students need to know. 

 Which is the video that the students would like the best? 

Senior Party in the Library.  Students would like Senior Party in the Library because students would LOVE to stand on tables and dance to celebrate being a Senior. It gives the other grades something to look forward to. 

BBMSMedia YouTube Videos:

Which video is the most helpful for students?

eResources @ BBMS. Students will appreciate this helpful video that shows them all about the eResources available to them through a single portal. 

Which is the video that the students would like the best? 

Belle-Beauty & the Beast-Overdue Library Book Parody. Students will get a kick out of this creative Belle-Beauty & the Beast video about overdue Library books. I loved watching all of the library book prodigies. 

I truly enjoyed watching all the book Parodies from BBMSMEDIA. Here are two of my favorites: 

 

My Plan to use YouTube in the Library: 

I have found that kids truly love watching short, creative videos.  I enjoyed watching BBMSMedia’s videos and found that they really highlight the fun things that are happening in their library.  It also creatively teaches library procedures. 

Here are some suggestions to use YouTube in the library:

• Book trailers
• Teaching library procedures
• Screencasting to highlight online resources
• Showing the amazing things that are happening in the library

Using Animoto to Create Book Trailers: 

Creating a book trailer on Animoto was something new for me. I have made videos before but I used a program my district uses called WeVideo. Animoto had many different video templates to choose from, and I felt like I had more freedom than when I use WeVideo. I think students would enjoy this website and would use it to create videos outside of school. 

My all-time favorite book during High School was The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney. I first watched the movie on Lifetime and then I fell in love with the series. When creating the book trailer, finding copyright images on Creative commons was a little difficult. Once I found the images I wanted to use, the Animoto book trailer started coming together. I love the animations and text that came with using Animoto. 

Click here for my book trailer

Cooney, C. (1990). The Face on the Milk Carton.Bantam Doubleday Dell Book

Book Synopsis: 

No one ever really paid close attention to the faces of the missing children on the milk cartons. But as Janie Johnson glanced at the face of the ordinary little girl with her hair in tight pigtails, wearing a dress with a narrow white collar-a three-year-old who had been kidnapped twelve years before from a shopping mall in New Jersey-she felt overcome with shock. She recognized that little girl-it was she. How could it possibly be true? 

Janie can't believe that her loving parents kidnapped her, but as she begins to piece things together, nothing makes sense. Something is terribly wrong. Are Mr. and Mrs.Johnson really her parents? And if not, who is Janie Johnson, and what really happened? - The Amazon Book Review 

Click here for the Amazon book review

The Amazon Book Review. (n.d.) The Face On The Milk Carton. Amazon

What are QR Codes:

QR Codes scannable codes that direct the user to information selected by the QR code maker.  They are being used all over the place, including schools, to share things from websites, forms, documents, images, and even videos on the web. Research some ways libraries are using QR codes.  Most smartphones come with an integrated QR code reader in their camera without having to download any additional apps or software. QR codes can be generated with different free sites, I like using https://www.qr-code-generator.com/ because it allows me to enter a large range of items to create the QR code for; from URL, Text, email, SMS, Twitter, Facebook, PDF, MP3, coupons, surveys, and even images to link to the QR code.  
I have used QR codes in the classroom to teach letters, colors, shapes, recording myself teaching a lesson, and reading books. I plan on using QR codes in the library so students can roam around and scan QR codes to find books they want and to also place around the campus so the teachers know what is happening in the library.
Since my campus is currently a 1:1 district with Ipads I believe QR codes will be extremely useful. Having QR codes with information, tutorials, and newsletters will allow me to share even more with my patrons.

Check out my book trailer by scanning the QR code below: 

Ways to use QR codes in the Library:

• Students can watch book trailers.
• Students can watch the author talk about the books.
• The librarian can make videos about how to navigate around the library.
• Students can watch check-out procedures.
• The librarian can make scavenger hunts around the library to find materials.

References: 

The Amazon Book Review. (n.d.) The Face On The Milk Carton. Amazon

Cooney, C. (1990). The Face on the Milk Carton.Bantam Doubleday Dell Book

Screencast

 I had never heard of or used a screencast before I started my master's degree. My instructors were using a screencast to introduce the course to us and explain how to complete assignments.  A screencast is a video that is made that shows the viewer the screen that the creator is looking at while also narrating. The video does not only have to consist of the computer screen. Users can also turn on their webcam, so their audience can actually see them as they speak through the video. I was handed a curveball last year in March when I had to learn how to use a screencast due to COVID-19. I remember freaking out and wondering how I was going to teach online, and then I remember that my professors do this all the time using screencasts.  I have found that screencast videos are a great way for people to share instructional videos with others and it delivers step-by-step instructions to their students without physically being in the same room. 

I  decided to compare three screencasts since I have personally worked with two out of the three. Screencastify, Screencast-o-Matic, and Jing. 

Screencasify was the first screencast that I worked with because it was one that a professor was using. I thought it looked easy to use. It was very easy to work with. Users just need to make an account and download the Google Chrome extension for it. I like it because since I am always signed into my Google account, all of my screencasts automatically upload to my Google Drive. There are other download options available as well, such as YouTube, email, and embed a code. The only thing that I do not enjoy about the free version of screencastify is that it only allows you to record five minutes. You can upgrade to an unlimited package for $49 a year that allows an unlimited amount of minutes to record and unlimited edits. You can make all sorts of videos using screencastify such as: how to login to the online OPAC, how to send an email, how to check-in and out books online, and how to show students to login to clever using their clever badge. 

Here is a screencastify that I made at the beginning of the year to show teachers how to login to our school's OPAC Destiny. 

Screencast-o-Matic is another handy tool to have in your toolbox for virtual learning. It offers three different versions a free version, a deluxe version, and a premier version. For the free version, you can record up to fifteen minutes. You can also fix the width of the screen you want to record. You are able to upload your Screencast-o-Matic video to YouTube or download it as a file. You also have the option to add closed captions and/or music. If you are looking for more features, you can pay for the deluxe version, which is $1.65 a month, or the premier version, which is $4.00 a month, and both of those options give you more features greenscreen filters, editing options, and sound effects. Screencast-o-Matic can be used to show teachers and students how to login to their email accounts, how to search for books on the online OPAC, and how to login to Schoology. 

Here is a screencast-o-Matic that I made to show my campus how to access Ebooks using the online OPAC Destiny. 

Jing is a screencast that I have not heard of. When I first typed Jing into the URL, I was a little confused because TechSmith Capture popped up but then I noticed it had Jing in parenthesis. Jing has a free option, download videos, help/tips offered on-page, menus pop up when working on recording, record-audio, cursor, screen full area, or region. It also offers a pro version you have the option to pay monthly or yearly. It will be $9.99 a month and $99.99 a year. I didn't like that you have to download this onto your computer especially since it is a work computer. Once, I downloaded I was able to open the app to record. I struggled to find information about how long it records for. It was a little different than screencastify and screen-o-Matic. Once I recorded my video it saved it on the application "cloud" and I can share it with the link given. "Jing" can be used to record screencast on how to send emails, share a document, and teach students how to login to their computers.

Here is the "Jing" Tech Smith screencast I made about how to login to our school's OPAC. 

Click Here to Watch my "Jing" Screencast

Here are some great ideas of how you can use screencasting in the library and in classrooms:

• How to login to the online catalog (OPAC)
• How to find research databases
• How to check-in and out books online
• How to use our learning links
• How to send an Email
• How to share a document
• Go over math problems
• Modeling reading strategies
• How to login to Schoology
• How to upload things into Schoology

AND THE WINNING SCREENCAST IS........

Screencast-o-Matic!! Screencast-o-Matic was simple and easy to use! I loved how it gave me fifteen minutes to record my content. I didn't feel rushed and have to worry about time. It also allows the students to see what the teacher is doing on their screen, they can hear/see the teacher, and the students can follow along on their own screen too. If you want to upgrade to the deluxe version it is not expensive at all $1.65 is something that I can afford if the time comes to change from the free versions to the deluxe version.