Videos and QR Codes in the Library

Videos

YouTube is an online video-sharing service that can be accessed from a personal computer, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone. Videos can be uploaded, watched, liked, shared, or commented on. 

YouTube videos are a great way for teachers and librarians to share information with students. With the simple search feature, it's quite likely that you can find an already-made video to use; if not, it is easy to make and upload one yourself. In addition, students can make videos of their own in order to demonstrate learning. Group projects provide social interaction and collaboration opportunities as well as exposure to technical utilities; not to mention, they are fun! Before using YouTube with students, be sure to check your district's policy and ensure that students/parents have signed the Acceptable Use Policy. If the videos are going to be available for viewing by the public, you might consider disabling the comments option.

I plan to use instructional videos in my library for students and for teachers. I will definitely hold in-service training in person, but including videos on the library Canvas page will allow teachers to refresh their memories at the point of need. In addition, if someone is absent during a training, they will be able to access the information when they return. When collaborating and co-teaching with teachers, videos can be made for students to help them along the way with assignments and research projects as well. Also, a library orientation video that can be shown in classrooms and viewed from home is a must. I already include numerous videos on this blog, so I will continue to do so to promote books and the library.

Here are some example videos from various YouTube channels which demonstrate video types that might be helpful to your students or that they might really like. Hopefully, this will get your creative juices flowing with ideas of videos that you might create!

The Norman High School Library Channel (Calypso Gilstrap)

Most helpful video for students: How to Use EBSCOHost
Students can watch this video to learn how to find accurate and reliable information for research projects.

Video students would like the best: Tiger Visits The Norman High Library
Hee hee! Who wouldn't love watching the mascot tour the library and interact with friends.

The Unquiet Library Channel (theunquietlibrary)

Most helpful video for students: Creative Commons Licensing: What Is It & Why Should I Care
This video helps students understand Creative Commons licenses. Such a great resource when students need to use images in projects.

Video students would like the best: Spring 2011 Art Show Preview @ The Unquiet Library
Students always love seeing their work displayed. How exciting!

Pikesville HS Library Channel (pikesvillehslibrary)

Most helpful video for students: 2014-15 Course Advisement
I think students would watch an advisement video repeatedly through their years of high school as they choose classes.

Video students would like the best: Senior Party in Library
This video is FUN! The students will never forget making it and can always watch it to reminisce.

BBMS Media Channel (bbmsmedia)

Most helpful video for students: 6th Media Orientation
An orientation video explaining the library policies and procedures is extremely helpful to the entire school community, especially to 6th graders who are new to upper school

Video students would like the best: Swish Swish by Katy Perry Overdue Library Book Parody
Students enjoy seeing themselves and their friends in fun videos.

Awesome, right?!

So, what if you work at a school that does not allow access to YouTube? Thankfully, there are other options for educational videos such as School Tube, Teacher Tube, and Next Vista. Richard Byrne's blog post, Alternatives to YouTube, provides additional information about each of these resources as well as some tips for preventing inappropriate advertisements from popping up while using YouTube.

Wondering how to create a video that you can post to YouTube or share in another way? Animoto is a cloud-based video creation service. It allows you to use photos, video clips, and music to create video slideshows. It is an amazing way to create book trailers for the library!

I was able to get a free trial of the utility by going to the Animoto website and entering my email address, name, and a password. Teachers and librarians can apply for an Educator's Account in order to create videos that are longer than 30 seconds, but they must renew the account twice a year to keep it active. Otherwise, in order to make unlimited videos and remove the trial watermark, you must upgrade to a paid account. The cheapest plan is $8 per month. So, apply for the Educator's Account. ; )

Animoto was very easy to use. The utility walks you through the process step-by-step. Simply choose a style, then add blocks which are like individual slides in PowerPoint or Google Slides. Each block can contain photos, video, or text. You can change the background color and font or adjust the size of the text. Choose some background music from Animoto's library and, voilá, you have a video!

Here is my book trailer created with the trial version of Animoto:

QR Codes

Quick Response Codes, otherwise known as QR codes, are machine-readable codes that appear as an arrangement of black and white squares. They are digitally linked to URLs or other information such as text, videos, or files. When scanned by a QR reader, the information magically appears. Since QR readers are available for free on mobile phones, it is very easy to utilize QR codes in education. I use QR Reader from the Apple App Store on my phone.

The good news is that QR codes are perfectly safe to use in the classroom. Teachers can use them in scavenger hunts at school, on homework assignments to provide a way for students to access helpful information, at stations for self-directed learning, and more. They can also be used in the library on books to link to book trailers, around the library for directions on accessing eBooks, and on Chromecarts so that teachers can view helpful information. You are only limited by your imagination when it comes to using QR codes!

QR codes are extremely simple to make, too. I use QR Code Generator to make mine on the computer. All you have to do is select the data type (URL, YouTube Video, PDF file, etc), add the content (URL, file, etc), and click on the Download QR Code button. You can then download the code, print it, or even email it. Fun!

Here is a QR code for the booktrailer I created with Animoto. Scan the QR code to view the trailer.

Synopsis:

Thirteen-year-old Bee realizes that she is a fairy who has been switched at birth with another girl who now wants her life back.

Instagram and Screencasts

Instagram is a social networking app which allows photos and videos to be easily shared with followers or with a specific group of friends from a smartphone. Viewers can comment and like posts that are shared with them. The app is free and is available on Apple iOS, Android, and Windows phones.

A screencast is a video recording of the actions taking place on your computer screen which often includes audio narration. Screencast software can be used to record tutorials or video lessons. Teachers and students love screencasts because they allow the viewer to watch them anytime at school or at home. In addition, screencasts can be paused or reviewed as often as necessary to meet the needs of individual learners. They are also a wonderful way for librarians to share information with small groups or even the entire school community.

Here is my experience with Instagram and a screencast utility...

Instagram

Although Instagram is extremely popular, I had never used it. After reading 10 Surprising Ways to Use Instagram in the Classroom, I decided that I should try it out to see why children and adults love it so much.

I have an iPhone, so all I had to do was find the Instagram app in the App Store for iOS devices and download it. I viewed a helpful Prezi called Using Instagram in the Classroom by Amy Moore to help me get started. Although I felt intimidated and nervous that I'd do something wrong, I got the hang of using it pretty quickly by clicking on the various screen options to see what they would do. I discovered some amazing filter options, how to enter text on a picture, and how to add a description to my pictures/videos. Before I knew it, I had two followers and I was checking out the pictures of some of my friends (Instragram can check your contact list for registered users if you grant permission)!

I can see why Instagram is addicting. It is so easy to post pictures and videos that you already have saved on your phone and to add a quick blurb. You can also take pictures/video from within the app, but I prefer using what I have in my camera roll. It's like scrapbooking was in the early 2000's, except it doesn't require hours to accomplish or any supplies.

I can see many applications for the classroom and library such as scavenger hunts, documentation of research, escape room activities, and recording science experiment results. But, here's the rub. In order to use Instagram, you have to enter an email address, username, password, and phone number. So, there are privacy issues for students to consider. 

I would not be comfortable using Instagram with students under the age of 13 due to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act which prohibits websites that gather user information from granting access to anyone under 13 years of age. However, with parental permission, I think Instagram would be fun and motivating to use with high school students. Be sure to check your district guidelines before using Instagram with your students.

Here is a picture I posted to spotlight our audiobook collection:

View this post on Instagram

Look at our great selection of audiobooks!

A post shared by Dawnette Laycock (@dawnettelaycock) on Oct 18, 2018 at 7:31pm PDT

Here is a video I created for teachers with a few tips related to Chromebook carts:

View this post on Instagram

A few tips for using Chromebook carts

A post shared by Dawnette Laycock (@dawnettelaycock) on Oct 18, 2018 at 7:45pm PDT

Screencasts

I'd seen videos that my librarian created and thought that it would be difficult. So, I was surprised at how easy it was to create a screencast of my own using Screencast-o-matic. This utility is amazing!! And it's free!

Screencast-o-matic is available for use on Chromebook, Mac, and Windows. As with most online apps, there are both free and upgraded options. The free option allows recordings of up to 15 minutes each -- plenty of time for short instructional and informative videos. If you prefer, you can upgrade to gain additional features such as zooming into details and live writing for only $1.50 a month. This is quite affordable for teachers and librarians. As always, I suggest starting with the free version to see if it meets your needs.

Launching the free version was easy. I was able to simply and quickly download the software to my computer. I tested the microphone and webcam prior to recording by following the provided prompts. Various recorder preferences are offered in a simple pop-up menu. You can choose to record the screen or webcam only, or a combination of the two. A really cool feature is that you can move the webcam window around. So, if you like it in the bottom corner, put it there. If you want it somewhere else, go for it! You can also select the size of your recording space, which is awesome.

I had a bit of trouble getting my picture to appear in the webcam area, but I think this was an issue with my webcam, not with Screencast-o-matic. I fixed the issue by doing what I often tell the teachers and students at my school: shut down and restart. : )

Here is a Screencast-o-Matic video that I created:


Have fun creating tutorials and instructional videos for your students or library patrons!

Snagit is another amazing screen capture and recording utility. This is the product that the librarian at my school uses to create our library map. TechSmith's companion product, Camtasia (screen recorder and video editor), is what she uses to create a library orientation video that all students watch each year. Both have advanced image editing and screen recording functions. Also, you can add cool written comments, arrows, and callouts over your screenshots. Unfortunately, there is no free version of Snagit. You can try it out for free for 7 days, but then you must purchase a license if you want to continue to use it. The license is an affordable, one-time price of $49.95 and you can install it on 2 machines (compatible with Windows and Mac).

Recommended

I highly recommend using Screencast-o-matic for creating screencasts. It's versatility and affordability (free and paid versions) make it a great choice for teachers and librarians.

Instagram is recommended for personal use and for classroom use with older students. Beware that it is addicting! 😄

Infographics

Infographics are tools for understanding and for providing a visual representation of quantitative and/or qualitative information. They should take into account what the reader's mind will attempt to do with data and be formatted accordingly. They are an exciting way to tell a data-driven story in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format.

There are multiple online resources that can be utilized to create infographics. I recently explored three of them: easelly, piktochart, and infogram.

Easelly is a free infographic maker. You may customize provided templates including timelines, reports, processes, resumes, and comparisons without creating an account or register to create a free account in order to start with a blank template. Free access has some limitations in the number of templates, images, fonts, and charts available for use. But, of course, there is the option to update to a Pro account for $4 per month if you'd like. For teachers and librarians, I'd suggest beginning with the free account and then upgrading if necessary.

Using easelly was extremely easy and very intuitive. After choosing a template to begin with, you simply double click on the text in order to change and format it (change font, size, color, alignment) as you would in a word processing document. When starting with a blank template, you are able to customize the size of the infographic. The menu bar at the top of the screen is user-friendly and enables you to drag-and-drop objects into the document. The only difficulty I encountered was removing a line after I'd placed it and moved on to something else. I wasn't able to figure out how to remove it retroactively. There is an online chat feature, though, to help you if you run into complications while creating your masterpiece.

Piktochart also has the choice of creating a free or paid account. Educators can gain access to additional templates and features for $39.99 per year. There is also a Pro Team option for $199.95 per year which includes a collaboration feature. I suggest starting with the free option and adding the additional features only if necessary. 

Once you set up an account by entering your name, email address, and creating a password, you must activate the account by clicking on the link sent to your email address. After you sign in for the first time, you will be asked a few questions so that Piktochart can provide tips and templates that are most applicable to you. I love that you can specify that you are a teacher, student, or librarian! You can also decide if you want tips sent to your email address or not. Teachers and librarians receive a plethora of email regularly, so I appreciate having the choice and ability to say, "No, thank you."

Piktochart provides three steps for creation: pick a template, design your infographic using the drag-and-drop editor, and share your work. Carrying out these steps was extremely easy and very intuitive. I did not feel as though there were a large number of useful templates to begin with in the free option. However, there were tons of ways to customize a template or create one from scratch. Color schemes can be easily changed and there are some really cool photographs, shapes, and icons offered. Some of the unique features I was drawn to include the ability to adjust the opacity of a picture/photo and the line spacing as well as height of text.

If you find that you are having difficulty while creating, there is a Need Help? feature at the bottom of the screen. I found it easy to use when I encountered a question. A search bar opens up and you can type in a term to access frequently asked questions and answers.

Infogram offers both free and paid accounts. The Pro version is $19 per month, Business level is $67 per month, and a Team account is $149 per month if you pay on an annual basis. The price is higher if you want to pay monthly. Yikes! Special prices are available for educators and students, but an online form must be submitted before the price is revealed. Definitely try the free version to see if it meets your needs before upgrading.

Only an email address and password are required to set up an account. Afterwards, you will be prompted to enter your name and role (educator and student are options). You may then choose a template to start with including eight infographic options.

Overall, I found infogram pretty simple to use. However, the options offered with the free plan were very limited and basic. In addition, instead of using the drag-and-drop method, items are added by clicking. The object then appears randomly on the page which I found a bit irritating.

My verdict: Piktochart

By Chris Potter (Flickr: 3D Judges Gavel)
[CC BY 2.0  (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)],
via Wikimedia Commons

Infogram was my least favorite tool. It wasn't hard to use, but it required a bit more work to get the desired effect. Its free account was the most restricted and frustrating. Upgrading to a paid account may offer better options, but I prefer free stuff and I expect that you do too!

Easelly would be my second choice because it offers some amazing templates. In fact, if one of the templates fit my need, I would use it. I recommend that you do as well because it would be quick to customize and would provide an excellent result.

Piktochart is my top choice for creating custom infographics. In my opinion, the templates are more limited than easelly's. However, Piktochart's free account offers the most shape, icon, color, font, and photo options. The drag-and-drop feature is extremely easy to use and has some unique features. Of the three utilities that I tried, it was the simplest to navigate. Piktochart will enable teachers and librarians to quickly create custom colorful and unique infograms for presenting information in a visually appealing way to students, parents, and the learning community.

View my infographic created with Piktochart here.

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Silver, L., & Johnson, C. (2018, October 09). Internet seen as having positive impact in Sub-Saharan Africa. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.pewglobal.org/2018/10/09/internet-connectivity-seen-as-having-positive-impact-on-life-in-sub-saharan-africa/