Cartoons and Comics

PIXTON

                                                                   PIXTON-Link to comic 

    Out of all three different comic/cartoon platforms, I enjoyed creating this particular comic strip. Being able to create your avatars as characters would be something I can see the students enjoying. There are many options a user can use to create their unique comics. From the different premade backgrounds to the action of the characters, the possibilities are endless. I was a little disappointed at seeing how most of the backgrounds, avatars, faces, and actions required an upgraded plan in order to gain access, but with the items that were free was enough to create a descent comic. I think students would enjoy this particular platform because of the simplicity use of the program. It is not at all confusing and your work is saved as you are completing your comic. Pixton would be a comic strip platform I would use with my students. I think by creating the comics with Pixton  would keep the students engaged in the activity from beginning to end. 

FOTOJET

    I appreciate when a website offers templates to get you started with your project. I think this is great for first time users of the website. Without templates, I think the task can be a little intimidating to get started. This particular comic platform was different from the rest, in the way that you could apply actual photos to the comic strip. The others did not offer that option. This adds another way users can creatively create comics. Saving the assignment was simpler than the others. It downloaded as a jpeg, which was easy to upload. There were many backgrounds, fonts, colors, styles, and clipart to create your personal comic strip. I do think students would be able to use Fotojet in the classroom, but it would not be my first choice to offer students. The only concern I keep in mind is the creating accounts. I like the way Pixton allows you to create and manage classes, in the similar way Flipgrid does. 

MAKE BELIEFS COMIX

Make Beliefs Comix-Link to comic

    I like how you do not have to create an account, which may be easier to log in and start creating right away, but I do not recommend this option. I had to redo my comic 3 times before completing it! I accidently clicked on another link and it would erase my work. By creating an account, you are allowed to save, which I recommend you do right away and allows you to save your comics online. This comic was probably the easiest to create. There are many characters, balloons and prompts, backgrounds, and objects to select from. There is a limit of 18 frames, so the students would have to be aware of that before starting on their comics. I can see students using this Make Beliefs Comix because it is easy to use and create. The comic starters are a great way to get the students started on their comic. At times they need that little push and the rest is up to them. 

Sharing Comics with Teachers

    Now that I have had the opportunity to create my own comics on three different platforms, I now have an understanding of the benefits of creating comics as part of promoting student learning or educating teachers. Comics can be a great visual representation of information that can be shared with teachers during staff development days. It can engage the learners (whether teachers or students) on different levels. Perhaps converting those powerpoint presentations into comics can get the students to understand content better. As part of student learning, the librarian can offer comics to teachers to assist with ELL students. The beauty of comics is that is less writing involved, but can still showcase what a student has learned throughout the lesson. 

Videos and QR Codes in the Library

Youtube 

Norman High Library

Tiger Visits The Norman High Library 

How to use EBSCOHost

The Unquiet Library

The Unquiet Library on Wheels @ The Cafeteria

Creative Commons 

Pikesville High School Library

The Birthday Party Paper Slide Video 

Hip Hop Day @ The Panthers Library

BBMS Media

Hey Where My Books At- Miranda Sings Parody

Headphone Storage

1) Which is the most helpful for students.

The Creative Commons video on what creative commons is and when to use it would be most helpful for students. This is a great visual on providing students information on Creative Commons. 

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

They were all great videos, but I think the visit to the library would be most beneficial to the students. It showcased the process of checking out a book, along with all the resources the library has to offer. At times students may not know or will not take the time to check for themselves what the school has to offer. By making this video it may spark the interest of many other students to visit the library, as they now can see for themselves what the library has to offer. It kept me engaged from start to the beginning and I know students alike would like this video.

Implementation of YouTube in My Library

There are many ways to incorporate YouTube in a library. A channel specifically for our library could be used to showcase our school library and to create how to videos for instructional purposes. Library projects can also be used within this channel. 

Animoto: Book Trailer-Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott, with Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis 

Please scan QR Code to view my Book Trailer! 

Creating Book Trailer with Animoto 

When I first read over the assignment and what we would be doing, I was feeling a little worried because this was my first time creating anything with Animoto. I was surprised at how easy it was to create the book trailer. The website is extremely user friendly and easy to navigate. I can see the endless opportunities websites like Animoto can provide for students to use their creativity and create different projects. I can also see how a school library use such websites to promote the school library or to engage students during instruction. 

Good Reads: "Stella Grant likes to be in control—even though her totally out of control lungs have sent her in and out of the hospital most of her life. At this point, what Stella needs to control most is keeping herself away from anyone or anything that might pass along an infection and jeopardize the possibility of a lung transplant. Six feet apart. No exceptions.

The only thing Will Newman wants to be in control of is getting out of this hospital. He couldn’t care less about his treatments, or a fancy new clinical drug trial. Soon, he’ll turn eighteen and then he’ll be able to unplug all these machines and actually go see the world, not just its hospitals.

Will’s exactly what Stella needs to stay away from. If he so much as breathes on Stella she could lose her spot on the transplant list. Either one of them could die. The only way to stay alive is to stay apart. But suddenly six feet doesn’t feel like safety. It feels like punishment.

What if they could steal back just a little bit of the space their broken lungs have stolen from them? Would five feet apart really be so dangerous if it stops their hearts from breaking too?"

Reference 

Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott. (2018, November 20). Retrieved October 25, 2020, from 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39939417-five-feet-apart

QR Codes 

As I researched ways libraries are using QR Codes in the library I came across great ideas. Giving the students the opportunity to create a code that shows their projects. Students get to work with technology while staying engaged. QR Codes can also be used them as instructional videos. Librarians can them displayed at the computer area, check out stations, and throughout the book shelves to name a few. These codes can take students directly to how to videos, which can free up the librarian to assist in other areas. These codes can also be used as brochures for literacy night. It can showcase what literacy night has to offer parents and students. Last but definitely not last, they can be used to manage the library. Hours of the library can be scanned along with extra information of the library. 

References 

Whitchurch, M. (2011, December 01). QR codes and library engagement. Retrieved October 25, 2020, 

                    from https://asistdl.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/bult.2011.1720380107

Zinkovich, B. (n.d.). Using QR Codes to Promote Your Library. Retrieved from 

                    https://www.ebscohost.com/novelist/novelist-special/using-qr-codes-to-promote-your-

                    library

Screencasts

                                                          Screencast-o-Matic Vs. ScreenCastify 

Screencast-o-matic

I was a little apprehensive at first with the thought of recording myself. One must get used to recording yourself, of course after some practice, screen casts become easier to complete. I absolutely love Screencast-o-Matic. I have been using this screen cast to record my lessons for virtual learning this school year. I have heard mixed reviews on this particular screen cast as it does have a limit of recordings you are given before you have to upgrade. Recently I upgraded to the premier plan because it allows for longer recordings and extra bandwidth. It also has great editing features. 

ScreenCastify 

This was the first time I used ScreenCastify. Some of my colleagues use this certain screen cast, but I feel indebted to Screencast-o-matic. I was a little confused as to how to go about recording even after taking the virtual tour. After exploring the application, I noticed it only gives you a 5 minute recording time frame. I also noticed you are also able to clip videos and adjust as needed, which is a great feature. 

There are plenty of ways to incorporate screen casts within the school setting. As Dr. Gross mentioned, screen casts can be used to record lessons, give tutorials for students on different applications or directions, and share out information to students and parents. Creating screencasts gives off a more personal experience as some offer the option of recording yourself as you are recording. 

I personally prefer Screencast-o-Matic over ScreenCastify. I am familiar with this screencast, as I mentioned I have been using it for my virtual classroom. I am sure if I was introduced to ScreenCastify or another screen cast I would probably prefer that one over Screencast-o-matic. The tools to record in Screencast-o-matic are very straightforward and I feel it is user friendly. 

Infographics

                                                                           INFOGRAPHICS 

Piktochart seems simple enough to use. I like how they offer many types of templates which seems to be more than Infogram offers in their basic plan. Templates are easy to manipulate and allows you to create your own unique design. It also allows simple ways to add or change pictures and content. I personally think Piktochart offers great eye catching templates that can offer students of all levels a great visual presentation of information.

With infogram they automatically start you off at the basic plans which allows the user up to 10 projects, 13 maps, object animations (sounds interesting) and access to public content. They also offer 2 other paid monthly subscriptions: Pro at $19.00, Business at $67.00, and Team at $149.00. I like how the templates are broken up into categories as soon as you are beginning your infographic. I believe infogram would benefit the teacher or librarian as the templates seem more engaging/ appealing for students. They do not however, offer as many free templates as Piktochart or Easley. I ended up choosing and using this particular application to create my assignment. I know with more practice, the possibilities are endless. I have already thought of many different ways to implement infographics within the classroom! 

At the first glance, this infographic website looks simple and easy to navigate through hundreds of free templates. Just as Piktochart, I find the templates simple to manipulate and make them your own. This website seems to offer the same editing functions. I think selecting the one that works best for you is key and stick with it to complete your project.

Here is the link for a better picture of my infographic! Tammy's Infographic

Reference for Infographic

Rosentiel, T. (2020, August 11). Who Flies the Flag? Not Always Who You Might Think.

Retrieved October 09, 2020, from https://www.pewresearch.org/2007/06/27/who-flies-

the-flag-not-always-who-you-might-think/