Videos and QR Codes in the Library

Videos and QR Codes in the Library

In my last post, I touched on visual media tools that could support learning in the classroom like Instagram, Flipagram and Screencast.  For this post, I would like to touch on three more.  YouTube videos, Animoto, and QR Codes are being utilized in the classroom as well to give students other outlets to learning material and developing skills that are creative, engaging, and relevant.  According to recent research done by Pew Research Center, YouTube is one of the most popular online platforms used amongst teens.  Let’s explore that a little.

YouTube

YouTube is a video sharing website. With the installment of a free app, students can download YouTube or manually type it in on their smartphones and have immediate access. Teens are online on a near-constant basis and nearly everyone has a smartphone or access to one.  Students can benefit from this technology in the classroom as a tool to help develop specific skills and retain knowledge.  To promote my library, I would use YouTube as an alternative to reading assignments, to record lessons/lectures, create book trailers, and to display student work.

Norman High School Library YouTube Channel

1)  Which is the most helpful for students?
This video navigates the students through the library website. It will be helpful to students because it easy to understand, visual and short.

2)  Which is the video that the students would like the best?
Students would like this video because it shows the school mascot giving a personal tour of and tutorial on how to use and access resources in the library.

Unquiet High School Library YouTube Channel

1)  Which is the most helpful for students?
This video would be helpful to students because it gives a step-by-step tutorial on how to navigate and create a PowerPoint presentation.   

2)  Which is the video that the students would like best?
Students would like this video because it shows their peers interacting with the librarian.  It also gives students another avenue to check-out and check-in books from the library.

Pikesville High School Library YouTube Channel

1)  Which is the most helpful for students?
This video would be helpful to students to capture a glimpse into some of the resources offered in the library. 

2)  Which is the video that the students would like best?
Students would find the videos that show their peers enjoying activities in the library like “Senior Party” and “Hip Hop Day”.  It is relatable and relevant. 

BBMS YouTube Channel

1)  Which is the most helpful for students?
This step-by-step tutorial would be helpful to students in knowing what other electronic/library resources are available outside of school.  

2)  Which is the video that the students would like best?
Students would like these parodies about overdue books because they are done in a creative and entertaining way.  Also, it is relevant to the times.  

Animoto

Animoto is a cloud-based video creation service that produces video from photos, video clips, and music into video slideshows.

Using Animoto to create my book trailer was not difficult.  It guided me through the process with step-by-step instructions.  There are limitations on how creative you can be under the free version, but you can definitely create something impressive with what is available.  I did have a learning curve with the photos.  I discovered that I had to upload my photos rather than copy and paste.  Overall, this is a simple, user-friendly tool that can be used in the classroom to enhance lessons, presentations and to display and record student work.

A National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature.

Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.

Ghost wants to be the fastest sprinter on his elite middle school track team, but his past is slowing him down in this first electrifying novel of a brand-new series from Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award–winning author Jason Reynolds.

QR Codes

QR Codes are mobile phone readable bar code that store website URL’s, plain text, phone numbers, email addresses and any other alphanumeric data.

How to Use QR Codes in the Library:

• Instructional videos
• Create book trailers
• Create blogs
• Provide brief information
• To promote library services and events
• Virtual tours

Please scan the QR Code as another way to view my book trailer for Ghost, written by Jason Reynolds.