Reflections of LSSL 5391

I absolutely loved taking this class. I was already comfortable with technology and tried to incorporate it into my library lessons weekly; but this course allowed me to take it a step further. It allowed me to view and use some of the programs and apps in ways I had not before, I also really liked being able to see the ways that other students/my peers used both the same apps/technology I’ve used but differently, and the way they found new apps/technology to complete tasks in similar ways. I enjoyed reading about the ways that they made an app complete a similar task, but  much more efficiently than what I had found.  I am the type of learner that learns best by “doing,” and this class really allowed me to do that.  One fellow classmate shared about “Fotojet Online Graphic Designer” on their “Comics & Cartoons” blog and I liked that they shared about an app similar to ones I used, but this one had different options. I think that sharing in discussion boards and blogs is helpful for others for this reason. 

I struggled with some of the applications/pages that weren’t as user friendly. I am typically one that is not afraid to just click on things on a page (or buttons on a machine), but there were several pages that I struggled with. The “Infographic” assignment was one that I struggled with.  The way the course is set up to allow students to work on separate platforms, though it may seem redundant and time consuming, is truly a blessing as it allows us to find what works for us.  I have created infographics in the past, and thought I would be OK, & I was over confident and wrong. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to work with the 3 platforms/sites to create my infographic. In fact, the platform that I initially thought would be the one l liked best based on first impressions, Infogram, was one of the ones that I disliked the most.  If I had just been given the single platform to work with, I would not have been able to find the platform that worked for ME.  Platforms may work better for different people or different needs.  

Of the different assignments that we completed, I believe that the “Videos & QR Codes” will be the most beneficial in my role as media specialist librarian.  I really liked being able to see the different videos other librarians and library patrons had put together to share with their viewers. I thought that they all had aspects that would work in my campus and aspects that may have worked well with them, but would not be something that would be embraced in my campus.  I think that having been able to view these different campus’ videos will allow me to best know the different ways to edit and types of videos to add to our library.  I was able to see a range of videos from screen recordings teaching how to access different parts of the school website &/or OPAC, along with videos reminding students of deadlines on upcoming tasks, to those that showcase an event that happened on the campus. I also believe that QR codes will be highly successful on my campus because I’ll be able to create quick links for students to access different materials, videos, book talks, websites, and even forms to be completed. Our district will be 1:1 iPads (rolling start) at the start of 2020-2021. While the elementary students may not be issued their devices to go home, they will have access to a device in any room of the building. Having QR codes in different areas of the campus will allow students to access what those QR codes link to. I also believe that once teachers see the benefits of both videos & QR codes, they too will use them in their lessons and classrooms.  

I am very thankful that I was able to enroll and take this course. I took this course while the State of Texas closed down all schools because of Coronavirus (Covid - 19) and was able to put several things into place because of online/remote teaching, like creating Screencast videos to show students how to read e-books from our catalog.  

Chatterpix 

Chatterpix &  Chatterpix Kids

Chatterpix is a free iOs app that allows users to take a picture of anything, draw a mouth on it and literally give it a voice. This is a great app for those shy students that want to share their work with an audience but are too shy to stand in front of the class. It can be used as sharing of the new learning, intro to new lesson/topic, or quick book talks or character analysis. The recordings have a 30 second limit and the user may add filters, stickers and borders to make it more "fun!"The biggest difference between the 2 apps is that “ChatterPix Kids” does not collect any personal information or include sharing via email, Facebook, and YouTube and which is designed for adults.

I created a short summary of my reflection and hope you enjoy it!