There are so many ways to stay connected to parents and students through social media and technology. Finding the right one for you and your library is based on personal preference and the age of the students you work with. Here are a few ways to stay connected with others.
Screencasts
This is a great way to teach others! You can record what is on your computer screen or webcam.
I tried Screencast-O-Matic and found it easy to use. First, you can create a free account. It's easy to sign up with your Google account. There are multiple videos on YouTube to watch to teach you how to record your first screencast.
With the free account you get:
- free 15-minute recordings
- screen and webcam recordings
- publish to YouTube
- save as a video file
Here is my Screencast-O-Matic on using the Fort Bend Public Library website and the features of the website.
I also tried Jing, which also has a free account. However, with Jing, you only have 5 minutes for the video. Also, the sound was not very good, plus it was difficult to get in the amount of screen for the video. It took me over an hour to figure out how to upload and share as well, which lead to lots of frustration.
I made a Jing screencast on using Powtoon, however, it got cut off at the end due to the 5 minute time limit. Also, the sound quality is not as good as Screencast-O-Matic. It was also difficult to share and upload. The amount of time to make, upload, share was twice the time of Screencast-O-Matic. The video itself would not load into Blogger, but here is a link: Jing Screencast on Powtoon
I prefer Screencast-O-Matic because you get up to 15 minutes for your video, which allows you to go in more detail with presenting information to students, staff, and parents. The sound quality is better and it was easier to use.
What can you do with screencasts?
Instagram
- How to search websites
- How to search databases
- How to search the online catalog
- Use it for staff development
- How to create a powerpoint or other presentation software
- The sky's the limit....anything you can record on your computer to help students become more proficient with technology.
Instagram is extremely popular with tweens and teens. I am new to Instagram, but after just a few minutes of set-up, and playing around with it, I can see this is an easy app to use. It can be a great way to promote all of the great things going on in the library!
One of my favorite librarians, The Daring Librarian, a.k.a. Gwyneth Jones, from Murray Hill Middle, uses Instagram in lots of ways to promote books and reading. One way she does this is using "shelfies"...a selfie with a book!
Or, show a page from a book....
All three of these would be helpful to librarians in promoting the library. I personally really like the screencast made with Screencast-O-Matic. It was easy to create and share. It can be used with students, parents, and staff members. I also like Instagram and think this would be an easy and fast way to share with students. Though I enjoyed learning and creating with Vigo Video, it was a little more time consuming and I found it difficult to upload and share.
Again, each person needs to find their personal preferences on ways that works for them to post to social media to help promote the library.
One of my favorite librarians, The Daring Librarian, a.k.a. Gwyneth Jones, from Murray Hill Middle, uses Instagram in lots of ways to promote books and reading. One way she does this is using "shelfies"...a selfie with a book!
Or show some great books on reading lists, such as The Lone Star Reading list to get kids interested in a new book to try.
Or, show a page from a book....
This is a page from Guys Read: True Stories by Jon Scieszka.
Nathan Hale, part cartoonist/part historian, includes a comic about Hugh Glass, a trapper and adventurer from the 1800's in the American West.
What else can you do with Instagram in the library?
- Book talks
- Book displays
- Book reveals
- Show kids reading and working in the library
- Promote new books
- Promote library events and reading promotions
Here's other ideas from YALSA: 12 Insta Easy Instagram Library & Literacy Promotion Ideas
Flipagram....now VigoVideo
Creating videos with music and then posting onto your social media sites is a great way to highlight great things about your school and library. This app can turn photos and videos into new creations. Add music or stickers for a unique video. Currently ViGo is only available for the iPhone.
Librarians and educators can make short videos to promote library events and activities, share "book talks", and share fun things that are happening. I think students would really enjoy creating their own videos as well.
I created this Vigo Video with the pictures I took during the Houston Museum of Natural Science visit to our school this spring.
My thoughts.....
All three of these would be helpful to librarians in promoting the library. I personally really like the screencast made with Screencast-O-Matic. It was easy to create and share. It can be used with students, parents, and staff members. I also like Instagram and think this would be an easy and fast way to share with students. Though I enjoyed learning and creating with Vigo Video, it was a little more time consuming and I found it difficult to upload and share. Again, each person needs to find their personal preferences on ways that works for them to post to social media to help promote the library.
I also found Screen-O-Matic easy to use. I like the uses you described for this resource, especially for staff development. Teachers are often told about great resources, but not give any further information. Using this screen recording product, we can create more specific introductions and tips for using websites or apps for teaching and learning.
ReplyDeleteI think there are so many different applications for of the review technologies, Screencast-o-matic is excellent for creating videos, then putting them on to your YouTube page, and the other two can help you connect with students through social media. You can easily promote the library and library activities (like the examples you showed on this blog!).
ReplyDeleteGreat voice on the screencast-o-matic. Sounds like you've had plenty of practice. I also like all the ideas you have for Instagram use. I know working in middle school, Instagram is huge with the kids as well as Snapchat. By using all these applications along with social media, we can get across powerful message and learning. Thank you for the resources shared.
ReplyDeleteMichael Payne