Module 9: Videos & QR Codes in the Library (LSSL 5391)

Module 9: Videos & QR Codes in the Library

Youtube, Animoto, & QR Codes

All words in green are links, please click!

 

YOUTUBE

               

I found an interesting article on measuring the use of Youtube as a library promotional tool. Based on that article and a few other reads, I only came upon good reviews. I was pleased to finally find something that a majority of people could agree on. As I have studied over the past few semesters, I have seen that much of what is done inside the library can be manipulated into something that it is not or people do not take librarians seriously anymore because of the emerging internet databases of information. 

The following video was a promotional video for libraries and librarians in general. While fun, it wasn’t very specific and moved pretty fast. After a little more searching, I came upon a web page full of ten videos of ideas on how to promote your library. Some of the videos were serious, others were hilariously entertaining, gaining the audience’s attention. For example, this promotional video from Texas A&M chose to make a parody of the book turned movie, The Hunger Games. Promoting your library can be as fun or serious as you make it. Just be sure to have enough time for people to read your slides, make the music fit the theme, and be clear and concise in your words.

The next video I found focused on the librarian and what they can do to help you and this is what I considered to be a true promotional video due to the information given, the tour of the library, and the interaction both in person and online. I really liked this one and could see it being something that SHSU uses as an introduction to what the librarian program is about.

The channels I chose to focus on were Calypso Gilstrap” (C.G.) and bbmsmedia (bbmsm). I chose these two channels in specific because they were so different from each other. bbmsm had over two-hundred subscribers while C.G. had less than twenty subscribers, even after I subscribed. EEK! C.G. had only six videos, none longer than three and a half minutes besides one video that topped out at six and a half minutes. bbmsm had well over forty videos, all ranging from thirty seconds to almost eight minutes, with an average of one to three minutes per video.

From the channel bbmsmedia, I thought the two top videos were ones that had to do with overdue books. “BringThem Back Overdue Library Book Parody” and “Hotline Overdue Drake Library Parody” were the ones that stood out to me the most because of the references to pop culture and ability for students to relate while enjoying a funny parody. Hopefully that parody will be as catchy as the original song and keep the information on the front of their brains, reminding them to turn in their overdue books all while dancing and having fun. I think the video that the students would most enjoy is “Luke Skywalker Has Overdue Books”. This parody was not only extremely well thought out but it definitely took some time to create! Star Wars is so popular right now, both in movie, book, and comic format, so this is the perfect way  to get others interested. Not to mention, they didn’t even have to change the idea of the video and dub over too many of the words, changing the idea, because Luke, Chewbacca, and Rey had a similar conversation about a book that needed to be read.

Let’s just say, I will be coming back to this channel to play some of the parodies for my kiddos this upcoming school year! On top of all of that, they had excellent screencasts on how-to create such and such. The channel was informative, interactive, and just plain fun! I would like to see some more recent videos. “bbmsmedia” has been around since December of 2011 and the newest posts were over a year old. With the quality that they have created in their older videos, I hope to see more additions soon.

From the channel Calypso Gilstrap, I thought the two top videos were “How to Use EBSCOHost” and “Getting Started with the NHS Library Website” . I liked both of these videos because of the details put into the screencasts. The two videos were great for newbies who need a base of where to start when introducing the library and its databases in a well-thought out and engaging way. I think the video that the students would most enjoy is “How to UseEBSCOHost” because of how informative and relevant it is to the age group I teach. I’ve seen students get nervous and copy and paste because they are not sure how to find good, well cited information. This screencast allows for students to go step by step in order to teach them how to find good information to embed in their assignment. 

C.G. did not give me the option to see when they joined Youtube, but the oldest video was posted four years ago and the newest video a mere three years ago. Yikes! I would love to see more screencasts to use as a reference for when I create a few for the upcoming year. 

Below is a QR code of all of the videos I watched along with a few other videos I enjoyed from the other channels. I went ahead and subscribed to all of the channels to keep an eye out for any updated videos! Many of the channels had updated videos within the last three to four years, usually the ones with less subscribers. After checking out the QR code videos, be sure to click the channel’s homepage to see the full list of videos that are offered.

QR Code of Youtube Promotional Videos

              My school district does not block Youtube but there is quite a bit of censorship going on. I would not have an issue showing any of the above videos, thankfully, and am glad I was able to get a good glimpse into such an array of videos this early in my career. I was baffled at how many other options there were besides Youtube that would pull up on school computers. A few I found were School Tube, Teacher Tube, Next Vista, Academic Earth, National Geographic, and some Netflix documentaries. For more information on each of the above alternatives, visit here.

                I was most interested in Teacher Tube and, as the website states, I am one of those teachers that still had not heard of the site until today. I loved how the videos were predominantly teacher made, some even including lesson plans and ideas on top of the video. When I see a lesson that has succeeded in the classroom, it makes me want to try it that much more! Now that I have learned to screencast well, I will try to add in some videos to my Youtube channel and possibly get featured on Teacher Tube.

                I will use videos, from Youtube or not, to promote my library by adding in promotional material for upcoming events such as book fairs, author visits, and new books in stock. I can create a screencast or a Youtube video to put on the library website for parents, students, and teachers to see. I plan on creating a monthly, at minimum, newsletter from the library, and I would love to include a QR code with a video of important how-to’s such as checking out a book online, reserving a checked out book, finding research databases, and more.

ANIMOTO

                My book trailer was over the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio. Ever since I taught this book, I have loved it to bits and pieces. Published in 2012 and winner or recognized for more awards that I can count, Wonder is a book about learning to accept who you are while others choose to accept you for what you are based on the outside or inside. Check out the link that houses all sorts of fun here You can see videos, nominations, awards, recognition, reviews, and so much more! If you haven’t read this yet, please do!

Everything about this masterpiece has intrigued me, allowing me to read it over and over again without an issue. I taught sixth grade for two years, where I taught the book, and teach seventh grade now, but I still find the book full of lessons that resonate through all age groups.

Yes, there is a movie. No, I have not seen it. I’m sorry, but I can’t! This book is sacred gold to me, and I don’t want anything to ruin it by making me see it a different way. A little extra? Maybe. But, I will admit that I will try to watch the movie one day. Until then, my video will have to do.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio Synopsis: 

                Goodreads- August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.

                Publisher’s Website- August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a severe facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, Auggie wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past his extraordinary face. Wonder begins from Auggie's point of view, but soon switches to include the perspectives of his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These voices converge to portray a community as it struggles with differences, and challenges readers, both young and old, to wonder about the true nature of empathy, compassion, acceptance, friendship, and—ultimately—kindness. Auggie is a hero for the ages, one who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

Below is my book trailer from Animoto.

(1) Animoto Link

https://animoto.com/play/WvVK1ValADZx255aktnQyg

 (2) Youtube Link

https://youtu.be/CrFnXTpceQQ

 

 (3) Embedded Youtube Video

QR CODES

                Librarians are using QR codes nowadays by enabling more interaction within. I found an article on a library that used QR codes to create a scavenger hunt over the book The Maltese Falcon. The QR code sent them to a website with a question to answer, followed by the next set of instructions. Other than that, I found that librarians use QR codes to link songs, videos, web sites of importance, surveys, and more to a certain book or genre in the library. If there is a large stack of magazines or journals, a QR code could be used to find the full extent of the printed materials online. Instead of printing out materials, QR codes can be scanned and the information can be accessed on a phone or iPad.

                I would like to start using QR codes in my library by having a picture of a cover of a book and a QR code to scan on the back. The student can see my review of the book and, as the year goes on, students can create their own reviews to add to a list of “to read” books. This allows the students to be involved and give their true thoughts on the book, hopefully getting others to read more. There are so many ways to use QR codes! I found a fun list of ways librarians are using codes now here, and I plan to implement some of these ideas in the classroom and, soon enough, in the library.

Creating a QR code was easy! I Googled QR code creator and was given hundreds of hits on websites I could use. I created my QR code here, emailed it to myself, and downloaded a copy to save as a JPEG. The process was quick and there were no strings attached. What I loved most about this specific website was that you had the option to use multiple links to create the QR code. The second best part was that, if you want, you can change the background of your QR code to add a blast of color!

See below for a glance at the site, the data type options you can load from, the choices of background colors, and the ways you can export your QR code.

QR Code for My Book Trailer

Bibliography & References

All photos were from Creative Commons, Animoto stock photos, or Pixabay, therefore, no copyright infringement occurred.

Book synopses were from Goodreads and the publisher’s website, both linked above, within the text.

Any other ideas or information have links embedded within the blog post to give credit.