Cartoons and Comics

This week I utilized some awesome tools for making comic strips.  I had an opportunity to use ToonDoo, Pixton, Tellagami, and MakeBeliefsComix.  I created a few comic strips and will share them with you today.  So, I set out to explore each site and app.

By lizramirez15 | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

I created this comic strip using ToonDoo.  It was extremely easy to use.  I would use this tool with upper elementary school students to promote team building or to practice vocabulary.  A comic strip can be used to teach just about anything.  It can be used to teach Social Studies, Reading, Life/Social Skills.  I would use this tool to help students introduce themselves by creating an autobiography.

I created this comic strip using Pixton.  I found Pixton to be the most complex to use but with the greatest variety of options.  I would use this tool with middle school and high school students due to the complexity.  I would also use it to create autobiographies, to encourage creative writing or to tie in with daily themes such as the news or vocabulary.

http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/?comix_id=22883614C1444871

The link above will take you to the third and final comic strip I created.  I created this one using makebeliefscomix.  This particular tool is very basic and has limited options.  It is a great place to start and to get some practice.

Overall, ToonDoo is my favorite tool in this category.  I will be using it in my classroom and hopefully some day in my library.  I had a ton of fun playing around with these tools.  I would definitely encourage students to use them.  I plan on using this tool with a special needs child and will use it in the future to encourage creative writing and improved communication and language skills.

Online Book Communities

I recently explored five online book communities.  Prior to doing so, I had no idea they existed.  I explored and created accounts for Goodreads, LibraryThing, Shelfari, Booklikes and Biblionasium.  Online book communities are certainly a good way to find the type of books you may be interested in reading.  Some are easier to use but all of them take time to build up.  They are also a good place to get book recommendations.  I didn't like that it takes a while at first to search books but once you get the hang of it it's fairly simple.  All of them make it simple for you to connect with friends and others through Twitter or Facebook. 

The first one I explored was Goodreads.  It is fairly easy to use but it is a bit busy for my taste.  I enjoyed the easy access to reviews and how quickly I could locate books.  I also liked the recommendations section.  I didn't like the ads.  Here is a screenshot of my profile page.  Creating bookshelves was simple to do but you have to have to chose whether to duplicate books.

I set up an account on LibraryThing.  It was also easy to use and I liked the instant recent recommendations.  Every time you type in a title it recommends similar books.  This can come in handy when you are having a hard time finding a book or you simply want something similar.  It can also be annoying when you just want to add your books.  Here is a screenshot of my profile page.

The next account I created was on Shelfari.  I loved that I could choose the kind of shelf I wanted. That gave it a more personal touch.  You can create a blog called Shelfari blog and that is an interesting option.  I also liked that the ratings are easy to see and include stars so that you can easily rate the books you have read.  Shelfari was my second favorite online book community.  Here is a screenshot of my profile page.

 
Then I created an account on Booklikes.  It was my least favorite online book community.  It was not that easy to use and it was not visually appealing.  I enjoy color so the brown was not working for me.  I also did not like the way the shelves are displayed.  I did like that there are many options and giveaways.  Here is a screenshot of my profile page.

My favorite online book community is Biblionasium.  I love that it is a protected social network and that kids are able to setup virtual bookshelves and track their reading.  They can recommend their favorite books to friends.  It is also the most pleasing to the eye.  I think my students at the elementary level would prefer this particular online book community.  I like that it is colorful and user friendly.  I'm super excited about sharing this with other educators and parents.   
Here

is a screenshot of my profile page.

Podcast

A Podcast is online audio content that is delivered via a RSS Feed.   The listener can decide when to listen to the audio file.  I was first introduced to Podcasting as part of the Tech 21 program at Brownsville ISD back in 2010.  As teachers, we were encouraged to teach our students to create Podcasts pertaining to any subject area.  Podcasts can be used by students of all ages.  Students can create book talks, projects, or record interviews just to mention a few.  They can create a Podcast of a trip to a museum, an experiment, or debate.  Podcasts can be used to teach "How to's" or to reinforce concepts. Teachers can use them as alternative assessments or to provide study guides.  Library Media Specialists can use them for reading (storytelling), book promotions, to share school news or to increase community involvement.  David R. Wetzel offers a variety of creative ways that Podcasts can be used in the classroom.   You can use Soundcloud, Audioboo, Podomatic, Audacity or other options on the Web.  I have used Soundcloud, Audacity and PodOmatic.  They are all fairly easy to use.  I created a Podcast on a contest we are having to promote literacy.  Check it out!
Pumpkin Character Contest

Videos & QR Codes in the Library

This week I searched and viewed several YouTube videos from different libraries.  I searched for videos that were helpful for students and for those that may be most liked by the students.  These were my results:

Galypso Gilstrap

I found the video titled, NHS Library Orientation to be the most helpful.  It provides the hours of operation as well as expectations, purpose, rules, etc.  I also think the video that is best liked by students is the Norman High School Library Rocks video.  It's short, direct and to the point.  It lists the library resources.

The Unquiet Library:

The most helpful video was the one titled, Finding CC Licensed Images in Advanced Flickr Search.  This video helps walk students through the process of searching for photos they can use without violating Copyright laws.  There are several videos on selecting Creative Commons photos.  I think the video they might like best is titled Make Your Mother Proud:  Check out a Kindle @ The Unquiet Library.  Again it got right to the point in a fun way.  

Pikesvillehslibrary:

The most helpful video here is the one that provides a quick guide to the library, Snapshot of the Panther's Library.   It gives the kids a quick overview of the library.  The most popular video is the AVID Pimp  My Binder 2012.  It is an entertaining video on organization.

bbmsmedia's channel:

The most helpful video here is the BBMS Integration Poem.  Students take turns discussing.  The most liked video is the Harlem Shake @ Bonnie Branch Middle School.  It's a fun and wacky video that depicts students in the library.  




After watching all those YouTube videos, I decided to create a book trailer.  As a librarian, I plan on creating videos to motivate students to visit the library and to take advantage of all the available resources.  I also plan on creating book trailers to encourage them to visit the library frequently and to create their own.  I chose the series, Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy primarily because it is October and it's at a cute creepy level I can handle.  Please check out my book trailer by scanning the QR code below. 

Synopsis: 


Meet Skulduggery Pleasant

Ace Detective
Snappy Dresser
Razor–tongued Wit
Crackerjack Sorcerer
and
Walking, Talking,
Fire-throwing Skeleton

—as well as ally, protector, and mentor of Stephanie Edgley, a very unusual and darkly talented twelve-year-old.

These two alone must defeat an all-consuming ancient evil.

The end of the world?

Over his dead body.

 http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/284440.Skulduggery_Pleasant

Well, hopefully you had a chance to view my book trailer by scanning the QR code.  After a little searching, I found that librarians and teachers are using these codes in their classroom.  They are using them to provide students with access to library news, blogs and literacy resources.  QR codes can be used for scavenger hunts, to access multimedia, for book reviews and to hear stories read aloud!  I plan to use QR codes so that students can hear stories that are read aloud!   

I leave you with my favorite YouTube video from bbmsmedia's channel:

Blogs & Blog Readers

After blogging for a few weeks and kind of getting the hang of it, I decided to search through several Blog Readers.  I viewed Bloglovin', Feedly, Bloglines, NewsBlur, Digg Reader and Newsvibe.  Blog Readers allow you to keep blogs that you have read organized and in one place so that you don't have to revisit the individual websites to view them.  After registering, I searched all of  the Blog Readers, I decided on my two top choices.  My two favorites were Bloglovin' and Feedly.  I found both fairly easy to use.  It was easy to search, organize and save content.  The organization of information was impressive and extensive.  Bloglines, NewsBlur and Newsvibe were less appealing to me.   NewsBlur and Feedly charge for their premium accounts.  Feedly charges a $45 annual fee for the premium version so I decided to use Bloglovin' even though I found it easier to use Feedly.   I chose to follow the following blogs:

http://schoollibrarylady.com/

I chose this blog because of the book reviews, book trailers and listing of resources.  Among these, school library lady also shares links for avoiding plagiarism and for researching. 

 http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production

This blog has lots of useful information including information on awards, news and resources from the School Library Journal.  


http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/

This blog was created to share the love of reading.   They also announce winners of the Nerdy Book Club Award.  

 http://blog.schoollibrarymedia.com/

This blog shares award information, the use of physical space in the library, conference information and weekly book picks.  


http://www.aasl.ala.org/aaslblog/

The AASL blog shares discussions, interviews, videos, collaboration and literacy awards. 


 http://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/

 This blog has some great resources including graphic organizers, lessons among other information.


All of the blogs above share large amounts of information pertaining to literacy and library science. 

I signed up for a Tumblr account and here is the link:

http://lizramirez150.tumblr.com/

Infographic/MINING PEW

20 pages

Privacy involving Mobile Apps & Teens  | Create Infographics

Twitter

Today I will share some "tweets" that were posted by professionals in educational technology.  Twitter, which is a free social networking service, has become a popular way for professionals to share.  This week Linda Braun @lbraun2000 shared the following information. 

RT @gigaom: Amazon launches KDP Kids, a tool to help authors self-publish illustrated books http://t.co/tLyjLBKXeF
— Linda W Braun (@lbraun2000) September 3, 2014

I was excited to read that the Kindle Kids' Book Creator software is available and can't wait to try it out.  Another exciting "tweet" was shared by Tony Vincent +Tony Vincent  informing us that his, My Story -Book Maker for Kids, is free right now and it won an award.




 

My Story - Book Maker for Kids is free right now. Combine text, drawings & photos. Web publish or iBook. http://t.co/80nDYBczF9 #iosedapp
— Tony Vincent (@tonyvincent) September 5, 2014

The Daring Librarian +Gwyneth Jones posted a "tweet" sharing photography projects.  See below to improve your creativity.

7 Photography Projects to Jumpstart your Creativity via the awesome @Edutech20 http://t.co/XD4ClQhWtK
— The Daring Librarian (@GwynethJones) August 31, 2014

Jim Lerman @jimlerman shared some easy to use tech tools for educators.  Pinterest is one of my favorites!

- 10 More Easy Tech Tools That Every Educator Should Have Started Using Yesterday, Pt. 2 ~ Tech & Learning http://t.co/83p9cp5XtY
— Jim Lerman (@jimlerman) September 5, 2014

Kathy Schrock +Kathy Schrock "tweeted" steps for creating presentations using your ipad.  I know that will come in handy.

@kathyschrock Happy day. I will be teaching this in Study Skills on Wed. #google
— Kem Opperman-Torres (@SraTorres) August 26, 2014

And last but not least on my list is Buffy Hamilton @ buffyjhamilton. She shares an article in Edtech Digest on the blended approach to teaching which involves digital and analog tools.  I agree that a combination of both yields the best results.

Why Technology Isn’t The Only Answer: http://t.co/8e6beA6iRd via @edtechdigest
— Buffy J. Hamilton (@buffyjhamilton) September 5, 2014

These are just some examples of the benefits of using Twitter.  Initially, I had my doubts but Twitter has slowly won me over.  What a great way to get some great information out there.