Infographics

Infographics

I recently spent some time researching infographics.  Infographics are visual representations of information.  Many times this may be confused with a picture.  An infographic must be knowledgeable.  They can work in the classroom to grab students attention and to prep them for learning.  Creating infographics requires students to break down complex information which supports that 21^st Century skill of telling a story with data.  Anticipating what your audience will want to gain can be a challenge but may be made easier with an infographic webapp.  I researched three webapps, Easel.ly, Piktochart, and Infogr.am. 

I began with Piktochart.  Piktochart is the only one of the three that I had minimal previous experience with.  I honestly forgot I even used is several semesters ago but was able to see my work in my library once I logged in.  Piktochart offers infographics, presentations, posters, reports, and fliers.  Many templates are offered that are easily interchangeable (that’s what I did on that previous assignment).  The templates include timelines, step-by-step formats, and multiple design themes.  An “Inspire Me” option is available for users to get ideas to work from.  Once inside a project, users have many background options and images to insert.  You may upgrade to the Individual Pro or Pro Team.  The options available with free access is impressive however I would have liked to see the templates organized and offered by the function or structure of the infographic to help get your project started.  You may discover Piktochart at http://piktochart.com. 

I then explored Infogr.am and found it to have many similarities to Piktochart.  Infogr.am offers infographics, slides, reports, dashboards, and Facebook posts.  Templates are offered more so by function or structure to allow creators to begin projects with ease.  Once inside a project, many options of text formats, images, charts, and maps are available.  Upgrading will make more options available.  Starting a project from scratch with this webapp was a little overwhelming for me.  It took me some time to navigate through the tools but once I became more familiar with the program it was user friendly.  You may discover Infogr.am at http://infogr.am.

Last, I explored Easel.ly.  I decided to use this program to create my project for an assignment in order to really dig into this webapp and figure it out.  Easel.ly offered many templates that were well organized by function or structure.  This made beginning a project easy once I found a style that met the needs of the information I wanted to present.  Working in the template is made easy with labeled icons for the tools.  The layout of the program was very user friendly.  Once in a project, users will quickly learn the free trial does not offer many options.  Images has many categories but few options within.  Charts are available to insert but you must upgrade to insert saved images.  Upgrading allows more options for users.  You may discover Easel.ly at http://easel.ly. 

Here is an example I made using Easel.ly with the options available to users that were free.  I chose a template for comparing information.  The free trial does not allow users to download the image but it does offer a link to share.  

https://www.easel.ly/infographic/qjudwi

References

Anderson, M., Jiang, J., Anderson, M., & Jiang, J. (2019, January 07). Teens' Social Media Habits and

Experiences. Retrieved June 28, 2019, from https://www.pewinternet.org/2018/11/28/teens-social-media-habits-and-experiences/

Schulten, K. (2010, August 27). Teaching With Infographics | A Student Project Model. Retrieved June

28, 2019, from https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/27/teaching-with-infographics-a-student-project-model/

Malamed, C., Villar, M. A., & Malamed, C. (2018, January 23). ELC 010: How To Design Real (Not Fake)

Information Graphics. Retrieved June 27, 2019, from http://theelearningcoach.com/podcasts/10/

APA Citation Style Game

APA Citation Game:

It is important for librarians to provide references an to be able to assist others with giving credit to those whom they belong.  APA Citation is a format I must get more familiar with.  I recently played this APA Citation Game for extra practice.  Here is my final score!

You should give it a try!  http://www.citationgame.org/play.php?game=6

It took me a few attempts to reach the goal of 100%.  This game was excellent practice with books, book chapters, magazine articles, journal articles, and newspapers.  This exercise showed me I have a lot to work on before I become an expert in this area.   

Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter:

Does social media help promote the library and literacy?  I looked into a few of our most popular social media tools to see how others are using them, how effective they are, and to get ideas of how I can use them in my classroom and library media center. 

Facebook:

What are libraries doing with Facebook?  I used Facebook to look up several libraries and how they are using this social media tool to promote the library and literacy. 

Ireland Elementary School Library:  https://www.facebook.com/IrelandElementaryLibrary/

This elementary library page gave basic information such as contact information and library times.  The library shared many photos and videos on activities going on in the library and school.  The page promoted books and book lists for students to read.  There were posts to encourage interaction with users such as a “What are you reading?” post for users to comment.  Of the 116 followers, there was not many posts with “likes” or comments.  After reading the comments on many posts, adults (I am assuming parents and maybe teachers) were the users of this page. 

Green Forest High School Library:  https://www.facebook.com/GFHSlib/

This high school library page also gave basic information about the library such as contact information and library times.  The library shared many photos and videos to promote the library and literacy.  The page was a platform to celebrate readers in the high school and highlight who they are and what they read.  The library showcases Book Clubs it offers and what they are reading.  I was very interested in the activities promoted in the library such as “How To Tie a Tie” where students had stations with instructions and followed them to learn how to tie ties.  Of the 451 followers, I did not see many “likes” or comments on this page.  I did notice that the users were young adults (I am assuming high school students) so it seemed as though the page was for this audience. 

Advantages of using Facebook in the educational setting:

-It encourages the Four C’s – critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration.

-It is easy to use, most people have a Facebook account, so it has the capability to reach many users.

-Has the capability to tie learning to the interests of students.

Disadvantages of using Facebook in the educational setting:

-It may be a dying practice.  The number of interactions with this tool is not impressive.

-It is not face-to-face interaction; may lead to cyber bullying or harassment.

-Privacy and sharing of personal information may be a concern.

Twitter:

I explored the popular tool, Twitter, to find what the ed tech leaders have to offer.  I personally did not make a Twitter account until last fall only because it was required in on e of my grad school classes.  I found the tool easy to set up and use.  I recently began to follow ed tech leaders along with several library organizations. 

Kathy Schrock at @kathyschrock promotes ed tech websites and plenty of ideas with technology!  She Tweets ideas on how to use the most recent and current technology in the library and classroom.  I was excited to see a librarian I know in North Carolina follows Kathy as well.  Her Tweet here is about and AR ap which intrigued me because a lot of schools are forced to use AR and would love to find ways to make it better.

AR AP:

https://twitter.com/kathyschrock/status/1125351217247465473?s=20

Linda Brown at @lbraun2000 is a teen advocate!  I loved reading her Tweets because I am very much in the elementary world and I love to get a glimpse into the young adult life.  She really promotes YALSA and share many of their posts and articles.  She has posts great ideas for lessons with young adults.  Her Tweet here gives followers ideas for informal teachings with young adults.

Lessons/Ideas :  “Reclaiming Digital Futures”

https://twitter.com/TheCLAlliance/status/1129459089786974209?s=20

Alan November at @globalearner is an author and hosts conferences who promotes learning and discovering.  Alan is extremely inspiring with his words and posts.  Followers are inspired to promote questions, learning, and discovering in their classroom.  His Tweet here gives ideas for students and research.

Inspiring thoughts for student learning and research:

https://twitter.com/globalearner/status/999051643223265280?s=20

The Daring Librarian at @GwynethJones is a dynamic librarian.  I chose her blog to follow before this activity so I was excited to read her Tweets as well.  She gives incredible ideas for classrooms and libraries.  She celebrates others, she is humorous, and of course promotes book lists and literacy.  He Tweet here showcases another teacher librarian who used one of her ideas.

A librarian used her idea and shared: Key Readers-Reading incentives

https://twitter.com/GwynethJones/status/1134543506343714816?s=20

Jim Lerman at @jimlerman is an educator, designer, author, and speaker.  He gives creative ideas to use in the classroom with technology.  His Tweet here is sharing an article to help educators use technology with learners.
Article "How to Share Videos Without Distractions:

https://twitter.com/jimlerman/status/1133377437910360065?s=20

Advantages of using Twitter in the education setting:
-Promotes the Four C's.
-Is simple and easy to use.
-This tool seems to be more popular.
-It is a great source for educators to get information and ideas.

Disadvantages of using Twitter in the educational setting:
-Users may be limited on word counts.
-Privacy and sharing of personal information may be a concern.

Instagram:

Instagram is a fast and fun way to share photos with friends and family.  How are educators using Instagram?  I personally do not know any educators who use Instagram in their classroom.  After reading about this tool, I found there are many ways to connect with lessons and students with Instagram.  Here are some ideas educators may use in their classroom:

-Students may use Instagram to document the stages/phases of a cycle and/or project.

-Teachers may use images on Instagram for a writing prompt.  Many teachers will use a picture they print out to inspire a prompt, why not go digital?

-Students may use Instagram to promote school activities such as Homecoming or yearbook sales.

-Teachers may use it to showcase student work and achievement.

-Teachers may require an assignment for students to explore character analysis and posts from the perspective of historical figures or characters.

-Teachers/students may use Instagram to capture memories.

I created an Instagram for my future library.

Kristi’s All Day Library: https://www.instagram.com/kristisallday/

I hope to grow with this tool.

Advantages of using Instagram in the educational setting:

-Promotes the Four C’s.

-It is mostly pictures so users with limited time are more drawn to the visuals it offers.

-There are many creative ways to connect with students with this tool.

-It is a popular tool.

Disadvantages of using Instagram in the educational setting:

-Some may feel limited by the limited word count.

-Privacy and the sharing of personal information may be a concern.

In closing, I was very pleased with my findings with social media and the use of it in the educational setting.  I can relate to the users who are somewhat afraid of social media.  Educators are very aware of stories and situations where colleagues have had bad experiences with social media while mixed with education.  I am afraid this has scared many away from using these powerful tools that connect students and learning.  I personally have a new perspective of social media in education.  I see how important it is to tie student interests to learning.  To promote the Four C’s with our young students and to teach them how to use these tools responsibly.  I was very surprised to see how little Facebook is used and how Twitter and Instagram are more common.  As an educator and future librarian, I am pleased to find new resources to find information on ideas, lessons, technology, and literacy. 

Feed Readers and Blogs

Feed Readers and Blogs:

A Feed Reader allows you to keep all of your favorite blog posts in one spot!  After reading about Feed Readers, I discovered Feedly would best fit my needs.  Feedly is clean and simply.  It appeals to the needs of casual reading and for those who want to take advantage of using every feature.  It supports 100 sources, will sort sites, and even allows users access from mobile devices.  Feedly has a free basic plan that appeals to all my needs but users may upgrade to a Pro account for an annual cost.  I love that Feedly allows users a Team Plan so users may share and collaborate with others. 

Registering for Feedly was simple!  

I signed in with my Google account and had immediate access to searching.  Navigating through the search results was clean and simple.  I was pleased with search results and was able to categorize my results.  Features such as “You might also like…” suggested other sites that fit my search.  Honestly, it takes me a little while to become comfortable with new programs.  I was able to learn quickly with this one.  As you will see on my findings for library blogs, my searches became stronger as I worked with the program. 

You can access Feedly:  https://feedly.com/i/discover

Information credited to:

Volvovski, V. (2019, April 23). The 10 Best Free RSS Reader Apps in 2018. Retrieved from https://zapier.com/blog/best-rss-feed-reader-apps/

Highlighted blogs I found using Feedly:

1.       The MHMS Daring School Library Blog: 

http://daringlibrary.edublogs.org/

As a future librarian that is more drawn to the elementary scene, I wanted to follow a blog who is in the middle school world.  This blog included reading lists and ideas for librarians.  The post “Makerspace For Little or Nothing” caught my eye.  My campus librarian is struggling with Makerspace materials, ideas, and how to incorporate it into the library.  This article gives librarians Makerspace ideas that are creative, affordable, and allows students to work their brains!  The article addresses real obstacles librarians face such as time, work space, and how to use everyday materials.  The article highlights questions to ask yourself while creating Makerspaces for students and how to get them excited and engaged. 

2.      The Daring Librarian:

https://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/

I was impressed with the amount of follows this blog has and the credentials of the blog.  The blog itself is visually appealing and easy to navigate.  The blog offers many features and resources along with the main posts.  I was drawn to the variety of posts.  This blogger seems very dynamic and futuristic.  Many followers comment about using her ideas and how it has impacted their libraries and lessons.  This blog made me excited to learn!

3.      Letters to a Young Librarian:

http://letterstoayounglibrarian.blogspot.com/

This blog had great ideas and resources for the new librarian.  New librarians can read about lessons and games, how to handle difficult situations, and even how to initiate one-on-one conversations with staff members.  I believe this will be a great resource for those of us starting from the beginning. 

4.      5 Minute Librarian:

http://www.5minlib.com/

The “5 Minute Librarian” is meant for quick reads.  Posts are to the point, easy to follow, and very informative.  I can see myself reading this blog very frequently for quick ideas and tips.  The blog features multiple tabs that covers all a librarian would want and need.  This includes book reviews and recommendations, technology, and even spoilers. 

5.       Elementary Librarian:

https://elementarylibrarian.com/blog/

This blog is very beneficial for elementary librarians.  It is unique in that it offers ideas from librarians all over.  Librarians are featured every month and are given a platform to give others advice and tips.  The diversity of ideas and perspectives is powerful to readers.  Lesson plans are featured on the homepage of the blog as well as embedded within posts. 

My new Tumblr:

https://kristialldaylibrary.tumblr.com/

I am trying new things!  Join me!