Videos and QR Codes in the Library

This week I spent some time exploring how videos and QR codes can be used the library.  I specifically worked with YouTube and Animoto which are both excellent video tools.

YouTube

I first explored YouTube and researched how school libraries are using this tool.  My focus was to look for videos that would be helpful to students and videos that the students would like the best.  These schools are using YouTube channels to reach students in their libraries:

Calypso Gilstrap:  Norman High School - https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNHSLibrary/videos

“How to use EBSCO Host” is a screencast by the librarian who shows students how to use this site to conduct research.  It had a high number of views which led me to believe student’s probably refer to it when needed.  The screencast is narrated and walks students through using EBSCO Host effectively.  With education’s high push for more research skills in the school system, I felt this video was extremely helpful to students.

"Norman Public Schools Celebrates Your Freedom to Read" is a powerful video showing teachers reading excerpts from frequently challenged or banned books from the past.  I believe this video would be very intriguing to students who would see books they love and grew up with, only to learn there may at one time have been a possibility of have never been allowed to read it.

The Unquiet Library:  Creekview High School - https://www.youtube.com/user/theunquietlibrary/videos

This YouTube channel has many videos to view.  The videos ranged from tutorial screencasts on how to do or use something the library offers, student reflections of programs and tools, and much more!  The video "How to Add a Web-Based Video", is one I found to be the most helpful to students had over 2 thousand views.  The channel offers many tutorials, but I thought this one would be a skill many students would need to know how to do and have a place to refer too.

"What Makes a Library a Library, Volume 1" is a video I thought students would like the best.  It had an impressive amount of views!  This video is of the students getting interviewed on what makes a library a library.  I think students would like to see their peers explaining the positive atmosphere the library has to offer.  It is also interesting to see how the "norms" of a library changing and evolving.

Pikesville High School Library - https://www.youtube.com/user/pikesvillehslibrary/videos

This YouTube channel has several videos to view.  The video I found to be most helpful to students was "2013-2014 Registration Process".  Although it is out of date, the concept of creating a video that ALL students will need to refer to during a stressful process of registration is incredibly helpful.  The video walked students through the process, showed examples, and gave easy instructions to avoid confusion and future conflicts with scheduling.

"AVID Pimp My Binder 2012" was a very creative video with over 8 thousand views, and also sent a great message about organization.  The video is a copy cat of MTV's "Pimp My Ride" and mirrors many of the same aspects of the show.  The message sent is about organization and how important it is for student success.  I can see students getting excited to watch a video that mimicked a hot show.

bbmsmedia:  Bonnie Branch Middle School - https://www.youtube.com/user/bbmsmedia/videos

This YouTube channel is full of helpful and VERY entertaining videos!  Many of the videos are parody's of famous songs, singers, or well-known commercials about library issues, mostly the issue of overdue books.  The video I found to be the most helpful for students was "Noodle Tools-How to make a website citation" because this is a skill many students are using and will need to use it correctly.

Selecting a video that students would like the best was a challenge on this channel.  The students created hilarious videos with themes ranging from Lady Gaga, the Old Spice commercial, Twilight, and even the Hunger Games.  I considered the most views for this decision and felt that the video reminding student to turn in library books with the song "Return Them, Maybe" would be the best selection considering it had over 3 thousand views.  The best part of the video was the end, where the students said the song will know be stuck in your head to help you remember to bring books back...and it's so true!

As a future librarian, I plan to use YouTube as a great tool to help support the library.  Making tutorials for students on how to use the resources the library has to offer is a great place for students to refer to with questions.  I love the ideas I came across while viewing these YouTube channels.  Student made videos that reflect on tools in the library and showcase what the library has to offer is a great way to involve students and to take ownership in advocating for the media center.  I can see how book trailers, interviews, and creative videos about the library can help aid the library to better support the school, students, staff, and community.

Animoto

Another video service I explored was Animoto.  I chose to create a book trailer using Animoto over "Mikey and the Dragons" by Jocko Willink.  Using Animoto for this first time user was fairly easy and the free trial offers many features.

Book Synopsis:
"Little Mikey is scared of everything.  He's certain there are creepy crawlies hidden under the rug.  He sleeps with his light on to keep the monsters at bay.  He's scared of sharks and snakes--even ladders and and slides--and it all makes him incredibly sad.  But, when he stumbles upon an old book that tells the tale of a young boy prince that volunteers to protect his king-less kingdom from hordes of dragons, there's a change Mikey might discover that his fears are not quite as big as they seem..." - Amazon

The QR code below will take you to the video I created using Animoto

QR Codes

QR codes are used all over the place including schools and libraries.  After researching how libraries are using this tool, I got some great ideas on how I can use them in the library.  I could use QR codes to provide access to special needs resources.  The uses for teachers and their curriculum is endless!  QR codes can be tied into outdoor education for P.E. and science teachers.  Concepts can be linked together through QR code thinking maps and timelines.  Spanish language audio services for translations can all be accessed through QR codes.  I personally love the idea of students scanning a QR code to preview a book their are considering checking out.

I was excited to see how much these tools can enhance a library program.  I can't wait to explore each one more and continue to find new ways to incorporate them in my library.

Resources

 Lamb, A., & Johnson, L. (2013). QR Codes in the School Library: A Dozen Practical Uses. Teacher Librarian, 40(3), 63–67. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.shsu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eue&AN=85445403&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Enjoy!!!