There are many practical ways to use videos such as ones made on YouTube to help students, administrators, staff, and community members in the library.
YouTube
One of the channels that I did some digging around on was the BBM Media channel. There were various videos on this site to view, some from the media specialist directly showing students how to do a bibliography or what the actual library looks like. However, the newest video was four years ago, so they can stand to be updated for sure. However, I felt like the video showing how to store headphones was the most helpful for students. I have seen this first hand when students don't know how to put things back so that it is sorted and stored correctly, plus it is super short so you would not lose their attention span. This is a great way to store headphones:
Working through the same YouTube Channel, one video that stood out to me that I felt like kids would really like is the Star Wars-themed return your missing books video. Star Wars has picked up a lot of popularity with students in the past two years due to DisneyPlus releasing things like The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. This has hyped them up a bit, so maybe it would help convince them to dig around for those missing books.
Another YouTube Channel that I filtered through a bit was the Pikesville High School Library. While these videos were also a bit outdated, I could see the benefit that they provided students at the time. One video that I felt like students benefited from was the Pikesville High School FAFSA video. We all know that leaving High School behind and heading to college can be scary, especially financially. So this video I feel benefited students by preparing them a little about the FAFSA experience.
One video on this channel that I think students really would enjoy was when they did a video highlighting the day they really got to focus on Hip Hop in literature and meet with Dillon from Flocabulary. In the video, they get to witness him doing some freestyle on library fees.
I could see how creating and using videos in the library would be super beneficial. One, it is the technology era for our students, so sometimes the best way to reach them is using technology. Second, you could easily promote new literature without having to print posters or try to find ways to have it around campus. You could simply make a video and then share it with all students via email or the school's website.
Using YouTube in the library is great because you can choose whether videos are private for a select group of audience members or public for the world to see. Some common ways I could see using YouTube in the library are:
Quick staff development videos (showing staff how to use programs)
Videos for students on check-out/check-in procedures
Highlighting authors or particular books
Hyping up an upcoming event such as a book fair
Book reviews
Spotlights on students/staff that read
QR Codes
There are many QR-generating sites out there and most are FREE! Some popular and easy-to-use sites are:
However, my favorite to use is a simple Google Extension called "QR Code Generator." I am an avid Google user and for me, having this extension ready and available on my toolbar is super convenient.
A quick "what is a QR code" is a machine-readable code that allows a user to scan with their phone or tablet and it takes them directly to the website attached to the QR code.
A librarian could use QR codes near the circulation table to link to a Google Form where students could request particular types of books be added to the collection or have a survey-type feedback form available to hear from the patrons. It is something that will not take up a lot of space like a stack of paper surveys would.
Pigging backing on the YouTube idea of creating videos to push out information to students, you could create QR codes to give them quick access to those videos. You could have QR codes around the school, or near sections in the library highlighting some top reads. If you are lucky enough to have student helpers in the library, I'm sure they would love to ability to create quick "book talk" videos and use QR codes to share those with other students. Below is an example of what a student or the librarian could create (I used Animoto to create this video) and share via a QR code for others to enjoy.
The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee
(Book synopsis provided by Goodreads)
By day, seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan works as a lady's maid for the cruel daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Atlanta. But by night, Jo moonlights as the pseudonymous author of a newspaper advice column for the genteel Southern lady, "Dear Miss Sweetie." When her column becomes wildly popular, she uses the power of the pen to address some of society's ills, but she's not prepared for the backlash that follows when her column challenges fixed ideas about race and gender. While her opponents clamor to uncover the secret identity of Miss Sweetie, a mysterious letter sets Jo off on a search for her own past and the parents who abandoned her as a baby. But when her efforts put her in the crosshairs of Atlanta's most notorious criminal, Jo must decide whether she, a girl used to living in the shadows, is ready to step into the light. With prose that is witty, insightful, and at times heartbreaking, Stacey Lee masterfully crafts an extraordinary social drama set in the New South.
Enjoy my book trailer over The Downstairs Girl created by using Animoto. Simply scan the QR code below to go straight to the trailer - enjoy!
https://animoto.com/play/08PT9y9LjN7iXoJyjcw9eg
Animoto
This is a free site, for the most part, that allows you video-creating options. It really is beneficial to educators in any stance and with an educator account, your videos can be longer than the regular free of 30 seconds. This is a great tool to share with students and have them turn their book talks into a quick book review video. When I stated it is free for the most part, it is because there are only a few options available that are not "pro" versions; however, I think with enough persuading a district might be inclined to purchase this for a librarian to be able to get even more book trailers out there for others.
Conclusion
In conclusion, with new technology advances every day there are so many ways to use YouTube, Animoto, and QR codes in the library. There are endless possibilities with using the QR code in and out of the librarian. Something not mentioned earlier is using QR codes to direct administrators to be able to view something in an agenda or even community members being able to view an event video by scanning a QR code on a newsletter.
Thank you for sharing so many valuable thoughts about videos and QR codes. We thought of a lot of similar ways to use videos in the library, but I really like your ideas about using videos for quick staff development, to show students check-out/check-in procedures, and hyping up an upcoming event such as a book fair. I will definitely be adding these to my toolbox for the upcoming school year. Additionally, your suggestion to use a QR code near the circulation desk that links to a Google Form for book suggestions or a survey for library feedback is something I had never thought of. However, it sounds very appealing because it eliminates paper, like you stated, and it provides the results in one, easy-to-access location.
Also, thank you for creating such a great book trailer for the book "Downstairs Girl". I read that book in the spring, and you did an excellent job drawing readers in, especially with the images and music, and making them want to read it (I want to read it again after watching your trailer)! The only suggestion I would make is to move the text when it gets covered up by the Animoto logo because the logo makes the text hard to read and is a bit of a distraction. Overall though, I really enjoyed it!
Your ideas for YouTube are accurate as they can be used for many purposes in the education world. I like the idea of involving students with this because it relays the idea that Youtube isn't only used for silly, leisure time. Students need to know there are other options out there.
I really enjoyed looking at the videos you picked. It is true that even the simplest of things sometimes need a little explaining. I picked the Star Wars video for my blog as well, I thought it was so funny. I'm very new to Animoto and I wish I could have figured out how to add more text to my video. I only added the number of spaces it would allow me to. After seeing your video there is a way I just did not see it. Thank you, I always enjoy visiting your site.
Oh my goodness! Your book trailer is fantastic! Watching everyone's trailers has been more fun than making my own! I am so intrigued by this book. I will definitely check it out! I also chose to post the Star Wars videos. You just can't go wrong with that as a theme! Even if students aren't really huge fans, they do have a general idea of who the characters are and what part they play in the storyline! Your suggestions for possible uses for QR codes are great as well. I like the idea of utilizing them for access to live events taking place in the library. That makes it easy for everyone in the community to participate! :)
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https://animoto.com/play/08PT9y9LjN7iXoJyjcw9eg
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Thank you for sharing so many valuable thoughts about videos and QR codes. We thought of a lot of similar ways to use videos in the library, but I really like your ideas about using videos for quick staff development, to show students check-out/check-in procedures, and hyping up an upcoming event such as a book fair. I will definitely be adding these to my toolbox for the upcoming school year. Additionally, your suggestion to use a QR code near the circulation desk that links to a Google Form for book suggestions or a survey for library feedback is something I had never thought of. However, it sounds very appealing because it eliminates paper, like you stated, and it provides the results in one, easy-to-access location.
ReplyDeleteAlso, thank you for creating such a great book trailer for the book "Downstairs Girl". I read that book in the spring, and you did an excellent job drawing readers in, especially with the images and music, and making them want to read it (I want to read it again after watching your trailer)! The only suggestion I would make is to move the text when it gets covered up by the Animoto logo because the logo makes the text hard to read and is a bit of a distraction. Overall though, I really enjoyed it!
Your ideas for YouTube are accurate as they can be used for many purposes in the education world. I like the idea of involving students with this because it relays the idea that Youtube isn't only used for silly, leisure time. Students need to know there are other options out there.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed looking at the videos you picked. It is true that even the simplest of things sometimes need a little explaining. I picked the Star Wars video for my blog as well, I thought it was so funny. I'm very new to Animoto and I wish I could have figured out how to add more text to my video. I only added the number of spaces it would allow me to. After seeing your video there is a way I just did not see it. Thank you, I always enjoy visiting your site.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Your book trailer is fantastic! Watching everyone's trailers has been more fun than making my own! I am so intrigued by this book. I will definitely check it out! I also chose to post the Star Wars videos. You just can't go wrong with that as a theme! Even if students aren't really huge fans, they do have a general idea of who the characters are and what part they play in the storyline! Your suggestions for possible uses for QR codes are great as well. I like the idea of utilizing them for access to live events taking place in the library. That makes it easy for everyone in the community to participate! :)
ReplyDelete