Final Reflection

Many of these websites and apps that I have blogged about were once just random tools that I would frequently hear about. However, I have really learned to understand how to use each digital technology tool and how to implement them into the curriculum so students start to become connected creators. I think that it is important that I demonstrate the different uses the tools have to assist students in their learning. I have enjoyed learning about the ways that digital tools can enhance the creative works of students and teachers. It has been interesting to learn all the various ways each of these tools can be used in the curriculum throughout all subjects.

Digital Tools That Excited Me the Most:

I am very excited about Flipagram. When I first used Flipagram, I was frustrated because I could not figure out how to use it and I couldn’t see how it was very beneficial for students. However, I continued to use it in my role as a teacher this year and realized teachers could actually use this application for a reluctant student. My student was not wanting to read his sight words, but I thought Flipagram would be a great way to motivate him to read them. He enjoyed being able to take the pictures of the words, set it to music and watch his creation. I loved being able to see this first hand as a teacher and see how it truly could be used to assist all students in various ways. I have definitely not perfected Flipagram, but I will continue to use it, when I am a librarian, and see all the great ways it can be used in a library and classroom. I am also excited about podcasts. This is a tool I believe that most teachers and students do not know about, or may not understand how to use. I can't wait to teach the school community all the creative ways and possibilities podcasts can be used in all the subject areas.

Digital Tools That Were the Most Difficult:

Infograpghics was the most difficult for me. Although it was not my first time using them, I still cannot seem to be able to think creatively and produce a well-designed infograpghic. Even with the different websites available to create them, I still do not feel comfortable creating an interesting informative infographic. However, I feel that they serve as a great way for students to actually stop and read information and text. I am not a creative person, and I feel that continuing to practice with infographics will enhance my creativity as it will with students.

Digital Tools That Will Most Benefit Students:

I believe that screencasts and Cartoons and Comics will benefits students the most. With screencasts, students can be the teacher and show other students various things they produced such as research findings, and anything else that they want to showcase on the computer. Cartoons and Comics are beginning to make their way back into the education world.  They are not new but the way they are being used is new to students. Students can use cartoons and comics in any subject area. For example: they can be used to teach sequencings in ELA, or a particular skill in math. The possibilities are endless which makes this tool beneficial to students.

I am very eager to teach the students and teachers about all these new digital tools, use the tools in the curriculum, and use them throughout the library as well. Learning about new tools that are always being created is something I will ensure I am consistently doing in my library. These tools can only enhance and benefit a student’s learning and a teacher’s teaching.

Podcasts

Podcasts are considered serial recordings. It is similar to blogging, but in audio form. Podcasts can focus on any topic or subject. They have become a popular digital technology toll used in the classroom. A few popular educational Podcasts are TED Talks, RadioLab, and StarTalk Radio. A challenge to be considered if creating a podcast is that it will be difficult for students to record their voice if they do not have a microphone or cell phone with recording capabilities. A recording device would need to be provided if students do not have access.

SoundCloud: I created a free account with this podcast website. This site was user-friendly and I was able to quickly upload my audio recording to SoundCloud. I recorded my voice using the microphone on the desktop computer. Once I saved the file to the desktop, I was able to upload the audio file to SoundCloud with ease, and gave the Podcast a title. I created a Book Talk Podcast on the book Deadline by Chris Crutcher.

Pod-O-matic: This site offers a free account, but it can be upgraded to the Pro account. The Pro account is a monthly free of $8.32 that allows 100 GB of bandwidth and 2 GB of storage. It was easy to set up an account and the fluidity of the site was easy to navigate. When students create their own podcast, Pod-O-matic shows the five steps the user will take to get their podcast published.

Podbean: I am fairly familiar with Podbean since I have used it before. Podbean is also straightforward like the other Podcasting websites. Students can sign up with their Facebook, Twitter, and Google account. Students can also sign-up use any email account as well. With all these different ways of logging in, adding a podcast into a blog or social media site is easy to do.

My favorite podcast website was Podbean. I enjoyed all three of them, but Podbean was the easiest to manipulate. These podcasting websites are a great way to engage students in their learning. Here are a few ways podcasting could be used in the library:

-Student radio shows

-Book talks

-Have students promote the library

-Create a current events newscast

-Students can interview teachers or new students

Cartoons and Comics

In the 1940s comic books were viewed as dangerous and were banned from shelves. However, comics are making their way back into libraries and into the hands of students. It has been shown by experts that comic strips and books support students with their literacy and overall love of reading. Many times struggling readers will turn to comics due to the easy-to-follow layout. I reviewed three different websites where students and teachers can create their own comic strip.

ToonDoo: This was a free website that simply required you to sign up. At first, trying to figure out how to get started was a bit confusing. Saving and sharing was easy for me to do. Once I figured out how to sign up and begin making the cartoon, it was a fairly easy process. One thing I thought was a great feature, was that students can read other users comic that they created. There are many options for the student to use to create the cartoon such as changing facial expressions. Because of this, I would recommend this for upper elementary students and older.

Here is my ToonDoo creation:

Pixton: I signed up for the free version. This site was very difficult for me to navigate and figure out. You are able to save, but I found that I also had to make sure to publish to save. There were many various ways a student could create their characters and comic strips. It took me quite some time to figure this website out and I still feel like I did not get a grasp on how to use more detail in my comic. Due to complexity of this website, I would recommend this for high school aged students.

Here is my Pixton comic:

Make Beliefs Comix: This site did not require any login to begin making this comic. There is no way to save the work and return to it later. It had to be completed in one sitting. This is something teachers need to be aware of with their class. This website was easy to use and fairly basic. There were not many options as far as characters and backgrounds. The website does have lesson plans and writing prompts teachers can access.This could be especially useful for younger elementary students.

Here is my Make Beliefs Comix:

After creating cartoons and comics with these three sites, I definitely enjoyed using the ToonDoo the best. Overall, it was user friendly, easy to use, and had many options to choose from. Here are ways teachers could use comics and cartoons in their classroom:

-Students create their own book

-Introduce sequential order

-Assist with vocabulary

-Students can practice their social skills

-Create an autobiography comic

-Students can learn literary devices such as setting, character, and plot

-For ESL students, comics can be used as visual aids