Thursday, February 27, 2014

Mind Mapping

I had never done mind mapping before this assignment, so this was new to me! I used three different websites to create mind maps, or webs, to summarize and organize the article that we read: "Mind Mapping as a Teaching Resource." Here are the websites that I used and webs that I created:

1. Spicynodes:



This site was fairly easy to use, however, I did not find the mind map options very attractive. It gave me the options to edit content, style, and details, and to preview the map before publishing. Although there were several style options, I didn't find any of them attractive. One thing I really did love about this site, was that when you go to edit content, you can view the information that you have mapped in a list form. It simply lists headings with expanders, and you are able to expand each section to view what is already under it or to add more. The other sites didn't offer this option and it really helped me to see the organization of my mind map.

2. Popplet:



This was BY FAR my favorite site for mind mapping. It could not been easier to use! The maps are very easy to manipulate and add to. You can quickly and easily change the map. Each bubble added to your web has 4 options on it. You can edit the font, shape, and color of each part of your web. You can also add pictures easily. There are many options on this site to help you personalize your webs. Some setting options include organization options for how the mind map appears, adding pics and videos, different viewing modes, export options, languages, and more. I also think that Popplet offers the most attractive maps of the three sites that I explored. The program is super easy to use, and it procudes easy to read maps for any audience. The bright colors and thick lines make the maps more attractive and more organized for readers. I would encourage students (young or old) to use this site for mindmapping. It is extremely easy to use and helpful.

Sadly, I can't seem to get the embed code to work properly form my favorite one! So here is the link: http://popplet.com/app/#/1681690

3. WiseMapping:


WiseMapping, by far, offers the most options for customizing and sharing your mind map. However, I felt like this site was the LEAST user-friendly site of all. I found it very difficult to do anything. Every time I wanted to add an idea, or edit the idea, or link the key words, I was having to try several things and fail several times before I got it right. It's not obvious like the other two sites. It also is not as attractive as the other sites. With all of that being said, the options on this site far outnumber the options available on the other sites. For instance, there's an undo button, which I love....especially since I made so many mistakes trying to figure out the program! :) You can decide the shape of each object, add and delete topics, change the colors of the topics and their borders. You can add notes or links to the topics, which is a great tool for using mind maps for teaching. One thing I liked a lot were the little icons you can add to your topics. For example, on my Writing Notes bubble, I was able to add a little sheet of paper with a pencil icon. There are also lots of sharing and exporting options, including embedding, links, Excel, PDF, or JPG. This also helps a lot when wanting to use your mind maps in the classroom. You can also add other users to your mind map and give them the ability to make changes as well. All in all, this is a great site, but it is just very difficult to use and not extremely attractive.

References:

Coopers, N., & Edwards, S. (2010). Mind mapping as a teaching resource. The Clinical Teacher, volume 7, (236-239). https://shsu.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-990916-dt-content-rid-3461631_1/courses/LSSL539101214/Mind%20Mapping%20as%20a%20Teaching%20Resources.pdf#page=1&zoom=auto,27,820

Monday, February 17, 2014

Videos and QR Codes in the Library

After looking through the YouTube channels that were suggested, I found many helpful videos that showed me how I can use videos for my library. Here are the four channels that I looked into, and my favorite videos from each:

Calypso Gilstrap

NHS Library Orientation:

This video is helpful to students because it gives them the library hours, the purpose of library, when to visit, what is needed to visit the library, check out procedures, violations to copyright and library rules, printing procedures and costs, and penalties for overdue materials. Students can use this video to learn about all things library for their school.

Norman High School Library Rocks:

Students will enjoy this video, because teens love to see themselves and their friends in a fun video. It also shows the librarians rocking out, and uses a fun platform to show students what the library has to offer. This video makes the library seem more appealing...not a boring place to be.

The Unquiet Library

Tutorial Video for Tillery: Power Point “How To” Basics:

This video may be made for a specific class, but it is also helpful to other students on this campus, or any campus for that matter. Students can use this tutorial on Power Point to learn how to present their research, import images, use text boxes, etc. It provides good basic knowledge for beginning Power Point users.

The Unquiet Library on Wheel @The Cafeteria:

Students will enjoy this video, again, because they like seeing themselves or their friends on video. Also, a mobile library is a cool concept and shows students that the librarian is willing to come to them. This librarian proves that she is invested in their lives and really wants them to enjoy reading.

Pikesvillehslibrary

2014-2015 Course Advisement:

This video is extremely helpful to high school students at this specific campus, because it goes over the requirements for all 4 years of high school. It is especially helpful to freshman coming in to get an overview of what will be expected all 4 years, and it's helpful as well as a review for all other grade levels. It talks about honors, GT, and AP courses, elective courses, internship opportunities, etc. They even use a video of a senior telling their experience with AP courses to give young students a peer example to hear from. They talk a lot about colleges and what they expect from applicants, and the school offers advising and a college fair to prepare for college applications. This is a very helpful video! 

The Panthers Library Shakes:
 
This is a fun version of the Harlam Shake made by students in the library. Again, students enjoy seeing themselves and their friends doing a fun video like this. It also gives the library appeal…it is a fun place to be! 

Bbmsmedia’s channel

Leviathan Review:

This video is helpful to students as a book review. The librarian is talking and introducing the book to his students, and then a professional media book review is shown. This review is appealing to students graphically. The librarian then closes the review with encouragement to check out the book. Great idea for all books!

Overdue Games:
 
Student will enjoy this video for sure! It is a hilarious way to encourage students to return overdue books! These students also made similar overdue videos using Twilight, Taylor Swift, and more. What a great idea to use pop culture to encourage students to return their books and warn them of the penalties involved in past due materials. It is an important message for library patrons wrapped up in a fun-to-watch package...clever! 

After checking out YouTube, I also learned how to use Animoto to create my own videos. Unfortunately, since I am only student teaching this semester, I do not have a school district email address, so I was unable to create an educators account. However, I did create a standard account, so I was only able to make a 30 second video. I will say that 30 seconds is not nearly enough to make a book trailer! I tried my best though! I created a short trailer for the following book...

Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the School Bus
by John Grandits



Here's a brief synopsis...
Kyle is dreading his first trip aboard the school bus. Luckily, his big brother, James, is a school bus expert. James gives Kyle ten rules for riding the bus that he absolutely, positively must obey if he wants to avoid getting laughed at or yelled at, pushed around, or even pounded. During his fateful ride, Kyle grapples with each unbreakable rule. Along the way, he discovers that the school bus isn’t so bad, and he may even have a thing or two to teach his brother.

Below is the short trailer that I created using Animoto. Simply scan the QR code with your smart phone, and it will direct you straight to my video trailer...
It was so easy to make this QR code! In researching about QR codes, I found out lots of neat things I can do with them once I have my library. I can use these codes on books to lead students to book trailers or book reviews. They could also link to author websites or even a list of books that students might enjoy if they enjoyed that title. I could use a QR code at the entrance to my library for students to scan to find out important information about the library, upcoming events, the library calendar, or even link students directly to the library web site or Facebook page. I can use QR codes on library displays to lead students to more information on books on the display or related works. Another good idea I found was using QR Codes to do a library scavenger hunt. There are many things I can do with QR codes, and I look forward to trying them!

Here are a couple of websites where I found these ideas:
 
This was a wonderful assignment! I enjoyed it a lot, and I can't wait to try out everything I've learned!