Screencasting

As I have been creating resources for the media center, I find myself using screencasting tools more and more. If you are not familiar with this term, here is a quick definition (from wikipedia.org). 

Screencasting: A screencast is a digital recording of computer screen output, also known as video screen capture, often containing audio narration.

The screencapture tool that I have found very easy to use is ScreencastOMatic. You can record directly from the ScreencastOMatic website with no registration. You do have the option of downloading the free software and/or creating an account. Screencasting can be used for:

• Creating tutorials
• Showing students how to access software or web resources
• Discussing any resource that you can open on your computer or device – websites, documents, spreadsheets, images, etc.

The videos can then be linked on your website so that students can review them as needed.

Students can also use screencasting for projects, for example, demonstrating their understanding of a resource, concept or image.

Kathy Shrock has a comprehensive web page of screencasting resources:

Kathy Shrock’s Guide to Everything – Screencasting in the classroom.

In her blog, Kathy's Katch - Screencasting for ecducators, she also gives some practical advice on getting started.

One recommendation I have is to start small. I found that breaking information into multiple screencasts worked best for me. Otherwise I found myself fumbling sentences and saying some very strange things…

Brainstorming

As I was contemplating my next post, I thought of how students (and adults) can benefit from assistance with developing ideas and plans. So the next tools I'm going to write about have to do with brainstorming, capturing input as well as organizing thoughts and ideas. They are listed on the RHS Media website on the Web Tools tab as well.

bubbl.us is an easy to use site for quickly adding and mapping ideas. Maps can be saved or exported as an image (JPEG) file.

padlet (formerly Wallwisher) is self described as "paper for the web". Comments and ideas can be instantly captured on a topic. Contributions can be anonymous if needed. You can try this tool out here. 

Realtime Board is described as a "white board" for your browser. This tool is a bit more complex to use. But it does tie in to Google Drive. Boards can be shared for collaborative work. They can also be downloaded as an image (JPEG).  

spiderscribe.net is an easy to use brainstorming tool. Multi-media elements such as text, files, images, maps and calendar events can quickly be added. Work can be shared for collaboration, downloaded as an image file (JPEG) or printed.

TodaysMeet is a great tool for capturing ideas, comments and questions in real time. It's also easy to set up and use. Try it out here. No registration required.

NoodleTools (school login info) and Prezi are also possible options for brainstorming and organizing thoughts. The Notecard Table Top in NoodleTools lets students add and organize ideas and information. This program is also a great research project tool where students can manage their work, store resources, get assistance with citing sources and much more. It also ties in well with the Common Core standards. Click on the link above for logging in. Contact me for more information. 


Prezi is typically thought of as a presentation tool. But text, files, images and videos can easily be captured and organized in the work space. Prezis can also be shared for collaboration, saved, printed, etc. 

Got books?

With winter break quickly approaching, you may have some readers on your gift list, or maybe you’re just looking forward to reading a good book during the time off. So this week I’m including a number of reading sources.

This first link is the transcript of a lecture given by Neil Gaiman – author of numerous graphic novels, and award winning books including The Graveyard Book, Coraline and Anansi Boys. It’s truly inspiring. OK, I may be biased about the library part.

Neil Gaiman: Why our future depends on libraries, reading and daydreaming
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/15/neil-gaiman-future-libraries-reading-daydreaming


Next are a couple websites that may give you some ideas about “what to read next”. Or as the second source put it, “…I just want to know what my niece is talking about…”

What should I read next? – enter the name of a book or author to figure out “what to

read next”

http://whatshouldireadnext.com/

So you’d like to read a YA novel… - click on the text options to find out your next YA book (I heard about this chart from a few people)

http://www.vulture.com/includes/3/daily/vulture/2013/10/flowchart/flowchart.html


And for those of you who find it difficult to keep track of all the YA series out there, the following website is an extensive resource that is easy to use

Juvenile Series and Sequels
http://www.mymcpl.org/books-movies-music/juvenile-series


I recently came across the following blog and will definitely be referencing it in the future for book purchases – a teen blogger who reviews “…books about people of color (poc)”

Reading in Color – this link is for the booklist page
http://blackteensread2.blogspot.com/p/booklists.html

In case you’re not sure if our students are reading, check out this interactive article based on a report from the Pew Research Center

Interactive Chart: American Teenagers Read More Books
http://ebookfriendly.com/interactive-chart-how-americans-reading-habits-change-over-time/


The book list resources can also be found on the RHS Media Center website. 

Thank you for all you do to inspire our students to read!

Databases and blogs - oh my!

Databases and blogs

You might be asking why I am writing about databases and blogs together (maybe that's a librarian thing...) since databases are collections of credible data and information for student research. While a blog (a shortened version of “web log”) can be written by anyone about their experiences, opinions, etc. So potentially credible, but they are not always a good source for research and must be evaluated - check out Hennepin County Library's Databases vs. Websites on evaluating web resources.

Databases

• I have updated the database page on the RHS media center site. You can check out the new version here. 

• I also added a link up in the right-hand corner that explains how to access the databases on and off site. Users will need to sign into their Richfield Google Apps account to see this information.

• For accessing the databases that are provided by the state (Gale and EBSCO), users must enter a public library card number when not at school. This is to verify that they are in the state of Minnesota since the state is paying for us to use them.

• Please let me know if you have any suggestions for improving this page.

Blog

• I have finally put the last couple tech write-ups in an informational blog format so it’s more accessible: Library Without Borders

• I’ve also included some links on the right for your use. These links can be found on the RHS Media website too. 

• Again, let me know if you have any suggestions for this site.

VOCABULARY RESOURCES

The following sites can help students (or anyone) improve their vocabulary in different subject areas.

  

You have probably used dictionary.com, but have you tried their Word Dynamo (link above the search box)? Use this tool to test your knowledge of words at different grade levels. I use thesaurus.com a great deal when writing as well. Can create a free account. Has apps.

Flashcard Stash – Scroll down to the Popular Lists and Categories to select an area to study. Or click on “View all” in the in Popular Lists to find an exact category. Once the topic has been chosen, there are a number of game formats to try. Can create a free account.

Knoword – Challenge your word knowledge by guessing words based on their definition. Can create a free account.

VocabAhead – Students can use the Study Room to learn and practice vocabulary in a number of formats. Teachers click on the Teacher tab for directions on how to create customized lists. Can create a free account. Has apps.

MyVocabulary.com – Resources for both students and teachers including word lists, puzzles, lesson plans and more.

More of a visual learner? Try out Lexipedia or Visuwords to see words represented in a graphic organizer format. 

Now an update on the Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year for 2013:

And the winner is…

A Few Tech (and not so technical Terms

A Few Tech (and some not so technical) Terms*

Audio book – a book that has been recorded so that it can be listened to on a device

BYOD – bring your own device, as in mobile device

Crowdsourcing – soliciting services, ideas, etc. from a large group (often online)

Dead tree version – printed on paper

eBook – a book in an electronic format that can be read on a device

Emoji – digital version of the smiley face

Emoticon – smiley face made using a keyboard :-)

Hashtag – when using a social networking site such as Twitter or Instagram, inserting a hashtag (#) before a word or group of words “tags” the term and makes it searchable on the site

Hot spot – an area with a good wireless signal

Huge pipes – large bandwidth, i.e. can handle a large amount of network traffic

Instagram – photo / video sharing social networking site

Phablet – a large smart phone or smart phone / tablet hybrid

Photobomb – when “someone” messes with your photo, like this squirrel…

Selfie – photo that you take of yourself

Here are a few more terms that were added to the Oxford Dictionary this year

Cake pops – cake on a stick!

Dad dancing… does this need an explanation?

Fomo – fear of missing out

Omnishambles (UK word of the year for 2012) – “a situation that has been comprehensively mismanaged, characterized by a string of blunders and miscalculations”

Digital detox – unplugging from technology

Tl;dr – too long; didn’t read

Now before you start thinking tl;dr about this post, here is some brief information on terms that are helpful for educators to know:

24 Ed-Tech Terms You Should Know

http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2012/12/24-ed-tech-terms-you-should-know

And

17 Tech Terms Connected Educators Must Know

http://www.edudemic.com/17-tech-terms-connected-educators-must-know/

*Source:

28 August 2013: Oxford Dictionaries Online quarterly update: new words added to oxforddictionaries.com today

http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/august-2013-update/