Media (is) the message?

Technology is everywhere in the world we live in and continues to progress as the years pass by. Does technology influence student learning? This is the debate that has been going on between Clark and Kozma for years. Clark believes that media is a way to deliver instruction and will not influence learning and student achievement while Kozma believes that there is a relationship between media and learning.

I agree with Kozma and believe that his argument does a better job at recognizing how 21^st Century learners learn.  I believe that how and what we learn can and is influenced by the media and that through technology students are able to have greater achievement. Kozma makes a valid point and discusses how technology changes over time, which means it is important as librarians and educators that we take the time to understand how this impacts future generations of students. Over time, as technology changes so have the way students learn and grow. As educators, we are now living in a 21^st century world where learners have used technology from a young age and have grown up with the knowledge of how to use technology in a way that best supports them. They’re lives have been emerged with technology and influenced by the media and resulted in them being referred to “digital natives” as they are more aware of the differing technology and its benefits.

Learners have grown up with having access to books, computers, television, Ipads, smart phones, and internet connections that they can use for communication with others, gaining information and entertainment. With the ability to have access to these devices, they are able to use webcams, apps, social media sites, and access the news, pictures, magazines, videos, and more. Media allow users to learn information through books, computers, television, and other multimedia applications.

The topic of technology was brought up recently while discussing with some fellow educators and I can’t help but think of how much technology has truly influenced this generation of learners. Children are learning more things from the internet and television than I have ever seen before beginning as babies, who are learning words, how to read, their colors. My friend’s daughter loved her Baby Einstein videos growing up and does a better job at working her mommy’s smartphone than she does it without needing an instruction book.  Adults who may not have grown up with some of the same technologies are also learning with technology on how to cook a meal, change a car battery, or even solve a math problem. Different types of media and technology also have an advantage in the classroom as they help learners learn new skills like computer programs and basic skills, help to reinforce the content area skill that is being taught and can allow a learner to think creatively when addressing a higher order question.

Media is going to continue to change and impact the way people learn as the years pass. I love how there are different programs and technology resources that I can access to learn material or my students can access for educational purposes to help their learning progress. Media is important and will continue to be an important piece that is integrated into the daily lives of educators and learners as technology continues to progress. It will be important for me as a librarian to teach and give support to those who need help integrating technology and understand that media has an influence on the learning that takes place.

Resources:

Kozma, R.B. (1994). The influence of Media on Learning: The Debate Continues. School Library Media Quarterly, 22(4). Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/aaslpubsandjournals/slr/edchoice/SLMQ_InfluenceofMediaonLearning_InfoPower.pdf

The media debate. (2012,August 30). Retrieved from http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/The_media_debate

Podcasts

I was able to explore using podcasts and listening to different podcasts  this week. I have some experience using podcasts, but still find it a bit overwhelming to do. There are alot of things to consider when making a podcast, like time, the audience, and the material. It still takes me some time to write out my script, so it can be recorded for the podcasts and not too long so they aren't boring. I like the idea that podcasts can be downloaded at anytime to be listened to by anyone. Through exploring the various websites, I think I've found some great examples of how podcasts can be used in the classroom like helping with teaching a new concept and lecturing. I think using a podcast would be a fun way to use technology and great for kids to download and listen to at home when doing homework or in a station to review concepts. The students can also do a podcast as a biography project or whatever they put they're minds to! The downfalls to a podcast for me would simply be having the technology available and time for the kids to create one.

SoundCloud- This site gave a free trial and was easy to use. The user can search for other's music and soundclouds to listen to. It is user friendly and gave a good amount of time for recordings. 

AudioBoo- This was an app that you can download and create a free account for. I liked that they give you suggestions for what you may want to follow. It was simple to record a 10 minute podcast and publish and I think students will definitely enjoy using. 

Podomatic- Very easy to sign up with my Facebook account! You are able to search through other people's creations, but you upload your file from your computer to save.

I chose to use Garage Band for this post simple because it is something I have used in the past and worked best for me. However, during the school year I think I would use AudioBoo as I felt this was more user friendly for students. 

Check out my podcast on the order of the planets that can be used for Science. 

Cartoons and Comics

ToonDo

I found ToonDo to be fairly simple to navigate once I went through the instructions for how to begin my comic. It took some time to make the comic due to trying to position and place my characters and words. I liked having everything located at the top, so I could see the different choices of backgrounds, characters, etc. I think that the characters differing between people and animals would make this site interesting for children and appeal to them. When I finished my comic it took me some time to save, but I'm not sure if it was simply because of my computer. I liked being able to use different backgrounds in each panel at my choosing. I think I would gear this comic towards younger students even though anyone can use this site due to the type of characters presented.

Pixton

This site was free with registration, but I think to really get the best comics you would have to later buy an upgrade. I also went through the beginning instructions and found this to be easier for me to navigate than the others. Also, saving this comic didn't take a lot of time and was done quickly. I really liked the ease of this site and the variety of characters, backgrounds, and panelings. The one thing that I did like alot was being able to change my character's faces and not having to change the position or change the position if I wanted to. I think older students would really enjoy this site as it seems geared more for that upper elementary/secondary group.


 Make Beliefs Comix

I really liked that I did not have to sign up for an account for this and could simply go tot the site and make a comic. I think this would be great for kids, especially if they can't remember a login. The site like the others was also easy to use, but even without reading the beginning instructions.However, because I didn't read any instructions I was unaware that I could scroll through the speech bubbles and character expressions instead of choosing whatever was given on the screen. I had to delete twice, but once I understood it was simple to use. I didn't like that I didn't get much variety like I expected, but I liked how easy and simple it was to save my work.

In the future

I think I'd like to use comics now after getting the chance to play around with them for this assignment in my classroom. The kids enjoy making them on the Ipads, but I have never incorporated them into my lesson. I can see myself using Pixton or Make Beliefs Comix more to help retell a story, focus on theme, biography project,  or just allowing kids to have a Fun Friday activity.

Videos and QR Codes in the Library

YouTube

I love searching through the numerous videos on YouTube for educational and personal purposes. YouTube provides instructional videos, entertainment and viewers choice to anyone who chooses to search through it. I love using the videos to serve as a hook to my lessons or even re explain a method to students. There are several different channels that provide this for students and educators. Through my search I was able to find tutorial videos that will help students with research, citations, learning about their school and their amazing library programs.

1.  The NHS Library
           a.  Helpful:  Getting Started with the NHS Library Website-  I think this video would be helpful for students to learn how to access the school’s website, how to login and find the school resources.
           b.  Appealing: Tiger Visits the Norman High Library I can see students viewing this video simply because it uses the school’s mascot and will intrigue any viewer because they want to see what Tiger will do. Once viewing, they will get a chance to see all the things Tiger likes to do in the library like read a book, meet with friendly staff, and play games with friends.

2.  The Unquiet Library
           a.  Helpful: Citing a Digital Image in Easy Bib- This is a great tutorial video to help teach students how to cite images.  I still find citing pictures to be a difficult concept, so this tutorial is a great help.        

b.  Appealing:Creative Commons Licensing: What is it & Why Should I Care-This video will appeal to students because of its upbeat music, use of color and quick images that give information about the topic of creative commons.

3.  Pikesville HS Library
           a.  Helpful: 2014-15 Course Advisement – Although it is an old video I think this would be helpful for students because it gives information on the school’s courses available to students. It shows how to register for classes for the upcoming school year and would be great if updated every year as new classes are made.

           b.  Appealing:  Hip Hop Day@ The Panthers Library-  This is a fun video for students to be able to see themselves on video participating in a school event. It also shows how the school library is used for other sources and get kids excited to be in the library.

 
4.  BBMS Media
           a.  Helpful:  Creating a Website Citation -  This video shows students a step by step how to in creating a citation for a website that can be accessed at school or at home for reference.  
           b.  Appealing: Hotline Overdue Drake Library Parody- I think this will have kids entertained. It is a great student created music video that reminds students to turn in their overdue books to the library set to popular music and dance moves.

Animoto

Animoto is a free resource tool that educators can use to integrate into the classroom. I used it to create a book trailer for one of the most popular books read in middle school using text and picture.  Students can use Animoto to create their own book trailers, use for class projects, a video book summary, and short film.

QR Codes

Using QR Codes is a fun way to promote technology and BYOD in the school setting. I have used QR Cods for an interactive lesson that gets kids out of their seats and collaborating with others in the classroom. I created a QR Code for this assignment to view my book trailer, but they can be used in other ways in the classroom and library to promote the school website and library website, book scavenger hunts, book reviews with video of author readings, and classroom lessons.

My book trailer was done on the book:  The Schwa Was Here by Neal Shusterman. Synopsis and book cover provided from Goodreads.

They say if you stare at him long enough, you can see what’s written on the wall behind him. They say a lot of things about the Schwa, but one thing’s for sure: no one ever noticed him. Except me. My name is Antsy Bonano—and I can tell you what’s true and what’s not, ’cause I was there. I was the one who realized the Schwa was “functionally invisible” and used him to make some big bucks. But I was also the one who caused him more grief than a friend should. So if you all just shut up and listen, I’ll spill everything. Unless, of course, "the Schwa Effect" wipes him out of my brain before I'm done....

Instagram, Vine, and Screencasts

Technology is fun, exciting, and something that isn't widely used in the classrooms. It may seem intimidating and a strange concept to someone who has never used it before, but the tools and apps mentioned below are a great way to integrate technology into any lesson.  

Instagram

Instagram is just one great way educators can use social media in the classroom and library. This generation of students are already familiar with Instagram and know how to snap and add photos of things that you assign for them do and add to the popular app. This app can be used in a number of different ways as there are other apps that can be used with it to use text and music. Instagram can be used to keep parents up to date on what is going on in their child’s education. Teachers are able to post assignments or activities that they have completed, can use it to spotlight student work and achievement, and use it for classroom lessons. Librarians could use Instagram to promote the library happenings, showcase the book fair and other community events, entice readers with new books in the collection, and more. The schools could use this to post photos of school events and programs like Awards night and Black History Program. Instagram is a great tool and I enjoy using this app from time to time especially around the holidays to share pictures with friends.Above you can see how the school librarian used Instagram to generate a buzz and show students teachers read too!  Here is a photo that I posted to my Instagram over this July 4th weekend.

Vine

This is a site that I have heard several of my students talk about and actually seen post videos to, but have never taken the time to actually understand it.  I knew that the app allowed for the user to create and share short videos that were comedic, entertaining, or informative.  This app was not difficult to sign up for and only asked me to use my email or Twitter. I think the app itself will be great for educators to use and share with students, especially to give them something different to view and a new method of learning. This app would be great to use for a hook or attention grabber to a lesson because of how quick the videos are. Students could take information they learned and make a video as an exit ticket to summarize what they took from a lesson. It is easy and to learn and a great way to showcase work, use with a vocabulary lesson, and bring attention to the library collection.  The only thing I might be wary about is the type of videos my students find as there is a vast range of videos and no true filters. Here is a video I made to showcase books that students chose during the school year to checkout in class or the library. 

Screencast-O-Matic

Screencast-O-Matic is a tool that allows users up to 15 minutes of recording time. Considering kids have a short attention span, I found this to be plenty of time if I am using it to help teach or instruct kids. This would be an excellent tool for teachers to post step by step videos for students, other teachers or parents. It could be used to show parents how to access an online site and especially at the beginning of the year after open houses, so they can access the Student Handbook and AUP forms, or test links. Students can view videos for homework, so they have a tool to reference that covers the lesson taught that day or catch up on something if they were absent. It also can be helpful for other professionals who may have missed a faculty training or need a reminder or a new educational app. It did take me some playing around to get the hang of talking and navigating and I still have a lot more learning to do before it’s perfected. I decided to do a video of how to navigate the districts databases for the upcoming school year as I had several students this year forget where to go and their log ins. Here is the video I made to hopefully use this school year and save me the headache from repeating myself.