Saturday, June 30, 2018

Infographics

I reviewed three webapps in preparation to create my infographic.  I read the materials given by my professor.  Alberto Cairo said the use of red would be great to include but to avoid bubbles and pie charts when creating an infographic. The Ted Talk by David McCandless wonderfully communicated about data in terms a librarian could love.  As I sat to create my infographic in the back of my mind was Randy Krum's article on designing infographics.

I was certain I would not use Infogram because as I signed up for an account, there was not a tutorial that popped up explaining how to use this webapp.  At first glance, Infogram did not have appealing  graphics and seemed a little plain.

I started with Easel.ly because I liked all the different templates, they were beautifully designed with lots of graphics. There was a tutorial explaining how to use the web app.  I thought this would be an easy webapp to use and could plug in my data to create an in depth designed infographic.  My struggle started when I began to try to change the graphics.  On the free plan, the choices for the graphics were limited and rather dated.    When I tried to insert a graphic it laid on top of the template rather than changing out the graphic previously there.  I decided to create a chart remembering not to make a pie chart.  I liked the chart but could not easily figure out how to change at least one of the color to red. The free plan did not have many choices and I wasn't will to Go Pro to have more options. Three templates later, I gave up and tried a different webapp.

Next, I explored  Piktochart, there was not many templates but I felt one had good graphics for charts and I liked the color scheme.  I felt even though there was not many choices, I could make a colorful infographic.   I tried to upload a picture but  instead of inserting and taking the place of the first graphic it laid on top of the template. As I input my data, both categories I created had the same color. As I tried to change the color to red, I was informed there were no color scheme choices on the free plan.  In order, to change the color of my chart, I had to "Level Up" for 39.99.  I decided it was time to give Infogram a try.

Infogram was a bit plain but it was easy to navigate.  I was able to input my data easily and different  colors were already included. I was able to easily add and delete applications, text and pictures.  My final product of infographic had a pie chart with a little red but I was pleased with the process. The infographic was different that I imagined but I feel with time each application could be usable and serves various purposes.

Infogram was the easiest webapp for me and saved changes as I worked on my project. Infogram was effortless to share.  I liked the look of Easel.ly and Piktochart with many templates and backgrounds.  In my experience with these webapps, Easel.ly and Piktochart would be best if you didn't want to change any graphics and only add data. I recommend Infogram for beginners in creating Infographic especially if your desire is to work on a free account.

For a direct link to my Infographic, please go to:  https://infogram.com/social-media-use-1h8n6meolnxm2xo?live

I have also included my infographic below.

References:

Krum, R. (2010, August 17). 10 Tips for Designing Infographics. Retrieved July 1, 2018, from
      https://digitalnewsgathering.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/10-tips-for-designing-infographics/

Malamed, C. (2018, January 23). ELC 010: How to Design Read (Not Fake) Information
       Graphics. Retrieved July 01, 2018, from http://theelearningcoach.com/podcasts/10/

McCandless, D. (2010, July). The beauty of data visualization.[Video file}. Retrieved July 1,
       2018, from https://www.ted.com/talks/david_mccandless_the_beauty_of_data_
       visualization




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Thursday, June 7, 2018

Facebook and Twitter


Facebook School Library Pages
I examined several Facebook school library pages and found several ideas I wanted to incorporate in my Facebook library pages.  Most posted intermediately with a reminders about overdue books, book fairs and happenings in their library.  I researched different types of school, most Facebook school library pages were at the high school level.  I was particularly interested in the elementary level.  There was not a lot of responsive activity particularly with the high school level.  A few likes per post if any at the higher level and not many comments.  The elementary library school pages had the most interaction and shares.  The Mallett School Library page incorporated a button feature to learn more about the library and its programs, I will use this feature on my library page. They included a newsletter tab, I thought I would be able to include my Smores if I followed their model.

I believe there is advantages in creating a Facebook school library page but feel the younger the student is, the more the parents will be interested and interactive.  I have found on our Facebook school page, we have have excellent responses particularly when you included pictures or some type of graphic attached to the post. I surmise about parents of younger students being more interested based on interaction of our school page and personally experience with my own children.  My son has a lovely library with over 2400 students in his school but I don't even know if they have a page.  If there was pictures and articles about my kid, I might be more interested.  I believe that parents want to see their kids in the post or they will not follow as closely.

My Facebook School Library Page: FE Library

Sources:
Facebook School Library Pages:
Library - Lumberton Primary School
Library Northside Elementary School - AISD
Mallet School Library
Terry High School Library


Twitter
The tweets of the educational technology leaders varied in content.  The tweets ranged from educational resources, educational app, curriculum, articles that included technology, library functions and resources, social positions, personal life and school connections. These leaders are informative and have rich content. I will continue to follow them throughout my careers.

  • Jim Lerman @jimlerman had wonderful content mainly with links to articles regarding the digital age and education.  He also had tweets with resources of technology in education including apps/curriculum and helps.
Jim Lerman @jimlerman




  • Kathy Schrock @kathyschrock, she had content from her blog Katch of the month, tabletop texting, many education and computer apps, importance of vocabulary, learning more about incorporating technology in the classroom including app connections and 3d printing.  She is knowledgable in her field and has notes from her professional development seminars.  She includes valuable articles from other sources along with a few personal tweets.
Kathy Schrock @kathyshrock








  • Linda Braun @lbraun2000 has many retweets that are library related, activities and happenings throughout the country.  She retweets from YALSA regularly particularly on trends, libraries and national interest. Linda Braun was a former YALSA president and is passionate about the needs of teens and how libraries can intervene and make a difference.
Linda Braun @lbraun2000 





  •  Joe Fahs @mpondu has an excellent twitter feed.  His content is timely and has great connection for the librarian or anyone interested in technology and education.  He has a variety of content from personal, social, sports and education.  He tweets about privacy, digital apps, educational tools. I particularly enjoyed his retweet on the Smithsonian Learning Lab, a unending trail of information.  The Smithsonian has links for collection images, and articles pertinent to issues in education, popular culture and technology.
Joe Fahs @mpondu






  •  Gwyneth Jones @gwynethjones has a good twitter feed that mostly reflects the content of her blog.  As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I think Gwyneth is amazing and would love to go to her profession development classes.  She covers and retweets issues related to the library, her blog and post wins from her library. Ms. Jones has content specifically for her families but also for other interested in the topics she blogs and teaches.  She is an excellent example on how a school librarian can to connect families, students to the library and thus the school. She includes emojis, memes and pictures of her students that joins her community whether at her school or a larger following together.
Gwyneth Jones @gwynethjones






If you are interested, you can follow me @MsMlovesbooks16 .  I am still building my feed and haven't posted regularly.  I will do better, at least this semester. I have found there is usually a certain social media site that one gravitates to - my 18 year old son tends to communicate mostly on Snapchat and some on Instagram.  My early twenty something daughters use Instagram and a little Twitter.  My 20 year old has refused to create an account on Facebook, probably because Grandma is on there too. (This is important when thinking of our students' likes/dislikes). Needless to say, I have many accounts on varied social media sites as I connect with my own children.  We should be conscious of what avenue our target audience will gravitate to and use.

*I enjoyed this project and learned how to use HTML a little, which feels like a win.  #happyreading
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Saturday, June 2, 2018

Blogs and Blog Readers

Feedly


I chose Feedly as my preferred Blog Reader.  As I was reviewing different Blog Readers, I was looking for a RSS Reader where I could create my own personalized feed.  In Vicky Cassidy's article The 12 best RSS Reader Apps to follow your favorite Blogs, Sites and Feeds, she clearly deciphers many options of RSS Readers. Cassidy explained the features of each app along with the cost and graphics.  Feedly met all the needs I was looking for in a RSS Reader namely creating my own personalized feed.  It is easy to navigate, free and had an easy to install app on my phone.


5 Blogs to Follow


The Adventures of Library Girl  

I have followed Jennifer LaGarde for about a year, I found her while working on another school project.  She has excellent varied content, from her profession development, articles and ideas.  LaGarde has a passion for books and the library, she shares her heart and wins in the library. Her graphics and relatability drew me to explore her blog further.

Free Technology for Teachers written by Richard Byrne
www.freetech4teachers.com 

Richard Byrne has superior content with many different areas to explore.  He teaches about technology but also shares how to incorporate technology in the classroom.  He has tabs for iPad Apps for School, Practical Ed Tech, Google Tutorials, Creating Blogs and Websites, Video Creation among a myriad of information.  Byrne also blogs regularly on technology and educational topics.  I chose to follow him for the depth of material included on his site.  I want to incorporate more technology in the library classes and connect my staff with ways to include technology in their teaching.  I will highlight this site during professional development and in Smores I share with my campus next school year.

The Daring Librarian
www.thedaringlibrarian.com

 Gwyneth Jones has amazing articles with rich depth from her experience as a librarian and presenter.  She uses pictures and graphics along with her articles explaining and sharing practical knowledge to librarians.  Jones is interesting and has the reader wanting to learn more from her thoughts and ideas.  One blog that was of particular interest to me was: How to be a Teacher Librarian Rockstar, she writes that she tries to work hard, be reliable, be reflective and be positive.  These principles are core beliefs of mine in librarianship.  It is up to the librarian to bridge the gap with staff and students working hard and using positivity to influence others.

AASL Blog (American Association of School Librarians)
www.knowledgequest.aasl.org

AASL Blog has a wealth of scholarly articles/blogs written from a professional perspective.  The American Association of School Librarians advocates for school libraries and through their articles challenges librarians to be future ready and forward thinking.  The AASL provides good research to share with administrators and inspires librarians to be advocates of their library.  The blog's articles are diverse in content equipping librarians with knowledge.  I chose the AASL Blog because of the variety of information provided by this blog.  The articles are concise and further my understanding of librarianship.

Step into 2nd Grade
www.stepinto2ndgrade.com

Amy Lemons has an essential blog to follow, her projects are remarkable.  Step into 2nd Grade, is not grade specific, any educator could glean from the amazing content Lemons provides on her blog.  She has blog posts, curriculum connections, freebies and materials to shop.  The look of the blog is relevant and eye catching. The big question when looking at her blog is, "When does she have time to create and blog?".  The blog is rich in content but easily to navigate and will spark creativity in those that follow her.  I have following Amy Lemons since I was in the classroom and I have found many of her ideas ignite a new perspective and imaginativeness. The graphics and her materials are kid friendly and beautiful.   I would recommend this site to any elementary educator and those wanting to seeing excellence in creativity.


My Tumblr link:




Sources:

Cassidy, V. (2017, July 27). The 12 Best RSS Reader Apps to Follow Your Favorite Blogs, Sites, and Feeds. Retrieved June 2, 2018, from https://zapier.com/blog/best-rss-feed-reader-apps/

LaGarde, J. (2018, April 04). How to be a Teacher Librarian Rock Star. Retrieved June 2, 2018, from https://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/2018/01/how-to-be-teacher-librarian-rock-star.html


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