Final Reflection

I have to say I enjoyed this class.  I feel better for having taken it.  Although it was a lot of work learning about different programs and apps and trying them out and looking into them all, I had to say it was fun.  While using these different tools I began to think of some of the wonderful things I would like to try in my library.


                                                                                                                              
The Winners

                                                                          


It was hard to just pick a few things that excited me, but some of my top favorites were:  QR codes, Animoto, Pixton, Blog readers (Bloglovin'), Thinglink, Tellagami and Screencast-o-matic. They were exciting because of the all of the different things I could do with each one.   While there are several ways you could use each one, I do have definite ideas of how I would like to use them:  QR codes and Animoto for Book trailers, Pixton for advertisements around school as well as blurbs for newsletters.  Bloglovin' to keep me in the know about other people's opinions of books out there as well as the latest technological innovations, Thinglink and Tellagami mash up (at least for now) for library mapping and lastly Screencast-o-matic for teaching others how to use websites.

             


Toughest Part

The hardest assignment was the one on Infographics.  It was hard taking so many intricate facts and matching them to specific icons and then again choosing just the right words to go with it all.  This by far was the toughest assignment.  I think the best way to use this tool is to promote the library with it. Although they are difficult to create they are very powerful, and if used correctly they can impact your library for the better.

The Most Exciting

I can't really say that any one particular program would be the most beneficial to students, but I would say that I would definitely use the ones I mentioned above with them.  I think it's important to expose them to each program because each one is going to have a different effect on each student. One student might get more out of Animoto, whereas another might get more out of Pixton.  I would try to create a balanced approach with the technology that I use in the hopes that one of the forms will strongly resonate with a student.

The Biggest Lesson Learned

I think the biggest change in my thinking has come with the realization that technology is not a separate entity from the library, but a tool to enhance everything in the library.  Plus it's not just for the patrons, but for yourself as well.  There are so many great ideas out there, but if you aren't using that tool to keep you in the know, then it will be passing you by!

Use Twitter, a good blog reader (Bloglovin') so important!!! and follow some great blogs.  Tony Vincent, Kathy Schrock are good to follow because they are tech leaders that know how to apply it to teaching.  At the same time start small and get to the apps listed above.  It is a guarantee that if you do, you're going to reach more people and the more you reach the more useful and relevant your library will be.