Videos and QR Codes in the Library

YouTube

Video creation has now become a tool for both teachers and students to use in many ways. Videos can be “how-to” videos for students and staff, student projects and reflections, informational videos for students, commercials for new books and/or overdue books, or showcasing videos that show others some of the things that are happening around the library or around the campus. These are some libraries who have used YouTube Videos in a creative way to both help students and connect with students!

The NHS Library
I feel that this video is most helpful for students, because it reviews EBSCO host, including the Student Research Center, how to search the databases, and how to find your citations for articles.

In this video, the high school mascot visits the library and showcases the library in a fun way. I think students would really appreciate and enjoy this video.

The Unquiet Library

I love how The Unquiet Library includes student projects and reflections. It is an excellent way to move student projects beyond the walls of the school, so that others can view what students are learning. The librarian also includes some wonderful tutorial videos here to help students understand how to use different tools when they are researching and creating. Many of the videos are set to music that is fun and upbeat, which would keep students engaged.

There are so many tutorial videos this channel features that would be very helpful to students, including how to use EasyBib, how to embed content, how to export bibliographic information, how to find and use images, etc. This video would be very helpful to students, because it discusses Creative Commons Licensing and why students (and staff) should care about it. It was created using Animoto, but it helps students be mindful of copyright laws and helps them be ethical in their use of music, images, etc.

I also loved this video that was created to show students some of the new titles that were added to the library. I think students would love to see all of the new books that have been added. What a great way to showcase new books and increase student interest!

Pikesville High School Library

This channel had a ton of great videos, including student products.

This video, hosted on the channel, records a financial aid workshop that was held for students and parents. The school counselor provided this workshop and it was recorded. I think it is a great resource that students would find helpful, if they were unable to attend the workshop.

This video was created by students to provide information and remind their peers about filling out their FAFSA application. It was very creative and I think it is a video that students would enjoy watching.

BBMS

BBMSMedia channel was my favorite channel. Many of these videos were created by students and were so creative! There were many informational tutorial videos on this website, that students would find helpful, including this video which reviews the eResources available to students.

I just loved all of the Overdue book videos created by students. I think that students would really like these, because many of them are parodies or are based on media (songs, movies, etc.) that are trending. I especially enjoyed the Star Wars Overdue video!

There are so many ways to incorporate video creation into the library. However, what if your school blocks YouTube? There are other options available for teachers to share videos. Some of these options include:  School Tube, Teacher Tube, Next Vista or Academic Earth. There are more alternatives to YouTube that can be found at https://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/09/47-alternatives-to-using-YouTube-in.html. Are you worried that inappropriate ads could appear while you are showing students YouTube videos? View Pure or Safe Share are some options that are available to “clean up” your videos from unwanted ads or other distractions.

Using Videos in the Library

Tutorials and/or Demonstrations

Videos can be created and placed on a library channel to inform students and staff of some of the resources available including the library webpage, accessing online databases, viewing the online catalog, etc. You can also walk through different apps and websites, showing students how to use different applications to help them with their research and/or projects.

Showcasing School and Library Events

Slideshows and videos can be created to showcase some of the events that are going on around the campus. For example, a slideshow can be created displaying the pumpkins students created for the Storybook Pumpkin Patch. Pictures of Family Literacy Nights can be created into a movie.

Student Products

Student-created videos can be placed on a library Youtube channel. This allows peers the opportunity to see all of the interesting things that they have created and provides a global platform for students.

Book Trailers and/or Book Talks

These videos can be created to promote new books in the library. Book trailers and book talks help increase student interest in new titles.

QR Codes

QR codes have made their way into the world of education. All you need to do is generate a QR code and others will have instant access to websites, text, geolocations, email, etc. To read the codes, you simply need to download the QR reader to scan the code. Newer iOS updates even have a QR code reader built into the camera, though it will ask to confirm if you want to be forwarded to the website.

Below, I have created  a QR code for a book trailer that I created using Animoto. I used http://goqr.me/#t=url to create my QR code, just for the simplicity of saving it as a .jpeg file. Other websites that I visited, including https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/ and https://www.qr-code-generator.com/ asked me to upgrade in order for me to save as a .jpeg. The default option was a .png file.

“Trees can't tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories. . . .

Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood "wishtree" — people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red's branches. Along with her crow friend Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red's hollows, this "wishtree" watches over the neighborhood.

You might say Red has seen it all. Until a new family moves in. Not everyone is welcoming, and Red's experiences as a wishtree are more important than ever.” (Goodreads.com)

Scan the QR code below to view my book trailer. 

Using QR Codes in the Library

Book Trailers

QR codes can be placed on the covers of books for students to view a book trailer of the book before checking it out. (These codes can also be placed on shelves or near books.)

Library Orientation

QR codes can also be used in a library orientation. The codes can be linked to videos where the librarian discusses different sections of the library. As students go around the library and scan the codes, they can learn what types of resources are available in each area.

Promotional Materials

By placing QR codes on posters, bookmarks and fliers, you can provide instant access to things like the library website, the online resources, the library’s social media accounts, etc. It can even be connected to Google Forms for surveys or a form for volunteers to fill out.

Scavenger Hunts

Students can go on scavenger hunts thoughout the library, scanning QR codes for clues and finding out information about different genres, authors, and series.

Student Projects

QR codes can be linked to student projects. Videos can be created explaining the students’ research process and how they gathered information for their topic. These “behind the scenes” videos can be placed near student projects for more information.

Sources:

[Bbmsmedia]. (2018, May 31). Luke Skywalker Has Overdue Books [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivht6CPe1Ek.

[Bbmsmedia]. (2017, October 23). eResources @BBMA [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht7cv39Vbr4&t=4s.

Byrne, R. (2010, September 1). 47+ Alternatives to Using YouTube in the Classroom. [Blog post]. Free Technology for Teachers. Retrieved from https://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/09/47-alternatives-to-using-YouTube-in.html.

Byrne, R. (n.d.). Alternatives to YouTube. [Blog post]. Free Technology for Teachers. Retrieved from https://www.freetech4teachers.com/p/alternatives-to-YouTube.html.

Gilstrap, C. [Calypso Gilstrap]. (2015, March 12). How to Use EBSCO Host [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BezObVKkqOo&t=272s.

Gilstrap, C. [Calypso Gilstrap]. (2015, May 4). Tiger Visits the Norman High Library [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeUhXLvFAi4&t=95s.  

Lamb, A. (2013, January). Scan Me! QR Codes in the School Library. [Website]. Retrieved from http://eduscapes.com/sessions/qrcodes/.

[pikesvillehslibrary]. (2015, March 12). PikesvilleHighschool FAFSA. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVyIaw40neY

[pikesvillehslibrary]. (2013, December 16). PHS Financial Aid Workshop 2013 [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esKCAk_t6v0&t=841s.

 [Theunquietlibrary]. (2012, August 27). Creative Commons Licensing: What Is It & Why Should I Care? [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8zSYqvAJuI.

[Theunquietlibrary]. (2012, April 12). New Arrivals, April 2012 [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q7RjsFNFRs

Zinkovich, B. (2015, January). Using QR Codes to Promote Your Library. Retrieved from https://www.ebscohost.com/novelist/novelist-special/using-qr-codes-to-promote-your-library.