Online Book Communities

Online Communities

Goodreads

Goodreads is a great website because it offers excellent up to date reviews on a lot of books. Another thing I liked about Goodreads is it already has shelves made for the user making it easier to organize your books. Allowing the user to have the options (read, currently reading, want to read) is a great way to help the user organize their books. I will admit I had a bit of trouble using Goodreads at first because I couldn’t figure out how to add the books to the different shelves. After working with the program a bit, I was able to place each book on its appropriate shelf. The layout of the webpage is very plain but seems to have a lot of information crowded together on one page. I disliked the setup of the homepage because there is a window for pop-up ads and I feel this can be a distraction for some users. I believe a student would be able to navigate around this website easily while placing their books on the appropriate shelves.

 

Library Thing

I had never heard of Library Thing before this assignment. One thing I liked about this program is the sign-up process was very easy.  However there was no tour or explanation available on how to use the website, so this made it a bit confusing at first. I liked the way this website offers the user the ability to place books on several shelves including a wish list and favorites. I believe this can serve as a great way to organize the various books a user might be interested in.  One thing I disliked is the homepage contains a lot of information and I believe this can be a bit overwhelming for a child to navigate through. One disadvantage I found at first was figuring out where to add books to the different shelves because there is so much information on the webpage. Another disadvantage I observed is the user having to click on an icon to see a review. I enjoy programs that offer various reviews automatically once the book title is searched for by the user.

Shelfari

One thing I really liked about Shelfari is it offers the user a tour of the website allowing the user to become familiar with the different things the program has available. I enjoyed how easy it was to navigate around the program. Another thing I really enjoyed about Shelfari is the ability to organize books by read, I’m reading, and plan to read. This allows the user to place their books in the appropriate category. I really enjoy how the program provides an image of all the book covers that the user has added to their shelves.  An added benefit to this program is the simple set up and layout of the homepage. I believe a child would be able to navigate through this program without being overwhelmed by so much information on the homepage and throughout the program. Finally another advantage I found is the detailed description and review available for each book. I believe this information can be helpful to students in allowing them to choose what books they will be interested in. I feel this would be a great website to use with both children and adults.



Booklikes

 

The sign up process for Booklikes was very easy. One thing I liked about this program is how the user can organize their books by read, currently reading, and plan to read. This makes the process of placing books on the correct shelf very easy for the user. Another thing I enjoyed was the simple design and layout of the program. The one disadvantage I observed is the books do not stay on the shelf the user originally placed them on. I feel this can cause some confusion for younger users as to whether or not they have or have not read a particular book.

Biblionasium

The sign-up process for Biblionasium requires the user to verify the account before being able to actually use the program. I prefer being able to have immediate access to something I just signed up for instead of having to go to my email account to then be allowed access to the program. The one thing I noticed was different from the other programs is this program provides the option to sign up as an educator. I disliked this program because I was not able to place my books on separate shelves rather than all together on one shelf. Another thing I disliked was the confusion I felt by not knowing how to create shelves or whether or not they had already been made. I prefer a program that will have shelves that are already labeled to make it easier for younger users.

From the various programs I explored, I personally liked Shelfari and I will continue to use this program personally and with my students. I really enjoyed the tour offered to the user while signing up for the program. This prepares the user for how to use the program and exactly what to expect once the user begins using it. I really enjoy the shelves available to place all of the user’s books. This process is extremely simple for all users from children to adults. This program offers reviews for each book making it easy for the user to be informed about what critics are saying about the materials they are reading. Lastly, I really feel this is a great resource for children because it can teach them how to organize their reading materials. I truly enjoyed Shelfari and I am looking forward to sharing this information with my students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Podcasts

Podcasts

Soundcloud:  I really enjoyed Soundcloud because it was fairly simple to use. I had a difficult time figuring out how to record directly through the program. I found it much easier to record the message to my cellphones voice recorder and then I upload the recording to Soundcloud. I really enjoyed how easy it is to create a podcast using Soundclound. Another reason I chose Soundcloud to create my podcast instead of the others is because it offers 180 minutes of recording time with the free account. I thought that was a really great deal.

Audioboom: I tried to use Audioboo, however since it has to be downloaded from the I-tunes store and I don’t have a Mac computer, I was unable to make the download. I kept searching and I found Audioboom. With Audioboom, the free account is limited to only 10 minutes of recording space. In my opinion, I felt that was a very limited amount of time to make a recording. The first podcast I made was 6:30 minutes long. I would have been unable to make more than one recording using this program. This is the main reason I chose not to use Audioboom to make my podcast recording.

Podomatic: The sign up process was very easy for Podomatic. The lay out of the program was very easy for a new user to understand. I enjoyed the step by step instructions that lead the user through the process of making a podcast. I didn’t choose Podomatic because it didn’t mention the amount of time offered with the free account.

I really think using podcasts in the library/classroom is an excellent communication tool. The teacher/librarian will have the ability to convey important information to both students and staff. The librarian can create an activity and present the instructions through a podcast. The librarian can also conduct a podcast to present important staff development for teacher while at home instead of having to actually attend a meeting. Technology is evolving so rapidly, the use of podcasts in the library/classroom would be an effective way to communicate with both students and staff.

Podcast Info: A fifth grade student from my campus helped discuss fun fact about Halloween. Here is the link to my podcast:

https://soundcloud.com/melissarobles85/voice-001

 

 

Videos and QR Codes in the Library

1. QR Code for Loose Tooth Book trailer by: Melissa Robles

Scan Here

 

2. YouTube

Norman High Library Channel

I chose “Getting started with the NHS Library Website” and “NHS Library Orientation”. I believe both of these videos are excellent resources for students because it explains how to use NHS Library website and the purpose and importance of the library. I believe students would like “NHS Library Orientation” video because it clearly explains the purpose of the library for those who are visual learners. Through the video students will have a clear understanding of the use of the library. I feel the most helpful video is “Getting started with the NHS Library Website” because it gives students the opportunity to have access to the library all the time.

The Unquiet Library

I chose “Video Tutorial: Finding CC Images using Compfight” and “Tutorial Video for Tillery: PowerPoint “How To” Basics” because they are both excellent resources of information for students. I believe both tutorials can be beneficial to students because it offers important tips on finding “CC Images” and creating PowerPoint presentations for academic purposes. I believe the most helpful video is “Tutorial Video for Tillery: PowerPoint “How To” Basics” because it is an great resource that explains the process of creating a PowerPoint presentation. As students continue their education, they will be asked to create presentations for class assignments and research. I believe exposing students to this type of information will prepare them for academic success. I think students would like “Video Tutorial: Finding CC Images using Compfight” because it is a great source of information that can help them prevent plagiarizing.

 

 

 

Pikesvillehslibrary

I chose “PikesvilleHighSchoolFAFSA” and “Hip Hop Day @ Panthers Library” because they are great videos for students. I believe the most helpful video is “PikesvilleHighSchoolFAFSA” because this video reminds students of the importance of filling out their FAFSA application before the deadline. This application helps students in their preparation for college. High school students can easily forget about important information like FAFSA, so a video reminding them will be very helpful. I believe students would like “Hip Hop Day @ Panthers Library” because this event allows students to enjoy themselves through something they can relate to (Hip-hop) in the library.

 BBmsmedia

I chose “Bring them back Overdue Library Book Parody” and “The U.S. Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation Review”. I believe “The U.S. Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation Review” would be the most helpful for students because it encourages them to read a book that can give them a clearer understanding of our constitution. This can help students become familiar with the foundation of our government. I believe “Bring them back Overdue Library Book Parody” video is the one students would like best because it uses the Disney cartoon “Frozen” theme song to remind students to return their books to the library. It’s a nice way of reminding students to bring back their library books.

I would like to use videos in my library to offer important tips about reading for both parents and students. I could create that will demonstrate how to log in to our online educational databases. I could also use videos to promote upcoming events in the library.

 

3. At first, I was extremely nervous about making a book trailer. After seeing several on YouTube, I decided to get started with mine. Once I began using the program, I realized how simple it was to create. I really enjoyed creating the book trailer with Animoto because I can do this to present information to my students in the library. I chose the book Loose Tooth by Lola M. Schaefer because it was a fairly short book that I could practice making a book trailer with. I have to admit it was very interesting having to look through several pictures of loose teeth to be able to choose the images for my book trailer. Overall, I really enjoyed this assignment.

 

 

Here is the Book Review from Goodreads

Loose Tooth (My First I Can Read)

by Lola M. Schaefer, Sylvie Wickstrom (Illustrator)

Loose Tooth 3.64 of 5 stars 3.64  ·  rating details  ·  92 ratings  ·  13 reviews

It's loose.It's loose.My tooth is loose!

Lola Schaefer's energetic text and Sylvie Wickstrom's exuberant illustrations perfectly capture the anxiety and excitement of a child losing his first tooth in an appealing book just right for the youngest readers.

Review taken from Goodreads :http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2865922-loose-tooth

 



4. I will admit, I had a bit of trouble trying to make a QR code with one of the programs you had mentioned in the assignment. Once I tried qrstuff I was able to successfully make a QR Code for the book trailer I created. After looking at several ways of incorporating QR Codes in the library, I decided I would start using a QR Code that will link directly to my school library webpage. I would also use a QR Code that would link directly to educational databases like MackinVia. Another way I would like to use QR Code in my library is by making a bookmark with a QR Code that links directly to Accelerated Reader and MackinVia. I believe this is a great way to keep up with the rapid changes in technology.