Mrs. Kirkpatrick's Bookshelf

Throughout this course, I have been given the opportunity to create digital content in ways I never would have thought to otherwise. I have created an infographic (which I am still pretty proud of, by the way), made my own comic/cartoon, screencast-ed, podcasted, used videos and QR codes, discovered new library blogs/bloggers, learned of different ways social media can be used in the library, ending with today's storytelling app, Storybird! More on that later. For me, the hardest part of all of these was actually starting. Once I learned the software, it really became easy and gave me confidence that I really can do these things too! I always admired teachers who created comics with Bitmojis on their websites, or screencast-ed a lecture for students who might have been absent, but was always way too intimidated by trying to learn these new techniques to actually give it a shot. This course took me out of my comfort zone in many ways, but in all the best ways possible! My favori...

Learning Commons-Stephanie Kirkpatrick Podcasts are a fun and creative way for students to present research, host discussions, conduct an interview, or entertain. They also allow students to listen to others' perspectives, spark ideas, and learn from people around the world. Using podcasts in your library instruction is an engaging way to present information or conduct an assignment in a way that is relevant to students. I used Audacity to create this podcast on how libraries are transitioning into learning commons. I used Podbean to host my audio and publish my podcast. I have used Soundcloud and Anchor in the past to host my podcast, and to be honest- there isn't a whole lot of differences between these three platforms. They are all easy to use to upload and share your podcast with listeners. Soundcloud is probably my least favorite of the three, just because it can feel a little crowded with all the music and album art everywhere. All three platforms give suggestions of ...

Cartoons and Comics are an engaging creative outlet for students. They allow students to process and interact with literature in a holistic way. Although you can of course opt to create comics/cartoons the "OG" way (paper and pencil), there are numerous apps and websites that allow you to create your own comic in an elevated way. Here are a few samples: Make Beliefs Comix : This website also seems a bit outdated, but loaded quickly. Pros: Many great graphics to choose from including background, characters, objects, speech bubbles, etc. Very easy to save your comix. You are able to choose from a "starter pack" which will give you a basic outline. Cons: Outdated, No option to share on social media, frustrating controls, not enough space for text. Toondoo : I can't recommend this website. I was unable to even create a comic due to the incredibly slow loading speed. I had Toondoo trying to load in the background for the whole 20 minutes I spent creating my M...