Thing 4: Digital Storytelling

Lots of resources to support DIGITAL STORYTELLING

I take a gazillion pictures a week and often like to tell stories with those pics...both on the spot and for more archival reasons for work and personal reasons.  My favorite is ANIMOTO but that is a subscription service--for me I get my $$ worth, but not always an option.   Unrelated to DIGITAL options, I just started a subscription to GROOVE BOOK which gets me quick and easy access to PRINT pictures (100 month for 3.99) and these can be used in lots of ways, too!  I have my camera pics upload to DROPBOX for ease of access and sanity (if phone gets lost/damaged).  I prefer that over GOOGLE storage (for now).  

Here is an ANIMOTO from our WELCOME TEAM 

Our school has WE VIDEO available for all students and works out well, though at first glance seems intimidating (I think).  Screencastify also works for short movies via our Google Apps.   

I checked out POETRY via STORY BIRD...great place for beginners/telling story with words and images.   Not able to upload own images, but great selection.  AND it's a CHROME APP!  

Great WRITING challenges here (long and short responses) that could easily be uploaded to a teacher account for organization purposes.  

Tried out SHARALIKE....WOW...so easy to use, would be great for quick PR of library programs, events, projects, etc.  I couldn't figure out how to revise the photo collection once I uploaded pics, but easy enough to do another one quickly.    Would definitely use again!  

• Sharalike – Upload your photos and videos to create a slideshow. Choose from a limited number of slide show styles and transitions speeds. Music can also be added. Key feature is it’s simplicity. Free.  (iPad, Android, Web)  Example:

Gave PHOTOPEACH a try...very easy to use...BUT couldn't adjust the layout of the pics so as you will see here, my horizontal pics didn't work well.   Could use for a QUIZ though based on the way you use captions.   Has potential there though gathering responses wouldn't be ideal.  

FRESH AIR FEEDS the SOUL on PhotoPeach 

I explored MOOVLY and didn't have any immediate success and I didn't find it intuitive. BUT, that's just me and not necessarily an indication of an ineffective tool.  I just find when things aren't intuitive to ME, I move along to the next one rather quickly unless I am required by law to use that tool.   In this case, I moooved along :)  I would probably try again to CONQUER it!   

• Moovly – another fun tool for creating animated video presentations.  Example: Sarah Jones did a nice post on this topic with an example video.

"I'm going to make a lifechanging decision this week"

I seldom blog, though more often recently thanks to joining the Cool Tools for Schools class, but I've got something weighing on my brain and needed to share.

Yesterday, I had usual flow of iStaff (student volunteers) into the library for their shifts.  Sometimes we work in tandem, sometimes they branch out on their own.

While working to finish up a job with one student, he offered, "I'm making a lifechanging decision this week." The serious tone set me aback.  We continued working and he proceeded to share.

"I am moving to a different lunch table," he said with conviction.  "I can't take it anymore and am going to solve my own problems this time."  I commended him on sticking up for himself and did that teacher thing when we remind kids to tell an adult.  

He continued. He was convinced, he said, that when the new table said that the open chair wasn't "really available" he didn't believe them.  He said he was going to keep track over the next few days and investigate before he made his final move.

He seemed concerned and frustrated, but wasn't complaining.  He seemed willing to do his part to find a more welcoming group. He also seemed heavy hearted. 

Our conversation ended, as some do, with the need to change classes, other people on the scene, and that whole "reality" thing.

I can't, however, stop thinking about him and how it reminded (though I know it's sadly true) me that:

• even a 30 minute lunch period can cause incredible angst for kids
• finding a welcoming group in any setting, even lunch, can be all consuming
• so much energy can be taken up just trying to belong
• "lifechanging decisions" can mean so many different things 

And mostly, it reminded me that it is relationships, trust, and time that empower students to tell their story. We need to stop. We need to listen.  We need to be an advocate and sounding board.

If we are too busy to do that, kids might be making "lifechanging decisions" without anyone even knowing about them.   

Thing 32: Annual Reports

Annual Reports--Making them Matter

I always get frustrated when I see posts on social media at the end of the school from librarians who are immersed in their annual reports and claim success when they've finished some monstrous document for their administrator.

Too often those are the ONLY reports that have been shared and I'm pretty sure (no disrespect to admin) that they aren't being read for 345 reasons.  I believe the "annual" reports need to be part of a yearlong outreach and learned so much from all the avenues people are using to share their stories!  

What I've Done in the PAST:

• large monstrous end of year report
• data centered report from Destiny
• monthly "Facts at a Glance" one page reports 
• reports aligned with standards in teacher evaluation
• quarterly department reports done collaboratively
• movie with data 
• folders to gather information for administrators
• infographic with data, stories
• compilation of monthly reports 

What I'm Doing Now: 

• give FOLDER (hard copy that has PGLIBRARY on tab) and I give them items to add to folder (letters, signs, flyers, etc so they have items "at their fingertips)
• quarterly movie to highlight our story; promote widely

• highlight report to PTO for their monthly meetings  (with copy for the above folder)
• Infographic Annual Report shared widely
• Collecting more data about collection, teacher collaboration
• Press releases of all PD attended 
• Department Presentation to BOARD of ED 

What I'm Going to IMPROVE with above:   (aka #squadgoals!) 

• Return to MONTHLY 1 page FACTS at a GLANCE
• Include new BRAND/LOGO/TAGLINE on outreach
• Checklist for OUTREACH plan so all bases covered
• Section on reports for student reflection/voice
• Promotion of new AASL standards
• Continue with movies BUT share consistent categories of data that align with School Improvement/District goals
• Consistent ROLLOUT with CREATIVE content that is shared WIDELY!  

Thing 38: Maker Space

Makerspace..all the rage, all the excitement, the power, the impact the limitless possibilities, the way it is CHANGING THE WORLD!   

More resources here!   

It's also the one topic that causes me to be filled with the most self-doubt, sense of failure, and minor panic when I try to align what I know to be true in the world with what I know to be true in my world.

Here's what keeps me up at night:

• don't have a designated space that is used all the time for making (though do have physical space/room) not always available for making
• LOTS of making but doesn't it match what HIGH LEVEL making
• don't have a staff person designated to space
• need a sustainable model (cost, consumables budget, supervision)
• need a shared vision of how makerspace aligns with study hall (iLab)
• need more partners to align makerspace with content
• I can't safely manage all maker activities AND other core priorities
• worry purchasing is being done in cart before horse model
• struggling to find a "go to" person/team to help decide what to buy/add/do
• buy-in seems in concept not in roll-out

Good "problems" to have:

• top down belief in makerspaces
• grant $$ and not sure what to buy
• after school busing
• physical space 
• technology dept support
• student leadership team (#istaff)
• 750 teenagers
• 1:1 model with chromebooks
• rich maker opportunities throughout school--FACS, TECH, ART, MUSIC
• willing librarian
• smart staff 

Here's what I have finally learned to "OWN" (with guidance from OCC Librarian Pauline Shostack) when I shared my "panic" that I don't have the coolest makerspace ever-or at all.  We DO have MAKING going on....and there are MODELS of spaces/concepts:

• DEDICATED SPACE--full time, set up, equipped, supported with staff/help
• POPUP MAKERSPACE--events, challenges, activities, choices for designated window of time (week or 12-6pm or a specific day)
• MOBILE MAKERSPACES--provide opportunities for making IN others' spaces with support materials, guidance, and other to make it work "there". 

We are developing a HYBRID...so it's not that we don't have ANY, we are developing a model that works for us!  And we're exploring a great deal and our rich with student centered culture. 

NEXT UP:

• working on specs for a Digital Maker Space proposal (camera, speakers, etc) with grant $$ (having a hard time getting answers on WHAT to purchase--major roadblock--I know concept, not specs)
• create and publish MISSION (hang in space) for our Maker program
• wall of evidence in space (photos/testimony) in addition to social media
• alignment of content to materials we currently have (ex spheros to 8th grade math)
• plan monthly POPUP MAKERSPACES that include no tech, low tech, and high tech options--have run BY students for students
• create specific Maker Leadership team from iStaff
• less guilt, more healty prioritizing
• less compare and despair, more personalize what works for US!

More resources here!    Great visual statement on what it IS!  

Thing 31 Advocacy-- #LEADOUTLOUD

Advocacy is something I am passionate about so I found this "THING" energizing.    Great resource page HERE.

As the self-proclaimed "inventor" of the #LEADOUTLOUD campaign for school librarians, I know first hand the importance of empowering OTHERS to help tell the story of your library.  

I read about many of the practices I embed into what I do and was reminded of new directions and strategies to consider in the area of ADVOCACY.

Even if you Google "Sue Kowalski and ADVOCACY" you will find multiple connections to my outreach and involvement on concept, best practices, and my passion for it!  

From the description of Jennifer LaGarde's (my personal superhero) webinar, it refers to areas as being an Advocate as one who will:  

• "Achieve school-wide goals using your programs and collections

• Position yourself as an instructional and pedagogical leader using today's social and mobile technologies, and
• Make connections between school library programs and student learning, using library data."

I think this is one of the best overviews I've read...in a nutshell--that is what matters!  

GOALS:  I have made many inroads in ADVOCATING for the impact that a library and librarian can and do have on student success and community culture. The following strategies are central in my outreach:

• Social Media--promote events, share gratitude, rally partnerships
• Grants/Awards--apply to fund projects, travel and PD, grow the program
• Outreach--newsletters, flyers, Google Classroom, press releases, webpages, visits, community organizations
• Partnerships--teachers, families, students, iStaff, colleagues, organizations, committees
• Professional leadership--membership, officer, committees, presenter, speaker, adjunct professor

BUT :  I need to have a more unified campaign in all my outreach-right now the only consistent thing I use is the hashtag #esmpgproud and #esmpgreads for our social media outreach.   Based on that, I am committed to:

• LOGO/Tagline: to use on publications, digital outreach
• SWAG:  to include the above and share in range of circles
• MISSION STATEMENT:  to clearly define who we are as a program (especially as relates to maker movement. 
• PUBLIC CALENDAR: to make it more accessible for all to see what is available 

ACTION PLAN:  Have all of the above READY to unveil in FALL 2018 with elements slowly released as finalized!  

And for inspiration..whether you love Lady Gaga or not!  

10 Ways Librarians Can be a Marketing Genius Like Lady Gaga from The Daring Librarian Experience