Screencasts, Flipagram & Instagram

 Screencasts, Flipagram & Instagram

Screencast-O-Matic

This was my first time to use Screencast-O-Matic, but I have watched many products.  At first, I found myself intimidated by the idea of creating a product.  However, I found it very easy to use Screencast-O-Matic and create a finished product.  There was almost no learning curve with the product.  I am very excited at the possibilities for using it in the classroom and library.  I know other teachers would benefit with using this program by creating computer, program or application tutorials for students to view.  As a librarian, I think that this program could be used to create tutorials for students.  Librarians could create tutorials on how-to used programs in the library or on ways to research.  This program provides students with ways to control their learning, because they can rewatch the video as many times as they need.  

Adobe Spark
Adobe Spark was a neat program and is fairly easy to use, however I had difficulty capturing my voice on the program. I assume it is user error and I will continue to play with the program, but instead of voice I used text. Also, I am concerned about how little time there is for voice over on each frame. Overall, the program was user friendly and easy to upload and format. They have a good selection of music and layouts available. The program connects to your photo library and allows you to upload your own photos. I think this program could be used to spotlight specific programs in the library and then quickly upload to social media. Also, it could be an introduction for students or directions that could be loaded onto Google Classroom for student use. I do like this program, but I feel like if I needed to provide specific directions for students using a website or computer program, I would still use Screencast-O-Matic. The video that I created was loaded onto Twitter and I have embedded the video from Twitter.

See my story: Writing Inspiration #SparkMade https://t.co/RSTlz9Tpmg

— Lori Brown (@keith5thgrade) July 8, 2017

Flipagram

Flipagram is a program that helps users create a video using pictures, music, and graphics.  I downloaded the app and I easily walked through the steps of creating a Flipagram.  The program was so incredibly easy to use and I was able to create one within minutes of downloading the app.  In order to create a flipagram, a user selects photos to use from your photo library.  Then, the photos can be cropped, the orientation changed or edited.  After the photos are successfully included within the program, then the music can be chosen from the app or your music library.  The program offers a few other embellishments that can be added to the project.  After the flipagram video is created, there are a variety of options and ways to share the video.  I enjoyed how easy this program was to use and create short videos quickly.  Another positive for this app was the ability to share the video a variety of different ways.  

When I was thinking about how this program would help in the classroom or library, I was flooded with ideas.  Many of the stemmed from the blogs that were provided to help understand the medium.  As a librarian, I could use this program to highlight new books or reading programs.  Also, if there are special events within the library then a Flipagram could quickly recap the event.  Then, the recap could be disseminated through social media, so that parents, teachers and students would be aware of what is going on.  I think teachers could use Flipagram in a similar way, they could recap the week or create a wrap up of a unit.  Also, science teachers could use this app to capture hands-on activities that are taking place within the classroom.  This is a great program, but I think that creating the video and posting it on another medium would work best.  I do not see my students or parents following Flipagram as much as I do other mediums.

 

Instagram

Instagram is a social media app that allows people to post pictures.  In order for people to see pictures they must follow friends, businesses or other institutions.  Followers can respond by posting a comment or liking a picture.  This program is very easy to set up and use when following the prompts.  Once, you have granted access to Instagram to have access to your photos, then you can begin adding pictures.  With the pictures you can add captions that explain what is happening or some include hashtags.  

I have been using Instagram for quite a while on a personal level, but two years ago I created a second account for my classroom. I use the classroom Instagram account to include information for my students.  I upload pictures of their spelling words, anchor charts and other class information.  I send the Instagram information to parents and students and encourage them to follow the page.  I do not follow any of the students and only post educational information.  After looking at the blogs provided, I realized that I could use this medium in a more effective way.  I could use this medium to keep parents up to date with what is happening within our classroom.  I could also upload the Flipagrams to Instagram, which would provide a way for parents to see what is happening.  Instagram is a very popular app with students and parents, which would help with communicating to my target audience.  As a librarian, this would be a great way to spotlight books, activities, programs and other activities that are taking place within the library.  I really like the idea of spotlighting books for students.  Also, I think that if both parents and students are following Instagram, then it could help encourage conversations.