Videos and QR Codes

Mar 30, 2018
5 min read

University of YouTube

It’s unbelievable that YouTube has only been around since 2005. It was started by three PayPal co-workers Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim who did not imagine that it will become so successful. YouTube has become a household resource for almost any DIY project, consumer reviews, and many more. Anybody can be an instant celebrity in their own right especially if their video becomes viral. A lot of people just need to “like” or subscribe to their channel.

Librarians can use YouTube to promote their libraries by creating various videos that will showcase the different programs of the school library such as library nights, author visits, makerspace, coding program, and others. School librarians can model how to flip lessons by recording videos that will teach various library skills such as using the catalog, understanding Dewey Decimal, placing a hold on a book, using databases, and many more. Students can also make videos about the books they read such as book trailers, book talks, book reviews, promotion for library events, etc.

Here are some library YouTube channels that will help give you an idea of how to utilize YouTube in your library:

NHS Library

Calypso Gilstrap created this account when she was the librarian at Norman HS in Oklahoma.

Here's a video from her channel that I think would be helpful for students, especially the ones who are new to NHS and need to get on the library website.

Below is a video students would like. It is fun to watch Tiger visit the library, conduct a research about tigers, and unwittingly model student expectations when they come to the library.

The Unquiet Library

Here is a YouTube channel by library media specialist, Buffy Hamilton in Creekview HS in Canton, Georgia. Her vision is to make a positive noise that will create a difference in the students and teachers' lives. There are lots of mini-lessons and student reflection videos. I found a lot of videos that are helpful for students to learn different skills.

Here's a video on using Soundzabound students can view to learn where they can find free soundtracks for videos they create.

Students will enjoy watching the video below . It's wonderful to see kids getting together and having fun with their friends.

Pikesville HS Library

The Pikesville HS Library YouTube channel aims to provide a learning environment that embeds 21st Century skills into curricular instruction across disciplines that will encourage students to become active learners. PHS library staff and students work together to provide resources that will help the learning community to be critical thinkers, problem solvers, and responsible citizens. It currently has over 50 uploaded videos that inform students about financial aid, registration process, AP classes, student reflections, student projects,events in the library, etc.

The video below is helpful for students who are preparing for SAT. It explains how to create a paper slide video that incorporates vocabulary words.

The library is usually a quiet place and to see students having fun in the library defies norms. Students would enjoy watching other students do something not usually done in the library in this video.

Bonnie Branch MS Media

BBMSMedia YouTube channel, just like Pikesville HS Library has uploaded more than 50 videos. It amazes me that this middle school YouTube channel has a lot of student-created videos that are well done. An example is a video by Caroline explaining her daily responsibilities in a week being the director of their campus news media.

There are several helpful videos that students can watch on BBMSMedia YouTube channel that will help them navigate around their school library. The video below will help students conduct a research project using Noodle Tools.

BBMS Media YouTube channel had a blast creating various overdue books parody videos. I was sidetracked because it was fun watching them. I'm sure students had fun watching the different videos, but the one below is my favorite. The vocal is great and the voice over is almost seamless.

QR Codes

Quick Response Code, also known as QR Code is a barcode that is a machine-readable optical label that contains information about the item to which it is attached.

Here are some ways to use QR codes in the library:

Scavenger Hunt - students will look for QR codes in the library to learn where resources are located or what kind of resources are in a particular area. When I did this in our library, it was during the hype of Pokemon Go. The students pretended to catch Pokemon characters and they wrote down the type of resources where they found the Pokemon character.
Website Links - the QR codes will direct students to a particular website such as digital books, online read alouds, etc. I used QR codes during Read Across America. I had the physical book next to a QR code that is linked to the specific book read aloud by a celebrity on Storyonline.net. During the Hour of Code, students chose the particular coding activity that is recommended for their grade level. The QR code was linked to the different activities on Code.org.
Library Workstations - QR codes are either linked to written directions, screencast, or video recording explaining the task that entails the students to work collaboratively to complete.
Guided Tour - QR codes are posted on the different areas in the library that will inform students and parents about the specific areas of the library. It can also be used when there are student projects displayed in the library. Other students can view a video using a QR code to help them learn about the project.
Book Add-ons - QR codes can be attached to books that have student created book reviews or book trailers. Students checking out books can either view it before they check out a book to decide whether they would like the book or after they have taken it home as an added feature to the book.

Book Trailer

SLEEP WELL, SIBA AND SABA

Author: Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl

Illustrator: Sandra van Doorn

NOMINATED FOR THE KATE GREENAWAY MEDAL 2018

BookTrust’s Books We Like for May 2017

A Mighty Girl’s 2017 Books of the Year

Forgetful sisters Siba and Saba are always losing something. Sandals, slippers, sweaters – you name it, they lose it. When the two sisters fall asleep each night, they dream about the things they have lost that day. Until, one night, their dreams begin to reveal something entirely unexpected… With playful illustrations and a lullaby-like rhythm, this heart-warming story set in Uganda is truly one to be treasured.

Scan the QR Code to view the book trailer: