Learner Considerations
Last week I shared that I was debating between 2 projects, a Padlet that would consolidate a list of our digital resources for staff, and a Bookflix display that would showcase a curated selection of books for students and allow them to read summaries and watch book trailers about the titles. After weighing the pros and cons of both, I have decided to do the project that would most benefit the students at my school.
I started thinking about what my current goal is in the library. This year, our school-wide goal is to build a sense of community and I am trying to continue that work in the library. I hope that this display will help to build excitement around reading and the library, as well as continue to foster a reading culture in our school. The digital aspect should help to appeal to students, as it has been shown that “in today’s fast paced world the desire for expediency has promoted students to place a premium on information that can be found easily and quickly.” (Shrestha, pg.5)
One of my hesitations about the BookFlix project was that I am already familiar with PowerPoint. I think that even though I use PowerPoint regularly to create labels and make photo slideshows, this project will allow me to explore new tools within the program that I haven’t used before. The BookFlix display will have hyperlinks between pages and there will be links to external websites, videos, and book trailers.
My school has 450 students in grades K-6. When I first started looking at creating a BookFlix project, I had planned to focus on books for intermediate students, mostly grades 4-6. Once I started working on it though, I realized that the audience that would probably be the most interested in exploring the display would be the students in grades 2 and 3. They are the most easily excited about a new project like this and are able to read well enough to benefit them. After thinking about it, I have decided to showcase a mix of books that would appeal to students in grades 2-6. I find that many of our older students still love picture books and will often check one out alongside their novel. This way I can appeal to a larger audience and also offer book choices with a wide range of reading levels.
I plan to have the Bookflix display available for students to explore during their library time. Classes usually come into the library, and we read a story and sometimes do an activity first. Then the students can move around the room to browse and check out their books. At this time, they would be able to look at the Bookflix display. I will demonstrate how to use it first with each of the classes, but then it will just be out and available for those who would like to flip through it. Lucas Maxwell, a librarian who has created a similar presentation found that “a Bookflix display is a perfect opportunity to attract new readers, those who think they hate reading but just don’t realise that they haven’t found the right book.” (Maxwell, 2019)
There will be a few challenges that I will face with this project. There will only be a limited selection of books on the screen to begin with, but I will continue to add to them as new books are processed. My biggest challenge though, will be finding the time to keep the featured books updated. With all the other daily tasks that need to be done in the library, I will have to consciously set time aside to add these new books so that it doesn’t just become an outdated display.
I hope to share the template with other TLs in my district so they can adapt it for their own use.
I can create a shared folder in One Drive that can be shared with the TLs in my district. I think that I would like to keep it to the TLs to start with, just for the audience it is intended for.
I think that the students at my school will really enjoy this Bookflix project and I am already having fun creating it!
Resources
Maxwell, L. (2019, January 18). Bookflix Library displays are a wonderful thing. BOOK RIOT. Retrieved March 2022, from http://bookriot.com/?p=251910
Shrestha, N. (2008, December). A study on student’s use of library resources ... - E-LIS. Retrieved March 2022, from http://eprints.rclis.org/22623/1/NinaShrestha.pdf
Oh your project sounds so good! I can't wait to see how you use Power Point for it...like you , I have only used it for presentations and slideshows. I like that you have included both primary and intermediate in your audience. I can't wait to see your finished product!
ReplyDeleteHi Jodi,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great project and one your students will really enjoy! I like that you are deciding to explore other capabilities of power point. I have only used it for presentations as well and honestly do not think I really know its true potential. I agree that updating the books will be a challenge but hopefully once you have it created, it will become easier to change as needed. Is this something intermediate student volunteers could learn to do? It may be too complicated but just an idea! I'm looking forward to seeing it!
Your vision is really coming into focus. I agree that this direction will help you accomplish several goals. Looking forward to seeing how it comes together!
ReplyDeleteOh you went with the Bookflix project! That's awesome! I think it's such a great idea and a neat use of technology that will help to engage the kids. I love the quote you used from Maxwell. I can't count how many times I've told my son that the trick to enjoying reading is finding a book you're interested in. There's book out there for *everyone*.
ReplyDelete