CoolTools 2018

Screen shots-- while I had used the snipping tool to take screen shots from my PC, I had no idea I could do this on my phone. (All I had to do was hold down the Power and Volume down buttons at the same time.) I did find out that Snaggy only exists as a website, not an app. The Snaggy app is a dating website to "find your next soulmate." LOL. I'm all good there... The exercise also prompted me to think about how I could use screenshots with students. I definitely would use them to give directions. I played with Pixlr on my phone a bit. I was using my husband's computer and didn't want to install Flashplayer without his permission in order to use it on the computer. I appreciated the tips on how to use Printscreen and how to scan items with my Evernote app. Later, I plan on going back to the lesson later to create my own animated gif. This lesson is fun, but there is so much to it. My husband just informed me that I've been "playing on the computer"

In the Photo Fun lesson, I chose to explore Instagram. I read both of the articles on using Instagram in the classroom and bookmarked Instagram for Teachers,  the article that explained the basics of how to use Instagram. I am especially intrigued with creating an Instagram Library Scavenger Hunt to use with students. I could put things in like Find the verso in Moby Dick, etc. I think the kids would have a ball searching if they got to post instead of writing down answers. The account I created so far is a personal account. (My stepkids have been asking me to get one so I could follow them forever.) Once I get a bit more practice, I will create a professional account and try it out with some of my students.

This *was* fun. I spent about an hour noodling around creating a Bitmoji. I found Sylvia Duckworth's  How to Bitmoji  extremely helpful. I was able to follow the instructions to get Bitmoji installed and practice using it in Google mail and Facebook.  I love the idea of using it for student feedback and signage for the library. I think students would have a great time creating their own Bitmojis. I think this would make a great library sign: