21st Century Librarian: March 2018

2:23 PM

About four years ago, while attending the PETE&C (Pennsylvania Education Technology Expo and Convention, I found out about Canva for the very first time. I was instantly hooked. Canva makes me look like a graphic artist. I have used it for everything from creating pieces for my library website, posters, brochures, and even task cards for our library makerspace. Just recently, I introduced the program to my 8th graders and they are loving it.

If you've never used Canva before, it is a free program with the possibility of upgrading to a Pro account. Personally, I have never paid for anything, and find that there is enough that is free, upgrading is not necessary.

Creating an Account

Creating an account with Canva is really easy. The very first time you will need to click on New to Canva? Sign Up! and choose the type of account you want (Education, Small Business, Large Business, etc) Once you have chosen your area you get the choice to sign up through Google or Email. I always choose Google, but if this is not an option for you, Email works well also.

Creating With Canva

Canva is very easy to create with, but it can be overwhelming at first. When you first enter the site, you will get the Dashboard page, which is where all of your projects are stored. To create a new project you will need to first choose which type of project you would like to start. If you can't find anything you like in the immediate list, there is a More Button which gives you many other choices. There is also a Custom Dimensions option.

To pick a type of design, just click on it, and this will bring you to the designing platform. When you begin creating, you have a choice of designing from a ready made template, or adding everything in yourself (backgrounds, text boxes, etc.)

Layouts

Layouts are ready-made templates. Sometimes when I create with Canva, I like to start with a template, and redesign it to suit my needs. If you are using the Free version, make sure you are choosing free items, and not pro items. To choose a layout just click on it and it will appear in your design area.

You will notice right away that any of the items in the template can be clicked on to be changed or deleted. Also take notice that as you click on an item a small box appears, which is the same color as the item you just clicked on. If you click on this box, you will get other color choices. Make your selection and your item will be changed to that color.

You will also notice on your toolbar at the top of your screen you have many editing options, such as:

Font
Font Size
Boldfaced
Italics
Justification
All Uppercase
Bullets
Spacing
Copy an item (note this is not how you copy an entire project)
Arrange (Moving items to the front or back)
Transparency
Adding a Link
Deleting an item

Elements

The Elements Section contains any items within Canva that you can add, with the exception of backgrounds and text. The Elements Section includes:

Free Photos
Grids (Changes the look of your design)
Frames
Shapes
Lines
Illustrations
Icons
Charts
I Love Canva (Graphics with the word Canva)

To add these items, just click on them and once they are in your project, feel free to resize and move. Some of the graphics even allow you to change the color.

Text

Of course you will want to add text to your documents. You have many choices when it comes to your text.

Heading
Subheading
A Little Bit of Body Text

You can also add Text Designs.

Backgrounds

When adding backgrounds, you have a choice between solid and patterned backgrounds. If you do not see your background you clicked on in your work area, try moving your background so you can see if the background is underneath another background. This can also be accomplished by clicking on the Arrange button at the top of your screen and choosing Back.

Uploads

You may want to add your own images, and Canva makes this very easy. You will need to click on Uploads and add images previously saved to your picture files. If you are using a Chromebook, you can use pictures saved in Google Photos. Once you have uploaded a picture to your Canva account they will stay in your account.

Saving, Printing, and Downloading your Canva Project

As long as you are in editing mode, there is no reason to save Canva. It will save automatically. Once you are ready to download your project, click on Download, and choose the type of file you would like to save it to. It will automatically download to your picture file. If you wish to print your design out, you should download your design first, and once it is downloaded you can print it out.

Canva also has a Share Feature. This will allow you to share your design through Email, Social, Link and Embed.

How I Use Canva

Over the past few years I have found so many wonderful uses for Canva. I have used it to create signs, fliers, Task Cards for my Makerspace, Areas of my Library Website. Shown below are some of my favorite designs.

This school year, I decided to let me 8th graders create with Canva. They are currently creating a poster about themselves using Canva. It has been very exciting watching them create with Canva. I gave them elements they needed to include such as their name, a hobby or interest and something interesting about themselves. I did not tell them where to put their items, what colors to use. I told them that they are the graphic designers. I really am enjoying giving them a voice and seeing all the creativity that's taking place.

Have you created something awesome with Canva? Have you tried using it with your students? I would love to hear about your experiences and see your creations!

English Language Learners (ELL) and School Libraries

7:28 AM

This past week I had the pleasure of presenting to The New Jersey English Language Learners Advisory Committee on behalf of New Jersey Association of School Librarians. This group included members of the Department of Education, ELL Supervisors, and ELL Teachers. My presentation was completed with the help of Mrs. Mary Moyer Stubbs who is our Legislative Consultant, various members of NJASL, and the NJ State Library.

I spent the beginning of my presentation talking about the importance of librarians and NJASL.

Librarians and specifically New Jersey librarians are working with ELL Students on a daily basis. Considering the average school's ELL students make up ten percent of the student population, this is no surprise. Some of the areas we are specifically working with ELL Students are: Collection Development, Translating Services, Open Access to the Library, Library Instruction, Collaborating, and Makerspaces.

Collection Development

School libraries, as well as public libraries are adding books in other languages to their collection. Many librarians are also asking ELL Students for input in this area. Interlibrary loan is also a really great resource, especially in these times when budgets are getting slashed. In addition to print books audiobooks, ebooks, and databases are also being purchased. Many of these items are available in multiple languages, or they offer a translation feature. Graphic novels are also a fantastic resource for ELL students. They are high interest and the pictures can fill in the gaps for students. Sara Stevenson wrote an awesome article on using Graphic Novels with ELL Students in AASL's Knowledge Quest. http://knowledgequest.aasl.org/english-language-learners-graphic-novels/

Translating Services

Librarians are helping ELL students with translating services. Many websites and databases offer translation features. I personally use MackinVIA to hold all of my library digital resources. Many of the electronic items that I have purchased directly from Mackin offer wonderful translating features on many of their electronic items. Librarians are also translating other items such as directions. One librarian from New Jersey I spoke to told me that she was able to get directions for computer codeing in the Ukraine language.

Open Access to the Library

Libraries are one of the few places in a school or community that offer Open Access to all, and it is no different with ELL students. ELL students are pulled out of their academic classes and the library provides a safe spot for these students.

Library Instruction

Librarians are providing instruction to classes through information literacy lessons, technology lessons, and interactive storytimes. Many librarians are finding that they need to hand tailor their lessons and assignments so ELL students are included.

Collaborating

Collaborating with other teachers is nothing new for librarians. It has always been our job to work with other teachers, to help provides students with pertinent information for assignments. Many librarians are also forming alliances with school organizations that represent ELL students.

Makerspaces

I saved my favorite for last :) This year I started a makerspace in my school library. One of my favorite things about the makerspace movement is students of all levels, languages, and ages can participate in making. Some of the benefits to makerspaces which specifically applies to ELL students include:

Makerspaces democratize learning
Makerspaces offer open access to all students
Makerspaces offer authentic, real world experiences for students
Makerspace tools are created for speakers of all languages

Bloxels - offers color coded squares, which turns into a video game handmade by students.
Little Bits - color coded by the kind of power
Tinkercad - Software that works with 3D printers - works with shapes, not words
Legos and K'nex
Building with Cardboard

Makerspaces provide opportunities for ELL students and non-ELL students to work together

Our state library also provides many services for ELL community members. Many of the public libraries are also providing services for their local community. Some of these services include:

NJ Talking Book and Braille Center
Fade to Books Program - a program that provides books to young boys and teens in urban sections of New Jersey
ESL classes in New Jersey public libraries
The state library has compiled a list of bilingual resources for New Jersey community members

In conclusion, this was a wonderful experience. I have presented all over the country, but so far this was the greatest honor I have had. I have included a copy of my presentation on the bottom of this post. It is important for other organizations to learn about libraries and all that we have to offer students and community members.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WGGeweRMVXSlHcnGFYo49IluiyutAzsxe-QS9YYyDT0/edit?usp=sharing

Creating Amazing Designs With Canva