Figure 1. Twitter flock. Note. From Twitter flock. GK, R. (2014, February 22). Flickr. GK, R. (2014, February 22). Rodney GK’s Magical Forest. https://rodneygk.tumblr.com/post/77511036587/twitter-flock
Undertaking the OLJ 10 Twitter Feeds task was excellent for me as it made me really concentrate on the content and style of tweets, when previously I had just read them quickly. My scenario for Assignment 1 was a high school library wanting to promote its services to the students. I was able to take this as a “real life” situation and apply it to my own high school. I chose Instagram for my platform, as the students said that none of them use Twitter and they would prefer to receive information/promotions via Instagram. However, having taken a deeper dive into Twitter, I wish we could use this. I am new to both social media platforms, and I do love Forest Hill College Library’s reels, as well as the reels from Middle Grade Mavens (these school librarians are obviously passionate and funny as well). However, Twitter seems more “newsy” and “professional”.
I know that it might be silly to even think this, as obviously in order to reach students, we need to use what they do. But then I thought – well, we ask them to use all sorts of platforms for school – actually we REQUIRE them to do so – Google Classroom, class/group Google Chat, Flipgrid, Jamboard, Padlet and many more. Would it be possible for us to require them to use Twitter – for school promotion and information? I know in reality this wouldn’t happen (in our current school situation). But I’m wondering if it could be done…as part of the first day of Grade 10 school scenario, “Ok, kids, let’s sign up and log in to all the platforms you’ll need….”
PS. Dear reader, please comment, I’d love to hear from you about what platform you use if you work in a school library!
References
Fhclibrary. (2022, May 1). So you think reading is boring? [Video]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc_nGIJg2YY/
GK, R. (2014, February 22). Twitter flock [Image]. Rodney GK’s Magical Forest. https://rodneygk.tumblr.com/post/77511036587/twitter-flock
Middle Grade Mavens [@julieannegrassobooks]. (2022, May 2). Actual sound my body makes when running! Know what I’m saying? [Video]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/CdChEUUBFCm/
Hello again, Angela.
Inspired by Farch’s work, I chose Instagram as the platform of choice for Assignment 1 (although it’s been my worst assessment performance to date). On looking back, I think the expansive canvas of a blog would work better for me as a librarian. It seems to me to keep the resource curation, book promotion and teaching function at the forefront, and the commentary as a secondary feature, which is really what I’d be looking for. (Very uncharted territory for me personally and professionally.) And I’m finding some of the library Insta sites fractured, fragmented, lacking cohesion and at worst, gimmicky. The absence of student representation on the big platforms because of child protection issues is also a minus for me. Jenny
Hi Jenny
Recently, I listened to the Guardian’s technology editor (Alex Hern) being interviewed on the “Today in Focus” podcast titled “Will Elon Musk regret buying Twitter?” (April 29, 2022) . It gave me a lot to think about. We looked at a chosen platform within a very narrow scope for our assessment. But each social media platform exists on the broader canvas of society, with education only being a part of this. Do we need to be thinking about our choice of platform in a more ethical manner? Should we care? or not?
At the end of the day, I think your idea of a blog is a very reasonable suggestion!
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/audio/2022/apr/29/will-elon-musk-regret-buying-twitter-podcast
I love both of your insights, Jenny & Angela! Angela, you raise some great points about Twitter and asking students to use it – but I wonder if that would need to be a whole school approach? Would they use it just to interact with the library? It could work well alongside a blog though, with the links posting to the Twitter.
Jenny, I also chose Instagram (big fan of Helen Farch too!) but have wondered if the library webpage that comes with our library catalogue (AccessIt Software) might be the best and safest option for us currently. We can update it with new resources, interactive features and some writing elements without encouraging student use of social media.
I just figured out who Helen Farch is! She does the FHC library instagram page! I was reading her “Why do I use Instagram to promote my school library” (2022) and put it together when I saw her photo at the bottom of the page. Really, I am very slow!!
Farch, H. (2022). Why do I use Instagram to promote my school library?
Connections, 120(1), 5-7.