Within this week’s lesson, I gained a wider knowledge of the advantages of using eBooks by being given the opportunity to create one individually then one with a group. The Oxford Dictionary defines eBooks as “an electronic version of a printed book which can be read on a computer or a specifically designed handheld device” (Bbc.co.uk, 2018). Using the app ‘Book Creator’, a group of peers and I produced an eBrochure focusing on the University of the West of Scotland then I individually modified a children’s story into a lesson. At the beginning of the session, we were asked to write our current understanding of the uses and benefits of eBooks so we could later reflect on how much knowledge we had gained.
‘Book Creator’ is a useful tool for crafting multi-modal pieces such as picture and comic books, journals, textbooks and many more. Supported by tutorial videos, Book Creator is simple and easy to use allowing you to add pictures, text and audio recordings. Firstly, I was introduced to this app when I was asked to create a brochure with a group highlighting the main features of our University campus. We were able to include pictures and videos we had taken ourselves of the University by uploading them to the app then writing a short piece of text alongside it. My group and I chose to focus on aspects of the University such as the library, the lecture theatres, the student union and the sport opportunities. Unfortunately, my group and I felt our finished work was rushed due to time restraints. This helped me identify the importance of allowing children reasonable time limits for each task in future class settings to ensure they are reaching their potential. Despite this, we were able to complete the work and gain enough understanding of eBooks and Book Creator to complete the following task. I then used the same app to summarise the children’s story ‘Giraffes Can’t Dance’ by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees turning it into a potential literacy lesson for children. This book conveys the importance of accepting individual’s differences, giving everybody equal opportunities and being kind always through the character of a giraffe who longs to fit in by dancing with the other animals however doubts his abilities until he is encouraged by a friend. For the front cover of this eBook, I was able to choose a shape out of a variety of options to appear frequently in attempt to create a giraffe-themed page.
Throughout the eBook, I had the tools to alter text fonts, sizes, colours and effects to highlight specific words or phrases. In addition, I was able to add pictures I had taken of the book to inform the reader what part of the story I was discussing. Finally, on one page I chose to include an audio recording of me reading selected text from the story to aid the reader’s learning. I also had the potential to include many other features in my eBook such as my own writing using the pen tool.
Ebooks could be used in all areas across the curriculum however this particular lesson would focus on the curriculum outcomes:
Using what I know about the features of different types of texts, I can find, select, sort and use information for a specific purpose. – LIT 1-14a
I can explore and experiment with digital technologies and can use what I learn to support and enhance my learning in different contexts. – TCH 1-01a.
(Scottish Government, 2008)
With reference to the eBook lesson I created, I would be able to give it to children as a task after they had read the book to ensure they fully understood the main messages of the story and were able to identify literacy techniques used throughout. It would be a simple and easy way of identifying which parts of the story need further discussion and would aid me to alter future lessons around these challenging areas. Tasks like this one I created helps children to read between the lines of books and think more in depth about what they are reading.
Due to this session, I discovered the many benefits that come with encouraging and using eBooks in the classroom. Allowing children to read on a device they associate with fun and games, such as iPads and tablets, results in tasks appearing more enjoyable as opposed to a chore. Also, modernising a classic past-time like reading creates a more relatable and up-to-date hobby for younger generations. Another benefit is that having such a large variety of books on one app on one portable device also leads to children having the option to read whenever and wherever they choose with ease. This creates the idea that reading is a choice in free time and does not only have to occur when they are instructed to in a class. Following this, books can come in countless numbers on your device making choosing a book at the touch of your finger significantly easier than visiting your nearest library or re-reading the same books from your limited options. This will give children the opportunity to enhance their literacy skills by being introduced to new words, characters, ideas and storylines. In addition, online books have the potential to be multi-modal involving both text and audio. Ebooks may come with the option of having a voice-over that speaks as you read making challenged readers more engaged and relaxed increasing enjoyment.
Today’s lesson gave me an overall understanding of how to use eBooks and how they would be helpful in future classroom environments. The tutorials on hand for apps such a Book Creator make them stress-free to understand for adults and children. I am happy I now have the capability to introduce lessons using this tool and support children while doing so.
References:
Beauchamp, G., (2012) ICT in the Primary School: From Pedagogy to Practice. Pearson.
Curriculum for Excellence.
Bbc.co.uk. (2018). BBC – WebWise – What is an e-book?. [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/guides/about-e-books
Scottish Government (2008) The Curriculum for Excellence [Online] http://www.education.gov.scot/Documents/all-experiences-and-outcomes.pdf
