06/02/18

eBooks

“An electronic version of a printed book which can be read on a computer or a specifically designed handheld device”, (Oxford University Press, 2018) this is the definition of an eBook, not only is it something that can be read from and interacted with easily but it’s also something that can used to recreate or redesign a book or story. An eBook is a practical and portable way of viewing and sharing information, it’s also more appealing to children as they can personalise it and interactive with it independently. The picture below shows many more links, connections and benefits that come from using eBooks:

• put learning into context
• creativity encouraged
• promotes reading
• benefits in future workplace

eBooks give adults, teachers and children access to a wide range and variety of books that fit their personal preferences and allows them to easily get to grips with a modern piece of digital technology. This is just another way that shows how digital technology impacts our lives and how simple it can be to use.

In 2016 the Scottish Government set up “A Digital Learning and Teaching Strategy for Scotland” with the aim of getting and enabling all teachers, children and adults to them have positive experiences with technology. To help ensure that their aim is achieved the strategy is “structured around four essential and interrelated objectives”:

• “Develop the skills and confidence of educators in the appropriate and effective use of digital technology to support learning and teaching.
• Improve access to digital technology for all learners.
• Ensure that digital technology is a central consideration in all areas of curriculum and assessment delivery.
• Empower leaders of change to drive innovation and investment in digital technology for teaching and learning”.      (Scottish Government, 2016)

To have a chance at having our own positive experience with digital technology we got the opportunity to create our own eBook on an iPad using the app Book Creator. During the session we used the app to retell a story of our choosing, using pictures, videos, sounds and written text to create a multimodal presentation of information that can be easily accessed, used and shared.

While recreating the story book Rapunzel I was able to navigate my way around the app easily, by starting a new book I was able to take pictures or videos to add to the book. I was also able to add text to help tell the story as well as sound clips to different pages. Furthermore I was even able to add a more personalised touch to the book by drawing on different prints, lines and flowers. I found using this app simple and easy to use and would definitely use it in a classroom environment activity, one either teacher lead or an activty that allows the children to independently work or collaborate to create something of their own.

Reference List:

Scottish Government (2016) Enhancing Learning and Teaching Through the Use of Digital Technology, [Online] Available at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/09/9494(Accessed: 8th February 2018).