iBooks Author - The 12 Step Program for Classroom Success

This week in The Fish Bowl, we present a session that is the result of considerable request. This is our 12 Step Program to using iBook Author, either for personal use or for use in the classroom. Tried and tested in the classroom, we hope you find the presentation a useful resource for you and your students. 

Objective: 

1. Understand the components of an iBook and be able to in turn teach students how to create one.
2. All participants to create an iBook using the provided assets (see screenshot below).

Session Overview:

You will create the basic framework of an interactive iBook. Content will be extremely basic, and will use supplied assets. 

Content:

1. Please feel free to take a copy of the presentation and use/modify for your own classroom/PD purposes - http://bit.ly/1AhbO46
2. Download this folder. It contains the assets used for assembling your basic iBook using iBooks Author - http://bit.ly/1Lvva9g

Resources to help get the most out of your iBook experience:
Formatting images for iBook
5 Reasons to try iBooks
Tips for Motivating Student Writers with iBooks Author

L2 Remix - Creating Your Own Classroom Guide: RIP Textbooks

Creating Your Own Classroom Guide: RIP Textbooks

I went to Jeff Utecht's 'Nutshell' session on the final day of L2. As a keen user of Flipboard, I arrived understanding the key idea here. It's one he also explained while in Seoul for an Unconference we had. 

Here is the basic premise, and these are criticisms:

1. Traditional textbooks are static. 
2. The textbook is old or outdated.
3. The textbook is designed as a the sole source of information.
4. Textbook questions tend to be low level or fact-based.
5. Textbook doesn't take students' background knowledge into account.
6. Reading level of the textbook can be too difficult. Or too easy.
7. The textbook has all the answers to all the questions.
8. Textbooks are formulaic. 

Ever considered curating your own textbook, using up to date, or personally selected materials? Take it one step further: what if your students could participate? 

What if this was your textbook? Welcome to this L2 Remix, and welcome to the possibilities that Flipboard can offer you and your students. Now with over 30,000 topics to choose from, finding the content that inspires you and your students is pretty easy. 

Getting Started and Prepared: 

1. Download Flipboard onto your chosen device (iOS/Android)
2. Create your Account on the iOS or Android App. 
3. Download Chrome and sign into it using your school email. Add a second account for your personal gmail account if applicable. (you can bring all your bookmarks from Safari/Firefox etc)
4. Add the 'Flip It' extension to your Chrome browser.
5. Want to rearrange your 'textbook'? - https://editor.flipboard.com/

Here is the basic Concept of a creating your own textbook

1. Create an Account
2. Search for your topic
3. Start flipping
4. Tap the '+' button and give your first magazine (i.e. 'textbook') a name. 
5. Select a category for your magazine
6. Decide if public or private. Opt for 'public'. 
7. Continue 'flipping'
8. Share a link to your magazine via Schoology or email. 

In this Remix:

You are welcome to use your own device (preferable), or use a loaned iPad. You will create an Account, and follow instructions 2-7 (above). This is a hands on session, and you will make a start on creating your textbook. 

Resources to help:

Want more from Jeff Utecht?

http://www.thethinkingstick.com/
http://www.jeffutecht.com/