ISTE iTunes U Course Presentation
Literature Circles inherently promote
student ownership of learning. In this learning model, students take
responsibility for choosing their own books, directing discussion groups,
assigning roles for student inquiry, and constructing meaningful
interpretations of text as thoughtful community learners. A process will engage
students in countless opportunities for critical thinking and collaboration.
Conducting Literature Circle with mobile devices such as the iPad, not only provides immediate access to a diverse selection of books, but also to reference materials, research tools, interactive maps, and a slew of creation and dynamic notebook apps. Within this single device, students can quickly check the meaning of a word, run a quick background check on a historic event, or articulate their understanding of text with a range of multimedia apps. Teachers can now easily differentiate the processes students can use to demonstrate understanding.
There are numerous ways teachers can organize and facilitate Literature Circles. The primary source for the content for this site is Harvey Daniel's book Literature Circles: Voice and Choice in the Student Centered Classroom. My intention is to link Daniel's research to a literature circle model that uses e-books and apps. I am outlining how each of his readers role relate to specific apps, demonstrating how to differentiate the process of production, and discuss the possibilities for a digital Reader's Response Journal.
If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact me on twitter @dianedarrow
Conducting Literature Circle with mobile devices such as the iPad, not only provides immediate access to a diverse selection of books, but also to reference materials, research tools, interactive maps, and a slew of creation and dynamic notebook apps. Within this single device, students can quickly check the meaning of a word, run a quick background check on a historic event, or articulate their understanding of text with a range of multimedia apps. Teachers can now easily differentiate the processes students can use to demonstrate understanding.
There are numerous ways teachers can organize and facilitate Literature Circles. The primary source for the content for this site is Harvey Daniel's book Literature Circles: Voice and Choice in the Student Centered Classroom. My intention is to link Daniel's research to a literature circle model that uses e-books and apps. I am outlining how each of his readers role relate to specific apps, demonstrating how to differentiate the process of production, and discuss the possibilities for a digital Reader's Response Journal.
If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact me on twitter @dianedarrow
The Books
There a several apps useful for downloading electronic books. The following apps are some of the primary virtual bookstores.
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iBooks FREE
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iBooks is the iTunes bookstore. It is
possible to bookmark pages, highlight text, insert post-its, and perform a
keyword/phrase search. All notes and highlights will sync across iPads with the
same account. There is a built in dictionary with link to Wikipedia or a Web
search.
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iBooks Accessibility
Within the iPads Accessibility Settings, it is possible to create a reading environment which allows students to tap text and have it read to them. Under settings, first choose "General" and then Accessibility. Slide the "Speak Selection" button to "On" and then choose the correct speaking rate or even dialect. Another great feature is to have the words highlighted as they are read. The video shows a student having a web article read to her.
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Amazon FREE
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Amazon has a "kindle"
bookstore app that contains newspapers, books, magazines, and textbooks.
Features include creating notes, bookmarking, highlighting and keyword
searching. There is a built in dictionary with link to Google and Wikipedia.
Books are purchased online and are not possible from within the app. Up to six iPads can share one amazon account. It is possible to sync these notes with WiFi. |
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Google Books FREE
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Google Books is another bookstore to
locate e-books. It has a large library of free public domain books (classics).
Like Amazon, book purchases need to be made outside of the app. This bookstore
app lacks the ability to annotate, bookmark, or highlight.
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Nook FREE
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The Nook offers books, magazines and
newspapers. Like Google, there is a wide selection of free classics. Features
include creating notes, bookmarking, highlighting and keyword searching. There
is a built in dictionary with link to Google and Wikipedia.
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Kobo
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Kobo Free
http://vimeo.com/29632217
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What sets Kobo apart from the other e-bookstores is how it examines your reading activity and transforms the reading experience into a social event. This app lets you build a visual record of your "Reading Life", earn rewards, examine your reading habits and share titles with friends. It is possible to use multiple Kobo apps with one account. Notes and highlights also sync across devices.
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Readability Score
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Wondering about the readability of an article online? Readability Score will...
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dotEPUB
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Not an App, but FREE online resource Follow directions below
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Using the iPad go to http://dotepub.com/. Step by step directions for bookmarking dotEPUB with the iPad will appear. Once it is enabled it will be possible to download articles as an ePUB. Click the "Open In..." option and all the Apps you currently own that the ePub can open in will appear. Choose "Open in iBooks" and the article will download as a book in iBooks
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Here is another great video demo by Rita Mortenson explaining how dotEPUB works
