ebooks


 * Learn About It! **

I Can Read With My Eyes Shut! Dr. Seuss

I can read in red. I can read in blue. I can read in pickle color too. I can read in bed, and in purple. and in brown. I can read in a circle and upside down! I can read with my left eye. I can read with my right. I can read Mississippi with my eyes shut tight!

There are so many things you can learn about. But…you'll miss the best things If you keep your eyes shut. The more that you read, the more things you will know The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.

If you read with your eyes shut you're likely to find That the place where you're going is far, far behind SO…that's why I tell you to keep your eyes wide. <span style="color: #6423b1; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Keep them wide open…at least on one side.

Let's start our journey of ebooks with a definition

Click on the icon above for a definition

One of the things that attracts people to ereaders are, of course, the features that are different from a traditional book. Below are three websites (click on the icon) for you to explore. You would be well-advised to jot some notes.



eBOOK BASICS Below is an excellent "primer" on ebooks

And here is a brief tutorial on how to download an ebook from a typical library (if you aren't aware).

Let's revisit the features of an ebook. The features and implementation of each eBook is dependent on the publisher. Some eBooks are distributed as Web pages, some are PDF documents, and some use the free Adobe Flash player. Many eBooks include help information from the publisher that describes how to use the features that are available for that eBook.
 * eBook Features **

Many eBooks share some of the following characteristics:
 * eBooks generally include the complete text of the printed textbook, along with all figures and illustrations.
 * eBooks usually have a table of contents that you can click to navigate to specific chapters or sections.
 * You can usually search for text in eBooks.
 * You can usually navigate to a specific page number by typing the page number in a text box.
 * You can often bookmark pages in the eBook.
 * You can often add highlighting and notes to the eBook. Your highlighting and notes are saved between sessions and are available to you anytime when you open the eBook.
 * You can usually zoom in and out when viewing the eBook.
 * You can sometimes click on links in the eBook which open media such as videos. Some of these additional media are interactive.
 * You can usually print pages from the eBook.
 * You can sometimes save the eBook to your computer for offline viewing.
 * eBooks sometimes require either the free Adobe Reader or the free Adobe Flash Player.
 * You can sometimes use an interactive glossary or click on certain terms in the text to view the glossary definition.
 * Often the eBook will have a toolbar for navigating the eBook and implementing its various features.


 * Think About It! **



Let's think about the use of ebooks in schools: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2012/04/using-digital-books-classroom

And now for a few videos: media type="custom" key="23827798" Note: once you play the first video, you will see all the videos in this playlist, click the in the upper left corner. There are FOUR videos in this playlist.

But are ebooks really a good idea? http://www.slj.com/2011/06/ebooks/are-ebooks-any-good/ http://readwrite.com/2010/08/09/5_ways_that_ebooks_are_better_than_paper_books#awesm=~ohyGCg8rFDgZJL http://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/jun/07/enhanced-ebooks-bad-for-children http://www.lulu.com/blog/2013/06/are-ebooks-bad-for-kids/


 * Plan It! **

Before you consider the use of ebooks, let's take a look at the places you can access ebooks (click icon below).

**Step One**:. Consider, if you will, the research and issues surrounding ebooks. Make some notes are you peruse the articles and videos.

**Step Two**: Consider the features/attributes of an ereader and think about how they would impact YOUR reading (both positive and negative)


 * Do It! **

Here is your assignment for this week (due next Sunday).

1) Write a SHORT script between two people who are debating the issues surrounding implementation of ebooks into a school. Please don't just reiterate previously read information, but instead make this geared at **your** beliefs and thoughts and concerns and excitement. You may type this or record it in a podcast. Don't make this more than 2-3 pages. And plan to post it here.

2) Access this chart with the features of an ebook and share how your selected features would most impact your future students specifically in your content area. Feel free to add any other feature you deem appropriate.