Publisher Jeremy Ettinghausen discusses the “We Tell Stories” project, which aimed to tell stories using innovative online formats. The project broadcast stories live online as authors wrote them and utilized tools like Twitter and Google Maps. —– Matt Locke of Channel 4 Education and Jeremy Ettinghausen of Penguin Books discuss how hyper-connectivity, interactive media and the changing demands of 21st century audiences are transforming stories and storytelling.
Children’s Book Week is celebrated in the UK on 5 - 11 October 2009. This year’s theme is words and pictures – focusing on books which spark the imagination by combining superb illustrations with magical language. Award winning digital children’s book publisher, Ebooks4Kidz Ltd, joins in the celebrations by offering customers up to 75% off their normal retail prices.
The founder of Ebooks4Kidz Ltd, Jeanette McLeod, said “Our passion is to spark children’s imaginations and love of reading by bringing our books to life. It fits so well with what Children’s Book Week is trying to achieve. So we decided to celebrate Children’s Book Week by offering customers substantial discounts on many of the interactive digital children’s books we have available. That way our products are even more accessible to parents who want their kids to develop their literacy skills and love of reading books. Our passion is to spark children’s imaginations with our animated illustrations and to bring the stories to life with automatic page turning. Kids love the ability to listen to the story being read aloud, following along with the narrator as the words highlight. For emerging independent readers they can have complete control to read the books themselves and click on any unfamiliar words to hear them spoken. Our passion is to get children reading more by combining their love of technology with great stories and fantastic illustrations. For less than the price of a cup of coffee children can be truly inspired by words and pictures as they both come to life.”
Independent children’s ebook publisher Ebooks4Kidz Ltd is offering up to 75% off a selection of their children’s digital books available on their website http://www.wizz-e.com.
A study released this week looked at the environmental impact of eReading devices and claimed that the carbon emitted in the lifecycle of the ereader was off-set after a year of use or 22.5 books.
The new study finds that e-readers could have a major impact on improving the sustainability and environmental impact on the publishing industry, one of the world’s most polluting sectors. In 2008, the U.S. book and newspaper industries combined resulted in the harvesting of 125 million trees, not to mention wastewater that was produced or its massive carbon footprint.
The report, authored by Emma Ritch, states: “Any additional years of use result in net carbon savings, equivalent to an average of 168 kg of CO2 per year (the emissions produced in the manufacture and distribution of 22.5 books).”
The Cleantech Group forecasts that e-readers purchased from 2009 to 2012 could prevent 5.3 billion kg of carbon dioxide in 2012, or 9.9 billion kg during the four-year time period.
The report also encourages academic institutions to implement pilot testing of e-readers as a replacement to physical textbooks, citing schools such as Princeton University, the University of Virginia, and Arizona State University already leading the way.
It seems the case for eBooks is building.
To develop literacy skills all children need to be exposed to books and reading. For today’s techno-savvy youngest generation there is now an option to practice their reading skills online. Digital books are not meant as a replacement to paper books but another exciting medium to get kids reading more.
I love that the story can read aloud to kids whilst highlighting the words.
Children learn by repetition and we all know how kids can want the same story over and over again! So they can listen to the story a number of times and learn the associations between the sounds and the words.
I love that children can click on a word they are unfamiliar with and hear it spoken.
Without having to wait for adult intervention children can try and sound out a word whilst they are reading but if they get stuck they can hear it spoken by clicking on the word.
I love that ebooks look like a paper book with page turning.
Ebooks are not meant as a replacement to paper books but having digital books that look like their paper counterpart can instil a love of all books.
I love that the illustrations are animated.
Picture books that really come to life with animated illustrations – just magical.
I love the comprehension/memory quiz incorporated into the technology.
Children can listen to a story yet not pay attention. Having a comprehension/memory quiz can make sure they listen carefully and take more of the story in.
I love that children are using computer time as a learning experience.
As a parent myself I know how much the kids love to spend time on the computer. Now they can use screen time in an enjoyable and educational way.
I love that reluctant readers can be exposed to books in another medium.
Reluctant readers can hold strong negative associations with books so exposing them to digital formats can provide an alternative medium for them to be exposed to books which is not as threatening.
Digital books are not meant as a replacement for paper books. They are another medium that can harness a child’s passion for learning to read. They are a method for exposing children to more books whilst they are having fun. But don’t tell the children!
Do you have kids ages 3 – 8? Do you teach in a primary/elementary school? Are you a carer for young children? Then we’d like to hear from you!
Do you and your child love books? Are you interested in literacy? Are you keen to see children engaged with reading? Are you interested in new technologies that could help children learning to read? Then we need your help.
We are looking for a number of parents/carers/teachers to join our review panel to trial our newly launched children’s ebooks. Click here to see the books available.
We will give you access to all of the books on wizz-e.com for free. No cost. No risk to you. In return all we ask is for your/your child’s thoughts.
If you are interested in being part of this review panel then email melanie@ybc.tv with the subject title ‘wizz-e’ and she will send you a login account and password to get access.
This offer is closing shortly. So act NOW and give your child free access to a fantastic product that will support their reading! Can you afford to miss out? Email melanie now.
Recent articles in the press report that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is looking at creating paperless classrooms by introducing digital textbooks. One report here.
Although budgets may be driving Mr Schwarzenegger’s current decision could this be the start of using technology to a greater extent in education? Can ebooks comfortably sit side by side with traditional media whether in the form of a textbook or fiction? Indeed, can using this technology enhance a student’s learning?
Forward thinking teachers will no doubt be exploring how technology can develop learning experiences for their pupils. They will know that learning is not transformed simply by the use of technology, but by how it is used creatively. This is where teachers can bring their greatest skills to the table, the application of the tools available to enhance learning. So whether it be ebooks or other media, students have a greater opportunity to learn when a variety of methods are employed to engage them.
eReaders are the new gadget that is a must have! You might be aware of the Kindle, Sony and even some others, but ever get tired of reading from the same black and white, boring reader? Well, this reader ‘ain’t your parents reader.
The New COOL-er comes in jewel tone beauty and resembles somewhat of a iPod Nano-ish flare!
What does this have to do with kids, ebooks and online reading?
Everything!!
I dont know many kids that would like a simple white Kindle that looks like the one thier mom and dad have BUT, if they can get a pink one or one the color of their favorite football team, then it makes it personal.
Just like the iPod brought kids to music, the ereader can bring kids to online books. So by providing them with the tools to get the wide range of online knowledge through ebooks they have more options, just like the iPod and Internet brought music and knowledge to life, ebooks bring reading to life, and that is magic!
As a student I am so excited about a article written two days ago on Econtentmag.com about Web 2.0 and ebooks in the classroom. Educators are taking notice the opportunity to not only save money from the rising costs of printing new and updated versions of textbooks each year but also the effects of green economics and more and more students looking for alternatives.
Bookshelf provides free software, allowing users to download, store, and manage etextbooks. With publishers such as McGraw-Hill, Elsevier, and John Wiley & Sons providing textbooks in the VitalBook format, users have the option of downloading directly from a publisher’s website or through VitalSource.
Just to give an example of the uses increase, last years NFP Read an eBook Week saw and catered to a small group of 1200 readers, however this year the group heard from and saw participation from some 30k users.
Jason Overby from the College of Charleston explains, new features are making the books more useful. “I’ve known about electronic books for quite a while, but I’ve never been a fan of what was available up until this point,”
The new options for not only download of textbooks, but to take notes and transfer chapters to mobile devices such as iPhone and Blackberry a student does not have to drag with him 5 textbooks, a laptop, and notebooks; the new student be more efficient and learn in a language that not only speaks his, but also is more likely to be read and studied. Since users are more comfortable with downloading content (thanks iTunes) it is now user friendly so use ebooks and etexts.
Like I said before, as a student this is a simple sell for me.
I am delighted to introduce you to guest blogger Stacey Root. She is the senior contributing writer for Nextinlearning.com. As a single mom and survivor of Postpartum Depression, she shares this life saving idea for those of us with small children just begging to “work!”
“I hear this every day at least 3000 times. Only the first 5 are cute, the rest are just annoying. As a full-time student and writer who works from the corner at home, my pre-schooler sees me working and loves to “work” with me (or press the delete button and erase my whole article). Well, to save the function of my MacBook, I purchased a mini-laptop for my boys and my pre-schooler was hired.
I struggled with what sites, what games, what puzzles and having to assist him, mouse clicking, page loads, all around stress for me and frustration for him.
But then the sky opened and bells sounded. I found ebooks. Simple, they read to him, have puzzles after the story and there are a ton of stories. I really like Wizz-E.com because they have familiar stories as well as some new ones that grab his attention. There’s games and great flash animation, his favorite is the way the “sparkles” from the wizard’s wand follow his “hand” from the mouse.
There are some great sites out there that can give your little “worker” things to do while you work or do laundry or read. Wizz-E is not a replacement for traditional cuddle up on the couch under a warm blanket, which they proudly proclaim.Wizz-E.com works with roomtoread.org donating 10% of ebook sales to the furthering of children’s literature.
Online sites that provide learning games and books, even music can give your little employee a way to learn and feel like he is spending time with you while you have to spend time on work. If you are not a work-in-the-home mom, and just need that 5 minutes of peace that Kathy Ireland spoke about in her post, these are a great sanity-saver. And if you are not either of these moms and just like to see your little one learn and excel or master new words and letters or grasp the new technologies, these are fun way to introduce computers.
I am kinda hooked on the ebook thing, I even love to download my textbooks, and Kindle books to my phone. Awww, technology!”
I am delighted to introduce you to guest blogger Stacey Root. She is the senior contributing writer for 
