iBooks Author
I used iBooks Author, as a request of my district, to try to discover different ways to have textbooks in class that are not in the classic heavily bound fashion. I received fantastic professional development from Apple, and was given a Mac as a tool to use, in order to create my own iBook.
iBooks Author is truly amazing. When creating my own virtual textbook, I am able to include assessments, videos, images, audio clips, and 3D images right in the literature. Once the book is created using iBooks Author, students can then read the completed book on the iBooks app on their iPads or any other Apple product. The virtual learning allows for students to literally have the text at their fingertips. It can be accessed both in school and at home, and students do not need to lug a heavy textbook. The app also allows for students to take notes in the margins and look up vocabulary in the glossary. Students not only gain background knowledge, but they also improve skills in reading comprehension, annotation, and vocabulary, not to mention digital literacy.
While this program has many pros, it does have a few cons as well. Once the books are completed, they are beautiful, interactive tools for learning. However, the amount of time it takes for the books to be completed is A LOT. Schools would best benefit by having groups of people work on a book together, collaborating and splitting up the work load, so that the completed product gets finished in a more timely manner.
Another difficulty with the program is that it is only usable on a Mac Book. Because I, and may other teachers in my district, have a PC at home, the district had to purchase Mac Books for us to use, in order for us to complete our work. It was extremely generous of the district to do so, but not every teacher received a new lap top, which caused other issues to arise.
I think that if districts choose to take the route of iBooks, it would be extremely beneficial for students. The idea of time just needs to be considered, so that teachers can work together as a cohort, to complete the work without creating too much extra work for themselves.
iBooks Author is truly amazing. When creating my own virtual textbook, I am able to include assessments, videos, images, audio clips, and 3D images right in the literature. Once the book is created using iBooks Author, students can then read the completed book on the iBooks app on their iPads or any other Apple product. The virtual learning allows for students to literally have the text at their fingertips. It can be accessed both in school and at home, and students do not need to lug a heavy textbook. The app also allows for students to take notes in the margins and look up vocabulary in the glossary. Students not only gain background knowledge, but they also improve skills in reading comprehension, annotation, and vocabulary, not to mention digital literacy.
While this program has many pros, it does have a few cons as well. Once the books are completed, they are beautiful, interactive tools for learning. However, the amount of time it takes for the books to be completed is A LOT. Schools would best benefit by having groups of people work on a book together, collaborating and splitting up the work load, so that the completed product gets finished in a more timely manner.
Another difficulty with the program is that it is only usable on a Mac Book. Because I, and may other teachers in my district, have a PC at home, the district had to purchase Mac Books for us to use, in order for us to complete our work. It was extremely generous of the district to do so, but not every teacher received a new lap top, which caused other issues to arise.
I think that if districts choose to take the route of iBooks, it would be extremely beneficial for students. The idea of time just needs to be considered, so that teachers can work together as a cohort, to complete the work without creating too much extra work for themselves.