eBook Share at New Teacher Orientation

Ten years ago, I was an excited teacher siting in the audience at EPISD's New Teacher Orientation.  Last week, I had the honor of presenting great features and favorites during my Ed Tech Talk, “What the Heck is an eBook.”

What the heck is an eBook?  At the very basic, eBooks are electronic books.  The biggest complaint I hear about eBooks happen to be that you can’t flip through the pages, write on them with pencils, or sniff the pages.  I believe eBooks are opening the door to a whole new way to interact with books.  Here are the examples I shared with our new teachers.

I Can Read: Axel the Truck  4.99

This book has read aloud capabilities.  Students can read the story silently or chose to have the story read to them.  I love the sound effects and excitement it brings to story telling.  Connect your eReader to a set of speakers and share it with the class.
Tip:  Check out the the link, Read aloud Kids Books, in iTunes Store and look for the free books.  Axel Can Read, Huff and Puff, and Dixie were all free at one time.  There are a lot of free classic books today.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter  7.99
I enjoy reading novels within the iBooks App on my iPad.  You can change the font, page style, look up a definition, highlight, take notes, and even us the speak option to listen to a passage or word.  Novels are available in the iBook Store.  Before you purchase a book, you can download the first chapter for free.

DK Natural History: Insects  4.99
eBooks can include multimedia.  This book has a video and close up photographs of insects.  It’s like having a microscope built into a book.

JibJab Jr.  FREE
eBooks can allow for personalization.  With this free iTune App, you can become a part of the story.  Add your picture and your name and enjoy the story, Starring YOU!

Here is a clip of my son saying his name for the first time when he was the star of the story.



Toy Story  FREE
This eBook App is available in the iTunes App Store.  Listen to the story or become the narrator by recording your own voice. It is sure to make rereading a story more enjoyable.

Oh The Places You’ll Go  4.99
Enjoy Dr. Suess books in an eBook App.  Choose to have the story read aloud, auto read, or to read it by yourself.  This app allows the user to explore.  When you click on a picture, you will hear what the item is, as the words appear.  If you click on text and listen you will hear the passage one more time.

Our Choice  4.99
eBooks are advancing!  The proof can be found in the eBook, Our Choice.  This amazing book has beautiful pictures, video, and a simulation.  In chapter 4, Harvesting the Wind, you will find a simulation.  By blowing air into the mic of your iPad, you are the wind energy that turns the wind mill and charges the battery to power the home.  This is a pretty amazing way to learn.