Book Creator

  Last night,  I had a blast participating in a one hour web instruction where I learned to use the Chrome based version of Book Creator.

This app/web based app allows one to create a book with photos, comic strips, videos, text, and other things.

After a short hour with 5 tasks, I feel comfortable enough to use it and help my students learn to use it.  It is easy and quite intuitive

 I am always looking for ways to integrate more writing into my classroom so my students have a chance to use it outside of English.

In addition, when they have to explain the math through writing, movies, and pictures, it helps clarify their actual knowledge and helps them practice their mathematical language.  In regard to the writing segment, they must use their language properly, be able to explain the concepts clearly, and provide proper examples.

As for visual, they need to create drawings or pictures able to convey the ideas clearly.  It is important for students to be able to do this to show they understand the concept behind the written representation.  Furthermore, if needed they can also create a video showing real world applications or creating a news report sharing the mathematical concept.

This way they see it, say it, and hear it as they create the book.  As the teacher you have a choice on how it can be done.  The students can each create a book or each student can create one to two pages for a book.  I like the option.

There is a way for the teacher to monitor student progress as they create their pages or books.  The price for 40 books in one library is perfect if your school is on a budget - free otherwise there are two options which allow more libraries and books but do cost something.

I am all for using apps which allows students to express their understanding of mathematics in more interesting ways than just solving equation after equation using processes without understanding the underlying concepts.

Check it out, have fun and let me know what you think.  Have a good weekend.