PRESENTED BY JENNY MEYER

Using eBooks in the Content Areas

Agenda

The Basics: eBooks 101Teaching students how to “read to learn”

using eBooksHow to use eBooks in the classroomHow to get eBooks noticed in the libraryWho is in charge of selecting eBooks and how

to choose them

Q & A Time

Poll- Who has eBooks in their school library? Yes No

Poll- Who uses eBooks in their classroom? I do! No way.

eBooks: A Rocky History in Schools

“Cart Before the Horse” approach for many schools Purchased eBooks before they have adequate devices Purchased devices and eBooks before adequate bandwidth

No interest Students want print Teachers don’t fully understand how to utilize eBooks in the

classroom Librarians don’t know how to “market” eBooks to students or

teachers

What do we do?

Q & A Time

Poll- Do you feel you have adequate devices for your digital materials? Absolutely Getting There Not Even Close

Poll- Do you feel you have a strong infrastructure to support your digital initiatives? Absolutely Getting There Not Even Close

eBook Platforms & Programs

Platforms house eBooks Distributors or publisher-specific housing libraries

Follett Shelf and Mackin Via hold every eBook from every publisher that you purchase and offer enhancements

Publisher-based houses every eBook you purchased just from that publisher

Offer enhanced features Some offer audio, high lighting, search within text, note taking,

and tagging/bookmarking, dictionary

Programs using eBooks Specifically designed content; subscription based

Scholastic Storia and Bookflix PebbleGo Tumble Books

Q & A Time

Poll- Do you believe eBooks can assist in literacy development? Absolutely I have to see it to believe it Definitely not

eBook Features = Student Support

Diverse Learners Students with special needs

Font size, background page color, audio ELL

Dictionary, audio, text-to-speech Struggling Readers

Support through audio, visual, etc Reluctant Readers

Engagement with videos, audio, hyperlinks

eBooks Features = Teacher Support

Scaffold Instruction Features provide not only encouragement but

also scaffold learning and provide visual or auditory support for all learners

Close Reading Reading text multiple times for different

meanings Note-taking, teacher notes, highlighting in different

colors

Evidence Based Learning Using highlighting, notes, and tagging/bookmarks to

look for evidence in a text to support a student’s thinking

eBook Features Enhance Literacy Instruction

eBooks can promote the foundation of reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Phonemic awareness and phonics

Many eBook programs and platforms offer audio. Scholastic Bookflix and Storia, Tumblebooks, Epic!, Follett LightBox, PebbleGo

Fluency When students are engaged in reading and want to revisit a book multiple times

because they are excited, it builds fluency. Fluency is speed, accuracy, and expression. You get that by re-reading.

Vocabulary Programs and platforms reinforce vocabulary meaning through videos, pictures,

and sounds. Students obtain a strong vocabulary by reading and being exposed in words in a variety of settings.

Comprehension Summarize as they read, use of graphic organizers, asking questions as they

read; being engaged and a problem solver while reading the text

eBooks Features Enhance Classroom Learning

Classroom Features Note taking, highlighting, dictionary, keyword

search, tagging Follett Shelf, Mackin Via

Platforms with added subscription based features Shared note taking, time-on task reporting, text

set/reading path creations, vetted database and website integration

Added features that enhance student learning and understanding of content

One place, keeps continuity

Q & A Time

POLL- Do you feel confident enough to use eBooks in the classroom in a meaningful way? Yes! I just used them last week Probably…if I get some assistance Heck no! I’m lost with technology

Getting PHYGITAL

What is PHYGITAL?

Using physical print books and eBooks together and seamlessly moving between both worlds

So Many Questions…

What device? tablets vs. desktops vs.

eReaders

What type of eBook? single user vs. unlimited

simultaneous access vs. interactive

Getting buy-in from staff and students

Training for staff, students and parents

Teaching “Reading to Learn” with eBooks

Take the time to become experts of the device Device Overview

Use the technical terms: electronic book (eBook), digital reader

Place the digital reader on a document camera to showcase the functions of the device and the tools of the eBook

• On/Off button, Home Screen, Font Size, Dictionary Read and Pause

• Read a digital book and pause to show features such as screen orientation, word lookup, bookmarking

• Think out loud to model what good digital readers do Talk a “Feature Walk” with Informational Books

Flip through and discuss the text features and enhanced features of videos and photos

Conflicting Mindsets at the Library

Students

Digital and print have strengths and weaknesses

Time and place for each

Librarians

Digital in the Library

“Selling” something that isn’t there Where do you access?

MARC record and shows in online catalog How do you showcase?

Publishers offer BOGO with print and digital Note the digital on the print title

Access points QR codes on books

In-service for teachers, student Parent Involvement

Access at home via passwords; newsletters or emails Book Talk

Display during discussions or during teaching opportunity Book Cards

Create a cardstock or cardboard book cover on the shelves so students know an eBook is available

School-wide unveiling showcase Have an assembly where you show the new eBooks that have been added One for students and one for teachers

Digital in the Classroom

Getting More Out of Your Big Book Project an eBook on the whiteboard or Smartboard

Highlight, underline, circle, add notes, tags and anything else Project and explore

Visit other sites and videos but still keeping continuity with students having the print or digital book in front of them on their device

Dig Deeper into Meaning Pull excerpts from eBooks from your library or free digital

databases use features to make connections Epic! Curriculet Scholastic’s Listen & Read

Digital Centers

Digital in the Classroom

Take a Feature Walk Identify various text features in informational books Use for pre-reading strategy to set students up for success

Take a Picture Walk Can be used for informational or fiction books Use for prediction strategies, gateway to content area topics, pre-reading strategy

Interactive Lesson Students come up to point, circle, explain, etc Engaging lessons that stick with students

Independent Reading Teach how to use features to be successful independent readers Student confidence Time of task reporting available on some platforms and programs

Whole Group Interaction

Who Finds the Content?

Marriage between teachers & librarians Librarians role has changed- UTILZE THEM

Co-teaching, classroom extension and PD Literacy is a common bond

Teachers know literacy development & librarians are passionate about literacy

Know your strengths Teachers need assistance in selecting the best of the best in trade

books. Librarians know books, publishers, etc District leaders need to start these discussions or at

least be open to them Share funding opportunities to get books (E or Print) in the library

that support your curriculum needs

Distributors have professionals teachers and librarians to help….. For FREE!

Consuming an Elephant

One bite at a time… And for anyone unsure about whether to go digital,

Ann Fondren has some advice: “The e-book world is still a little like the wild, wild West. There are rules, but nobody has the same rules. Don’t wait for the dust to settle to jump in, because it’s not going to.”

Publisher’s weekly

Print and eBooks Together, Forever

Students have opinions when it comes to print vs. digital as well In Scholastic’s 2015 “Kids and Family Reading Report,”

children expressed strong preferences when comparing book formats. Nearly two-thirds of kids (65%) agreed with the survey statement “I’ll always want to read books printed on paper even though there are e-books available.” That percentage is up from 60% in the 2012 survey. And of the 61% of children who have ever read an e-book, according to the survey, more than half said they prefer to read print books.

GET PHYGITAL. Best approach is not replacement, it’s integration.

Recommended eBooks

eBooks are perfect for classroom discussion about science, social studies and math

Check out the resources online for this session for a list of recommended eBooks

This presentation is available online.

THANK YOU!

Jenny Meyer readingwithjenny@gmail.com Follow Reading with Jenny on Pinterest for more

literacy resources

Follett Professional Development Services