Minnesota eLearning Summit - Publish Amazing Interactive Books With iBooks Author & Book Creator

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Looking for creative ways to create a textbook tailored for your students’ needs or with up-to-date information to supplement your textbook, to distribute in your classroom or school, to make available through your learning management system, or even to publish commercially or to share globally? iBooks Author for the Mac computer and the Book Creator app for iPad, Android, and Windows are the answer! Come learn how to create interactive books with this amazing easy-to-use Mac software and widgets and multi-platform app that make creating an eye-catching, engaging, interactive book as easy as 1-2-3.

Resources
Apps featured:
iBooks Author (runs on Mac computer)
Book Creator (available for iOS, Android, and Windows)
iBooks (runs on Mac computer and iOS devices)
Reflector 2 (runs on computer)

iBooks Author
This application allows you to easily create your own textbooks, long or short, by dragging and dropping content into templates. Built-in and third party widgets allow you to create interactive elements that help students to engage with your content as they read.

Content that you can drag into your iBook:
Images (png, jpeg, jpg)
Word documents
Pages documents

Widgets:

• Keynote - Keynotes, Powerpoints
• Gallery - multiple images
• Review - self-check quizzes
• Media - video
• Interactive Image - drag labels to appropriate location on image
• 3D - add 3D images to can be rotated and manipulated
• Scrolling Sidebar - add long text to a page
• Pop-Over - pop up boxes with additional information about parts of images and diagrams
• HTML - add all sorts of content from the Internet that can be linked to or embedded

Third Party Widgets:
Bookry
This website service allows you to create interactive widgets that you can customize with content from the internet or from your own files. Widgets can be downloaded and dropped into iBooks Author to add the interactive feature to your book.

• Library of free widgets

BookWidgets
This subscription website service allows you to create interactive widgets that you can customize with content from the internet or from your own files. Widgets can be downloaded and dropped into iBooks Author to add the interactive feature to your book.

• Widget library

iBooks Author Getting Started Guide
The iBooks Author Getting Started Guide is a great iBook available from Apple iBooks Store that guide you step by step through the process of learning to use iBooks Author by having you create an iBook. Sample media files are included in the book to help you get started without needing to gather all of your own files.

Example Textbooks
E.O. Wilson's Life on Earth Textbooks
Unit 1: Unity & Diversity of Life on Earth
Unit 2: Guided Tour of the Living Cell
Unit 3: Genetics
Unit 4: Animal Physiology
Unit 5: Plant Physiology
Unit 6: Guided Tour of Biodiversity
Unit 7: Guided Tour of Ecosystems


Book Creator
This simple-to-use but powerful app allows you to easily create your own books or textbooks with your own content to customize for student needs. Books can be collaboratively created or exported in ePub format and read in iBooks or as PDFs.

Content that you can add to your book:
Images
Text
Video
Pen tool allows for handwriting
Audio narration

Sample Books
Pinterest Library of Books Made In Book Creator

Getting Started with Book Creator
Tutorials and Support

iBooks
This app for iOS and Mac computers allows for the creation of libraries of ibooks, ePubs, ebooks, and PDFs so that students can take books with them on the go and open up books that were previously read. Depending on the format of the books, students may be able to highlight and take notes while reading, sync notes across devices, and automatically create study cards from highlights and notes.


Reflector 2
This Mac and Windows computer application allows iOS users to mirror their device screens to the computer to allow for projection for the whole class via an LCD projector connected to the computer. Teachers/instructors can mirror their own iPad content or have students share for the whole class as well.

iPadPaloozaMN: Create Metacognitive eBook Coaches

Ever wish that you could whisper in your student's ear while they are reading or working a math problem? What if every iBook you created had a personalized instructor or eCoach that could prompt students with metacognitive questions or remind them to use particular strategies? You could provide just-in-time support to your students even when you're not at their elbow or looking over their shoulder. If this sounds like a way to clone yourself and provide extra support to your students, then this session is just what you need.

Meet Your Personalized Instructor

Session Description:
Learn how to create talking metacognitive eBook coaches with free and low cost iOS apps. Snap a selfie or use a photo of a pet or even a cartoon, add a movable mouth, and record directions, homework hints, timely tips, and encouragement, and then app smash these recordings into your eBook creation app of choice. Voila ~ you have a personalized metacognitive coach to guide your students through tasks or to create a read aloud eBook.

Apps:
Download some or all of the apps below to play along today.
Book Creator for iPad

Book Creator Free

Camera App - Video - Use the camera app on your iPad in video mode to record yourself giving directions or hints.

Photos and built-in audio tool in Book Creator - Take a picture of something with your camera app on your iPad  and add narration with the audio tool in the Inspector in Book Creator.

Paper Fifty-Three 

ChatterPix

ChatterPix Kid

Tellagami - free and in-app purchases

My Talking Avatar - free and paid versions

Crazy Talk Free

My Pet Can Talk

iFunFace

Animate Me

Photo Talk Free

PhotoSpeak

Green Screen by Do Ink

Explain Everything

Photo Blather - In order to save need to pay $0.99 in app fee for Extras

Morfo - In order to save need to pay $0.99 in app fee for Extras

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Extra:
Book Creator for iPad App Giveaway
Click above if you want to be entered into a random giveaway for the Book Creator for iPad App
courtesy of Book Creator and were present for the session.

EdCamp Global - iBook and eBook Creation

Are you interested in Creating iBooks and eBooks to Personalize and Publish Student Learning? If you are thinking "Yes!," then click the link below to join the Google Hangout for this EdCamp Global session.

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Session Description: August 1, 12:00 P.M. CDT

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There are lots of reasons to create iBooks/eBooks for your students. Maybe the textbook for the content area that you teach is out-dated and you want your students to have up-to-date information. Perhaps it is difficult to find or expensive to purchase leveled reading books or books with a controlled set of vocabulary for your students. Maybe you are creating supplemental materials to go along with your content area text and you want to nicely package text and multimedia together. Or maybe you want to  provide a more authentic, project-based, and shareable method for students to show what they learned in your class or during Genius Time. Whatever the reason, it is easy to create and publish iBooks/eBooks and distribute them. Join the conversation and share your knowledge as part of EdCamp Global.

Click here to participate in the Hangouts On Air Event Page

Shared Resources:
Join the conversation and chime in during the hangout and add resources to the shared Google Doc.

Resources:
Several resources are listed below, but please add more resources in the shared Doc or in the comments at the end of the blog post.

iBook and eBook Creation Tools
Book Creator - iPad app and PC computer app
iBooks Author - app for Mac computers
iBooks - iPad and Mac computer app for reading iBooks


Creative Commons Licensed Images
Morgue File
Wylie Image Search
World Images
Animal Photos
The Noun Project
Google Images Advanced Search - Free to Use and Share

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Book Creator For iPad
Great app that allows you to easily create iBooks featuring images, great fonts, narration, music, and video right on the iPad. Simple enough for young students to use but capable of creating beautiful books loaded with interactive elements.

Video
Imports video from Photos/Camera Roll.

Audio
Built-in recording tool or import audio from iTunes library.

Distribution
Dropbox
Website
Google Drive
iTunes - with iTunes Producer
iTunes U
Learning Management System

Sample Books
Book Creator has many sample books pinned on the Book Creator Pinterest page.

Student-created books: (You may need to tap on the image below and wait a few seconds for the dots to appear. Tap on the dots to see student-created books from @MathyCathy.)


Support
There are lots of helpful articles in the Support section of the Book Creator Red Jumper website.

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iBooks Author
iBooks Author is an app that runs on Mac computers and allows you to create multimedia-rich books loaded with swappable and tappable interactive elements in addition to a myriad of fonts, images, slideshows, video, and audio. Built-in and third party widgets allow for self-check reviews, slideshows, image galleries, and 3D objects that can be manipulated.

Video
Format - .mp4 file extension

Audio
Format - AAC  - .m4a file extension

Other Widget Creation Tools
Bookry - sign up for free account
BookWidgets
iAD Producer - free
Tumult Hype

File Types

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iba - editable iBooks Author file
ibooks - finished book - cannot be edited

Distribution
Dropbox
Website
Google Drive
iTunes - with iTunes Producer
iTunes U
Learning Management System

Interactive iBook Example
Sample book showing some of the interactivity that you can quickly create with iBooks Author, the standard iBooks Author widgets, and some of the Bookry widgets.
11.9MB
Downloading on an iPad:
Tap on the link above > Download > Direct download > No thanks, continue to download (at the bottom of the pop up window) > Open in "iBooks" (This won't appear until the book has downloaded to your iPad so there may be a short pause depending on your Internet connection.)

Many free books created with iBooks Author are available for download from the iTunes Store.


Mirroring iPad to Computer

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You can mirror the screen of your iPad onto your computer, which can then be projected or recorded by using the Reflector app on your computer. This makes it easy to project your iPad for your
students or for a presentation while still allowing you to move around the room and to make videos or screencast tutorials of your iPad screen.


Other Apps or Resources?
Are there other apps or resources that I did not mention that you use for creating and publishing books? If yes, please share them in a comment below.

Minnesota eLearning Summit: Publish Amazing Interactive Books With iBooks Author

Attend my session today at the Minnesota eLearning Summit if you are interested in creating textbooks, long or short, for students using classroom content you have created or curated from Creative Commons licensed resources.

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Session Description:
Looking for creative ways to publish student writing or to create a textbook tailored for your students to distribute in your classroom, school, college, or university or even to share globally? iBooks Author is the answer! Come learn how to create interactive books with this amazing easy-to-use Mac software and widgets.

Presentation
The presentation is embedded below:

Why iBooks Author?
Are you interested in creating your own curriculum materials and developing an interactive textbook that combines flipped classroom content and creative commons licensed materials to create a personalized learning experience that students can take on the go with them and access on their iPads with or without wifi access? This session explores how to create interactive content with a variety of free and low-cost tools that can then be easily imported into the free iBooks Author program to create and publish your own iBooks that can be downloaded onto the iPad or onto a Mac computer running the iBooks app. A variety of ways to use widgets, video, and interactive elements to enrich your text and make the learning experience more personalized, engaging, and interactive will be shared and demonstrated.

iBook and eBook Creation Tools
iBooks Author - app for Mac computers
iBooks - iPad and Mac computer app for reading iBooks
Book Creator - iPad app and PC computer app

Creative Commons Licensed Images
Morgue File
Wylie Image Search
World Images
Animal Photos
The Noun Project
Google Images Advanced Search - Free to Use and Share

Video
Format - .mp4 file extension

Audio
Format - AAC  - .m4a file extension

Other Widget Creation Tools
Bookry - sign up for free account
BookWidgets
iAD Producer - free
Tumult Hype

File Types
iba - editable iBooks Author file
ibooks - finished book - cannot be edited

Distribution
Dropbox
Website
Google Drive
iTunes - with iTunes Producer
iTunes U

eLearning Summit Interactive Book Example
Sample book showing some of the interactivity that you can quickly create with iBooks Author, the standard iBooks Author widgets, and some of the Bookry widgets.
11.9MB
Downloading on an iPad:
Tap on the link above > Download > Direct download > No thanks, continue to download (at the bottom of the pop up window) > Open in "iBooks" (This won't appear until the book has downloaded to your iPad so there may be a short pause depending on your Internet connection.)

Mirroring iPad to Computer
You can mirror the screen of your iPad onto your computer, which can then be projected by using the Reflector app on your computer. This makes it easy to project your iPad for your students or for a presentation while still allowing you to move around the room.

EdCamp Global - iBook and eBook Creation: Personalizing and Publishing Student Learning

Are you interested in Creating iBooks and eBooks to Personalize and Publish Student Learning? If you are thinking "Yes!," then you will want to join the Google Hangout for this EdCamp Global session on Saturday, August 1 at 12:00 P.M. CST.

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Session Description: 

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There are lots of reasons to create iBooks/eBooks for your students. Maybe the textbook for the content area that you teach is out dated and you want your students to have up-to-date information. Perhaps it is difficult to find or expensive to purchase leveled reading books or books with a controlled set of vocabulary for your students. Maybe you are creating supplemental materials to go along with your content area text and you want to nicely package text and multimedia together. Or
maybe you want to  provide a more authentic, project-based, and shareable method for students to show what they learned in your class or during Genius Time. Whatever the reason, it is easy to publish iBooks/eBooks and distribute them. Join the conversation and share your knowledge as part of EdCamp Global.

Session Link:
The link to join the Google Hangout will be posted on this blog on Saturday, August 1 shortly before 12:00 P.M. CST.

FlipCon15 - Flipped Classroom Learning On The Go With iBooks

Thanks to everyone who attended my session at the 8th Annual Flipped Learning Conference held in East Lansing, Michigan on creating textbooks, long or short, for students using flipped classroom content created by yourself or curated from Creative Commons licensed resources.

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Session Description:
Are you interested in creating your own curriculum materials and developing an interactive textbook that combines flipped classroom content and creative commons licensed materials to create a personalized learning experience that students can take on the go with them and access on their iPads with or without wifi access? This session explores how to create interactive flipped content with a variety of free and low-cost tools that can then be easily imported into the free iBooks Author program to create and publish your own iBooks that can be downloaded onto the iPad. A variety of ways to use widgets, video, and interactive elements to enrich your text and make the learning experience more personalized, engaging, and interactive will be shared and demonstrated.


Shared Notes
Please contribute to the shared notes doc if you know of resources not included in this blog post.

iBook and eBook Creation Tools
iBooks Author - app for Mac computers
iBooks - iPad and Mac app for reading iBooks
Book Creator - iPad app and PC app

Creative Commons Licensed Images
Morgue File
Wylie Image Search
World Images
Animal Photos
The Noun Project
Google Images Advanced Search - Free to Use and Share

Video
Format - .mp4 file extension

Audio
Format - AAC  - .m4a file extension

Other Widget Creation Tools
Bookry - sign up for free account
BookWidgets
iAD Producer - free
Tumult Hype


File Types
iba - editable iBooks Author file
ibooks - finished book - cannot be edited

Distribution
Dropbox
Website
iTunes - with iTunes Producer
iTunes U

FlipCon15 Interactive Book Example
Sample book showing some of the interactivity that you can quickly create with iBooks Author, the standard iBooks Author widgets, and some of the Bookry widgets.
11.9MB
Tap on the link above > Download > Direct download > No thanks, continue to download (at the bottom of the pop up window) > Open in "iBooks" (This won't appear until the book has downloaded to your iPad so there may be a short pause depending on your Internet connection.)

Great Example Available in iTunes iBooks Store
Uses iBooks Author widgets and widgets created with iAD Producer and Tumult Hype
Writing Tune-Ups: Adjectives & Opening Adjectives by Shawn Jacob, East Zeeland East High School

Mirroring iPad to Computer
You can mirror the screen of your iPad onto your computer, which can then be projected by using the Reflector app on your computer. This makes it easy to project your iPad for your students or for a presentation while still allowing you to move around the room.

ISTE2015 Workshop - Publish Amazing Interactive Books With iBooks Author

iBooks Author is free software from Apple for creating interactive multi-touch books for the iPad or iBooks on the Mac.

Required:
Mac computer
iBooks Author
iBooks (on Mac) - optional
iPad  - optional
iBooks (on iPad) - optional

Resources:
In addition to the sample Philadelphia book and the workshop instructional packet, the following resources may be helpful.

Creative Commons Licensed Images
Morgue File
Wylie Image Search
World Images
Animal Photos
The Noun Project
Google Images Advanced Search - Free to Use and Share

Video
Format - MP4

Other Widget Creation Tools
Bookry
BookWidgets
iAD Producer
Tumult Hype


File Types
iba - editable iBooks Author file
ibooks - finished book - cannot be edited

Distribution
Dropbox
Website
iTunes - with iTunes Producer
iTunes U

Other Book Creation Tools
Book Creator App - Easily create multimedia ebooks on the iPad.