Using BookCreator (updated 5-2022)
Information literacy topics:
- Using technology tools
Objective: To effectively use the BookCreator platform to create an online eBook that takes advantage of the full possible range media contect to present a narrative (children’s book).
Learning Expectations:
Academic-Writing: “Students will produce and distribute a variety of writing designed to entertain, inform, or argue, as well build and present knowledge derived from research.“
Academic-Problem-solving: “Students will use appropriate tools strategically to solve problems.”
1. Discussion:
We are going to discover how to use the BookCreator platform together as you begin to produce your eBooks.
Look at these examples:
Girls Don't Play Basketball by Leah Ray
Graphic novel-style (narration included, no video)
The Magical Moustache by Mrs. Goodwin's 2nd Grade Class
Graphic novel-style (limited voice-over, some video, some sound effects)
2. Getting started
- Go to BookCreator.com
- Sign in as a STUDENT
- In “LIBRARIES”, go to “Join a Library”. Use the join code below:
HMSHW7Y
- Use the to start your book.
3. Add your text, images, and sound. (Hint: Write and refine all your text first in a Google doc so you don’t lose it.)
4. Learn how to do more by following:
- A short video from your librarians.
- These really good written instructions from BookCreator.
5. Teachers should follow these instructions to sign up, and speak to the librarians to get their own class library.
Creating a Tour in Google Earth (updated 2-2020)
Information literacy topics:
-Searching strategies for information
-Using technology tools
Learning Expectations:
-(for using all Technology tools): Academic-Problem-solving: “Students will use appropriate tools strategically to solve problems.”
1: Find the activities for this class by starting at the Amity Library web page.
2. Objective: What do we want to accomplish today?
Use Google Earth to create and save a tour of sites of interest in a Latin American country, in which you state different activities that can be done in those locations.
3. Discussion: Functionalities that Google Earth offers. Look at this sample tour: Visita a Gijón, España.
4. Sign into Google so that your work is saved. Now go to Google Earth.
5. How to work in Google Earth.
Movement tips:
- Move around: Left-click and drag your thumb on the touchpad.
- Zoom in and out: use the +/- on screen.
- Look around your location: Hold Ctrl + click and drag the screen.
- View 3D buildings: go to Menu, Map Style, and turn on Enable 3D
Building your Tour:
- Search for a city: Search .
- Search for a specific place by name, or KIND of place in the city (“Parque Isabel la Católica, or “parque.”
- When you find a place you want to include and the place name appears on the right, click
- Name your project appropriately, and “Edit place.”
- Add your own image, and write your own information by clicking “Replace.”
- Search for your image or images, add and format your text.
- When you are done, play your tour by clicking “Present” Lick “3D” in the lower right to tilt the view.:
6. Sharing your Tour in Google Earth
- Use the share icon. Set your preferences so that anyone (not just Amity) can view (not edit.)
Spanish-speaking Countries: Tourism Resources
Argentina
Ministerio de turismo: Official bureau of tourism
Argentina por vos: Additional government-sanctioned site
Bolivia
Bolivia te espera: Official bureau of tourism
Bolivia en tus manos: commercial site
Chile, Colombia
Chile Travel: Official bureau of tourism
Welcome Chile: commercial site
Costa Rica
Esencial Costa Rica: Official bureau of tourism
Cuba
Cuba Travel: Official bureau of tourism
Turismo de Cuba: (commercial?) website intended for South American travelers
Dominican Republic
Republica Dominicana: Official bureau of tourism
Turismo Santo Domingo: commercial site
Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea
Ecuador Travel: Official bureau of tourism
Visita Ecuador: commercial site
El Salvador
El Salvador Impressive: Official bureau of tourism
Turismo en El Salvador: commercial site
Guatemala
Guatemala: Official bureau of tourism
Explorando Guatemala: commercial site
Honduras
Honduras Travel: Official bureau of tourism
Honduras Tips: commercial site??
México
Visit México: Official bureau of tourism
Turismo en México: commercial site
Nicaragua
Visita Nicaragua: Official bureau of tourism
CasaCubanaGranada: commercial site
Panamá
Visit Panama: Official bureau of tourism, under construction as of 9-2015
Panama Tourism: commercial site
Paraguay
Paraguay: Secretaria Nacional de Turismo: Official bureau of tourism
Paraguay.com: commercial site
Perú
Peru Travel: Official bureau of tourism
Turismo Peru: commercial site
Puerto Rico
See Puerto Rico: Commercial, but seems to be sanctioned by the official bureau of tourism
Para dónde voy?: commercial site
Spain
Spain Info: Official bureau of tourism
Todo sobre España: commercial site
Uruguay
Uruguay Natural: Official bureau of tourism
Turismo de Uruguay: commercial site
Venezuela
Venezuela vacaciones 2015: Part of the official bureau of tourism
Venezuela la tuya: commercial site
Claudia Mirci
Spanish III-1
Setting up Google Slides for Storybooks (updated 12-2019)
Information literacy topics:
-Communicating new knowledge
-Using technology tools
Objective: To effectively use Google Slides to create and compile shared original stories, maintaining some common formatting.
Background:
Each student has already created an original story. You will now create the final version of your story in Google Slides.
Groups will be formed, and the stories of each group member will be combined into a single book. The class will have as many books as there are groups.
Before you start to create your story:
1. Meet with your group, and establish a shared format with other members.
2. Configure Slides for printer-type letter-size paper (8.5 x 11 inches)
- File/Page Setup/Custom
3. Create a template for the group. Name it, and share it.
- Create master slide for the group (View/Master).
- Click on the lines of the text boxes to erase all existing text from Master slide.
- Click on Master Slide, choose a background color or image (if you want one).
- In the master slide, choose a common font and title and body text sizes. This is optional, but it makes the book flow better.
- Add a text box, choose your font and size, and label it “Titles”. Add another text box, with a smaller size, and label it “Body Text.” Notice that I had to fill my text boxes with white to make them visible on a busy background.
- Add page numbers (Insert/Slide Numbers).
- Close Master slide view
- Select page number, and adjust font and font size.
4. Group members work in their own copy of the presentation, and one member combines the slides when they are done.
How to Use Images in Your Work the Right Way
When you use images, you must attribute (cite) your source, and make sure you know the rights for re-use.
This presentation explains usage rights in more detail.
Two easy methods:
1. One option is to only look at images that already have a “Creative Commons” license, stating exactly what you can use it for, and what YOU need to do (like possibly give credit, not change the image, not use it commercially, etc.). The different kind of licenses are listed here.
Most important: Choose a license that requires citing, and allows you to modify (most do) so you can crop pictures
Use the Creative Commons Search.
2. Google Image search with usage rights limited.
Warning! Google warns that this is not enough, because it does not have complete information on every image.
You still have to “make sure that its license is legitimate and check the exact terms of reuse.” That means visiting the site and looking for more information about permissions.
El podcast Nómadas es uno de los más populares del mundo hispanohablante. Está ubicado en la RTVE, que es la emisora nacional de radio y televisión de España.
En un principio se trata del turismo, pero es mucho más que esto, porque además de información que puede ser útil para los viajeros, indaga en las culturas de los sitios más interesantes del mundo, como La Patagonia, Milano, Hanói. La emisora lo llama «un gran viaje virtual lleno de voces, ruidos y músicas que permiten construir en la imaginación lugares, rostros, aromas y sabores».
http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/audios/nomadas/
Buenos Días América es un programa de La Voz de América. Sus programas de noticias ofrecen un contenido variado acerca de los temas más relevantes en Estados Unidos y toda Latinoamericana.
La Prensa Internacional
Gracias a la interconectividad de las redes digitales, hoy en día tenemos disponibles en la Web una riqueza de recursos que ofrecen enlaces con la prensa de todos los países del mundo.
En general estas webs no ofrecen el cien por cien del contenido que tiene la versión pagada del mismo periódico o revista, pero dan la posibilidad de ver las portadas, y leer muchos de los artículos que contienen.
Adelante!
México
Venezuela
Perú
Bolivia
Chile
España
Colombia
Infographics:
Canva : Canva gives you everything you need to easily turn ideas into stunning designs. Create designs for Web or print: blog graphics, presentations, Facebook covers, flyers, posters, invitations and so much more.
Piktochart : Piktochart is an easy infographic design app that requires very little effort to produce beautiful, high quality graphics.
Infogram : Use Infogram to create infographics and interactive online charts. It's free and super-easy!
Glogster : Glogster allows users to mix all kinds of media on a one virtual canvas to create multimedia posters, and access a library of engaging educational content created by students and educators worldwide. (Not Free).
Mind Maps and More:
Popplet : Use Popplet in the classroom and at home, students use Popplet for learning. Used as a mind-map, Popplet helps students think and learn visually. Students can capture facts, thoughts, and images and learn to create relationships between them. Also available as an app for your device!
InstaGrok: instaGrok is an innovative educational search engine that combines sophisticated semantic technology with an interactive user interface to make learning more engaging, personalized and fun for everyone.
Coggle : Use Coggle to produce beautiful notes, quickly and easily. Share them with friends and colleagues to enhance your ideas collaboratively. All for free!
Bubbl : Use Bubbl for free to create up to 3 mind maps. Save your work as an image or HTML. Share mind maps with your peers.
Cartooning:
Powtoon: PowToon is the world’s most minimalist, user friendly and intuitive presentation software that allows someone with no technical or design skills to create engaging professional “look and feel” animated presentations. Their aim is to establish a new presentation category called “powtoon” – a combination of presentation and animated cartoon – as the industry standard for evolved (animated) presentations.
GoAnimate: GoAnimate videos could and should be everywhere. Explain complex topics, exercise higher order thinking skills (such as creativity and critical thinking) in the classroom.
Voki: Use Voki to create speaking avatars. Introduce material in a fun way. Great way to present a project.
Bitstrips: Bitstrips is your online funny pages. Turn yourself and your friends into cartoon characters, and create and share your own awesome comic strips!
