Mixbook, possibly my favorite online digital storytelling application, just announced the release of their education version. If you are unfamiliar with Mixbook, it is a web2.0 tool that easily allows the creation of an online books. Simply start by selecting a theme or create your own. Upload images from your computer or from the web. Then arrange page layouts and add text. Another option is to invite other classrooms to collaborate as co-authors. Printed copies are available for purchase. Or, simply copy and paste the embed code into your web page or blog.
Silvia Tolisano, author of the Langwitches blog offers a nice step by step tutorial on how to create your first Mixbook.
Possible Classroom Uses:
-Diaries or Journals
-Comic Book
-Book Reports/Book Analysis
-Science Lab reports
-Retell History
-Yearbooks or student portfolios
-Field Trip Summaries
-Class notes
-Sequencing, character analysis, Text Features
CLASSROOM EXAMPLE
Here is an example Mixbook that my primary students recently completed.
When preparing to write this post, I emailed the Mixbook team for updates on their educational version. I received a coupon code to pass along to the readers of freetech4teachers. If you want to purchase a book use the following code, TECHT4MIX, to get 10% off your order.
Looking for a classroom or school to collaborate with?
Try one of the following websites.
Skype in Schools
CAPspace
Global School House
Post written by Becky Herl, Technology Integration Specialist and Elementary Computer Teacher for USD #369 in Kansas. Becky is sharing ways to integrate technology into elementary classrooms on her blog, Small Town Tech. She is looking to expand her blog by inviting other elementary educators to share what they are doing to integrate technology in their classrooms.
