Tools For Collaborative Work For Language Learning -- Using BookCreator!

In last week, we have known about VoiceThread, where we could engage students in collaborative work for language learning. This week, I will introduce another application for you. 😀😀 Its name is BookCreator, you can visit the website through the link: bookcreator.com. It is a place where supports jointly constructed knowledge and understanding through interaction and "scaffolding practice" (Cullen & Kullman, 2013).

Users of Book Creator can generate their own digital books by typing, drawing, or uploading video, audio files, and images. On the one hand, as teachers, we can provide students with the books we design; On the other hand, Book Creator allows multiple students to collaborate to create a book in real time, which is conducive to students' cooperative learning.

Since Book Creator is so powerful, let's take a look at how to use it! 👀

Usage Guide

Step 1: Go to bookcreator.com and click sign in.

Step 2: Sign in as a teacher or a student.

Step 3: Create your own library and click “+New book” on the upper left.

Step 4: In your new book, use the “+” sign on the upper right to import or generate any content.

Step 5: Use the “i” sign on the upper right to adjust settings of the page.

Step 6: Use the play button to get the preview page to share, download, or use “Read to me” button to listen to your book.

Due to the complexity of the steps, here is a video that specifically shows you how to use this software.

Software evaluation and recommendations

Advantages 😀😀

(1) Substitution. Digital books have replaced traditional textbooks, which are green and environmentally friendly, with richer forms and larger content capacity. For example, when students are learning pronunciations of English words, watching a video or listening to a standard recording is more helpful than reading a line of text.

(2) Easy to modify. When users create their own book, they can modify the content repeatedly, which is more flexible and convenient.

(3) Students can create a book with their personal characteristics. Traditional unified textbooks are difficult to design teaching content based on the characteristics of each student, while Book Creator is more unique and targeted. For example, while students are learning English, they can create a book where records the key points they are not familiar with, avoiding reading already familiar content.

(4) Students and teachers are free to exchange ideas and brainstorm through Book Creator.

Disadvantages 😔😔

(1) Information security. Due to improper actions, the edited content may not be successfully saved. In addition, public information platforms increase the risk of information leakage.

(2) Lack of regulation. The speech is not regulated, and some dangerous negative remarks may have an impact on users.

(3) Visual impairment.

In summary, I highly recommend you to use Book Creator in the classroom, as it can effectively help students participate in textbook production and promote interaction between teachers and students. However, when guiding students to use Book Creator, we need to provide them with technical guidance and appropriate information supervision. 

See you next week!

Reference

Cullen, R., Wild, C., & Kullman, J. (2013). Online collaborative learning on an ESL teacher education programme. ELT Journal, 67(4), 425-434. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/cct032