Some key ideas on the nature of eBooks

There are a number of ways you can create your ebook:

• If you have a Apple computer you can use Pages or iBooksAuthor [both of these are free with your Apple]
• If you have an iPad tablet you can use the Book Creator (£4.99) or Creative Book Builder (£3.99) apps
• If you have an Android tablet you can use Creative Book Builder (£2.40) app
• You can also use Book Creator on-line (https://app.bookcreator.com/)

For some support on using the Book Creator APP see - this page

For some support on using the Book Creator ONLINE see - this page

A good model for developing and designing your book is the PACDAD model (Hopkins, 2017).

P = PURPOSE - Are you clear on the purpose of the book?

• Didactic - to transmit knowledge
• Constructive - to explore a range of ideas
• Activity Led - to undertake some tasks

A = AUDIENCE - Who is the audience you are aiming at?

• The audience for your books are TEACHERS of primary science

C = CONTENT - What content are you going to include in your book?

• See the section below for more on the elements of the content
• You should also think about the range of media you can use for the content,
  • "traditional" books use a "flat text" method using text and images
  • You should thinking about multimedia content including video, animations, sounds
    • You could create these yourselves or could create links to wider materials
  • Also think about resources you could use such as pupil's work or video of investigations to enhance your book
    
    COPYRIGHT AND IPR - Whilst these books will not be shared outside the group please be aware of the limitations of copyright and intellectual property. You should check the status of images and text you are using and make sure you are acknowledging sources.
    

D = DESIGN - What design principles are you going to effect?

• Concentrate but do not overwhelm
• Structure of the book
  • Linear - each chapter follows the previous one
  • Radial - a central point leads to each chapter and the returns to the centre
  • Multi-Directional - the pathway the reader takes depends on the needs at the time of reading
• Decoration should be consistent and minimal - but the book should have a design 'theme' or 'purpose'
• Each section should follow the rubric: Title - Key Idea - Paragraph - Body
• Do not be constrained by "print rules" so pages can contain a single idea, image or activity
• Consider the rules of thirds and of white space

A = ASSEMBLY - How are you going to build your book?

• There are a number of software options for putting together books:
  • Borrow an iPad with Book Creator
  • Use Book Creator on-line (www.bookcreator.com) you will need to create an account and use Chrome
  • Use iBooks Author if you have a Mac (free software)

D = DISSEMINATION - How will you get your book to a wider audience?

• Once you have finished your book save it as a .epub file and then distribute