Moglue

Lately, there has been a wave of interest on creating and publishing your own e-book. The wave gets higher as there has been interest to make the e-book more interactive. So far Apple has created an application – iBook Author which can be downloaded free oops…but yours truly doesn’t have a MAC.

A team from Korea create an interactive ebook application called MOGLUE.

     

Before I start yapping about it, do not compare this with iBook Author.   Both are different in levels and also the approach.

This application can be used on Windows platform. The catch is – to check/preview your changes made on the ebook, you need to download MoglueBooks in your iOS device-iphone/ipad (they are currently developing Mbooks for Android—see image below on the issue)

 

Here is the dashboard (Image 1) for Moglue Builder.

Image 1

On the dashboard, the layout is pretty simple for user to grasp how to move around.

Things provided in their library are images and sounds. You can add your own images and sounds

(Refer to Image 2) Since I am not into the images provided by their library, I decided to “borrow” images from the Web. By the way, when it comes to choosing images, be very selective on the images for the content. Once you download the images of your choice, click FILE —> IMPORT —-> Select the downloaded images —> and the images will be transferred to the application library. The choice of fonts are a variety. Of course, size, colour and rotation for both font and images can be changed. To remove the images from the page, just click on the image, and then press DELETE from your keyboard.

Image 2

 

Image 3

Then there is the part of adding and deleting pages (Refer to Image 3). Just right click on the previous page, and you can start adding pages to the ebook

 

For interactive, there are a set of provided actions (refer to Image 4) which can be embedded on the image ( s ).

Image 4

 

What you need to do is to drag the selected action into the box (which will comes with the image that is embedded on the page) You can add a few actions accordingly depending on how you want the image to interact with the reader. If you want to remove the selected action from the image, all you need to do is  press DELETE.

For more info on the arrangement for actions, go to this link: http://kb.moglue.com/index.php/2-5)_States_%26_Triggers_(Setting_up_actions)

Image 5

 

So to preview the current page or book, make sure you install MoglueBooks in your iOS first. Switch it on in your iOS device. Next, on your MoglueBuilder (installed in your PC), click FIND TARGET DEVICE (Refer to Image 6). By the way, make sure both iOS device and PC are on the same Wifi line. A box will appear (Refer to Image 7). Click FIND and the application will locate the device with the MoglueBooks. If the application is running, the iOS device IP address will appear. Then you can start previewing the page/book from your iOS device real-time. Kinda cool actually! Unfortunately, it can be a hassle for those who do not have iOS device. I do wish the team do away with that, and have the preview change from the desktop.

 

Image 6

 

Image 7

Anyway, the book created cannot be published yet. I can’t seem to find the button for that. I guess the developer is working on that soon.

For those who are in the tertiary education, don’t be put off by the images (meant for kids). I think it is possible to create an interactive textbook / manual / handbook for your audience.

So far Mogluebuilder is great for those who has iOS device (for previewing the changes made on the book or page)

To see what Moglue can produce, check out the ready made interactive e-books:

http://store.moglue.com/html/store/index.php (only can be downloaded in iOS devices)

The ebook which I create is pretty simple. Have not done anything textbookish or complicated as I am not familiar with the application yet. Hmm…maybe I should give it a go and see how it works out.

Storybird:the how

As I have mentioned in the earlier post, I will be writing about how to use StoryBird. The HOW entry looks at how to create a story.

For this online storymaker application, you need to sign-up. It is free. Two options for you to choose from:the regular account or the kid account or the teacher account. I choose the TEACHER account to see what the application can offer for teaching.

PIC 01

As I log in as the teacher account, there are 3 items (see PIC 01) :

GETTING STARTED, ASSIGNMENTS, CLASS LIBRARY

The interesting items which the teacher can use are (1) adding students in her/his community for projects that focuses on storymaking skill. Here the teacher adds the students. (2) assignments-the teacher can create specific assignment. Assignments here not only focus on creating story but collaborating in designing the story, or commenting on the story or even predicting the story. The latter two activities are possible because there is a feature (See PIC02) in this application which allows the reader to comment on the story.

PIC 02

Okay, now let us start creating the story. STORYBIRD provides a set of amazing artsy pictures. Amazing artsy pictures which I felt is sufficient to whet the students’ imaginative appetites. You can choose from the art images or themes (See PIC03).

PIC 03

In my opinion, if a teacher is starting to introduce the application to the students, then the option of asking them to select from art images to start creating will be a better choice. Making the students excited and hooked on the application will be first thing to do. Once the students get the hang of using the tool, and for a more advance activity, then the teacher can include the option of exploring themes.

PIC 04

First, let me choose the art for my story. I pick the Fairy art set (See PIC04). Then you will be brought to this page. Click START A STORYBIRD to begin your storytelling (See PIC05).

PIC 05

Now, this page will appear (See PIC06). Your work station for creating the story. The images on both left and right are for me to choose to create the story. The basic process of creating the story will be ADD PAGE, REMOVE PAGE, and you can even rearrange the CREATED PAGES.

PIC 06

The e-storybook also includes a COVER (See PIC07) which the creator needs to add a title, and even change the author’s name. To be able to change the author’s name provides a sense of identity to the story-teller. Imagine your student coming up with their pen names. You can also change the colour for the cover. Colour palette depends on the chosen image for the cover.

PIC 07

I will choose an image to start my story. Let me start by selecting an image for my first page. All you need to do is to drag the image to the page. Before placing the image, hover the image around the page to decide where you want to put your text. BOTTOM, LEFT, RIGHT or TOP (See PIC08).

PIC 08

Of course, if the issue of writer’s block occur, there is always SAVE and CLOSE option under the MENU ICON. The draft will be saved and you can choose to continue later.

The challenge for this activity is to create a story with just that amount of pictures. Hence, it pushes the students’ creativity and imagination to create an awesome story with that “limited” resource. By the way, never underestimate your students.

Issues such as:

(1)What image is suitable to represent the flow of the story.

(2)How much description to add because [A] if the texts are too lengthy, it can be a put off to the reader or [B] if it the texts are too few, it can be turn off because the parts of the story is incomplete.

can be used as part of the class activities. The students will learn how to manage such problems when it comes to story-telling.

As I an educator from Malaysia, teachers who teach Bahasa Malaysia, and English language can use this tool for composition writing activity. It is not only for the Primary School students but I believe secondary school students can benefit as well. As for Chinese language, the STORYBIRD team is working on  it (See PIC 09).

PIC 09

Do have fun trying out STORYBIRD.

I did.

Previously created 2 stories.

By the way, here is another complete story. My third.

Storybird

Recently, I tried to create to learning objects from the Web 2.0 tools which I introduced during class.

The Web2.0 tool is STORYBIRD.

It is an online tool to create stories.

The provided graphics are amazing. Beautifully drawn artwork.

So far I have created two stories.

My next entry will be more on how to use the tool to create.

PBEY4103:First class

Yesterday was my first class with my PBEY students. It was interesting to meet all of them again. There are many things which I want to share with them and learn from them at the same time. Hopefully, there is time for me to give input before they step into the teaching world.

 

Testing sample 01

Hi i am testing this sample.

GL2010:day 02 cont part 3

One brilliant active session by Prof. Carmel McNaught on Writing and Publishing Academic Papers for Conferences and Journals.

Things which I learned from the session:-

-A good article regardless for a journal or theses, you should have these elements: COHERENCE, CLARITY, COMPLETENESS (Carmel, 2010)

-To be a good writer, discipline yourself to write everyday (of course, you can have breaks during the weekend)

-peer review is essential. let your friends / peers read cause they can see what you might not be able to see in your own article

-FIVE HOOKS for a good academic paper (regardless journal, theses or proceedings):

[A] TITLE

[B] ABSTRACT

[C] FIRST SENTENCES – Get to the POINT. What is the paper’s contribution? NUTSHELL needs to be in the first paragraph

[D] SEQUENCE OF HEADINGS

[E] LAST SENTENCES – referring to the conclusion: wraps the paper up and SHOW WHERE it going next. DO NOT REPEAT the abstract here.

-LITERATURE – in past tense

-METHODOLOGY – in past tense

-A COHERENT STRUCTURE: INTRO=Tell them what are you going to say, MAIN BODY=Say it, CONCLUSION=Tell them what you said and where are you going

-CLARITY: Need to have ONE KEY IDEA, do not ignore EDITING

- COMPLETENESS: FOUR ASPECTS TO TAKE NOTE (taken from the slides presented during Prof. Carmel Session)

All right: here are 39 tips of How to write More, Better

(You can find the list on the net, not sure who came up with the list. This is one of those list that get forwarded in email)

1. Avoid alliteration. Always.

2. Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.

3. Employ the vernacular.

4. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.

5. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are unnecessary.

6. Remember to never split an infinitive.

7. Contractions aren’t necessary.

8. Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.

9. One should never generalize.

10. Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.”

11. Comparisons are as bad as cliches.

12. Don’t be redundant; don’t use more words than necessary; it’s highly superfluous.

13. Be more or less specific.

14. Understatement is always best.

15. One-word sentences? Eliminate.

16. Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.

17. The passive voice is to be avoided.

18. Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.

19. Even if a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.

20. Who needs rhetorical questions?

21. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.

22. Don’t never use a double negation.

23. capitalize every sentence and remember always end it with point

24. Do not put statements in the negative form.

25. Verbs have to agree with their subjects.

26. Proofread carefully to see if you words out.

27. If you reread your work, you can find on rereading a great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.

28. A writer must not shift your point of view.

29. And don’t start a sentence with a conjunction. (Remember, too, a preposition is a terrible word to end a sentence with.)

30. Don’t overuse exclamation marks!!

31. Place pronouns as close as possible, especially in long sentences, as of 10 or more words, to the irantecedents.

32. Writing carefully, dangling participles must be avoided.

33. If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.

34. Take the bull by the hand and avoid mixing metaphors.

35. Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.

36. Everyone should be careful to use a singular pronoun with singular nouns in their writing.

37. Always pick on the correct idiom.

38. The adverb always follows the verb.

39. Last but not least, avoid cliches like the plague; They’re old hat; seek viable alternatives.

One more The Island of Research to wrap things up.

(Again google to search for the image cause the one which I have is hard copy, distributed during the session.)

Where am I?

Where are you?

-Image taken from http://www.effectperformance.com/sites/prestera/graphics/M4/island.jpg

GL2010:day 02 cont part 2

Attended 2 key notes: Both had interesting titles. So without any expectation, went to listen.

The first one was on Global Educational Technology: A Luddite View by Jon Baggaley from Athabasca University, Canada

Now, I am clueless of the term LUDDITE and why-what does LUDDITE got to do with educational technology. Prof. Jon mentioned that LUDDITE refers to someone who dislikes the usage of technology. Here are links to what is LUDDITE and NEO-LUDDISM.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Luddism

An article (I google) on LUDDITE and educational technology:

http://www.ait.net/technos/tq_02/4postman.php

So since it as refer to anti-technology, what is the relationship with educational technology then. Believe me, I am trying to understand what is being presented. A different level for me, I must say.

A snapshot of selected slides from Prof. Jon presentation to help the reader see the connection with NEO LUDDITE and EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY.

The second keynote was on Beyond Dichotomies: Rethinking the World Through New Technologies by Merry Merryfield from The Ohio State University, USA

She illustrated how technology such as youtube, wiki, blog, skype helped students from different continents to have a better understanding of each other by erasing the stereotyping and assuming through providing real, on-live examples (see pictures below).

Technology, yes, does provide endless opportunities to make in-depth learning. Learning is not just confined within the pages of the written textbook which may some of the knowledge may expire with the global development engulfing the world. Therefore technology makes learning knowledge current. Of course, the instructor needs to be selective in these knowledge as there are issues in the validity and the credibility of content. It all boils down to how the instructor collect and collate and deliver these content-knowledge.

GL2010:day 02 cont

Nicholas Bowskill, University of Glasgow, UK on Shared Thinking as a Community Model of Induction and Transition

It was an interesting session on SHARED THINKING – a pedagogical innovation which focuses on (1) working as a whole group (2) the whole group as a resource for learning

To find out more, click on the link provided:

http://www.sharedthinking.info/

The next session is by Dr. Vanessa Chang from Curtin University, Australia which talks about Generation Y Learning in the 21st Century: Integration of Virtual Worlds and Cloud Computing Services

Here are some snapshots of the slides from Dr. Vanessa’s presentation; rationale of the research, preparatory analysis, lecturer and students’ perception of SecondLife and conclusion-futurework:-

GL2010:day 02

18052010: morning.

Keynote speech by Prof. Asha Kanwar on Towards Sustainable OERs: A perspective from the global south

OER: Open Education Resource

Things I took note of during the keynote by Prof. Asha

- Found out the 1st gen of OER is MIT which developed OPENCOURSEWARE, 2nd gen of OER is UKOU which practiced OPENLEARN (sharing and learning), 3rd gen of OER is VUSSC which delved into COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY

- Potential offsets for OER

- Domestication of OER has FOUR PHASES: APPROPRIATION, LOCALIZATION, INCORPORATION, CONVERSION

- Sustainability of OER depends on the it being process-oriented not product oriented.

GL2010:day 01 cont.

17052010: afternoon.

Keynote speech by James Taylor on Sustainable Higher Education Learning Futures