Session 7: E-books, blog task etc

Patrick Carman: TED Video

E-Books blog task:

1. Find three new examples of "interactive E-books/or E-learning games"
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• Producer/Publisher: Lucas Zanotto
• 5 and under, teaches the alphabet in a fun and interactive manner and incorporates drawing. this would be too young for older children however as adults we found it very entertaining!
• It is both a linear and interactive product as the layout runs through the alphabet in stages etc. however the way in which the app encourages drawing to "finish" the image of the creature on the page is highly interactive. Also, when we touch the animal it changes expression etc.
• The methods used to engage children are the interactive drawing, the touch/reaction animals etc.
• Yes I believe the methods used are effective and fun, as the product is very engaging even for an adult. The layout is simple and easy to navigate.
• No I feel the product is really efficient and interesting.

• National Geographic society
• 9-11, fun and educational, based around facts and unusual truths. 
• Linear
• Bright colours, simple icons, interesting and strange facts that hey feel proud to know as its "different" etc
• We felt when using the product that the product may be better if when given the fact, we could "find out more" and learn further. May be too shallow as a product overall yet fun and educational.

• Judith Kerr, collins children's books
• 6-8, basic content with simple illustrations, clear narrative.
• Linear
• Because the narrator is timed with the images and animations shown it in a sense forces the understanding of narrative in comparison to the image. a child can't flip through ignoring the narrative just looking at the images etc.
•  I think this ebook would efficiently "tell a story" and also accompany that with appropriate imagery therefore educating children. however all you really do is press play and thats it, it would be more fun and engaging if perhaps the images reacted to touch.

Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson says NO to the E-book:

Guardian: Julia Donaldson Vetoes E-book

• She thinks interactive E-books for children are a bad idea
• doesn't feel we have to be controlled by technology
• isn't a fan of just jumping on the band wagon in terms of technological development
• fears that digital market could take over