The Book as iPad App
What you'll learn
- familiarity with some of the best books apps currently available and understanding of what makes them the best
- specific information to help you become an expert reviewer of book apps
- ideas and inspiration for creating your own interactive books (a future course)
Requirements
- You'll get the most from this course if you have your own iPad and a budget of approximately $15 - $50 to spend on book apps mentioned in the course.
Description
iPads are everywhere, touching off a revolution of innovative books being published as apps—book apps that take advantage of the iPad's multi-touch interface and multimedia capabilities.
In this course, you'll become familiar with specific book apps in different categories, and learn how these apps are pushing the boundaries of the medium.
We will NOT be discussing plain text titles available on the Kindle, Nook, & other platforms. Instead we'll focus on multimedia, interactive books that are released as individual apps, such as London: A City Through Time (available in the iTunes store for iPads).
In each section of the course you'll watch video demos of particular interactive book apps, read several interesting articles and discuss everything in the class forums. There is a total of about 8-10 hours of work, which you can do at your own pace, with perpetual access.
We'll have discussions about the future of the book as a medium.
● What do these changes mean for readers, libraries, authors, and publishers?
● What are the qualities of a delightful reading experience?
● How are these apps enabling learning and which features and qualities enable a the best experience for readers?
A resource guide is included, with links to recommended book apps, additional readings, publishers to watch and blogs to follow.
Who this course is for:
- educators (K-12 or higher ed)
- librarians (from all types of libraries)
- authors (get ideas for your own interactive books)
- publishers (become familiar with what's possible when a book is an app)
Instructor
- 4.2 Instructor Rating
- 53 Reviews
- 774 Students
- 4 Courses
Helping librarians and educators effectively use mobile technologies
Nicole Hennig is an independent user experience professional, helping librarians and educators effectively use mobile technologies. She is the author of several books, including Keeping Up with Emerging Technologies, and Apps for Librarians: Using the Best Mobile Technology to Educate, Create, and Engage.
She offers a variety of instructional resources that bring people from novice to expert, and helps spark ideas for creative uses of mobile technologies.
Experience
She worked for the MIT Libraries for 14 years as head of user experience and web manager. She has designed and conducted user experience research, usability tests, websites, web applications, and online instruction.
Awards
She has won several awards, including the MIT Libraries Infinite Mile Award for Innovation and Creativity, the MIT Excellence Award for Innovative Solutions, and the ASIS&T Chapter Member of the Year.
Nicole loves teaching, presenting, and inspiring people to use technology effectively.