Brandi J. Clark

I have been stumbling across LiveBinders over the last while. The thought of a “Live” binder snapping at me with its rings, was disconcerting…see the above image.

But like all things, I don’t understand. I investigated.

LiveBinder seems to be an ideal platform for creating a textbook from scratch.

Thankfully, there are amazing people out there such as Cybraryman, who have collected many LiveBinder tips in one location.

I like that! Thanks Cybraryman.

5 Reasons to Use LiveBinder

1. You can go PAPERLESS! Imagine all your resources in one location. First, there was one ring to rule them all…now there is one binder!

2. There are “Ready-Made” binders.

10 Online Tools to Kickstart the Year

Great for those who prefer to just “dip their toes” when trying out new “web” stuff.

3. Timely Educational Uses

LiveBinder suggests these uses:

School Computer Labs

Class Presentations

Class Assignments

Learning at Home

School Team Sports

Class Projects and Research

4. Easy Access

“Teachers place LiveBinders on desktops so kids don’t have to type addresses or get lost searching on the web. And they don’t have to add a bookmark to every computer every time they have a new link to share – they can just update the livebinder.-LiveBinder”

5. It’s Free!

Nuf…said!

Let me know how LiveBinder has worked for you. I plan to make one soon. Perhaps, it will change my life!

Other Posts on this Topic

Digital Textbooks…Like Putting Lipstick on a Pig

Digital Textbooks…It’s a Matter of Definition

Until Next Time

Lit Maven Out!

Last post, I went to the extreme of comparing digital textbooks to putting

“Lipstick on a Pig”. So I promise that I will lead you away from the make-up aisle and towards something that will change your teacher…Forever.

Way to raise the bar Lit Maven!

Anyway, I have been thinking about this post in my sleep. Which, I know is fairly sad…but it is all for the educational good.

Anyway…it begins with this… it’s a matter of definition.

(not the Canadian TV Show)

and definitely not the show’s Theme Song or Austin Powers

What it isn’t

For me, I am not talking about a “Digital” Textbook as simply a digital version of a regular textbook.

Some schools use the term E-book or “digital equivalent”, as suggested in this article.

My Definition

So what is your definition, Lit Maven?

I envision or define a digital textbook, like writers’ notebooks. An all encompassing catchment for a subject area or subjects combined. Pulling in audio, video and other resources into a home base for students. Combining all the features of a digital textbook except…it is created by the teacher (perhaps also from students).

This would be a huge undertaking. But wouldn’t it be worth it?

I must digress..once a teacher asked me for help with her struggling reader. I suggested some resources or things that she could create.

She said, “I don’t have time.”

I thought, “So it’s easier to do nothing. It’s easier to ignore a student who is struggling?” (Please note the sarcasm)

So yes…it requires work, but so do all things, that are worthwhile.

What Do We Call it?

So what name can we use to replace the digital textbook?

I am thinking CLN(Classroom Learning Network ). But I also what the name to suggest a unifying element, a central hub of info. I will continue to ponder it. Please let me know what you think.

Also,check out this #Edchat summary. It helps to get the discussion started.

Next Post: Baking a “textbook” from scratch.

Until Next Time,

Lit Maven Out!