This site provides an interesting and fun way to allow your students to be their own author and illustrator. What makes it even better is that it is all in 3-D. They can make the characters talk by creating “Chat Bubbles”. There is even a feature where students can record their own voices for each character. (the fine print -you have to pay for the added feature of voice recording)For those that have a webcam there is an added benefit by creating an augmented reality. Once in this mode participants will be able to print off a page with a ZooBurst logo on it. Then they face the paper towards the webcam to get a whole different perspective. The presenter can “turn the page” by moving their hand in a slow fan motion.
Utilizing ZooBurst is a great way for students to create stories and projects. Authors can share their stories with others by hyperlinking or “embedding” their book to a web page or blog. Authors can even have a discussion forum where they can interact with the readers.
ZooBurst has a tool for teachers to use so that they can set up a protective environment for their students to work. Teachers can create usernames and passwords for each student so that they can be monitored.
The only downfall to this innovative site is that it is not totally free. The free and basic “membership” allows you to create a simple book, but you are only allotted so many before you must upgrade to continue. If you want the webcam and voice recorded options you must pay the upgraded fees either monthly or yearly. Any of the upgraded fees would allow users to make unlimited books.
I choose this site because I thought that it was something that I thought my children could benefit from.
We have read, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. If you have not read the story it is basically a story about the life cycle of the butterfly. We read about all that the caterpillar eats before making a chrysalis. I wanted to continue the story and talk about what happens with the butterfly. So I asked my children to help me create a story and this is what they came up with, The Life of a Butterfly. If you want to read what the characters say you need to click on the “!” bubble above their head. By clicking the arrow keys you can turn the pages accordingly.
Sorry I could not get the video to download, but here is the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jwE25dx2CaU
ZooBurst has a tool for teachers to use so that they can set up a protective environment for their students to work. Teachers can create usernames and passwords for each student so that they can be monitored.
The only downfall to this innovative site is that it is not totally free. The free and basic “membership” allows you to create a simple book, but you are only allotted so many before you must upgrade to continue. If you want the webcam and voice recorded options you must pay the upgraded fees either monthly or yearly. Any of the upgraded fees would allow users to make unlimited books.
I choose this site because I thought that it was something that I thought my children could benefit from.
We have read, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. If you have not read the story it is basically a story about the life cycle of the butterfly. We read about all that the caterpillar eats before making a chrysalis. I wanted to continue the story and talk about what happens with the butterfly. So I asked my children to help me create a story and this is what they came up with, The Life of a Butterfly. If you want to read what the characters say you need to click on the “!” bubble above their head. By clicking the arrow keys you can turn the pages accordingly.
Sorry I could not get the video to download, but here is the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jwE25dx2CaU
How interesting! I especially like the life lesson at the end =)
ReplyDeleteI think this is a pretty neat site even at the basic level. It is a neat way to integrate technology into the lessons of younger kids when so often it is easy to leave it out. I like how you used it as an extension of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" (love that book by the way!). I might try this site with my own kiddos as a fun afternoon rainy day activity.
ReplyDeleteSome years I have assigned students to write children's stories relating to a unit that we are covering... maybe I could incorporate this in the future!
ReplyDelete