I am currently piloting a program called WriteReader. I chose WriteReader because it allows students to create books. And within the book they are able to put any picture including pictures they have taken with their ipad. It is also free, although there is a paid app version.
I am using WriteReader as a presentation tool for reports my 2nd grade students have written. We have created three books thus far. Two of the books were individual projects and the third was a two student collaboration. Students did not compose in the program. All reports were written, proofread and corrected before using WriteReader.
The strength of this program is in its ability to print an 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" booklet that includes text and a picture or illustration on each page. Typing text into each page is straight forward and easily managed.
The weakness of this program, I believe, is a combination of internet speed and glitches in the program. Many times my students have gone to the WriteReader link which allows students to search for photos in Google. The link either never loads or once a photo is chosen the photo never loads. Students are left waiting and waiting and becoming frustrated. It can take days to finish a simple project.
When this program works it is wonderful. The books students published collaboratively were awesome and students were engaged throughout. Many students became so proficient that they could problem solve for other students.
My students used ipads for this program. I recommended WriteReader to my husband who teaches 2nd grade also. His classroom has Chromebooks. Unfortunately the photo loading problem occurred with the Chromebooks too. Result - another classroom full of frustrated students. And a frustrated teacher because my husband is not a friend of technology and this problematic program just confirmed to him that "none of this stuff is useful".
I have looked for other book making programs. Storybird appears promising but you must use their art and I think the premise is to write a story to go with their picture. Much of our report and book writing has to do with science and we need pictures and photos that match our writing not the other way around. I keep hoping the glitches will cease. I often think I should send WriteReader an email but it is not on the top of my To Do list.
So, despite the very frustrating drawbacks of this program I still think it is useful and it checks a lot of the boxes on my needs/wants list. A key feature of this program is that it is free. Maybe there is something else out there that fulfills what I want. Maybe my district will ease up on the purse strings and put some money into the purchase of apps.
I am using WriteReader as a presentation tool for reports my 2nd grade students have written. We have created three books thus far. Two of the books were individual projects and the third was a two student collaboration. Students did not compose in the program. All reports were written, proofread and corrected before using WriteReader.
The strength of this program is in its ability to print an 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" booklet that includes text and a picture or illustration on each page. Typing text into each page is straight forward and easily managed.
The weakness of this program, I believe, is a combination of internet speed and glitches in the program. Many times my students have gone to the WriteReader link which allows students to search for photos in Google. The link either never loads or once a photo is chosen the photo never loads. Students are left waiting and waiting and becoming frustrated. It can take days to finish a simple project.
When this program works it is wonderful. The books students published collaboratively were awesome and students were engaged throughout. Many students became so proficient that they could problem solve for other students.
My students used ipads for this program. I recommended WriteReader to my husband who teaches 2nd grade also. His classroom has Chromebooks. Unfortunately the photo loading problem occurred with the Chromebooks too. Result - another classroom full of frustrated students. And a frustrated teacher because my husband is not a friend of technology and this problematic program just confirmed to him that "none of this stuff is useful".
I have looked for other book making programs. Storybird appears promising but you must use their art and I think the premise is to write a story to go with their picture. Much of our report and book writing has to do with science and we need pictures and photos that match our writing not the other way around. I keep hoping the glitches will cease. I often think I should send WriteReader an email but it is not on the top of my To Do list.
So, despite the very frustrating drawbacks of this program I still think it is useful and it checks a lot of the boxes on my needs/wants list. A key feature of this program is that it is free. Maybe there is something else out there that fulfills what I want. Maybe my district will ease up on the purse strings and put some money into the purchase of apps.