The new tool I decided to discover is Google eBooks. This is a library of more than 3 million scanned books/articles/magazines/documents/publications on different topics that you can read online on any type of electronic device. There are both free and paid books (the number of free books is either limited or of a very specific theme).
Main features
- You can search for eBooks by name, topic, etc.
- You can read eBooks online using any type of device that is available for this or that book (PC, iPad, smartphone, etc).
- Before buying the book if it is not free, you can read some extracts to see if this book worth buying.
- You can build up your online library and have access to it from any place where there is internet. This library will show the books that you are reading, read or plans to read, all your comments and reviews on the books you read.
- You can read people’s reviews on this or that book and also write your own reviews
- You can share your library with other users
- Based on your preferences Google eBook suggests books that might be of interest for you, so this could help in your search.
Level of difficulty
Like any Google product this service requires a little above average level of computer literacy, to be more exact Google literacy. Not all the features could be easily found from the first glance and only by experimenting you can get to know this tool better. Also while navigating from one page to another it is very easy to leave your library and find yourself in some other Google service, so you need to be careful and control where you are, so that to be able to get back.
However there is Help system which could help if you like to read HelpJ
For me, even though I consider myself a Google fan, it is sometimes hard to understand how to navigate through Google eBooks.
Potential application in classroom
Provided that the books are free or have at least limited access to some pages, teachers could build up the libraries for their students to read, giving them the link to either the book or links to certain pages.
However this service doesn’t provide any collaboration within a specific dedicated group of people for this or that book, so this service could be used just to advise students to read this or that set of book for this or that topic.
Conclusion
Provided that you are ready to spend money on paid books and can read online this service could be an excellent online organizer for your readings. You can select the books you want to read, you can build up your shelves for the topics that are of interest to you and have access to this library anywhere where there is internet.
Link
I tried to build up a sample library for the Power of Media course here http://books.google.com/books?uid=101732579755064769500&as_coll=1001&hl=ru&source=gbs_lp_bookshelf_list
A link to a specific page on advertising for children
No comments:
Post a Comment
If you comment as an anonymous user please sign your message with your full name.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.