Some of the things I really liked about this online presentation tool…

• Registration is fairly quick and easy, though it does require a valid email address and verification.
• You can link or embed a document for access by students/parents. The embed feature is visually appealing, easy to use, and customizable (see examples at bottom of post).
• Currently you can upload an unlimited number of files/resources (size limitation on each is 500 mb/500 pages).
• Uploading of files to the library is simple, though all fields must be completed to finalize the upload and add file to your library.
• Privacy settings can be established for individual files and/or folders.
• Publishing options can be set for private or public.
• Sharing options can be easily established for each document you upload to your library
• You can upload multiple files as an option.
• You can organize files in folders and on “shelves” in a manner that makes sense to you, the user.
• Embedded links remain active when a resource is uploaded and shared (try some of the links in my DNA PowerPoint)

If I could change anything about this web tool it would be…

• a management feature would be developed that could be used by teachers so students could also take advantage of this great tool. Currently the tool is only open to users 18 and older.
• the addition of an option that would block students from linking back to the Issuu site from an embedded document. I know this runs counter to trying to build site popularity, but some of the material posted on the site is not appropriate for student viewing (despite a flagging option).
• I would make the social features optional so that students would not have access to stranger exposure. I could also see where MS/HS students could use the social features available on the site ato send electronic notes back and forth if it were opened in a school environment.

I have torn feeling about this web tool. On one hand, it offers some excellent presentation options (and online storage options). On the other hand, there is room for abuse by students since the site includes a number of social features. We can’t protect students from social aspects of many of the sites that truly valuable on the web (though we try to through the use of heavy filtering). Sites like this do offer wonderful opportunities for sharing and collaborating. I do feel we need to teach students how to handle social sites responsibly, but also know that there will always be students who take advantage of resources and/or abuse them. I would suggest that you work with this resource site, share it with your technology committee if you are in a K-12 environment, and make a determination as a group as to whether you feel this site (or similar sites) offer sharing opportunities for students that you are comfortable opening on your network.

If you work at the college level…go for it! This site is a marvelous way to share lecture notes, PowerPoints, readings and more. The embed feature would be an excellent feature to share with professors and students alike. By the way, this web tool was named one of the top 50 online tools of 2009 by Time magazine.

Samples I uploaded as I explored this site…

WeBook and My EBook products are similar in appearance though I do think that My EBook offers more options and has also made it possible to create interactive books that do more than flip pages. You can also embed or link to videos, audio, documents, images and flash files to make your books interactive. Of course there is also a bit of a learning curve that goes along with the more full bodied composition features. You can use My EBook to upload or create from scratch simple or complex page designs and covers. After you have completed your book you can publish and release it to the world in one easy step. And….you can create as many publications as you like. Don’t miss the feature that allows you to grab portions of a book to email to friends (see my snapshot to the right). The snapshot feature is nice, but I do believe the WeBook option to print a .pdf document is actually more useful.

The My EBook multimedia features, make up for the lacking .pdf functionality. It would be interesting to create an online history unit that incorporated historic photos, video clips, etc. Perhaps older students could write and publish online books for younger students that included sound clips for struggling readers. The My EBook system is community-based so peers could include comments and respond to published books. Of course, the community option also means that students could be exposed to inappropriate material at any given time, though the site does allow users to mark material as inappropriate. You also have the option of keeping books private or semi-private. Student work should probably be kept private or semi-private unless you have written parental approval to open the book to the public.

Link to the two simple books I created with My EBook using the widgets below: