Want to create your own interactive eBook for the iPad? It’s actually really simple using the iBooks Author program that Apple provides for free! Writing eBooks has so many awesome business applications and benefits. Books on iPads are the where books are headed. Even our classrooms are reading their text books on an iPad. To make this easy on you I have put together the complete guide to help walk you through the entire creation and publishing process.
I have created two eBooks using this method and I loved how easy the creation portion was; however, the uploading, publishing and approval process can be sort of tricky.
Never fear! I am going to walk you through the process and you will see it’s never been easier!
Here’s a scary scenario: you’ve spent hours and hours creating the perfect Keynote presentation for your job, and you show up to the room you’re going to show it off, only to find that you’ve forgotten your little white dongle that connects the iPad to the big screen TV in that room. Uh oh. Luckily, there IS an Apple TV sitting there (conveniently). Lucky you, you get to keep your job. Getting the iPad signal up to the big screen isn’t quite as intuitive as connecting it to a HDMI cable, but it is pretty simple.
This will work with any AirPlay enabled app, like iMovie or any of the games Cult of Mac rounded up a little while ago for your gaming pleasure. Using Keynote with AirPlay is no different.
http://www.cultofmac.com/160842/how-to-enable-airplay-for-keynote-and-other-non-game-apps-ios-tips/
OK, so Cult of Mac’s idea is APPLE TV and I have to admit I did it that way for some time. In fact, on a personal note, Apple TV is the best $99 I have spent in a long time. I could give up Cable if my 845 years old parents did not live with me. Sure with they would add Hulu+ like NetFlix……
But, I also had to invest in a converter box to turn my projector into HDMI. And really, how many schools have HDMI projects yet. So, I have about $15o invested doing it this way and have to haul all the equipment around. It works but….Worst of all, I have to keep unplugging my Apple TV from my flatscreen at home. So, I worry about how long is the Apple TV gonna actually keep working properly with all the packing and plugging and traveling in my suitcase!!
Recently, I discovered a couple of pieces of software, Reflection, $14.95 (http://reflectionapp.com/) and then a second Air Server , $14.99. 
(http://www.airserverapp.com/). I suspect there are others, but I am quite pleased with both apps. So this is a no brainer, basically $15.00 vs $150. Hmmmm…….
OKay, so how does it work? You install the software app on your Mac, yes so far it only works on a Mac, sorry Windows folks, just leave the dark side and get a Mac, you won’t regret it, I promise.
Anyway, install the software app Reflection or Air Server. Hook up your Mac up to your projecter like you normally do, open the app on your Mac.By the way the multicasting port must be open for this to work. Although I have only been ion one school where it was not. Both apps seem to work fine, although I do think Reflection switching is a little faster. The only real problem is there is an occasional app on the iPad that does not show properly. I suspect they will get that issue solved shortly.
On your iPad, open AirPlay, choose your Mac and turn mirroring on. That’s it, now your iPad is mirrored on you Mac and showing on the “big screen,” and you can be completely wireless and move about your classroom. AND, if you are lucky enough to have iPads in your classroom, you can let students turn Airplay on one at a time and share their projects with the class.
This app was mentioned in our KSU iPad users group brown bag last week, and I quickly added it to my apps collection, but did not really spend any time exploring it. Today, App Storm has a story and pretty much a tutorial about Paper 53.
“Paper is beautiful software, created to give us something we lost when we moved from notebooks to tablets. The design and function of Paper is unlike any iPad app experience I’ve yet had, giving back so much of what I remember from years of filling up Moleskine journals. To see what beautiful software like Paper can do, read on past the break!”
Read the full story, CLICK HERE
Since Apple decided to make a push into the education market with the iPad 2 and its built in AV tools, it appears (in my humble opinion) that the PC it is no longer the cutting edge technology that it once was. My blogs aim to investigate the use of this handheld technology in primary education, in particular Spring Cottage Primary School’s ‘iPad journey’ and look at some of the apps that can be used across the curriculum to engage, motivate and inspire children’s learning in the classroom.
Staff Training – The Start of the ‘iPad Journey’
Background: The ‘iPad journey’ began approximately a year ago, back in March 2011. I attended an Apple educational event, during which I got to use an iPad 1 and an iPod touch. The iPad 2 hadn’t been released in the UK and at this stage I was unsure about how either of these handheld devices were really going to make an impact on the learning at school – they were faster and easier to use for sure, but they didn’t seem to offer any more than the software we already had on laptops and PCs. A couple of months passed and I decided to buy my own iPad 2… I was hooked! My then 3 year old, was …
$1.99
Try out the free lite version before you buy.
If you are a coach or player who want explain your tactics to other people.
CoachNote will be best choice for you.
Do not compare Coach Note to others.
Coach Note is more than “Just Tacticboard or Clipboard” in real world.
Very fast and simple, and most powerful tool. You can make video of your tactics to share with people. Explain your tactics through TV or Internet.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/coachnote/id495635047?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Apple devotees have scrutinized the new iPad’s battery life and charging statussince the tablet’s debut last month. Whether you are using a brand new device, or still relying on an original iPad, there are tips that can help maximize both your iPad’s battery life — (time it takes to discharge during daily use) and battery lifespan (time until battery needs replacement).
How you use an iPad affects how quickly the device uses up the power stored in its rechargeable battery. Apple recommends device settings and a charging protocol that will help ensure that your tablet is ready to go when you are.
First, keep your software updated.
Sketchshare is a multi purpose collaborative sketching tool that can be used by up to 4 iPads simultaneously. With Voice chat built in, you can discuss, brainstorm, storyboard, edit and doodle in realtime. See a video of the app in action here
http://abitofcode.com/demo.html
Load your own images for discussion and present your ideas to colleagues, clients, groups and friends.
Features
* Voice chat
* Sketching is mirrored onto each device in the session
* Fluid sketch tool with variable width and color picker
* Image placement with live update of where the image will be placed on connected iPads
* Familiar gestures, pinch, zoom and pan
* No proprietary file format, images saved to Photo library
* Images can be Emailed/Tweeted from the app
* Double tap outside the canvas to reset
* Save images without a background, these can then be loaded back into the app as stamps
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sketchshare/id464032178?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Tutorial Books
Publishing with iBooks Author: An Introduction to Creating Ebooks for the iPadFREE
iBooks Author is the first tool of its kind. Never before have publishers, authors, and content creators had a tool for making dynamic, interactive ebooks in a WYSIWYG environment. This book is intended to get you up and writing in iBooks Author. You’ll learn what to expect from this new tool and what its strengths and limitations are. You’ll see how you can create beautifully designed pages and how you can bring those designs to life with interactive content in ways that, before now, were only possible in a web browser on the Internet. You’ll also find out how to navigate the occasionally tricky terrain of Apple’s ecosystem so that you can get your book published to the iBookstore.
Meet iBooks Author
FREE
This hands-on guide steers you through how to lay out your Multi-Touch ebook. Starting with picking a template, you learn how to add and use text, import from Pages and Word, and create a table of contents. You discover how to work with objects, widgets, photos, images, and shapes, and how to insert and format tables. This practical, approachable guide will quickly help you start creating Multi-Touch ebooks! http://www.peachpit.com/store/product.aspx?isbn=0133069877
Not enough Templates included, check out these…
iBooks Author Templates
A little pricey, but very nice designs, $19.99 each
Professionally Designed Templates For iBooks Author. The Secret Behind Exceptional and Affordable Ebook Design, 16 different designs. http://www.ibooksauthortemplates.com/
Templates for iBooks Author
$4.99
Have you ever dreamt of becoming a published author? Overcome the difficulties set by big corporate publishers now! Use Templates for iBooks Author to give your e-book an exceptional look, publish it via Apple’s iBooks Author and welcome the success with your hands wide open. Templates for iBooks Author provide you with 20 Templates designed to be used as a basis for writing e-books and give them an exceptional look. The variety of styles includes astrology, science, urban and wild life, leisure and many more. The templates will support subjects chosen by any writer. To use Templates for iBooks Author you just need a Mac with iBooks Author 1.0 or later. All the Templates are highly flexible. Pictures can be replaced with a drag-and-drop ease, as most of the elements are easy to move, resize or delete. Numerous widgets, font styles and other tools are just a few clicks away.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/templates-for-ibooks-author/id507420043?mt=12
Book Palette
$9.99
Make your iPad books special. With the new, revolutionary iBooks Author app, anyone can create and publish great Multi-Touch books for iPad, including you. Jumsoft swiftly offers you an enhanced experience in book creation with 20 beautiful templates for iBooks Author. Each template included in the Book Palette app features an assortment of stylish and modern page layouts. You can use them as a starting point and go from there by typing or pasting your own text, adding or removing text boxes, and dropping images or other media. Although the standard designs included in Book Palette are very polished, you are not expected to settle for default. Most objects in the templates can be easily reshaped, moved, or removed, and colors can be changed. Use a variety of pre-designed text styles or opt for fonts of your choice to format your text for the best effect. * Requires iBooks Author. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/book-palette/id497704085?mt=12
Tom Ulses & Joanna Seymour, from Cedar Valley Catholic Schools in Waterloo, Iowa, presented “The Time is Now: Leading the Way with Technology Integration and the iPad 2”. The presentation covered current technology topics such as integrating an iPad 1-to-1 program at the high school and middle school levels. At the conclusion of the presentation, Joanna discussed her favorite “Top 10 iPad Apps for Education.” You can download the whole presentation here: http://bit.ly/nceaipads
Top iPad apps for education: Read the full story, CLICK HERE
The invention of the tablet PC has created a new medium for book publishing. Interactive books are everywhere, and have revolutionized the way people consume the printed word. With the recent software available to allow easy creation of interactive books and with the race to bring these products to market, there seems to be a more and more dilution of quality and a loss for the meaning of interactivity. When publishers create new eBook titles or convert a traditional printed book to a digital interactive eBook, they often miss the added value this new medium can provide.
It’s important to understand the distinction between apps and eBooks, as it’s something that often confuses both publishers and consumers. It basically comes down to formats; apps are mostly native iOS or Android software, whereas eBooks are documents of a particular format, such as the open standards EPUB and Mobipocket (.mobi). And eBooks can be further distinguished from “enhanced eBooks,” which use formats such as ePUB3 for iBooks (Apple) and Kindle Format 8 (KF8) for Kindle Fire (Amazon).
eBooks were the first to appear on devices such as the Kindle, and have very limited interactivity.
Happy birthday, Charlie Chaplin. Silent Film Director is FREE for a limited time, celebrating the 123d birthday of the world’s greatest comedian. Silent Film Director lets you create amazing vintage videos in minutes. You can add music, title cards, transitions, effects and more. Fun. Simple. Elegant.
GIZMODO.com: “Surprising Intersection of “Fun” and “Silent Films”
WIRED.com: “..fun way to spruce up some unexciting video footage … or create your silent film opus”
Highly intuitive, powerful & crammed with unique features, Silent Film Director presents the most unbelievable fusion of retro, high-tech and fun.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/silent-film-director/id335148458?mt=8&ls=1
by Glen Wiebe
I haven’t a lot of time in the last few weeks to spend searching for great mobile apps. But with a hat tip to Jaime H. and through a conversation with a couple of great teachers in Illinois, I did run across three that I really like. I think you will too.
This isn’t exactly magical news for Harry Potter fans, but it is pretty good. The first ever eBook collection of the books is available in ePub format, meaning it will work on both iPad and Mac and will not be restricted to the Kindle.
http://www.mactrast.com/2012/03/first-ever-harry-potter-ebook-series-is-ipad-and-mac-compatible/
Tablet computing and mobile devices promise to have a dramatic impact on education. A growing number of schools across the world are jumping on the digital bus and embracing iPads (less often, other tablet products) as the latest tool to teach literature in multimedia, history through games and simulations, and math with step-by-step animation of problems.
Not surprisingly, student scores improve when they use iPads and their interest in school soars. I say not surprisingly because students love digital toys and in my experience work harder and longer if given the opportunity to do so with any of the digital offerings (ipods, laptops included).
In my school, we have been rotating one set of Pads this year through K-8. I’ve collected quite a few apps on a variety of subjects. I’d like to share the favorites of teachers and students with you, see what you think:
Read the full story and see the list: http://askatechteacher.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/107-favorite-ipad-apps-for-k-8/
An Ohio school district is considering purchasing 500 new technology devices for students who are considered at-risk and require alternative instructional methods, plus those who are academically advanced. Officials said they are considering using either iPad tablet computers or Apple MacBook laptops with the students as part of a pilot program to engage them and under a long-term plan in which print textbooks are expected to be replaced with digital resources.
Read the full story, CLICK HERE The Advocate (Newark, Ohio)
I am not big into games, but I do have my share on my iPad. Today, App Storm has a nice list of 15 of the best games.
“If there is one thing that the iPad is great at doing, it’s gaming. As the iPad’s specs have been upgraded, more and more “heavy-duty” games have filled the App Store. Unfortunately, these new games can overshadow the great, simply fun games.
Today’s roundup will showcase fifteen arcade-style games for iPad. There’s no long plot line or fancy graphical fireworks in any of these games, but they do provide you with hours of classic entertainment. See which games made the cut after the break.”
With 1080P hitting the new iPad and Apple TV last month, some of you are perhaps now looking to send your Blu-ray collection over to iOS devices.
Here is the easy part: Buy a Toshiba Lightscribe Blu-ray Player for just $39 with free shipping (via 9to5Toys). It also burns DVDs, and Lightscribe media will even do some art on the cover. Oh, and it is USB bus-powered, so it is nice and portable.
“I’ve been an iPad user since day one and loved my experience with Apple’s stellar product. I’d definitely say I’m qualified to talk about the iPad, owning the first-generation iPad and, more recently, the new iPad. In fact, I’ve got all three generations here at my house after making excuses not to sell them as I’ve upgraded each year.
For nearly two years I’ve been an iPad user and, with the arrival of my new iPad, I’ve been trialing it as my primary machine. In this article, I’ll be explaining a bit about my experience and discussing some of the apps I’ve been using.”
Students are staying late and showing up during spring break to access the Internet connection at Texas’ McAllen Memorial High School, where a new, large-scale iPad tablet computer program aims to bridge the digital divide for about 27,000 students and teachers in a district with a 67% poverty rate. Despite some criticism of the $20 million project, educators say the devices also are improving student engagement in the classroom as well. “The engagement that you have is 100 percent, all the time,” third-grade teacher Sofia Avila said. Read the full story, San Antonio Express-News
So, if you have an iPad 2 or 3, iMovie App is a good investment. Here is a great tutorial from EdApps about how to use.
The most popular post I’ve ever written is 13 Ways to use iMovie in the Classroom, having reached thousands of readers in the first day. I’ve been meaning to follow it up ever since, and now I finally have created a short video introduction to using iMovie on the iPad.
This first video is a short (less than 5 min) tutorial on using iMovie for iPad from start to finish.
Read the full story: http://edapps.ca/2012/04/an-intro-to-imovie-for-ipad/
