Using PowerPoint to Create ebooks

Transcription

1 Using PowerPoint to Create ebooks Summary: Most people know that PowerPoint can be used to make slideshows, but it is also a tool, installed on most CPS computers, that can be used to make ebooks in PDF format. This approach is a simple, accessible entry into a variety of other ebook creation tools that can be used in subsequent learning experiences. Alignment to CCSS: College and Career Readiness RLA Anchor Standards: R7, W1-10, SL2, SL5, L1-6 Supports for a Personalized Library: This use of PowerPoint is an easy way to introduce another platform technology for student writing. Since students create the ebooks according to their own skills levels, the library program is personalized to meet each students' unique needs. As students progress academically, they can create new ebooks with more complex text, appropriately challenging content, and more sophisticated techniques. With a relatively shallow learning curve, students at various levels will be creating their own ebooks in no time. ebook creation is an excellent container technology to demonstrate research, non-fiction writing, and creative fiction works. Learning, combined with student creativity, supports a strong individualized approach that targets a large number of standards simultaneously. Students will be enthused to share their ebooks with classmates and the librarian may want to use these ebooks to extend the school's library with student-created works. Note: This tutorial is created with a typical CPS version of PowerPoint (2010). If you use a different version, the directions may be slightly different, but the basic functionality is the same. 1. Slide layout: Select a slide layout for the first page of the book. Find the slide layout menu under the Home tab > New Slide. A blank layout provides for a wider range of layout options. 1

2 2. Design templates: Beginners may want to select a design template to incorporate a common design through the ebook. You can also select background styles and colors from the Design tab. Avoid using the design template for truly unique ebooks. 2

3 3. Insert textboxes: Under the Insert tab, select Text Box to add text to your ebook pages. Draw the textbook in the desired location on the page. Type the wanted text. From the Home tab, you can change the text s font, alignment, color, style, or other factors. 3

4 4. Adding pictures: To add pictures to the ebook, click on the Insert tab > Picture. Navigate to the location of the picture on your computer. Students can insert their own artwork drawn digitally or from a digital photo of a hand- drawn work. Click on the inserted picture to activate Picture tools from the Format tab. Picture editing options include the abilities to re- color, add effects, crop, resize, add borders, create layers, frame the images, or add borders. 4

5 5. Adding clipart: While student- created artwork is most desirable in their authored ebooks, occasionally it may be more convenient to add clipart. From the Insert tab, select Clip Art and then use the search interface to indicate appropriate keywords and media types. Select the wanted image and insert it into the slide. When the picture is clicked on, the same picture editing toolbar will appear, so the clipart can be further manipulated, if desired. 5

6 6. Adding shapes and lines: PowerPoint allows the user to add shapes and lines to the slides. These can also be used to make more visually- appealing ebooks. Under the Home tab, click on the Once a shape is inserted, click on it to activate edit options to change the fill color, the outline color and weight, the shape and points within the shape, or other options. 6

7 7. Saving the ebook: When finished, simply save the slideshow as a PDF document. The ebook can then be viewed on any computer or mobile device. Be sure to have parental permission if ebooks will be shared publicly. Consider adding approved ebooks to your library wiki or other website for viewing by your entire school community. Add them to your school s ipads or other mobile devices for viewing there. Also, have students share their books with their peers using an interactive whiteboard or projectors. See the TECH Plus website for other technologies and strategies to use with students in making other types of ebooks. 8. 7