The Scenario: Published textbooks are just the beginning of a teacher’s instructional tools. Often, teachers need additional support for their learners, but don’t have the time to collect, gather, organize, and produce supplemental materials in a cohesive beautiful document.

Welcome to the Crafting Your ePerfect eTextbook EVO Session!

In 5 weeks, you will aim to outline, design, and complete 1 chapter of an e-textbook that meets the needs of your students and can be used year after year with a few edits and updates.
Your students will actually like and use your e-textbook because we will ensure you have the beginnings of a beautifully designed and interactive e-textbook. They can even be a part of it!

How Will You Create an ePerfect eTextbook?

We have 15 moderators from 12 different countries who are experienced in publishing and materials design. They are teachers, award-winning coursebook authors, teacher trainers, app producers, edubloggers, keynote speakers, and authors of published books as well as e-books. Their published materials have been downloaded, bought, and viewed by 100,000s of educators worldwide.
Throughout the 5 weeks, they will give you invaluable feedback, advice, and mentoring through our Google + Community as well as live HangOut sessions.
You will also get peer feedback and support from many other teachers worldwide.
If you choose, you can even work with these teachers in creating one collaborative e-textbook.

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Your 5 Week Missions

Week 1 Introductions, Creative Commons, & Digital Literacy

Main Moderators- Shelly Terrell, Özge Karaoğlu, Janet Bianchini, Debbie Tebovich, Jennifer Verschoor, Jake Duncan, Rubena St. Louis (EVO Mentor)

Co-moderators- Lindsay Clandfield, Chuck Sandy, Terry Freedman, Dave Guymon, Sylvia Guinan, André J. Spang, Jackie Gerstein, Jason Levine

Week 1 Objectives

During the first week, you will:

become familiar with the group tools and forums
introduce yourselves and begin to establish connections with each other
learn to create and define a copyright for your creative works
describe your teaching situation, learners, and their technology situation
meet participants and determine if you would like to work in small groups of similar settings and subject sessions in creating one collaborative e-textbook
evaluate the legal use of materials in your ebooks and options
attend a live online session with moderators

Week 1 Missions

Mission 1 (Jan. 6th-Day 1). Get Started with Google+ Communities and Listly

1st. Join our Google Plus Community here, http://gplus.to/eTextbookEVO. This is where our discussions will take place and where you will post your completed missions. Please read these COMMUNITY GUIDELINES. Short URL http://bit.ly/ebookevoguidelines

2nd. Once you are approved, please post a hello message in the Welcome thread. Click here to go directly to that thread.

If you haven't already, set up a profile on Google Plus. This isn't required but will help us get to know you better. When you set-up your profile, please post the link in your hello message. You can do this by editing the post if you choose to do it later. Click here for Google Plus tutorials.
OPTIONAL- post your location on our participant map. Just click on your location. You will be given options to add text and a link. Please, add a link to your blog/website/Twitter or 321 introduction and let us know your name and location. Choose any icon color except for red which is only for moderators. http://ebookevo.pbworks.com/Participant%20Map

3rd. Register for a free Listly account. This is optional. However, this will be our e-portfolio and bookmarking tool. This is where we will pin our work, reflections, readings and resources throughout the session as well as where we will showcase your published ebook chapters. Listly is a social bookmarking tool like Pinterest, Diigo, Delicious, Symbaloo, PearlTree, etc.

Why Listly?

We use Listly to Highlight content, good design, and books that we believe would be incredibly useful or refreshing. If you are on Listly, you can add to anyone's List of Bookmarks. We use Listly because it offers away for YOU to add anything to our Lists.

We have Listly boards for each week. You can follow our boards to keep these resources with you when you complete the session. You will even have the opportunity to pin your work to our community board, but you must complete this survey. Click here for Listly tutorials.

We encourage you to blog about your experiences during the session, then add your posts to our Listly boards for that week.

You do not need to join the wiki. It is only a place where we post the missions and tutorials.

Mission 2, Days 1-3: Post your 3,2,1 Introduction

1st. Once you join the Google Community, please post your 321 Introduction in the thread titled 321 Introductions. Click here to go directly there.

Use any of these suggested tools (http://ebookevo.pbworks.com/w/page/71614805/Webtools) to make a fun and interesting 321 Introduction.

2nd. Make sure to include in your presentation:

3 things we should know about you

2 of your favorite activities in the world

1 dream job you would have if you weren't in the field of education

3rd. Be Creative

Many learners respond to visuals and multimedia. Google Communities allow you to share video, images, and audio. You have a lot of freedom on how you would like to present the activity so be imaginative and creative. You could reuse this activity to introduce yourself to your students. We are looking forward to meeting you!

4th. Connect by Commenting

Before the end of week 1 try commenting on at least 3 other 3,2,1 posts.

Mission 3, Jan. 6th to Day 2: Answer a Survey

Please fill out this survey about your classroom setting and publishing online. This mission is very important as it will help us set a good pace for this session and help you establish groups. Also, we will be inviting those who participate to pin to our weekly collaborative Listly boards. Short URL- http://bit.ly/ebookevo2014survey

Mission 4, Days 3-5: Create a Creative Commons License for Your eTextbook

Our online textbooks will include material we have found on the Internet. We will include images, lesson ideas, articles, and materials created and shared by other individuals. Part of digital citizenship and literacy is that we have to responsibly use online materials. We want students to learn to respect copyright, and to identify where they found materials so we must model this. Creative Commons licensing has become a simple way for people to define how their images (and other works) can be used. In this mission, we will learn about Creative Commons licenses and create one for our e-textbook.

1st. Watch this slide show explaining Creative Commons. Generally, permission to use images ranges from pictures that are in the public domain (anyone can use them) to images that are copyright and require permission to use. Creative Commons licenses grant permission in advance. All Creative Commons licenses require attribution (meaning you have to credit the person who shared the image).

2nd. We can also use Creative Commons licenses to make it clear how our own work can be shared. For this Mission, create a Creative Commons License for your e-textbook:

Visit this license generator and fill in your information, http://creativecommons.org/choose/
Bookmark or pin your license. You will need to add this to your e-textbook at a later point.

3rd. Post which license you chose in the Wk 1 Creative Commons Discussion thread in the Google Community and respond to the following questions:

What does your license allow others to do with your ebook?
What are good ways to motivate our students to use Creative Commons material and attribute properly?

4th. Find Creative Commons images (stock as well), sounds, music, and video clips to include in your e-textbooks below. Feel free to contribute a resource we missed by adding it to our Creative Commons Listly Bookmarks.

Mission 5, Days 4-6: Join a Peer Editing Group

By the end of this session, you will have completed an outline for your e-textbook and Chapter 1. Throughout the process we will be receiving constructive peer feedback. We want to make sure the feedback is based on those who have experience with your age group and topic. Follow the steps below to join the right group.

1st. Creating your “Hello” message

In your message, please include the following:

the type of ebook you are creating (subject, age group, language it will be written in, etc.)
please use any of these hashtags that describe your e-textbook at the end of your hello message

#ELTEbookEVO if your e-textbook will be for English language learners
#ScienceEbookEVO if your e-textbook will be for science
#MathEbookEVO if your e-textbook will be for math
#HistoryEbookEVO if your e-textbook will be for history
For any other subject, please feel free to create a hashtag but we ask that you do it in the format #SubjectEbookEVO

Posting hashtags will help you find other participants who will be creating an ebook similar to yours
OPTIONAL- Invite others to collaborate in creating an e-textbook together. This means you will produce 1 e-textbook with co-authors. You can always make a copy later since it is CC licensed and adapt it specifically to your teaching situation. Remember, we will only be completing the outline and first chapter so it's a good option if you have very little time. Include a distinctive hashtag and ask others to use this hashtag. This will allow you to see only posts to each other.

2nd. Post your hello message in your group forum

Choose which of these groups to join and post your hello message there:

Mission 6, Day 6: Attend our Live Online Session

If you checked out your moderators' profiles, you will have discovered they have a lot of experience publishing books, course books, ebooks, and other materials. Each week, you will get to learn from them live as they share their expertise and experiences in Google HangOuts. Sessions will be recorded, and the recordings shared on Youtube, in case you can't attend.

Time & Date:

Live Session URL: http://ebookevo.pbworks.com/w/page/70379800/hangouts

Week 2 Visual Design, Layout & Logistics

Main Moderators- Shelly Terrell, Chuck Sandy, Sylvia Guinan

Co-moderators- Jake Duncan, Rubena St. Louis

Week 2 Objectives

During the second week, you will:

evaluate the current content in your textbooks
evaluate various ebook designs to determine how you want to design your e-textbook
decide what you would like to include in your e-textbooks
map out the content you have to cover in your curriculum
outline your e-textbooks
evaluate your peers' outlines and provide feedback
discover basic design elements and tips from experienced authors
attend a live online session with moderators

Week 2 Missions

Mission 1, Days 1-3: Ebook Design Presentation

1st. Evaluate various ebook designs to determine how you want to design your e-textbooks. Check out this Listly board for recommended places to evaluate ebooks. http://ebookevo.pbworks.com/w/page/70488722/Wk%202%20Readings%20and%20Resources

2nd. Create a presentation pointing out the design elements and activities you enjoyed in various ebooks. Include screenshots in which you point out the elements and give a reason. Check out this Listly board for recommended presentation tools.

3rd. Post your presentations to the Google Community in the Wk 2 thread and Listly board. Use the hashtag #Wk2EbookPresentation

4th. Comment on your peers' presentations.

Mission 2, Days 1-3: Create an outline for your e-textbook

1st. For this mission, you will need to have a copy of your curriculum and/or textbook Table of Contents. Based on these outlines, create a basic outline/skeleton of what information and topics you'd like to include in your e-textbook. We recommend Google Docs for this mission, but feel free to use another tool as long as this is posted online for peers to view. We also encourage you to use the Voice Comments feature on Google Docs. You have to install it. Here is a tutorial http://catlintucker.com/2013/04/using-voice-comments-with-google-docs-for-end-of-the-year-projects/

2nd. Post your textbook outline to the Google Community in the Wk 2 thread. Use the hashtag #Wk2EbookOutline

3rd. Comment on your peers' outlines.

Mission 3, Days 2-5: Participate in a discussion about visual design

Check out these resources about visual design. Choose at least 3 to investigate.
In the Wk 2 thread, answer any or all of these reflection questions. Use the hashtag #Wk2EbookDiscussion:

Which visual elements do you think are important for your learners specifically? Why?
What are your thoughts about the future of textbooks?
How do you believe digital textbooks should be designed to best match learners’ needs?

Comment on your peers’ answers.

Mission 4, Day 6: Attend our Live Online Session

Time & Date:

Live Session URL: http://ebookevo.pbworks.com/w/page/70379800/hangouts

Week 3 Mapping it Out: The First Chapter

Main Moderators- Shelly Terrell, Jake Duncan

Co-moderators- Lindsay Clandfield, Dave Guymon

Week 3 Objectives

During this week, you will:

map out your first chapter for peer feedback
evaluate your peers' chapter outlines and provide feedback
evaluate publishing options
learn from authors what publishing frustrations to avoid
attend a live session with moderators

Week 3 Missions

Mission 1, Days 1-3: Create an outline for chapter 1

1st. Map out your first chapter. Try any of these recommended tools from the Listly board or do it on paper or a word processor as long as it is online somewhere for your peers to view it. Create a basic outline/skeleton of what information and topics you'd like to include in the first chapter. We recommend Google Docs for this mission, but feel free to use another tool as long as this is posted online for peers to view. We also encourage you to use the Voice Comments feature on Google Docs. You have to install it. Here is a tutorial http://catlintucker.com/2013/04/using-voice-comments-with-google-docs-for-end-of-the-year-projects/

2nd. Post your chapter 1 outline to the Google Community in the Wk 3 thread. Use the hashtag #Wk3EbookOutline

3rd. Comment on your peers' outlines. We also encourage you to use the Voice Comments feature on Google Docs. You have to install it. Here is a tutorial http://catlintucker.com/2013/04/using-voice-comments-with-google-docs-for-end-of-the-year-projects/

4th. Continue working on filling out chapter 1 for next week

Mission 2, Days 1-4: Discussion on authors' frustrations

View this Padlet of Author Frustrations. Our moderators share their experiences about past obstacles they encountered and tips on how to avoid them. URL: http://padlet.com/wall/authorfrustrations
In the Google Community, in the Wk 3 thread, answer discussion questions related to author frustrations to avoid:

Which tips really stuck with you? Why?

Use the hashtag #Wk3EbookDiscussion
Respond to your peers' posts.

Mission 3, Days 2-4: Analyze publishing options and choose one to create your e-textbook

View our recommended publishing options here. Choose 1 publishing option for your e-textbook. It doesn’t have to be the options we have listed.
Post your choice and your reasons behind this choice to the Google Community. Use the hashtag #Wk3EbookPublish
Comment on your peers' choices.

Mission 4, Day 6: Attend our Live Online Session

Time & Date:

Live Session URL: http://ebookevo.pbworks.com/w/page/70379800/hangouts

Week 4 Assisted Technology and Design that Engages & Supports Students

Moderators- Sylvia Guinan, André J. Spang, Debbie Tebovich

Co-moderator- Shelly Terrell, Jackie Gerstein

Week 4 Objectives

During this week, you will:

complete part of chapter 1 and post for peer feedback
evaluate your peers' chapters and provide feedback
integrate one activity to engage learners
evaluate your peers' activities and provide feedback
attend a live session with moderators

Week 4 Missions

Mission 1, Days 1-4: Complete part of chapter 1

Complete part of chapter 1 of your e-textbook and post in the Google Community in the Wk 4 thread for feedback. Use the hashtag #Wk4EbookCh

Mission 2, Days 2-3: Integrate an activity that engages learners

Explore ways to engage learners and have them contribute to your ebook. Integrate one suggestion into your ebook and post for peers to evaluate and provide feedback.

Post in the Google Community in the Wk 4 thread for feedback. Use the hashtag #Wk4StudentActivity

Comment on your peers' posts.

Mission 3, Optional, Days 3-5: Add a technology or design element that supports learners

Explore various assistive technologies and materials to support learners with various needs. Integrate one suggestion into your ebook.

Post in the Google Community in the Wk 4 thread for feedback. Use the hashtag #Wk4AssistiveTech

Comment on your peers' posts.

Mission 4, Optional, Days 3-5: Ebook student evaluation

Have one of your learners evaluate your e-textbook and provide feedback.
Post their feedback in the Google Community in the Wk 4 thread for feedback. Use the hashtag #Wk4StudentFeedback
Ask for solutions from your peers

Mission 5, Day 6: Attend our Live Online Session

Time & Date:

Live Session URL: http://ebookevo.pbworks.com/w/page/70379800/hangouts

Week 5 Publishing Our Projects and Final Reflections

Main Moderators- Terry Freedman, Shelly Terrell

Co-moderators- Chuck Sandy

Week 5 Objectives

During this week, you will:

publish the first chapter of your e-textbooks and post for peer feedback
comment on and evaluate the published first chapters
reflect on your learning during this EVO session
attend a live session with moderators
complete an online evaluation about your experience taking this session

Week 5 Missions

Mission 1, Days 1-3: Publish Chapter 1

Complete chapter 1 of your e-textbook and post in the Google Community for peer feedback.

1st. Complete chapter 1 of your e-textbook and post it to the Google Community in the Wk 5 thread for feedback. Use the hashtag #Wk5EbookChapter

It's clearly useful to obtain general feedback, but think about any specific points you'd like people to consider. For example:

Is the book accessible, in terms of being able to be used by people with special educational needs? Check out our Listly Accessibility links for more information, ideas and checklists on this subject.
Is it engaging?
Does it include prompts for readers to respond in some way?
Does it encourage readers to reflect on what they have learnt from reading it?
Does it have a structure that lends itself to being read quickly?

2nd. Comment on your peers' outlines.

Try to give positive feedback, but bear in mind that honesty is important too! If you have some criticisms, one way of making them more likely to be accepted is to use the 'assessment for learning' technique of 'Two stars and a wish'!
Research has shown that saying something like "Well done", or "Nice", may give the recipient a bit of an ego massage. However, while very welcome, it doesn't actually help them very much. A comment like "I like the way you have explained everything in very short sentences, with links to further resources" is much better.

3rd. Optional. Do you think your first chapter is ready for the world to view? If so, add your chapter to our Bookshelf, http://ebookevo.pbworks.com/bookshelf

Mission 2, Optional, Days 2-3: Create the cover for your e-textbook

1st. Create a cover for your of your e-textbook and post it to the Google Community in the post it to the Google Community in the Wk 5 thread for feedback. Use the hashtag #Wk5EbookCover

They say that you can't judge a book by its cover. However, the cover is the initial 'hook' for people. Basically, you have to get people to want to open the book in the first place. See our list of links to ebook cover resources. And remember to ask your students what they think of the design.

2nd. Comment on your peers' outlines.

Mission 3, Days 3-5: Session Reflection

Reflect on your experience participating in this EVO session. Post in the Google Community in the Wk 5 thread for feedback . Use the hashtag #Wk5EbookReflection

Mission 4, Days 3-5: Session Evaluation

What have you found the most challenging aspects of publishing and cover design? Please let us know about your experience taking this session by filling out this evaluation form! We appreciate it! https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MJLBCZT

Mission 5, Day 6: Attend our Live Online Session

Time & Date:

Live Session URL: http://ebookevo.pbworks.com/w/page/70379800/hangouts

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IV. Online Platforms

(these are the platforms where we will be hosting our EVO session)

Wiki- hosts our participant projects, missions and tutorials, http://ebookevo.pbworks.com
Lisltly- hosts our bookmarked resources and eportfolios, http://list.ly/Ebook%20EVO
Google Community- our main forum for discussions, editing books, posting our tasks and connecting http://gplus.to/eTextbookEVO
Twitter/GooglePlus/Facebook Hashtag- #EbookEVO

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