Ebooks are essentially any kind of book that can be read on a screen, whether it’s a mobile phone, tablet, computer, or a dedicated eReader. Titles can be downloaded after purchase or for free (usually the ones under public domain. Users can also publish their own ebooks and share them online with other avid readers.
As with audiobooks, ebooks are a product of the technological and digital revolution that allow for a different experience compared to traditionally bound books. While not all users are comfortable with reading on a lit screen, ebooks offer some advantages such as no added weight to carry, no extra storage space to be used, built-in dictionaries, multimedia, hyperlinks, search capability, commenting, highlighting, note taking and sharing. Some eReaders motivate readers with badges and reading stats – something to be aware (and perhaps wary?) of…
When looking for ebooks for classroom use, access is an important consideration. Bloom is an example of an open educational resource (OER) that allows users to download as PDF for printing or offline viewing.
Multi-lingual Open Source e-Books (freely and publicly shared online – non-profit)
- Bloom e-books library
- check out: Bloom Mali project for simple e-books (french language, varied topics) with integrated sign language videos
- Create and upload books to Bloom through their open source project.
- Indigenous Story Books Project (a UBC collab)
- Story Books Canada Project (a UBC connected project)
You have access through UBC Library to some electronic books and resources for teaching – even picture books!
- BC Books Online has Kids E-Books through the e-brary collection.
- Story Nory is also a good site http://www.storynory.com/
- Children’s Digital Library has many ‘world book’ resources
- Tumble Books storybooks online
- Bookflix through Scholastic – check with the UBC Ed Library about access. Some SDs also have subscriptions.
