Online Education Book Clubs

Books bring thoughts to life, create shared vocabulary and concepts, and often act as a change agent.  A natural progression of reading something that opens up new ways of thinking, just plain makes you mad, smile, question, etc. is to share and discuss with others.  We are all watching the digital age of books evolve around us—pretty cool potential with augmented reality and transmedia tapping into multiple senses and spaces.  We are questioning the future of textbooks, publishers, and entering a new era when authoring for an authentic audience is easier than ever.

This blog has touched on all of these topics.  (See links at the end of this post.)  For some reason, I haven’t put much consideration into online book clubs.  If you are like me and need a starting place, here’s one from Steve Hargadon.  The next paragraph is a regurgitation of some of Steve’s email he sent out on Classroom 2.0.

Check out Steve’s new BookClub20.com  It is a wiki for sharing and finding book clubs and more in education.  Steve has started two of his own book clubs in Mightybell “spaces”  (an interesting space I’ve been considering for classroom use).  Steve’s book club choices are Seymour Papert's Mindstorms and John Dewey's Experience and Education.   It is interesting how Steve is taking it a step further by layering technologies.  On March 14^th and April 11^th, he will hold discussions in the Blackboard Collaborate live as a part of his FutureofEducation.com.  There are plans for more in the future if these books don’t strike your interest.  While you are exploring, take a look at Book Club 106. Google Hangouts is one of its components.

As I think out loud here, I can see potential in online courses for discussing chapters of assigned texts in this type of Mighty Bell "spaces" organization.  I can see the potential to facilitate hybrid book or video discussions.  Hmmm... there are many possibilities awaiting exploration and application. 

I’d love to know if you are a part of any online education book clubs and where this is headed in our schools and libraries.

Happy reading and book clubbing!

Related posts:

Book Spine Poetry

For the Love of a Book

What's a Book?  It This a Book?

picture by h.koppdelaney 

For the Love of a Book

Warning.  Once you start reading, you may not be able to stop thinking.  TheFantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is an extraordinary video that I will revisit many, many times.   Like a favorite tattered book, I can see gaining something new from it each time one watches it.  My kiddo and I have watched it several times, pausing and making connections each time we see it.  I can’t wait to connect it to one of my classes!

Can you spot some of my favorites in the video?  My further investigations have turned many of my long held opinions into mush!  The many and varied points of view I have encountered do not confuse, but enrich.  I laugh.  I cry.  I seldom understand things but…  I go round and round the mulberry bush.  Why does the weasel go “pop”?  Does it matter?  If life is enjoyed, does it have to make sense?

And what a gorgeous baby grand piano.  I’m fairly certain it is the same one my grandma plays in her living room!  My grandparents are after all two of the people who encouraged my love for books and writing and embracing the unknowns in life.  If you don’t know what I’m rambling about, begin by watching this video.  And then for the love of a book, pick one up and experience it!  Digital ones do count ;- )  Here’s a link to the app.

How does TheFantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore touch you? Those of us who love literature, writing, flying words that buzz in silence, just can’t stop.  Watch The Joy of Books and then read, share, and read!

This relates to my past post What’s a Book?  Is This a Book? I’m fairly certain it will relate to a future one.

Happy reading and writing!  (Happy birthday Grandpa!)