Chrome Can: Creating eBooks with Chromebooks!

One of the things a good computer should be able to do is to enable students to create a variety of media. This media includes images, audio, video, blog posts, and eBooks.  Chromebooks can do all of these things including creating eBooks.

eBooks come in a variety of formats including PDF, ODF, AWZ, LIT, MOBI, EPUB etc.. you can find out more about these here.  Since almost every device available can open PDFs and EPUBs it is a good idea to have your students create either of these formats.  Chromebooks can read and create both of these formats.

PDF

Portable Document Format was created by Adobe and released on June 15, 1993.  It has grown to become a standard document format that all web browsers can now open.  Chromebooks can create PDF’s in multiple ways.  A Google Doc can be saved as a PDF. To do this click on File/Download as/PDF Document (.pdf).

The second way to save a Google Doc as a PDF is to choose this option when printing the Google Doc.  To do this, click the print icon and then choose Save as PDF in the Destination drop down.

Students can then use Google Docs to create their eBooks and then save the file as a PDF.  Students can also use apps like Gravit Designer to create stunning eBook covers.  To combine the cover with the exported PDF they can use tools like those found on https://pdf.io/.

EPUB

The Electronic Publishing Format was developed by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF)
in September 2007. It has now grown to a widely used format that can be opened on eBook readers such as Google Play Books and Apple iBooks.

There are several ways Chromebooks can be used to create EPUB eBooks.

Google Docs can be downloaded in the EPUB format in the same manner as described above for saving a Google Doc as a PDF.

If you want to create great multi-media eBooks, I suggest using Book Creator.  Book Creator used to be only available on the iPad, but the creators of this fantastic application have now released a web application that is available in the Chrome Webstore. What makes this application so cool is the ability to add multiple forms of media to your creations! Import pictures, videos, audio, drawings, text, and shapes.  With Book Creator, you can do it all!

Once the book is finished, it can be shared in different ways.  The easiest way to share a book is to have students publish the book.  When they publish their eBooks, a private link is created that can be shared with others.  Students can unpublish their books anytime they want.

Another way to share their books is to download the book as an EPUB.  This file can then be opened by different eBook readers.  The reader I suggest using is called Readium as it supports all the great multi-media created in Book Creator.

Teachers can create a class bookshelf where all the student books can be stored.  Students who have access to this shelf will be able to see all the books added to the shelf.  The free version allows you to have one library with 40 books.  There are paid versions and even school and district pricing.

Reading eBooks on a Chromebook

There are several eBook readers that work on a Chromebook. Google Play Books can be used to read books you purchase through Google, however, you can also upload up to 1000 PDFs or EPUBs to your account as well.  This means student created eBooks can also be uploaded to the Google Play Books upload section.

In the Chrome Webstore, a fantastic application called Readium can be found.  This application allows students to open EPUB files they have downloaded from Book Creator.  What is fantastic about this app is that all the features work.  If a student added an audio recording they will be able to listen to it.  I highly recommend adding Readium to your and your student’s Chromebooks.

Creating eBooks is a fantastic way for students to share their learning with others.  eBooks could also be used as an ePortfolio format.  If you haven’t yet begun having your students create eBooks, why not start today?

Thanks for reading

Dr. Shannon H. Doak