TumbleBook Library A White Paper http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/teacher_downloads.asp Jennifer Lynn Galbraith grahamj3@winthrop.edu July 7, 2011 EDUC 651 This white paper was written as an assignment for Dr. Marshall G. Jones s EDUC 651 class at Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC. All rights reserved by the author. Permission is granted to use this white paper provided the user notifies the author in writing prior to use. Jennifer L Galbraith 2011 Page 1
What is TumbleBook Library? An Overview TumbleBook Library is an online library for children produced by Tumble Weed Press in Toronto, ON. In 2003, TumbleBook Library became available for subscription to public libraries. While the technology has been available for eight years to libraries, it has just recently become available for schools. In 2010, Tumble Book Library partnered with Follett. Currently, Follett is representing and selling TumbleBook Library in US schools. TumbleBook Library provides storybooks, chapter books, novels, classics, and audio books. Teachers, media specialists, children, and families can use TumbleBook Library. When using TumbleBook Library, children can listen to or read stories independently. This technology offers books written and read in English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese. After reading a book, children can participate in games and puzzles that correlate directly with the text they have just read. Children are also able to take an online comprehension quiz after reading. TumbleBook Library also provides support for teachers by offering lesson plans, downloadable reading logs, and book reports. Overall, the purpose of this technology is to provide children with texts to read online. How can I access TumbleBook Library? TumbleBook Library can be accessed online at www.tumblebooks.com. From this URL, you will need to click on TumbleBook Library. Cost of TumbleBook Library TumbleBook Library can be accessed by creating a free trial for thirty days. When the thirty day trial has expired, this online library can be accessed by purchasing a 12 month subscription. As of 2011, a 12 month subscription for one school costs $499.00. School districts have the option to purchase TumbleBook Library for all schools within the district. When the subscription is purchased for many schools, TumbleBook Library offers a discount. As the number of schools increase, the discount increases as well. Purchase prices range from $499.00 for one school to $12,745.00 for fifty schools. To find out how much TumbleBook Library will cost for the number of schools in your district, you can view http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/order_form_school.asp. To purchase a subscription, visit the links below for an order form. http://www.tumblebooks.com/library /asp/order_form.asp. http://www.follettinternational.com/_files/fint/sellsheets/c_school%20library%20resourc es/school%20library%20information/tumble%20books.pdf Jennifer L Galbraith 2011 Page 2
TumbleBook Library Options With the purchase of a 12 month school subscription, users will have access to the following features: Access to storybooks, easy readers, chapter books, novels, classics, and audio books Access to books written and read in other languages such as French, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese Options of listening to or reading animated books Ability to keep notes while reading and use a bookmark to save your spot Voice recording option to share your story Comprehension quizzes Online games and puzzles related to the books you have read Reading logs and book report templates Information about Accelerated Reader points and the book level Lesson plans aligned with selected stories I love just about everything about Tumblebooks. The selection of stories is incredible. I love the way the text is highlighted while it's being narrated so students can follow along, and love the tests and activities. (http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/testi monials/testimonials_home.htm) How do I use TumbleBook Library? TumbleBook Library is very user-friendly. Once you have logged into the online library, you will have options to search for books using the index, entering in the book title or author, or selecting the genre of story you wish to read. You can also choose to change the language from the homepage. Change the language Type your search Search using the index Click on the genre of story you wish to hear. Jennifer L Galbraith 2011 Page 3
Once you have searched for your book, you will be able to view the story online. You will have access to information about the book. For example, the author and illustrator, reading level, the length of the story, and Accelerated Reading information is provided. Also, you will be able to access activities related to the story such as the quiz, games, lesson plans, and book report. Download the book to read or listen to online. Information about the book Book related activities When you have selected your story to view online, the book will appear on your screen. Beside the pages, you will have options to turn the pages, pause the story, and switch between automatic and manual modes. The sample below is of a storybook. If you have selected to read a chapter book, the screen looks slightly different. Pause the story Turn the pages Switch between automatic and manual modes. Jennifer L Galbraith 2011 Page 4
The following TumbleBook Library tutorials will provide more information about how to use TumbleBook Library. http://www.tumblebooks.com/librarytour.html This link is a video tutorial produced by TumbleBooks. The tutorial shows how to turn the page, change the size of the text, adjust the volume, switch between automatic and manual modes, and have only selected texts read while reading a book. This tutorial would be especially beneficial for teachers because it demonstrates how this technology could be used in the classroom. This is a very detailed introduction to TumbleBook Library. http://www.schools.manatee.k12.fl.us/webdisk/3160itsweb/training_committee/tumblebook s.pdf This pdf file provides information about how to log into TumbleBook Library and how to use the site. To explain how to use this website, the author provides a screen shot of the homepage. Below the screen shot, the author describes each icon of choice including storybooks, readables, new books, puzzles and games, language learning, and audio books. This link will be particularly helpful to educators because the author shows how to access the Educators Resources page on the website. http://tinsleyelementary.blogspot.com/2009/03/tumble-books-tutorials.html This URL will link you to two tutorials conducted by a school employee. The first tutorial begins by showing the user different parts of the homepage. The guide discusses the options and information available with each storybook. The second tutorial focuses on the secondary toolbar. She quickly demonstrates how to access the puzzles and games and how to listen or read stories in other languages. TumbleBook Library and Learning TumbleBook Library Is an Asset to Education TumbleBook Library can be used in education as a solution to curriculum issues early childhood educators face. This technology provides books and resources for teaching and learning. Curriculum Issue Limited access to books How TumbleBook Library Helps Presenting Information TumbleBook Library provides over 400 books including storybooks, chapter books, and books written in other languages. Limited resources for teachers to use during a shared reading lesson TumbleBook Library gives teachers many stories to use during a shared reading lesson. The text and illustrations can be projected on a screen for teachers to use when teaching reading strategies. Jennifer L Galbraith 2011 Page 5
Teacher uncertainty about how to use a particular book to teach a lesson Limited opportunities for students to interact with traditional text Available books may not be of interest or of appropriate level for all children which may hinder student motivation Difficulty providing meaningful reading experiences for students working independently Difficulty completing individualized assessments when children read books on their own levels Engaging Learning Guiding Learning Assessing Learning When the school subscription is purchased, users have access to lesson plans for books. TumbleBook Library allows children to interact with text. Highlight text to hear words View animated illustrations Play games and puzzles related to the story Children can choose from a selection of books based on their individual interests and reading level. When children use TumbleBook Library, they have the opportunity to hear a model of how text should be read and have access to support as they read. TumbleBook Library provides online comprehension quizzes for the students to complete after reading. Limited ways to document a student s fluency while reading Teacher uncertainty about the book levels for books children are independently reading TumbleBook Library has the option of recording students as they read a story. TumbleBook Library provides the book level for each book. TumbleBook Library and Learning Resources The following URLS provide further information about how TumbleBook Library could be used as a tool for teaching and learning in the classroom. http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/in%20the%20classroom.pdf This pdf file created by TumbleBook Library gives information about how TumbleBook Library could benefit children in the classroom. First, it is suggested that TumbleBook Library provides all children, on all levels, material to read because text can be listened to or read independently. The authors suggest that struggling readers will benefit from references this program offers such as pronunciation keys. As students use features such as this one, they are able to learn more sight words. This website could also be used in the classroom as a way to increase vocabulary and learn new information. It is also suggested that all children benefit Jennifer L Galbraith 2011 Page 6
because there are a variety of books available. Children can choose to read books based on their interests. Lastly, the authors propose that this website will support multiculturalism in the classroom because it offers books in different languages and about a variety of cultures. http://www.rres.srvusd.k12.ca.us/technology/tumblebooks.html This website provides quick information about how to use TumbleBook Library in the classroom. The author suggests this website could be used in a whole group or individual learning setting. He recommends that this site can be used to teach fluency, decoding, vocabulary, comprehension, listening, and speaking. He also gives ideas about how this site could be used to give students opportunities to respond to text such as taking the quizzes after reading. Lastly, he provides features of TumbleBook Library in a bulleted list. Teachers could use this list to decide how TumbleBook Library would best be used in their classroom. http://innovations.oise.utoronto.ca/edtech/index.php/tumblebooks This link provides much information about TumbleBook Library. In a brief section, the author gives information about how the use of this website correlates with reading curriculum. He suggests that this website provides children experiences with informational and fictional texts and gives them opportunities to employ a variety of reading strategies while reading the text. It is also suggested that this technology exposes children to text features and elements which supports children as they make meaning from the text. He also claims that this technology can be used in independent, shared, or guided reading. How People Are Using TumbleBook Library to Teach and Learn While this technology is recent for US schools, teachers and students have begun to use this online library. The following links are examples of how teachers and students are using TumbleBook Library for teaching and learning. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxkl-bxynzc This link is a video clip of a young girl using TumbleBook Library at home. While she is reading the story, she talks about what she is hearing in the story. She counts on the screen to see how many pieces of candy the character will eat. She also plays games on TumbleBooks after listening to the story. This short video demonstrates how children learn to respond to text while listening to a story on TumbleBooks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_x8mgsrcqa This URL will link you to a short video clip of a librarian and children talking about their school s recent purchase of TumbleBooks. This school wrote a grant to buy a subscription for TumbleBooks. The librarian talks about how children are reading and using the computer in positive ways. The children express excitement about using this technology. Jennifer L Galbraith 2011 Page 7
NETS-Students NETS-Teachers http://creativekids1.blogspot.com/2006/05/review-tumblebooks.html This URL links to a blog posted by someone who has used TumbleBooks. The blogger recommends using this website in the listening center. He also suggests using this website as a way for students to practice appropriate intonation while reading. Lastly, he blogs about how this website is beneficial for ESOL students because the books are offered in different languages. TumbleBook Library and National Education Technology Standards When using TumbleBook Library in the classroom, teachers and students are able to address National Education Technology Standards (NETS). NETS Indicators 1c. Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify student s conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes 2a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity 2d. Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching 2c. Develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learner of other cultures 6a. Understand and use technology systems 6b. Select and use applications effectively and productively TumbleBook Correlation Teachers can require students to reflect on stories they have read by encouraging students to complete an online book report. Teachers can use TumbleBook Library to provide students with opportunities to read books on their independent reading level and on topics of interests. Teachers can assess students using the comprehension quizzes and book reports TumbleBook Library offers. They can also assess fluency by recording the students read a book. Students are able to see stories written and read in other languages such as Spanish, French, Russian, and Chinese. Understanding that books can be written and read in languages helps children to better understand diversity in our world. Children will learn to navigate and use this website. Also through using this online library, students will become familiar with ebooks in general. When using this website, children learn how to make selections for books and activities. They also learn to use technology features such as voice recording and text highlighting. Jennifer L Galbraith 2011 Page 8
Environmental Factors to Consider When a school is deciding whether or not to purchase a subscription to TumbleBook Library, there are environmental factors to consider. First, this library is offered online. Therefore, the schools must have a reliable internet connection to access the books. Furthermore, to view the animated books, the computers must have a Flash plug-in downloaded. Also, to record students reading books, users will either need to have a microphone or have a computer with a built-in microphone. In order to use this library for teaching shared reading lessons, the classrooms will need to have a projector. While the site could be navigated by using the computer, an interactive white board would be ideal so that students could manipulate the text and activities using the board during whole group instruction. If teachers wish to use this technology to support individual reading, teachers will need access to several student computers so that many students can read at one time. Headphones would also be necessary for students to read and listen to stories independently in the classroom. Without headphones, this technology may be very distracting to other students. TumbleBook Library Affordances Benefits TumbleBook Library is user-friendly. Teachers can use this as a tool for reading instruction for modeling fluency and strategies during whole group instruction. Teachers can support children with independent reading by providing books of interest and of the appropriate level. Students can choose books that are appropriate for them in regards to interest and reading level. ELL students can read or listen to books written in their own language Students can share their stories through email (TumbleMailer) Students can respond to text through engaging games, quizzes, and puzzles. Parents can use this online library at home to support their child s reading if the school shares the password with parents. Drawbacks Weak correlation to NET Standards Cost to access the website for a permanent length of time Unequal representation of genres available Many books are not available making it difficult to access books on a particular topic Books may take a very long time to download Session will log out if not active, so teachers cannot load books before class starts Students are restricted in how they can respond to text. There is not a free response option available. Jennifer L Galbraith 2011 Page 9
Conclusion TumbleBook Library is an online library that could be of exceptional use in education. This technology provides children with greater access to books. Teachers can use this website for teaching reading strategies or for providing independent reading experiences. Students can use TumbleBook Library to enjoy stories and respond to text in desirable ways such as games and puzzles. Parents can also use this resource to support reading in the home. Despite the drawbacks and cost of the technology, TumbleBook Library can serve many purposes as elementary children learn to read. Jennifer L Galbraith 2011 Page 10