Name of tool: Scribd
URL of tool: www.scribd.com.
Category of tool: Creativity
Description: Scribd describes itself as "the largest book club on the planet." The tool seems to do have two central features. First, it allows creators of original content to publish It is a platform on which users can publish their original writing in a web document format that allows it to be shared online and on mobile devices as well as be picked up by search engines. Secondly, Scribd is a social networking site, where user can interact is discussing their favorite works of writing. Scribd allows users to share their favorites and comments on Facebook and Twitter. Scribd
I briefly discuss some of Scribd's features and virtues in this Voicethread:
http://voicethread.com/share/3258966/
What do you need to know before using this tool? To make effective use of this tool,
it probably helps to be fluent in using social networking cites like Facebook. I am not experienced with social media and it actually makes using Scribd quite challenging. I viewed a comic book created by American and Syrian students called "Silver Scorpion." After checking off the Facebook box I clicked "Readcast," which I think is supposed to let all me Facebook friends know that I read the comic. However, I do not see it on my Facebook page. I am very inexperienced with Facebook so it is possible I have missed something.
What do you need to have before using this tool? For just browsing the content and commenting, all you would need is a web browser and an internet connection. To contribute content you would need at least a word proceesing program like Word, and ideally you would be able to convert your created file into PDF format.
How do you use this tool?
There are different ways to use this tool. For simply browsing the works and commenting, you would log in (using Facebook, Twitter, or a login/password registered with Scribd). You can search using keywords or browse by subjects and sub categories.
To upload your own creations to Scribd, you simply click the "Upload" button which is at the top of the page just to the right of the Scribd logo. You are given of choice to upload from your computer, from Google Docs, or to type in text directly. I uploaded a PowerPoint presentation I did for another class and it was very easy.
Using this tool in a teaching scenario: There are many classic works available in Scribd that could be read and commented upon by students.
Another possiblity would be for teachers to assign students to research a topic in Scribd by finding writings relevant to a particular topic, and then adding them to a collection for the whole class to see. For example, an English teacher might say "Find a story written in the first person point of view." Then the student could search Scribd for such stories, add them to a collection where the other students could see them and comment on them. For example, students could comment on whether first person was a good choice for the particular story.
The most exciting educational possiblity would be to have students create their own works, in whatever subject, and publish them on Scribd. I think this would be a great tool for developing student creativity. It would be expecially appropriate for a creative writing or visual art class, but could be used in almost any class.
What are the advantages of using this tool in a teaching environment? I believe students may have creative impulses, but are perhaps inhibited in expressing them. The social environment within Scribd, where many people are posting creative works of whatever they are inspired to create would seem to be good for encouraging students to be creative, and to gain an awareness of what is possible.
What are the disadvantages of using this tool in a teaching environment? Scribd offers a world of resources on a many, many topics from all those who contribute to it. Scribd is a social media application, and in a K-12 enviroment there could be problems with students getting off task by following links that are off task.
It is also a social networking site and this would mean underage students would need some oversight when using it.
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