For this Thing, you will explore where you can get free ebooks and get an idea of the types of titles you can find here. Take a look around and locate a few titles of interest. Many school and public libraries have audiobook and ebook collections, so check what they have in their collections. Audiobooks are popular for ELL and Special Education students, athletes and walkers, as well as commuters who enjoy a good story during a long ride home or while waiting for their ride. There are a number of commercial audiobook and ebook sources, and many of these companies have exhibits at library and other educational conferences.Discovery Exercise:
- Explore World EBook Fair' site for FREE downloads from the Gutenberg Project. Also just explore the site - there's much to check out. Michael Hart, Founder of the Gutenberg Project says: Start with "Browse Collections"and check out the Children's eBooks Collection or Kid's Page. [Note: it is free to look at the catalogs and cover images, but there is now a modest annual individual or group membership fee for actually opening a book and reading it.] Next, explore the Gutenberg Project itself and download books for free -- no fee, but a request for a donation. Compare the two sites.
- Create a blog post about your findings.
- LibriVox, audiobook versions of copyright-free books from the Gutenberg Project. Read by volunteers. Started in August 2005 by Hugh McGuire. Check it out!
- British Library Online Gallery includes digitized original classics. An audio feature allows a visitor to have the book read aloud. Don't miss the original version of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures Under Ground. Mozart's Musical Diary includes 75 audio excerpts. Take the tour and encourage your students and colleagues to do so too! This resource is AMAZING.
- Check out this site, too: "Best Places to Get Free Books"-- not fancy.
- The Online Books Place - University of Pennsylvania
- Read. Print. Online books, poems -- nice site!
- Don’t forget to ask your school librarian for local and on-line audio book resources. Many school libraries offer the ‘core’ novels in e-book and/or audio formats.
- And...your local public library. Does it have eBook and audioBook collections?
- Idea #1: Introduce your students to one or more of the free, online ebook sites. Have them discuss which site, which book most interested them and why.
- Idea #2: Give students a choice of 5-10 eBooks to read or listen to, then report on the book and their experience using new (non-print) media.
