Adobe and Mobi...A Match Made In Heaven

Article by Douglas Zauha
January 2010

Over the course of the last few months, I have had the opportunity to show teachers what they can do with a free piece of software called Adobe Reader. It has taken off like wildfire. I then introduced teachers to digital paper (free too), which uses Adobe Reader, and classrooms took on a whole new look. When I then showed teachers the Interwrite Mobi from eInstruction, how it worked with the digital paper, and the free software called Adobe Reader...well, I can't tell you what happened. BUT, it was something beautiful.

As a result of this work, teachers are creating interactive PDF files for their students. In some classrooms students now have a digital copy of their textbook. They read it, highlight it, take notes in it, and even record audio notes directly into the PDF file.

How much did this cost you ask? Well, if done right, it doesn't cost anything. In other classrooms, teachers are using the free digital paper, a projector, and the Mobi and now have a very inexpensive interactive whiteboard. In this case, the teacher moves about the room and draws on the digital paper using Adobe and the Mobi. They work problems in front of the students, add a few extra notes (written and audio), and then upload the document to the ANGEL LMS for students to access when at home and in need of a refresher when doing their homework. These are just two ways that this technology can be used. There are hundreds of other ways waiting to be used in your classroom. AND, did I mention that much of it is free?

Most teachers were very surprised at how easy it was to do, the presentation power it brought to their classrooms, and the fact that all this could be done very inexpensively. All they needed was Adobe Reader (free), an enhanced PDF (free creation from myeLearning.org), and possibly the Mobi for a completely interactive classroom.

If you are a member of the ANGEL Users' Group through myeLearning.org of Nebraska, you can send us a PDF, and we will enhance it for "Digital Tagging" for free. Look in the "Content" tab of the ANGEL Users' Group for the "Digital Paper" folder as well as the drop box to send us a PDF to be enhanced. In January 2010, we will have over fifty separate graphic organizers and digital documents for Nebraska teachers to use in their classrooms with more to come as the year progresses. Those too will be located in the "Digital Paper" folder.

If you would like to know more about this capability or receive training, feel free to contact us at myeLearning.org of Nebraska by sending an email to admin@myelearning.org.

For more information on myeLearning.org of Nebraska, please refer to the following website: www.myelearning.org