CK12 Flexbooks http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/
This excellent US site has free downloadable & customizable digital textbooks for science, maths, technology and engineering for years K to 12, including some student workbooks (most books seem to be high school level). Includes easy video tutorial for customizing books and chapters. You can also add your own content to the book. More info: http://www.ck12.org/about/vid-quickstart/
“CK-12 Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to reduce the cost of textbook materials for the K-12 market both in the US and worldwide. Using an open-content, web-based collaborative model termed the “FlexBook,” CK-12 intends to pioneer the generation and distribution of high quality educational content that will serve both as core text as well as provide an adaptive environment for learning through the FlexBook Platform”. Most of the books have been approved in various US states.
Qwiki http://www.qwiki.com/
An interesting kind of encylopedia/search engine. Type in an indexed term – people, places, things – and Qwiki will generate an information experience describing it. Aims to deliver information in a natural, more human way – via storytelling instead of search. Covers a wide variety of reference topics. Also has an iPad app – a key piece of their original vision. You can share and embed content. Launched Jan 2011; currently in alpha; has some big funding.
The home page has a News Summary and Top Stories. Type a term into the search box (eg New Zealand). Choose from the dropdown choices. The information will be read to you (female American voice – ok; a bit mechanical) while you are presented with images, videos, animations and the written text. Click an image to see more information & source. Related Qwikis are listed below the one you are watching.
Soon, any person will be able to create Qwikis and submit content to improve any Qwiki. The voice & text and other content makes this a very interesting tool – especially for students who might not want to read a lot of information. The images and video content make research interesting and more interactive. More info: http://blog.qwiki.com/2010/10/21/welcome-to-qwiki/
1 reply on “CK12 Flexbooks & Quiki”
Both CK12 and Qwicki are brilliant examples of the transformative power of open source. Where CK12 has expanded the reach, quality and flexibility of K-12 educational content to break away from the confines of rigid homogenized curriculum, Qwiki has made search an interactive experience, both fun and enriching. visit http://goo.gl/To9Z7 for more information