Blog Entry Week 4

I would like to share my thoughts on the article, 'What Makes a Good Picture Book App?' by Katie Bircher. The article goes on to discuss ebooks that are too interactive and ebooks that are extremely straightforward with minimal interactivity.

Katie then goes on to say a good blend of the two, where you don't lose the jist of the story, but where you can interact and engage with the book, is the ideal blend of the two.

I understand that she's just sharing her opinion and her perspective, but I feel that is a narrowed, biased view of how the interactive ebooks ought to be. I think some people, possible more kinesthetic learners, may enjoy and appreciate the over-the-top interactive elements because, for them, that's how they learn. The ability to engage and DO things is how they learn and more important than the story.

For others, probably people who are more straightforward, may want to read a story from start to finish without too many deterrants. They may feel there is value in their own ability to use their imagination rather than be shown and forced to interact in the way an overly interactive ebook may appear.

Either way, I think there is an audience for both. I think the real issue is the fact that there are several different ways to learn, and therefore, we need books of all kinds to appeal to all kinds of learners. I don't think we can sum up how it "ought" to be.

I like what Katie said towards the end of her article where she focuses on the fact that they should be easy to navigate and should be fun and create a surprising and joyful experience for the reader. I believe these are fundamental elements that all books should incorporate, at least if they're childrens' books, as they're focusing on in this article.

The final thought I'd like to share is how I agree with the article when it says these interactive ebooks should work to incorporate innovative technologies as they tie in to the narrative. Whatever elements can help enhance the experience the original narrative was trying to create, in my mind, is right on target.

Peter Brown