Frustrated With Storybird? Try Moglue.

Hi Everyone,

A couple of days ago I discovered Storybird through one of the threads on this board. Though I found the service to be very useful, I was admittedly disappointed by the fact that users are given limited choices in terms of the art that can be used. Evidently, Storybird does not permit people to upload their own artwork for the purposes of creating a storybook.

Today, however, I stumbled across Moglue (the blogpost in which I found it is here), which apparently solves this problem. According to both the blogpost and the Moglue website, Moglue is downloadable software that allows users to create their own interactive e-books. Users can use their own pictures, video, and audio files to create books that can be transfered to any Android or iOS powered tablets.

While I think this is a fantastic idea, I'm still a little disappointed that the books are not designed to be transfered across all platforms of e-readers (i.e. Nook and Kindle). Nevertheless, I think it's a great service that I'm going to look into further, and I would love to hear anyone's thoughts about it. Also, has anyone used e-books in their classroom? What did you think of them? Did the kids respond more favorably or do they like the more tactile feel of an actual book (I'm sometimes like this)?

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Permalink Reply by Colleen Young on October 12, 2011 at 12:05pm

No - not frustrated with Storybird at all.

Here's a huge difference for me - if you look at the terms of service you need to be 13 to use Moglue. Storybird on the other hand can be used by younger children with parental permission and teachers can set up classes.

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Permalink Reply by Michael on October 14, 2011 at 7:27pm

You're right, Colleen. I just checked with Moglue and their Terms of Service Agreement states that you have to be 13 years or older to register with them. That's a shame, since I really like the idea of students using their own artwork to make e-books.

In any case, let me ask you: Are ToS Agreements that closely monitored where you work? The reason I ask is that I'm sure there are plenty of teachers out there who don't even give these things so much as a cursory glance.

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Permalink Reply by Colleen Young on October 15, 2011 at 9:52am

I think you are correct Michael in that people don't pay enough attention to it - but as a responsible teacher I cannot possibley tell students to sign up for something when I know they are too young.

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Permalink Reply by Heidi Madsen on October 16, 2011 at 4:37am

I agree with you Colleen. I wouldn't ask my students to either. So Moglue will be a no go for us.

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Permalink Reply by Heidi Madsen on October 16, 2011 at 4:36am

I am surprised that you found the the choices limited. My students and I love it. Because it brings up so many great illustrations. But if Moglue is better I will have to try it out.

Heidi

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Permalink Reply by Michael on October 16, 2011 at 9:48am

I agree, the artwork that's available is fantastic. However, I would like students to have more ownership over the stories they create. Yes, they can create wonderful stories with the artwork that is currently available, but it's not their own artwork. I just think kids have a deeper sense of pride if they know that every facet of a particular story came from them.