If you are curious to learn about my latest project, you might find the following blog update to be of interest.
Just recently, Hauptmann Weydert, a reader from Luxembourg approached me with news of a historical project that he was coordinating and he asked for specific input. Previously, he had read some of my published eBooks and he could see the potential for transmedia storytelling, by my involvement in his project.
Hauptmann has created a three-dimensional computer generated replica of the Pfaffenthal district of Luxembourg, set at the time of 1867. The Luxembourg Crisis of 1866 nearly led to war between Prussia and France and brought about the Grand Duchy’s independence and neutrality being affirmed, by the Second Treaty of London of 1867. It was then that the surrounding city fortifications were demolished and Luxembourg underwent great change. (You may note that next year, 2017, will be the 150th anniversary of this important European date.
Hauptmann has many exciting ideas in developement, for the anniversary of this major UNESCO World Herittage site. He approached me for input regarding the creation of storylines for his charcaters, within the Pfaffenthal recreation. It sounded exciting and so I was happy to oblige.
Over the next few months, I shall be very pleased to update you with any develoments about this project.
Surveys show that many adults prefer to access their reading material in a paper format. Children, however, are more open to using digital devices.
The use of eBooks is on the rise in schools, by children as young as three, and digital devices are making a large difference to the reading habits of boys in particular. The School Library Journal has reported that tablets or laptops are currently used in about two-thirds of schools across America, however their use is rather more sporadic in British schools. Over the past year, the National Literacy Trust has been conducting research into the impact of digital reading devices upon the literacy development of a sample of 800 children from 40 schools. Interestingly, in a period of just four months, boys made (on average) a progress of 8.4 months, compared to an average of 7.2 months among girls.
Researchers are now beginning new studies to try and discover why boys respond so well to digital media.
There is still a place for a wide range of different reading formats in both schools and the home but it is encouraging that, despite the reservations of adults towards the introduction of eBooks, many children flourish with the acquisition of sound literacy skills, using digital formats.
If your child is interested in using a tablet or laptop to access reading material, you may like to know that Maxwell Grantly has produced an exciting range of original reading material, all of which can be downloaded from Kobo and iTunes completely free of charge.
(Source of information: BBC website)
Maxwell Grantly 