How I Use It
I've used Issuu in a global literature class where students have searched and read short stories in English written by African, Middle Eastern, and Asian authors whose works aren't available in U.S. textbooks or even from U.S. publishers. I've also used Issuu with EFL students from China who created an illustrated, read-aloud alphabet book about China for South African primary school EFL students to learn about the country that has become their nation's largest trading partner. The download capability of Issuu means that the digital book can be transferred to mobile phones and read offline in rural classrooms lacking internet access.
My Take
Issuu, a Copenhaagen-based, global literature and publishing portal entices high school students into a truly global library of free magazines, anthologies, and multimedia e-books. With Scandanavian minimalist design, the site also inspires students to write and share their own works - of research, opinion, or imagination. Recently improved classification, collection, and search functions, enable teachers to curate content that is educational, inoffensive, and curriculum relevant. I've particularly appreciated the ability to upload content in virtually every file format imaginable. And like Flickr, the Issuu site enables creators to specify how their publications may be used, including granting users the right to download publications for offline reading.
