ReadUps

ReadUps is a web-based reading system for tablets and laptops. As a user, you can create a timed ReadUp event; it is essentially "hanging out" inside a book. You can share comments about paragraphs within the book. Once you create a ReadUp event, you are given a URL to share with others.

The comments you make look like this: 

Resources and links
//Links //

__http://www.readups.com/readups/list __

__https://twitter.com/readups/readups-inner-circle __

//Articles and tutorials //

__https://www.readsocial.net __

Strengths:

 * Read ups let you discuss content of a story with just a click!
 * It's like shared note-taking, but you do not have to "leave" the story to do so.
 * Teachers who create ReadUps set a time limit, so it can be used in classrooms very easily and effectively
 * Reading is changing to a digital platform, and this tool allows students who already read on tablets a chance to interact with peers
 * Promotes social development of an increasingly isolated generation of students
 * You can create a password protected ReadUp
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Instead of reading on the computer and taking notes on paper or in a separate window, the process of reading/responding is streamlined in one place.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Weaknesses:

 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Anyone can say anything, its an open forum
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Students have to have some form of social networking site like Twitter to register
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Not all books can be read through ReadUp- must be DRM-free Epub files
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Costs 5$ to create a ReadUp password
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">If you aren't invited to a ReadUp, you can't monitor whats going on.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Opportunities:

 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Teachers and students could read together inside or outside of classroom
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Teachers can promotes small group interaction but still utilizes technology, which is a huge incentive for students.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Teachers can track how much students have actually read based on the amount of commenting.

**<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">Threats: **
<span style="font-family: Lucida Console,Monaco,monospace;">
 * <span style="font-family: Lucida Console,Monaco,monospace;">If you sign up through twitter and you are the teacher, every child can see your twitter account
 * <span style="font-family: Lucida Console,Monaco,monospace;">Might not be good for distractible students because the ability to comment is always there and students are able to stop reading at any time to read other comments
 * <span style="font-family: Lucida Console,Monaco,monospace;">Ideas for the Classroom: **
 * <span style="font-family: Lucida Console,Monaco,monospace;">Find a book that has recently won an award. Give students the "job" of determining why it won an award. Create the ReadUp and invite the whole class Comments should pertain to writing quality, idea development, character development, etc.
 * <span style="font-family: Lucida Console,Monaco,monospace;">Put a list of questions on the board that students must read text to determine. Pair students and make ReadUps. Have them read the text and put the answers to the questions in as comments. Be a part of each group's ReadUps to monitor the answers.