Digital+Newsletters

Digital Newsletters

The two digital newsletter tools we evaluated were: [|letterpop] and [|simplebooklet]


 * Letterpop (12/15) **

Letterpop is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Simply create from a template, publish to letterpop.com and share via email, facebook, twitter and more. There are over 75 templates to choose from. Once you have chosen your perfect layout, drag and drop images and write your text. Then publish and share.

Though it costs money to publish, without paying you can create, preview and produce a screen shot of your product (allowed by the website), which could get around the fee to publish. However, this option is not as good as being able to publish. Publishing allows for real world comments.

**Pros:** Letterpop is very user friendly and intuitive (drag and drop, click to add text). Can access any media on the computer. Letterpop has a preview feature. Able to save and continue editing later.

**Cons**: **$4.95 fee to publish**. Not collaborative.

Simplebooklet helps you create page flip style sliders, booklets, brochures, flyers and product guides you can email, post, and share across the web, social networks and mobile devices. You can add anything and everything from your computer or around the web: notes, pictures, documents, music, presentations, videos, forms and widgets. //BONUS!// The education version includes newsletters, reports, flashcards, walkthroughs, web based projects, presentations, and class reports that you can post on your class website, blog, social network or just share directly from simplebooklet.com.
 * Simplebooklet (13.5/15** //*no apparent real world feedback//)

**Pros: **Looks pretty user-friendly, attractive, education version, many bells and whistles, available on all formats (laptop, tablets, mobile devices), tons of accessible social networks, professional looking.


 * Cons: **Upon first quick examination, no major cons. Maybe some of the disadvantages might appear later in the details. No video walkthrough but flip instructions seem pretty straightforward and detailed. Heavy on esthetics, light on writing.


 * Rubric (15 criteria)**


 * **Online newsletter creator tool content **
 * Skill(s) reinforced are strongly connected to the targeted skill or concept (i.e. writing)
 * Targeted skills are practiced in an authentic format/problem-based learning environment
 * Provides leveling of the skill within the website to allow for differentiation between students
 * Website allows for personalization of content to meet classroom or students’ learning needs
 * The website does not require several purchases internally to access content
 * Website allows for collaboration (multiple students working on the same project)


 * **Student Engagement **
 * Provides instructions on navigation of the site or is intuitive and easy to use independently
 * Student is interacting with the content of the site and not passively watching or listening


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ease of use in the classroom **
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The user interface is easily navigated and does not have too many unneeded bells and whistles that could be distracting
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Students can easily pull in the media they need to create a high quality product


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sharing the Work **
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Project can be sent to or accessed (as long as there is internet) on other devices to continue development
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sharing the final product is easy to do through e-mail, webhosting, etc.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Product sharing system encourages real world feedback on students’ work
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Product is not limited to iDevices with a special app
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Product provides the option to print.