Calibre

Instructional Guide

Instructional Brief
The Instructional Guide provides step-by-step instructions for a focused activity where students
will publish in a digital format. The activity builds upon previous class work where students have
collaborated to source material and create original work. The focus of the course as a whole is
for students to engage in activities that encompasses communication and collaboration,
research and information fluency, digital citizenship, and technology operations and concepts.
The course will address ISTE Standards for Students 2a-d, 3b-c, 4b, 5a-b, 6a-d. This focused
activity allows for engagement in Standards 2a, 2d, 6a, and 6c.

Learner Information
Age group: 10th grade to adult
Background/Prerequisites: Prior to beginning the activity, students will have, in
small groups, created: a) a web-formatted file of a small compilation public
domain work extracts and complementary original works formatted with header tags,
and b) a basic graphic cover for the compilation.

Learning Context
Environment: Computer lab or classroom
Size: Small group (3-4) collaboration (to cover identified ISTE Standards)
Time: 15 minutes

Learning Outcomes
Students will collaborate to use ebook authoring software, following a
demonstration then step-by-step instructions, to publish an ebook with a cover,
navigable chapters, and at least three selections of copy;
Students will be able to troubleshoot technical issues, if any, using transferable
skills, to successfully publish ebook as described above;
Students will be able to discuss the potential usage/collaboration and wider
implications of publishing and sharing digital materials, presenting at least three
defendable statements.

Activity overview
Instructor demonstration of activity
Small group activity
Small group discussion, prepping for the following class discussion activity.
Discussion topics: How was the process for your group? What types of issues did you
run into and how did you resolve them? Let’s share some of our work; how pleased are
you with your final ebook(s)? What are the benefits of sharing your work as a published
ebook? How about the native files? How can you share your work with others, and how
can they use it? What about global use? What types of issues would you first have to
resolve (think copyright and formatting)?
Calibre Instructional Guide

Step one
Open calibre (ebook management
software). Select ‘Add books,’ and
open your compilation.html file.

Step two
Select ‘Convert books.’
Select ‘Metadata,’ and
enter information for ‘Title’
and ‘Author(s).’

Step three
Still working with
metadata, select the
‘browse for an image’
button underneath the
default book cover
image. Open your
compilation.jpg file.

Step four
Select ‘Look & Feel.’ Toggle on the
‘Remove spacing between paragraphs’
box.
Calibre Instructional Guide

Step five
Select ‘Table of Contents.’ Select the
Wizard tool for ‘Level 1 TOC.’ Select
‘h1,’ then ‘OK.’ Select ‘OK’ at the
bottom of the formatting options
window to publish your ebook.

Step six
Double-click your ebook to
open in the reader. Your
ebook should have a
cover. Use the scroll-bar
on the right-hand side to
navigate your ebook.

Step seven
Click the table of
contents button (three
horizontal blue bars).
Use the chapter
headings to navigate
your ebook.

Step eight
Can your group troubleshoot anything that didn’t work? How about republishing the
book in a different format? All done? Ask your instructor for some topics to discuss in
your group so you are ready for the next activity.