Masterclasses on digital learning design, writing and illustration at Jumpstart 2016

The event, which brings together experts from the publishing, media, education, digital and creative industries, would explore questions such as where do the content creators stand in this paradigm to learn about what do children like? How do they learn? How do we get better outcomes in education? How content creators nurture a democracy of opportunity within the system which recognises the inherent diversity among children? What can we do to encourage madly creative content that delights and educates?

Like every year, the event will be held at two locations, Delhi and Bengaluru. The two-day Delhi event has been scheduled for 2-3 August 2016 and the daylong event in Bengaluru is on 6 August 2016. The Delhi event will be held at India International Centre, New Wing, 40, Max Mueller Marg and the Bengaluru event will be at Bangalore International Centre, Teri Complex, 4th Main Road, Domlur II Stage.

The German Book Office New Delhi has announced three masterclasses which would be the highlights of the event.

Digital Learning Design Masterclass

Dealing with the interaction between didactic concept and technical implementation, the Digital Learning Design Masterclass will focus on how the intention of the narration forms a design strategy that can bring forth innovation in the context of eLearning. The Masterclass will be led by Florian Sochatzy whose main research interests are multimedia textbooks and the effects and requirements of digital learning. Since 2011, he has also been managing director of the Institute for Digital Learning and won a couple of award for his multimedia textbook projects.

Following points will be covered in this practice-oriented session:

• Theory input ‘didactical concepts for high-quality eLearning and ePublishing products
• General tools and technique options for ePublishing
• The mBook-system as a browser-based publishing solution
• Practical exercise: All participants get access to the publishing system of the ‘institute for digital learning’ in order to design one chapter for a multimedia textbook
• Presentation and discussion of the results

Writers’ Masterclass

Storytelling is as old as humanity itself and has played a central role in structuring ways of seeing and imagining. Books usurped oral traditions in many societies but, in those same societies, there is now a tendency to associate books with study, not story. What happens when parents and educators pay only lip service to the development of creativity? As an imagination evangelist and prolific author of creative fiction, Ken Spillman considers the many perils of tunnel vision when he will talk about - what does it take to be a writer — every day of your life? In this wide-ranging workshop, Ken Spillman will be intent on building the confidence of participants to the level that is necessary for a truly productive writing life. He will move from such matters as mind preparation and the navigation of life’s obstacles to a number of practical writing exercises to demonstrate how irrevocably we are wired for story. Too often, writers are their own worst enemies. This workshop will help you become lifelong friends with the ‘writer you’.

Illustrators’ Masterclass

Pictures speak louder than words, they say. The day-long session will offer an understanding of the creative process that goes into writing picture books. It will answer the question how the power of picture books can be used in classrooms to develop children into better readers and writers. The workshop will showcase the techniques used and how the work of an illustrator impacts children, teachers and authors.

This session will help

• Understand how picture books are used in primary schools
• Know about the key considerations for authors and illustrators working in schools and with teachers and
• Gain an appreciation for how widely picture books can be used to improve literacy in primary schools

 For details, visit www.jumpstartfest.com.