https://app.bookcreator.com/certification/1

Advantages of using Book Creator in workshops with seniors

1. Friendly and intuitive interface

Book Creator has a simple design, based on drag and drop, ideal for seniors with basic or average digital skills.

It is also available in a web version, without requiring complicated installations.

2. Stimulates personal expression

Seniors can write personal stories, poems or life diaries.

They can add images, videos and voice, which helps to express emotions and create multimodal creative products.

3. Therapeutic and cognitive activity

The activity supports the process of self-reflection, autobiographical memory, as well as written-visual coordination.

It helps to maintain cognitive functions and provides a pleasant setting for expressing emotions.

4. Promotes collaboration and inclusion

Works can be shared online between colleagues, family or communities.

Collective books can be created, in which each senior contributes a page or a chapter – fostering a sense of belonging.

5. Publication and recognition

Books can be published and viewed on Padlet, in virtual exhibitions, or even printed – increasing self-esteem and motivation.

STEP BY STEP GUIDE – How to create a book in Book Creator

Target group: seniors 55+ with basic-medium digital skills

What is Book Creator?

Book Creator is an online platform where you can write, draw, add images, record your voice and create a personalized digital book. It is used in education, therapy and creative activities.

STEP 1 – Accessing the platform

Open your browser .

Go to: https://app.bookcreator.com

Click Sign in.

Choose “Student” (if you have a class code from your instructor) or “Teacher” (if you are creating on your own).

Sign in with a Google or Microsoft account (with the help of a volunteer if this is your first time).

STEP 2 – Create a new book

After logging in, click the “+ New Book” button.

Choose a format:

Square – for illustrated stories

Portrait – for journal-style stories

Landscape – for stories with lots of pictures

A blank book will open.

STEP 3 – Write and add content

A. Add text:

Click the “+” button.

Choose “Text”.

Write your story in the box. Ex: “When I was a kid, I used to go to the orchard with my grandpa…”

Click “Done” to save.

B. Adding images:

Click “+” → “Photos”.

You can choose:

Images from the Book Creator gallery

Images from your computer

Images from Google (with the help of a volunteer)

Position the image where you want on the page (click and drag).

C. Adding audio recordings:

Click “+” → “Record”.

Press the red record button .

Say something from the story – example: “This is a fond childhood memory.”

Press Stop and Use Recording.

STEP 4 – Page styling

Click “i” (Inspector) to change:

Page background

Text color

Font

You can drag and move elements as you like.

STEP 5 – Adding Pages

Click on “+ Page” (top left).

Repeat the steps for each part of the story.

STEP 6 – Saving and Publishing

When you have finished the book, click on “Read” to browse it.

Click on “Share” → “Publish online”.

The book will receive a link. Send the link to the trainer or post on Padlet.

Example book themes:

“The story of my childhood”

“An unforgettable memory”

“A poem about nature”

“The journey of my life”

“My mother’s recipes – with soul”

Each senior can work on one page per day/session.

Include short breaks after every 15 minutes.

Encourage collaboration in pairs for technical help.

Organize an online exhibition of all the books created.

Workshop: “Our Common Story”

Collaborative work in Book Creator to develop communication, cooperation and artistic expression skills

Target group: seniors 55+

Duration: 2 hours

Format: face-to-face or online (with individual technical support)

Objectives:

To stimulate cooperation and communication between seniors through a joint activity.

To develop basic digital skills by using the Book Creator platform.

To encourage personal expression and creativity through storytelling.

Required materials:

Laptops/tablets (minimum 1 per team)

Projector (to demonstrate the steps)

Internet access

Access to https://app.bookcreator.com

Notes, sheets, pens for brainstorming

WORKSHOP STRUCTURE

1. Introduction and Warm-up (20 min)

Presentation of the workshop purpose: “Today you will work together to create a digital book – a collective story about values, memories or life.”

Icebreaker: “The most beautiful childhood memory” – each participant says a phrase.

Team formation (3-4 people/group) – based on interest criteria or randomly.

2. Book Creator training (20 min)

Live demonstration by the facilitator:

How to create a new book

How to add text, images and voice

How multiple users can work on the same project

Assisted practice:

Each team accesses the shared book

Gets familiar with the commands

3. Planning the shared story (30 min)

Each team creates:

Story title (e.g. “The Journal of a Transient Friendship”)

Story structure – brainstorming on a flipchart:

Introduction (pp. 1–2): Introducing the characters or the context

Personal or fictional stories (pp. 3–6): Each member contributes a part

Final (pp. 7): Shared reflection or a poem written together

4. Actual creation of the book (40 min)

Each team:

Adds text (collaboratively)

Searches and inserts representative images (from the platform or own)

Record a phrase or a vocal fragment

Style the pages: font, color, positioning

The facilitator provides assistance to each team.

5. Presentation and Feedback (20 min)

Each team briefly presents its book (1-2 key pages)

Applause and positive feedback from colleagues

The moderator provides suggestions for continuation or improvement

6. Publication and Conclusions (10 min)

Publish the book online with the "Read Only" option

Generate the link and share it in the WhatsApp group or post it on Padlet

Final reflection: How was the teamwork? What did they learn about technology and communication?

Suggested THEMES for the shared story:

“Memories from another time”

“A friendship’s journey”

“A perfect day in a Romanian village”

“Recipes with soul – Culinary stories”

Expected results:

Creating a collaborative digital story

Practising basic digital skills

Improving self-confidence and communication skills

Padlet