Creative Book Clubs: Blending Analog and AI Strategies

Description

How can teachers help students rediscover the pleasure of reading in a world of constant digital distraction? What can educators do to make sure books become spaces for dialogue, creativity, critical thinking, and not just solitary or “compulsory” tasks?

This course invites teachers and school librarians to “rethink” and redesign reading tasks by introducing creative book clubs able to combine both low-tech and high-tech approaches.

In this way, participants will discover practical and engaging ways to move beyond traditional reading assessments and transform books into “living experiences”: from guided discussions and creative writing to digital storytelling, multimodal projects, and collaborative activities ideal to expand students’ concentration, vocabulary, and empathy.

Throughout the course, participants will learn how to design teaching activities that connect stories to real-world themes and values (e.g., linked to topics covered by International and Global Days such as human rights, environmental issues, and cultural values) to offer a meaningful framework to foster critical thinking and active citizenship in students.

Mixing traditional reading practices and digital tools (including selected AI tools), this course will make educators experiment with the potential of multimodal literacy, exploring at the same time different reading formats (from traditional printed books to audiobooks, e-books, graphic novels, and comics).

Through group discussions, hands-on activities, and library, bookstore, and book café visits, participants will broaden their reading horizons, discover new resources and strategies to better respond to their students’ diverse interests and learning profiles.

By the end of this course, they will have gained a comprehensive set of literary, social, and practical skills and will be effective literary organizers, capable of running a vibrant and well-managed book club that encourages deep thinking and connection among its members.

Tip: Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite Children’s literary books to work with them during the course.

Concept by Vasiliki Plati

Learning outcomes

The course will help participants to:

• Design and manage efficient “reading hubs” in their school libraries;
• Promote reading literature books through age-appropriate activities and pedagogical strategies to foster students’ engagement and motivation;
• Explore creative reading and writing activities to foster “love for literature”;
• Explore and design children’s and young adult literature, balancing classics and contemporary titles;
• Address stereotypes in classic children’s books through creative and reflective activities;
• Link literary books with Global and International Days (connecting literature to world issues and values);
• Use both low-tech and ICT/AI tools, including selected ICT/AI tools, to enrich literary activities based on the content of the books;
• Promote multimodal literacy using formats such as audiobooks, graphic novels, and digital texts.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Introduction to the course

• Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
• Icebreaker activities;
• Presentations of the participants’ schools;
• Children’s Books age ranges and formats;
• Types of Book Clubs in educational settings;
• Reader personality type quiz;
• Group Discussion: Favorite children’s books and analog creative activities examples.

Day 2 – Setting up the creative reading club

• How to organize the reading space and manage the resources needed for a creative book club;
• Design digital calendars that match literature books and reading topics with relevant International Days throughout the year;
• Build AI creative reading activities assistants.

Creative Workshop (Book café setting)

• Defining shared rules and participation principles for a book club;
• Exploring “reading rights” and student voice;
• Matching specific books to International Days and learning goals.

Day 3 – Visual and multimodal storytelling

• Overview of AI and ICT tools to create Wordless books, comics, and graphic novels;
• Inclusive strategies and creative activities;
• Perform a range of read-aloud strategies through multimodal books;
• Outdoor Activity: Scavenger hunt game and an inspirational visit to a public library.

Day 4 – Audiobooks power, and say it with a song

• Exploring audiobooks for different ages and reading needs;
• Use AI tools to create songs inspired by the content of the books;
• Structure relevant creative group activities for the students;
• Outdoor Activity: Visit to an international bookstore.

Day 5 – My creative book club project

• Define up to 5 topics of interest and match them with specific literary books;
• Use analog and AI tools to design creative reading and writing activities relevant to the content of the books;
• Participants’ project ideas presentation and peer feedback.

Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities

• Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
• Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
• Excursion and other external cultural activities.

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