Embedded E-books and E-Readers in Distance Learning
1. Embedded E-books and E-Readers in
Distance Learning
Terese Bird
Learning Technologist and SCORE Research Fellow
Beyond Distance Research Alliance, University of Leicester
MobiLearnAsia 2012 24-26 October, Sentosa, Singapore
www.le.ac.uk
2. What will we talk about?
• Learning advantages of e-
readers in DUCKLING project
• Criminology iPad and app –
one-iPad-per-student
• Caveats of e-readers
• How to do it
• Future-gazing
3. DUCKLING: Delivering University Curriculum:
Knowledge, Learning and INnovation Gains
• 3 distance programmes in 2 disciplines:
– One MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL, Education
– Two MSc in Occupational Psychology, Psychology
• 4 technologies:
Podcasting Wimba Voice Board Sony E-book readers Second Life
http://www.le.ac.uk/duckling
4. Purposes of using e-book readers
• Increase curriculum flexibility
• Accommodate demands of mobile learners
• Maximise limited study time
• Increase access to essential readings
• Cost-saving
Photo by Irish Typepad on Flickr
5. The pilot and research
28 Sony PRS-505 e-book readers, pre-loaded with course materials and
podcasts, given to 17 TESOL and 11 OP students
Instruments TESOL OP Total
Blackboard Survey 17 11 28
Cognitive mapping
9 3 12
Interviews
Causal map
7. Flexibility and mobility
Small, compact size Continue reading, Bookmark
Portability Capacity
Photo by Kzeng on Flickr
Access from a single
Readability device without internet
Easy on the eyes Long battery life
Photo by Yummy Pancake on Flickr
8. Maximise study time
I am using the e-reader to access
the unit materials everyday
I find that the reader has become an
integral part of my day in particular
situations Photo by Ed Yourdon on Flickr
I do a lot of readings during transit
and waiting periods from my e-
book reader
I've also gotten into the habit of carrying
my reader with me everywhere, and if
I'm in a situation where I'm waiting for
20 minutes I will automatically open
the reader. Photo by Ton Zijlstra on Flickr
10. Change in study strategies
Changing strategy The e-book reader changed my way to keep notes and made my
study more effective. Before, I used my laptop to write a lot of
in keeping notes notes because I feel I will forget the whole thing if I don’t take
them down. But taking notes is time-consuming and not that
effective because I never really use the notes. With the e-book
reader … I can remember where the material was and go back to
the module on the e-reader and look through it. As a result of
that, I didn’t take a lot of notes and I don’t think that it [not
taking notes] makes a difference to my study.
Changing strategy The e-book reader has changed my approach to how I do
assignments to some extent. Previously, I started my assignments
for reading and after I’ve done all the readings from print. I now start from the
approaches to assignment and then read the material. I’m being more selective
now in what I’m reading, and it’s saving me time in a way.
assignments Before I just tried to read everything, I worked a lot harder
before but I didn’t really get the grades.
11. Co-existence with other devices, personal
preferences
I use my laptop and books for conducting My reading habits are
research because cross-referencing is highly situational
speedy and intuitive.
I still print out materials when I want to
make notes.
I don’t use my e-book reader on public
transport or when travelling because
those environments are too noisy to read.
I prefer to use my e-book reader at Photo by Games Accessories on Flickr
home when I have a quiet time.
I use my iPhone if I want a quick check
of the materials.
12. Conclusions and further research
• Support for mobile learners
• Easier access, better learning?
• Additional functions, better learning?
• Greener?
Photo by Katsuyuki Namba on Flickr
29. Student Evaluation Summaries
• “iPad is built for this type of distance learning study”
• Very positive for convenience, immersive
multimedia, new ways of working, paperless, no-
internet-required
• 8 out of 13 respondents reported using the iPad
more than the LMS
• Wi-fi a problem in some regions (Africa); will use 3G
iPads next cohort
• Amazon books cannot be purchased in some
countries
30. Two new distance programs
• Another one-iPad-per-student but completely DIY
using iBooks Author
• Attempted one-Kindle-Touch-per-student did not
happen
31.
32. How to make ebooks
• Epub: Word -> html -> Calibre -> epub
• Epubbud.com
• Epub is good for all e-readers except Kindle
• Kindle Mobi: Word -> html -> Calibre -> mobi
• IF iPad, then ibooks using iBooks Author, or stick
with pdf
• IF you need for every single kind of device: use
iBooks Author for ibooks and pdf, and Pages for
epub. But you must cut and paste afresh into Pages.
If you must use Windows, use InDesign.
36. The Future is Apple … for now … sort of
• Worldwide customer service
• Infrastructure
• Apple is making it easy
• IF you have confidence in another tablet hardware,
just post your epub and pdf docs on a website,
students will use tablet to connect to website, and
you have it sorted.
Photo by cattias.photos on Flickr
37. With thanks for prior work to…
• Ming Nie
• Gabi Witthaus
• Kelly Barkland
• Alejandro Armellini
