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www.le.ac.uk
Embedded E-books and E-Readers in Distance Learning
Terese BirdLearning Technologist and SCORE Research FellowBeyond Distance Research Alliance, University of Leicester
MobiLearnAsia 2012 24-26 October, Sentosa, Singapore
Photo by brewbooks on Flickr
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
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
• 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
Purposes of using e-book readers
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 Interviews
9 3 12
Causal map
The pilot and research
Course material conversion
epubbud.comCalibre.com
Flexibility and mobilitySmall, compact size
Readability
Easy on the eyes
Access from a single device without internet
Portability Capacity
Long battery life
Continue reading, Bookmark
Photo by Kzeng on Flickr
Photo by Yummy Pancake on Flickr
Maximise study timeI am using the e-reader to access the unit materials everyday
Photo by Ton Zijlstra on Flickr
Photo by Ed Yourdon on Flickr
I find that the reader has become an integral part of my day in particular situations
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.
I do a lot of readings during transit and waiting periods from my e-book reader
• Causal map:– Saving costs in printing
Cost-saving for students
Changing strategy in keeping notes
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 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 for reading and approaches to assignments
The e-book reader has changed my approach to how I do assignments to some extent. Previously, I started my assignments after I’ve done all the readings from print. I now start from the 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. Before I just tried to read everything, I worked a lot harder before but I didn’t really get the grades.
Change in study strategies
Co-existence with other devices, personal preferences
I use my laptop and books for conducting research because cross-referencing is 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 home when I have a quiet time.
I use my iPhone if I want a quick check of the materials.
My reading habits are highly situational
Photo by Games Accessories on Flickr
• Support for mobile learners
• Easier access, better learning?
• Additional functions, better learning?
• Greener?
Photo by Katsuyuki Namba on Flickr
Conclusions and further research
One year later…
Student Evaluations: first cohort
Student Evaluations: first cohort
Student Evaluations: first cohort
Student Evaluations: first cohort
Student Evaluations: first cohort
Student Evaluations: first cohort
Student Evaluations: first cohort
Student Evaluations: first cohort
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
Two new distance programs
• Another one-iPad-per-student but completely DIY using iBooks Author
• Attempted one-Kindle-Touch-per-student did not happen
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.
iTunes U Courses make it easy
The Future?
Photo by opensourceway on Flickr
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
With thanks for prior work to…
• Ming Nie
• Gabi Witthaus
• Kelly Barkland
• Alejandro Armellini
MSc in Learning Innovationhttp://go.le.ac.uk/mscli
Thank you!
Any questions?