Tech
Talk
Tuesday
What is an eTextbook?
For the past few decades textbook publishers have
tried to keep pace with the rapid growth in information by augmenting the traditional textbook with extra
electronic components such as a CD or a companion
website. The next step in the evolution of the familiar
textbook format is a fully digital version that capitalizes on the affordances of being digital media – ease of
search, rich multi-media (audio and video, animation)
and high degree of portability.
Why Would You Use It?
The eTextbook has several advantages over traditional
paper based textbooks.
◆◆ Lightweight – the e-text is stored on a variety of
reading devices or in the cloud but does not exist as
paper-based hard copy to be carried in a backpack.
◆◆ Searchable – e-books have all the index features of a
regular textbook including the ability to bookmark
specific pages. In addition there is keyword search
and whole text search to locate words and phrases
wherever they appear in the text.
◆◆ An e-text is a hyper-book with links to additional
resources within the book or online and context
specific assistance (definitions, pop-up term explanations).
◆◆ Rich multi-media capabilities. Rather than two-dimensional photographs an eTextbook can provide interactive 3 dimensional objects to inform the reader.
eTextbooks
The major companies offering “basic” eTextbooks include:
◆◆ Amazon: http://www.amazon.com
◆◆ CourseSmart: http://www.coursesmart.com
◆◆ Google Books: http://www.google.com
(search google books – textbooks)
◆◆ Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com
Companies offering “enhanced” eTextbooks include:
◆◆ Inkling: http://www.inkling.com
(books available on iPad only)
How Can You Get Help?
Design & Development Services can provide limited
technical support and general tutorial support. We can
provide assistance on selecting an appropriate vendor
along with appropriate reading software.
Contact Jill Phipps ([email protected], x2431) for
assistance.
How Do You Get Started?
Most major publishers are selling digital versions of
their textbooks. Some books are simply a collection of
individual files (chapters) saved in a proprietary format
or as PDF documents stored in a secure server requiring an account to access. Some are totally redesigned etexts that take advantage of digital media capabilities.
Instructional Services | 11.1.2011
Tech Talk Tuesday | eTextbooks
Where Can You Learn More?
The landscape for eTextbooks is changing rapidly. At
present the tension is between the textbook publishers
who control the content and the capabilities of the ebook reader to interact effectively with thatproprietary
content format (DRM).
E-readers are generally free to download and install on
your computer or mobile device. Each of the web sites
listed above will provide you with their e-reader. Most
will allow you to synchronize between devices so you
can choose the environment in which to read the book.
For example the Kindle version of a book will sync
with the Kindle app installed on an iPhone, iPad or
Android device. Keeping searching for new developments in the e-reader and e-textbook arenas.
Other e-readers to consider:
◆◆ Goodreader: http://www.goodreader.com
Also a listing of online resources for textbooks
◆◆ Google Books: http://books.google.com/
Books live in the cloud – access from anywhere
◆◆ Kno: http://www.kno.com
Good set of tools
Tech Talk Tuesday | eTextbooks
Instructional Services | 11.1.2011