2010 e readers and e-books
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E-READERS AND E-BOOKS : THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
Mary Jane ClerkinBerkeley College
Catherine Kelley Fairleigh Dickinson University
About Fairleigh Dickinson University
2 campuses in the U.S. College at Florham (Morris County, NJ) Metropolitan Campus (Bergen County, NJ)
2 international campuses (not part of the pilot) 12,000 students
8,585 Undergraduates 262 Full-time faculty
E-Reader Initiative
A mandate from the University President A collaborative effort involving:
The campus libraries The Center for Teaching and Learning with Technology
(CTLT) The Office of Information Resources Technology (OIRT) Two literature classes
What is an e-Reader?
A reading device that allows you to: Read books, magazines, newspapers, blogs Take notes, highlight and bookmark text
Laptop / desktop / netbook computers can be e-readers
Smart phones can be e-readers Current generation of electronic paper reading
devices – Kindle, Sony, Nook … iPad and other tablet devices
E-readers used at FDU
Amazon Kindle Features
Two sizes No backlight, but easy to read in direct sunlight Wireless access via AT&T’s 3G network Newer models also allow WiFi (or only have WiFi) Proprietary DRM format Support for other text formats and PDFs Built-in keyboard, DX has textbook-sized screen Text-to-speech, plus support for audio books
Sony Reader Touch Features
6-inch touch screen Can print your notes Supports the e-pub format May borrow e-books from public libraries No wireless access (PRS-900 only) – must transfer
books via PC connection No mobile app for smart phones, it’s in the works Can store up to 350 e-books Have to install books via USB (most models)
iPod Touch Features
Free Kindle app from Amazon Other e-book apps available from iTunes store Synchronize device with Kindle Does everything an iPhone can do, except make
phone calls:◦ Support for video, audio, color, graphics, email, SMS
text◦ Wireless access◦ Safari browser
iPad (not used in early pilots)
Intuitive touch interface (like an iPhone or iTouch) Many reading apps, including Kindle and Barnes &
Noble nook Many other apps available Intermediate device – not an iTouch, not a full-
featured computer, but a hybrid of both
Library Pilot
Each library circulated: 4 Kindle DXs (since increased to 11 per campus) 4 Sony Reader Touches (PRS-600 and 700) 4 iPod Touches (2nd generation – since increased to 9
or 10 per campus) All pre-loaded with content – leisure reading and
required texts from Core Curriculum One week loan period Library now also circulates one iPad per campus for
use in library only (up to 2 hours)
Survey
Administered via Blackboard/WebCampus Response rate has been high Mix of student, faculty and staff borrowers Some patrons borrowed multiple devices for
comparison purposes
Survey Respondents
SonyeReader
AmazonKindle iPod Touch Total
Faculty 4 8 1 13
Staff 1 2 2 5
Student 5 4 7 16
Total 10 14 10 34
Textbook preference by user type
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Faculty Staff Student
Strong preference fortraditional bookModerate preference fortraditional bookNo preference
Moderate preference fore-readerStrong preference for e-reader
Required features for textbook use
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Large screen size
Listen to audio
Quickly look up words in a dictionary
Touch screen
Highlight with a pen or stylus
Take notes with a pen or stylus
Cost of textbooks lower than traditional books
Required features for textbook use
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
View video
Ability to attach a physical keyboard
Pages formatted identically to traditional book
Browse on the Internet
Print pages from textbook
Color screen
Spring 2010 Academic Pilot 2 classes –
Masterpieces of Literature II, Metro Chaucer, Florham
15 students participated in first phase of pilot Half got Kindles, half got iTouches At semester mid-point, switch to other device Surveyed four times: Setup, use for phase I and setup, use for
phase II Low response rate, but student data were very comparable to
library pilot Most Kindles returned with empty batteries
Academic Pilot – Faculty Concerns
Footnote Management Cross-referencing between two texts on Kindle Classroom management when some students
using physical texts, some using e-reader devices
The Good: E-Reader Benefits
Convenience Weight Cost of e-book titles E-ink displays are crisp, less eyestrain, vs.
fast intuitive displays on iTouch and iPad Additional features:
Built-in dictionary Link to Wikipedia (not on Sony devices) Text-to-Voice (Amazon Kindle device only) Other features
Environmental factors, use of paper
The Bad: E-Reader Limitations
Book formats and DRM Slow black and white e-ink display
(e-ink dedicated readers) vs. glare Tradeoff between speed & color vs.
lower eyestrain and ability to read in strong sunlight
Highlighting, note-taking and page navigation (varies across platforms, and getting better)
Consumer privacy and e-book permanence
The Ugly: Issues and Constraints
Establishing an Amazon corporate account, models of textbook distribution to literature students
Use of credit cards to purchase content◦ Not “purchasing department-friendly”◦ Amazon’s 1-click option – need to take care to
prevent accidental purchases◦ Tracking number of e-book licenses◦ Purchasing e-books ‘on-the-fly’
1 generic account or multiple e-reader accounts
Limitations of Sony’s e-reader software
Berkeley College
About Berkeley College
Founded in 1931, Berkeley is a coeducational college specializing in business. With seven locations in New York and New Jersey, an online campus, and an enrollment of over 8,000 students--with 655 international students in its Bachelor’s and Associate’s degree programs.
Has an Online Campus
Students in the Military
All Online Instructors Use Texts Which Have an Equivalent eBook
eText Text Book
Advantages
No Need to Stand on Line at the Bookstore or Wait for Book Delivery
No Need to Carry Heavy Books Cost Effectiveness is important to students and eBooks are
much less expensive than text books. Instant search for terms, sections, pages. Highlight Take Notes Send Print
Downloadable Version
No Need for the Internet –Downloadable Version
Sending books abroad to students serving our Country in the military is not as efficient as using eBooks.
Students do not always have access to the Internet. Portability is important to today’s students. They
can carry all their books on a small laptop.
Internet Version
No Need for a dedicated Computer-Internet Version
Convenience is important to students, they can access anywhere and any time where there is Internet access.
Mobility is important to students and they can access their eBook from their iPhones
Internet Access
Any Computer Anywhere iPhone
Students Like the iPhone Version
Available on the iPAd
Available on the Kindle
eTextbook from McGraw-Hill
McGraw-Hill and CourseSmart
CourseSmart Partners
Table of Contents the Same
Chapters, Pages, Content the Same as the Text
eText Text Book
Chapters and Pages the Same
Directions Provided
View the Table of Contents
Search
Search Feature
Type in a Word and Go
Type in the Page Number
Notes Can Be Added and Saved
View Notes
Easy to Highlight Sections
Easy to Turn the Pages
Simply Click on Next
Printing Sections is Easy
Comments from Students
Advantages
Cheaper than the print version Ease of use and portability Less strain on the back from heavy backpacks Environmentally friendly - no trees being destroyed for paper. Long-term reference material Easier note-taking for future reference.
Disadvantages: Initial investment cost for reading device Replacement cost of reading device, if damaged Loss of content - if stored on computer or damaged e-Reader Eye strain/damage from prolonged usage of electronic device to read content.