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Teachers are asking if e-books can im-prove learning outcomes for primarypupils compared to existing textbooks.This article argues that the debate is notlimited to textbook versus e-book but ispart of a wider discussion involving theuse of digital content to support learningand teaching. Though e-books have beenavailable for a number of years the use ofeducational e-books in primary schools isstill quite limited.

What are e-books?E-books are electronic or digitalpublications in variousformats which may be'read' online ordownloaded topersonal computers,laptops, tablets,dedicated e-bookreaders or otherpersonal devices.While the OxfordDictionary definesan e-book as “anelectronic version ofa printed book”, it isfair to say that thedefinition is an evolvingone. Educational e-booksdiffer from other types of e-books, such as novels. In additionto text and image content, educational e-books may include weblinks,animations and videos, as well asinteractive content, activities andassessment in a blended presentationform. Educational e-books may alsofacilitate the inclusion of annotations/notes.

E-books and digital contentIn the wider context educational e-booksfrom publishers provide one form ofpackaged content within a curricular area.

As we can seein Table 1,e-books canprovideadditionalfunctionalityto textbooksincluding

dynamic andinteractive

content andpupil activities.

Beyond books ande-books, websites and

online learning tools offer evenmore digital content options for teachersand pupils.

Educational considerationsThe use of e-books or other forms of digi-tal content should complement theachievement of learning outcomes. Thereis a general concern among teachers regarding the focus on textbooks ratherthan on learning outcomes and the merereplacement of textbooks by e-books mayachieve little more than to reduce the

weight of schoolbags. Pupils should continue to have access to relevant, highquality books.

Purchasing considerationsIn general the current versions of e-booksavailable from Irish educational publishersare static versions of their paper text-books (not unlike PDF files) and includelimited interactive content. Schoolsshould be aware that an e-book ‘demo’may not reflect the overall functionality ofthe e-book. Furthermore, e-books requirea ‘reading’ computing device and somedevices, such as Apple’s iPad, do not sup-port Flash-based interactive content. Thelicensing options available may differ be-tween publishers (e.g., e-books can bepurchased outright or licensed for a periodof one or more years). As a result, passingon e-books to younger siblings and managing school book rental schemesmay be impacted.

E-books advice sheetFor more information go to: http://advicesheets.ncte.ie

Teaching Matters

InTouch December 2012 57

It’s not too early to start planning for asummer course in your own school.Schools can apply to their local educationcentre to have a PDST Technology inEducation (formerly NCTE) face to facecourse provided as whole school training(WST) in their own school.

Application deadlines are usually in lateJanuary, so interested schools shouldcontact their local education centre now

to apply. See also the WST request formin our 2012/2013 ICT courses for teachersbooklet.Consider courses on:l ICT in the junior classes.l ICT across the primary school

curriculum.l Specific applications, such as digital

video or Scratch programming.All PDST Technology in Education

summer courses focus on the use of ICTto support literacy and/or numeracydevelopment. Summer courses onintegrating ICT in teaching and learningare also provided online.

For more information, sign up for ournewsletter and check our website’straining page noticeboard for summercourse updates: www.ncte.ie/training

E-books in the Primary Classroom

Your School’s Summer Course 2013

Compiled by PDST Technology in Education (formerly NCTE).

Table 1: Comparison between books, e-books and otherwebsites/online learning tools.

Books E-books WebsitesTypes of digital content supported (from (from or online

publishers) publishers) learning tools

Static text and image content (e.g., PDF) Yes Dynamic content (e.g., links, animations, video) YesInteractive content, pupil activitiesOnline contentFree or Open Educational Resources (OER) YesTeacher-generated content NoPupil-generated content NoSelf-publishing, sharing and collaborationAssessment of/for learning and peer assessment

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