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eBooks and eReaders
Students benefit from digital literacy skills
Mar 4th
The University Library at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) gave 16 students e-readers and studied how they accessed their reading lists, used discipline-related e-books and articles and how they used the resources to assist them in their own academic writing.
Students, keen to participate and experiment with new tools, attended workshops at the beginning and halfway through the project. Students expect and appreciate ‘always available’ resources that are easy to access – preferably with one-click. They must develop and improve their digital literacty skills, and the library can help them do this.
For the library, being linked with new technology, and the regular contact with enthusiastic students had its own benefits.
The full story of the project is published here.
What do students REALLY want?
Jan 19th
In an interesting blog post, Stephen Abram considers the findings of a recent (US) research report. The original research was conducted by the Book Industry Study Group (BISG) and asked US college students about their format preferences for textbooks. BISG found that ‘nearly 75% of students…say they prefer textbooks in printed rather than etext form’. Reasons cited for this preference included the potential resale value of the books and its ‘permanence’.
About 12% of the students surveyed said the prefer etexts to printed texts because of lower cost and portability while 11% preferred to rent textbooks.
Stephen Abram’s interpretation is slightly different. The survey was conducted before what he terms the ‘explosion’ of affordable tablets and e-readers in the consumer market which will almost certainly impact the uptake and acceptability of etexts. He also feels that students considered a ‘polarised’ view (either print OR etext) when in fact a hybrid model that combines e-texts with books would be much more likely.
Abram also states that it is often difficult for people who are surveyed to compare a situation they know (in this case text books) and an ‘imagined future state’. The e-text space is evolving with textbooks and library research services beginning to integrate. The space should be watched closely, says Abram.
Technology predictions for 2011
Dec 29th
The BBC’s Peter Day interviews the technology commentator Mark Anderson about his predictions for technology in the year ahead, and reviews his predictions for 2010.
One of Anderson’s key predictions is that there will be a more conscious ‘split’ of content and technology. This will result in the separation of the ‘secure’ from the ‘open’. There will be greater understanding of the issues surrounding information security. CEOs and governments are beginning to comprehend the vulnerability of information and intellectual property. Organisations will need to consider and enable the physical disengagement of what Anderson calls their ‘crown jewels’ from the rest of their content in cloud environments. The smart telephone world will also split in half. ‘Social’ users are less concerned about putting their lives onto the net, whereas organisations will seek to protect high value content.
The ’golden age’ of microapps is over. 2011 will see increased levels and rates of charging as the market becomes more commercial.
Anderson also outlines why he considers Google as a company that has lost its way (“so much money and so little idea of how to spend it”). He considers Google an organisation that does not really know what business it is in.
Other predictions include the ‘mainstreaming’ of e-book readers and electric cars.
No doubt we will continue to be inundated with end of year reviews and new year predictions in the weeks ahead. Anderson’s has his own acronym to sum up 2011 “VEVEM – Very Exciting and Very Messy“.
Can’t wait!
Readers ready for digital
Nov 14th
A new international study by Bain and Company suggests that by 2015 ebooks will represent up to 25% of the global book market and that 15-20% of the global population will own a digital reading device.
The study researched consumers in France, Germany, Japan, Korea, the UK and the US to explore how digital devices were changing reading behavours.
The report suggests that up to 90% of respondents stated they were unwilling to pay for online news, with respondents from France being the least likely to pay. Those who owned a digital device claimed they were reading more books as a direct result.
UK Medical Students Issued with iPhones for Study Purposes
Oct 8th
The University of Leeds has announced that it is issuing smartphones to all fourth and fifth year medical students. The iPhones will provide access to progress files, assessment modules and educational materials.
According to the University, this is the first time a UK medical school has provided undergraduates with all the tools they need to study off campus via mobile phone technology.
520 medical students will be loaned an iPhone 3GS 16GB for the remainder of their course. The phones will be pre-loaded with a range of apps that will enable students to record notes on interesting cases whilst still on the wards, and test their knowledge of procedures they have just observed. Key medical textbooks and reference works, including guidelines on administering prescription drugs, will also be distributed as iPhone apps. A range of other relevant medical apps that can be downloaded free-of-charge or purchased will also be available.
Students will not be able to use the devices to access confidential patient databases and any case notes added to progress files will be anonymised. Lost or stolen phones will be wiped and disabled remotely. All devices are to be returned to the medical school before students graduate.
“Patient safety has been our primary aim in this development,” said Dr Richard Fuller, Director of the University of Leeds MBChB course. “By linking workplace learning and assessment in mobile technology formats, we have a groundbreaking opportunity to provide instant, timely and detailed feedback to students in practice from patients, peers and clinical staff. By recording this feedback, it allows students to review, plan and ‘feed-forward’ with tutors to ensure their development as safe, effective doctors.”
Information Industry Apps for the iPad
Apr 29th
With the iPad selling 300,000 units on launch day, another 200,000 in its first week, and shortly to be available (we hope) in Europe, Barbara Quint provides a timely overview of apps available from traditional information industry players.
