It is now possible to have a library in every classroom
or even in your pocket.
or even in your pocket.
: Dr.Cavanaugh
An e-book (short for electronic book and also known as a digital book, ebook, and eBook) is “a portable electronic device used to download and read books or magazines that are in digital form.” Sometimes the equivalent of a conventional printed book, e-books can also be born digital. The Oxford Dictionary of English defines the e-book as "an electronic version of a printed book," but e-books can and do exist without any print equivalent. E-books are usually read on dedicated hardware devices known as e-Readers or e-book devices. Personal computers and some cell phones can also be used to read e-books.
(www.wikipedia.org)
(www.wikipedia.org)
Using an e-book in the educational setting is no different than using a printed material. Electronic text can be books, documents, articles, reading lists, reference material, anything that is usually printed on paper. E-book files can be distributed to students through a variety of methods including internet and discs. Instructors could compile student reading material from a variety of sources such for students access on either handheld devices or computers. The use of handheld devices adds a level of mobility and access to reference that was heretofore impossible, which makes this format ideal for distance education students, or students who cannot otherwise use paper based materials. The e-books and reader can act as a personal reference library for students, allowing constant access to resources. Currently numerous online libraries and bookstores distribute freely or sell e-books which range from copyright free texts that include much of classic literature, science and philosophy to current best sellers, reference books, and instruction manuals. Instructors can add notes, advance organizers, comments and questions to the texts before converting them to e-book format. As the material is in electronic format, students can copy and paste information to use in reports, to take notes, or for analysis. Some readers allow annotations, enabling a student to take notes within the book, allow bookmarking of locations within the text and have interactive dictionaries for just-in-time learning. Instructors could distribute annotation files for texts that make adaptations for special needs students, such as highlighting and providing graphic organizers, or the annotation file could contain specific questions for students to answer and return. (Cathy Cavanaugh, Ph.D.)