The document discusses the history and future of digital textbooks. It notes that over a decade ago, educators and publishers envisioned the "Future Textbook" as being more than just a printed book, incorporating interactive elements. Since then, ebooks and digital textbooks have grown significantly in popularity. The document outlines the stages of development for digital textbooks, from early experimentation to future standards. It also discusses increasing ebook and digital textbook sales, as well as activities in the academic community around adopting more digital content options.
The document discusses the rise of eBooks and electronic textbooks in education. While eBook reading for pleasure has increased overall reading, students have been slower to embrace e-textbooks due to issues like increased reading time and distractions. However, studies have found little difference in learning outcomes between print and electronic texts. E-textbooks provide opportunities like embedded media and personalized learning, but students need guidance to take advantage of interactive features and read effectively online. Overall, no single format benefits all learners, so educators should recognize students' varied needs in this changing reading environment.
The library & teaching & learning: reading list systems. Reading lists appear to be the new 'must have' for UK academic libraries and a raft of new systems has entered the market. Ken's presentation at a seminar at the University of Staffordshire in December 2012 looked at some of the underlying trends in Higher Education and the current reading list offerings
This document discusses how information literacy skills are important for students in the 21st century. It argues that students need to be able to effectively access and evaluate both traditional information sources as well as emerging online tools and formats. The document provides guidance on how to teach students skills for searching, evaluating, and creating information across different tools and platforms. It emphasizes that both traditional information literacy skills and an understanding of new online tools are important for students to develop.
A “Pixar” Model for the Creation of Educational Materials in a Digital World–...NITLE
This document discusses a "Pixar Model" for creating innovative digital education materials. The key aspects of the Pixar Model are:
1) Willingness to break existing product and business model molds using cutting-edge digital capabilities.
2) Refusal to be bound by industry standards and integrating content and technology.
3) Ability to define new product categories or redefine existing ones.
The document argues that applying this model could transform higher education by developing highly engaging digital materials that enhance learning. However, this would require significant changes to how educational content is created and organized.
Can collection management improve information literacy? Lessons on how we...sawarren
This document summarizes a presentation about teaching students about scholarly communication and the business aspects of librarianship. The presentation covers why it is important for students to understand the economics of information and scholarly publishing. It describes teaching scenarios used to discuss how scholarly information is a business, including the roles of various players and costs associated with journals. Assessment of student learning found that students were surprised by the high costs of journals and databases and developed a greater appreciation for libraries and the resources they provide.
1. Educators and students are gaining the ability to easily access, manage, and share digital educational materials online through open educational resources (OER). As more schools and teachers collaborate around sharing content, it will accelerate changes in education.
2. OER allows teachers to discover full courses, modules, videos and other materials to mix and match into new curricula. Teachers can analyze, critique and improve each other's lessons to bring innovation to the classroom.
3. OER can significantly reduce education costs by replacing expensive textbooks with freely accessible and updatable online resources. This is important as schools face budget cuts while needing to improve STEM education.
The document discusses information literacy, including its importance in the digital age, definitions of information literacy, and related research findings. It addresses why information literacy is important, what information literacy is according to library and education organizations, and several studies that provide evidence about how people search for and evaluate information online.
The roles of library and librarian in information resourceAlexander Decker
This document discusses the roles of libraries and librarians in information resource sharing in the emerging information society. It conducted a study of three academic libraries in Kogi State, Nigeria to examine their readiness for information resource sharing. The study found that the libraries have basic ICT facilities needed for resource sharing like computers, databases, scanners, audiovisual equipment, e-books and journals, and internet connectivity. It identified roles for libraries in providing access to resources through online catalogs and networks, and securing materials through interlibrary loans. The study also found that effective application of ICT could enable wider access to knowledge, enhanced cooperation, and improved service quality. However, issues like inadequate funding, lack of infrastructure and skills were found to hamp
The document discusses the rise of eBooks and electronic textbooks in education. While eBook reading for pleasure has increased overall reading, students have been slower to embrace e-textbooks due to issues like increased reading time and distractions. However, studies have found little difference in learning outcomes between print and electronic texts. E-textbooks provide opportunities like embedded media and personalized learning, but students need guidance to take advantage of interactive features and read effectively online. Overall, no single format benefits all learners, so educators should recognize students' varied needs in this changing reading environment.
The library & teaching & learning: reading list systems. Reading lists appear to be the new 'must have' for UK academic libraries and a raft of new systems has entered the market. Ken's presentation at a seminar at the University of Staffordshire in December 2012 looked at some of the underlying trends in Higher Education and the current reading list offerings
This document discusses how information literacy skills are important for students in the 21st century. It argues that students need to be able to effectively access and evaluate both traditional information sources as well as emerging online tools and formats. The document provides guidance on how to teach students skills for searching, evaluating, and creating information across different tools and platforms. It emphasizes that both traditional information literacy skills and an understanding of new online tools are important for students to develop.
A “Pixar” Model for the Creation of Educational Materials in a Digital World–...NITLE
This document discusses a "Pixar Model" for creating innovative digital education materials. The key aspects of the Pixar Model are:
1) Willingness to break existing product and business model molds using cutting-edge digital capabilities.
2) Refusal to be bound by industry standards and integrating content and technology.
3) Ability to define new product categories or redefine existing ones.
The document argues that applying this model could transform higher education by developing highly engaging digital materials that enhance learning. However, this would require significant changes to how educational content is created and organized.
Can collection management improve information literacy? Lessons on how we...sawarren
This document summarizes a presentation about teaching students about scholarly communication and the business aspects of librarianship. The presentation covers why it is important for students to understand the economics of information and scholarly publishing. It describes teaching scenarios used to discuss how scholarly information is a business, including the roles of various players and costs associated with journals. Assessment of student learning found that students were surprised by the high costs of journals and databases and developed a greater appreciation for libraries and the resources they provide.
1. Educators and students are gaining the ability to easily access, manage, and share digital educational materials online through open educational resources (OER). As more schools and teachers collaborate around sharing content, it will accelerate changes in education.
2. OER allows teachers to discover full courses, modules, videos and other materials to mix and match into new curricula. Teachers can analyze, critique and improve each other's lessons to bring innovation to the classroom.
3. OER can significantly reduce education costs by replacing expensive textbooks with freely accessible and updatable online resources. This is important as schools face budget cuts while needing to improve STEM education.
The document discusses information literacy, including its importance in the digital age, definitions of information literacy, and related research findings. It addresses why information literacy is important, what information literacy is according to library and education organizations, and several studies that provide evidence about how people search for and evaluate information online.
The roles of library and librarian in information resourceAlexander Decker
This document discusses the roles of libraries and librarians in information resource sharing in the emerging information society. It conducted a study of three academic libraries in Kogi State, Nigeria to examine their readiness for information resource sharing. The study found that the libraries have basic ICT facilities needed for resource sharing like computers, databases, scanners, audiovisual equipment, e-books and journals, and internet connectivity. It identified roles for libraries in providing access to resources through online catalogs and networks, and securing materials through interlibrary loans. The study also found that effective application of ICT could enable wider access to knowledge, enhanced cooperation, and improved service quality. However, issues like inadequate funding, lack of infrastructure and skills were found to hamp
This document provides an overview of information literacy and related concepts. It discusses how information literacy involves having the skills to find, evaluate, and effectively use information. The document also notes how information literacy, competence, and literacies are interrelated concepts and surveys different definitions and terms that are used. Additionally, it emphasizes the role of school libraries in developing students' information literacy and 21st century skills through inquiry-based learning.
This document discusses a study on hospitality students' adoption of e-books during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of a developing country. The study uses the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model to examine factors that influence hospitality students' behavioral intention to use e-books. A survey was conducted with 237 hospitality students in India. The results found that performance expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions positively impacted students' adoption of e-books during the pandemic when traditional library resources were unavailable. The study has implications for educational administrators, e-book publishers, and academic librarians in developing strategies to increase hospitality students' use of e-books.
Role of Libraries in transforming Society.pdfDr Trivedi
Libraries play an important role in transforming society by promoting education, preserving cultural heritage, and providing equal access to knowledge resources. The document discusses the historical role of libraries in India's independence movement and how libraries can empower communities. It outlines the shifting roles of libraries from traditional collections to managing digital content and supporting lifelong learning. Libraries are described as social institutions that promote democracy by facilitating discourse on issues.
The document discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the agriculture sector and food supply chains. It notes that agriculture is essential for food security but the pandemic has disrupted farming activities and supply chains. Labor shortages and transport issues are affecting harvesting. Prices for some crops have declined even as consumers pay more. Small poultry and dairy farmers require targeted assistance. The government is advised to ensure supply chains function smoothly and protect farm workers while continuing market access for farmers.
The Relevance of Geospatial Data as a Prerequisite in Obtaining Knowledge and...iosrjce
IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT) multidisciplinary peer-reviewed Journal with reputable academics and experts as board member. IOSR-JESTFT is designed for the prompt publication of peer-reviewed articles in all areas of subject. The journal articles will be accessed freely online.
This document provides an overview of 21st century literacy skills and information literacy. It discusses how new technologies are transforming society and the skills students need, such as problem solving, collaboration and digital literacy. These new literacies involve online reading comprehension, learning skills for the internet and evaluating information from various sources like videos, blogs and social media. Information literacy is defined as the ability to access, evaluate and apply information effectively. The document also discusses guided inquiry, which involves carefully planned lessons led by teachers and librarians to guide students through research projects and develop deep knowledge on a topic.
The document discusses the history of efforts to develop the ebooks marketplace in UK higher education from 2001-2009. It outlines key studies, strategies, and deals with ebook aggregators during this time period. Challenges included a lack of standardization, complex business models, and ensuring availability of core textbooks. The JISC national ebooks observatory project from 2007-2009 aimed to address these issues through research, pilot programs, and facilitating relationships between publishers and libraries.
This document summarizes a study that evaluated the development of scientific knowledge and new forms of reading comprehension during online learning. The study tested the effects of varying the intensity of Internet integration and instruction in online reading skills in 7th grade science classrooms. Students' online reading comprehension, science learning, and traditional reading comprehension were measured. The study aimed to provide empirical evidence on how best to integrate the Internet and teach necessary online reading skills without jeopardizing conceptual learning.
This document presents a new learning environment model based on Web 2.0 applications, discussing how the technological changes of Web 2.0 have impacted communication, knowledge, and learning. It reviews concepts of eLearning 2.0 and personal learning environments, then describes the development and implementation of a Web 2.0 learning environment at Darmstadt University consisting of wikis, blogs, social bookmarking, and RSS feeds. An evaluation of this learning environment found that it successfully motivated students and improved learning outcomes.
Slide deck for "Using eReaders to Add to Your Existing Media Center Collections." Webinar hosted by the Alabama State Department of Education, February 3, 2012.
Presentation for Librarian/Archivists/Technology Conference held at the Academy in St. Charles on April 17, 2010 for the Network of Sacred Heart Schools.
Additional challenges added by the group (slide 5):
*Collaboration
*Communication
*Speed of Change
*Time
*Technology
*Misunderstood
*Money
*Skill Sets
*Obsolescence
This document discusses incorporating government documents into information literacy instruction in university libraries. As more information becomes available online, fewer students are using physical government documents in libraries. The document argues that government documents should be incorporated into information literacy instruction so that students understand the importance and reliability of these sources. It provides examples of how libraries are promoting awareness of government documents through tutorials, podcasts, websites and training reference librarians. The goal is to help students become informed citizens by teaching them how to effectively find and evaluate government information.
The document provides an overview of open educational resources (OER), including their history, definitions, types, advantages, and major initiatives. It discusses what OER are, how they can be found, remixed, licensed, and shared. Key points include: OER being freely available educational content that can be reused, revised, remixed, and redistributed; major initiatives like MIT OpenCourseWare, Khan Academy, and TESSA in Africa promoting OER; and Creative Commons licensing enabling open sharing of content. Major organizations supporting OER include UNESCO, Commonwealth of Learning, and Hewlett Foundation.
The document discusses a workshop on creating simple resource discovery systems for libraries to compete with Google. It summarizes presentations that highlighted students' reliance on quick online searches and lack of information literacy skills, and the need for library systems to incorporate features like Google to make resources easier for students to find. Several university libraries demonstrated new systems using tags and relevance ranking to simplify searching across library resources.
The document provides an overview of Centerra Gold Inc., a Canadian gold mining company with operations in Central Asia and Mongolia. It summarizes Centerra's recent operating performance, financial results, mineral reserves across its properties, and the new life of mine plan for its flagship Kumtor mine in the Kyrgyz Republic. The new plan extends Kumtor's mine life by 5 years to 2026, increases reserves by 58% to 9.5 million ounces, and is expected to generate $3.4 billion in net present value at a $1,700/ounce gold price. However, the document cautions that forward-looking information is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations.
Taller exoneración y solucion de controversias.Valun
Este documento describe los procedimientos de exoneración y resolución de controversias en el proceso de contratación estatal. Detalla varias situaciones que permiten la exoneración como contrataciones de emergencia, desabastecimiento, proveedor único, o servicios personalísimos. También explica el proceso para declarar la exoneración, la solución de empates, la declaración de desierto, y la presentación de recursos durante el proceso de selección.
This document provides an overview of information literacy and related concepts. It discusses how information literacy involves having the skills to find, evaluate, and effectively use information. The document also notes how information literacy, competence, and literacies are interrelated concepts and surveys different definitions and terms that are used. Additionally, it emphasizes the role of school libraries in developing students' information literacy and 21st century skills through inquiry-based learning.
This document discusses a study on hospitality students' adoption of e-books during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of a developing country. The study uses the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model to examine factors that influence hospitality students' behavioral intention to use e-books. A survey was conducted with 237 hospitality students in India. The results found that performance expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions positively impacted students' adoption of e-books during the pandemic when traditional library resources were unavailable. The study has implications for educational administrators, e-book publishers, and academic librarians in developing strategies to increase hospitality students' use of e-books.
Role of Libraries in transforming Society.pdfDr Trivedi
Libraries play an important role in transforming society by promoting education, preserving cultural heritage, and providing equal access to knowledge resources. The document discusses the historical role of libraries in India's independence movement and how libraries can empower communities. It outlines the shifting roles of libraries from traditional collections to managing digital content and supporting lifelong learning. Libraries are described as social institutions that promote democracy by facilitating discourse on issues.
The document discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the agriculture sector and food supply chains. It notes that agriculture is essential for food security but the pandemic has disrupted farming activities and supply chains. Labor shortages and transport issues are affecting harvesting. Prices for some crops have declined even as consumers pay more. Small poultry and dairy farmers require targeted assistance. The government is advised to ensure supply chains function smoothly and protect farm workers while continuing market access for farmers.
The Relevance of Geospatial Data as a Prerequisite in Obtaining Knowledge and...iosrjce
IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT) multidisciplinary peer-reviewed Journal with reputable academics and experts as board member. IOSR-JESTFT is designed for the prompt publication of peer-reviewed articles in all areas of subject. The journal articles will be accessed freely online.
This document provides an overview of 21st century literacy skills and information literacy. It discusses how new technologies are transforming society and the skills students need, such as problem solving, collaboration and digital literacy. These new literacies involve online reading comprehension, learning skills for the internet and evaluating information from various sources like videos, blogs and social media. Information literacy is defined as the ability to access, evaluate and apply information effectively. The document also discusses guided inquiry, which involves carefully planned lessons led by teachers and librarians to guide students through research projects and develop deep knowledge on a topic.
The document discusses the history of efforts to develop the ebooks marketplace in UK higher education from 2001-2009. It outlines key studies, strategies, and deals with ebook aggregators during this time period. Challenges included a lack of standardization, complex business models, and ensuring availability of core textbooks. The JISC national ebooks observatory project from 2007-2009 aimed to address these issues through research, pilot programs, and facilitating relationships between publishers and libraries.
This document summarizes a study that evaluated the development of scientific knowledge and new forms of reading comprehension during online learning. The study tested the effects of varying the intensity of Internet integration and instruction in online reading skills in 7th grade science classrooms. Students' online reading comprehension, science learning, and traditional reading comprehension were measured. The study aimed to provide empirical evidence on how best to integrate the Internet and teach necessary online reading skills without jeopardizing conceptual learning.
This document presents a new learning environment model based on Web 2.0 applications, discussing how the technological changes of Web 2.0 have impacted communication, knowledge, and learning. It reviews concepts of eLearning 2.0 and personal learning environments, then describes the development and implementation of a Web 2.0 learning environment at Darmstadt University consisting of wikis, blogs, social bookmarking, and RSS feeds. An evaluation of this learning environment found that it successfully motivated students and improved learning outcomes.
Slide deck for "Using eReaders to Add to Your Existing Media Center Collections." Webinar hosted by the Alabama State Department of Education, February 3, 2012.
Presentation for Librarian/Archivists/Technology Conference held at the Academy in St. Charles on April 17, 2010 for the Network of Sacred Heart Schools.
Additional challenges added by the group (slide 5):
*Collaboration
*Communication
*Speed of Change
*Time
*Technology
*Misunderstood
*Money
*Skill Sets
*Obsolescence
This document discusses incorporating government documents into information literacy instruction in university libraries. As more information becomes available online, fewer students are using physical government documents in libraries. The document argues that government documents should be incorporated into information literacy instruction so that students understand the importance and reliability of these sources. It provides examples of how libraries are promoting awareness of government documents through tutorials, podcasts, websites and training reference librarians. The goal is to help students become informed citizens by teaching them how to effectively find and evaluate government information.
The document provides an overview of open educational resources (OER), including their history, definitions, types, advantages, and major initiatives. It discusses what OER are, how they can be found, remixed, licensed, and shared. Key points include: OER being freely available educational content that can be reused, revised, remixed, and redistributed; major initiatives like MIT OpenCourseWare, Khan Academy, and TESSA in Africa promoting OER; and Creative Commons licensing enabling open sharing of content. Major organizations supporting OER include UNESCO, Commonwealth of Learning, and Hewlett Foundation.
The document discusses a workshop on creating simple resource discovery systems for libraries to compete with Google. It summarizes presentations that highlighted students' reliance on quick online searches and lack of information literacy skills, and the need for library systems to incorporate features like Google to make resources easier for students to find. Several university libraries demonstrated new systems using tags and relevance ranking to simplify searching across library resources.
The document provides an overview of Centerra Gold Inc., a Canadian gold mining company with operations in Central Asia and Mongolia. It summarizes Centerra's recent operating performance, financial results, mineral reserves across its properties, and the new life of mine plan for its flagship Kumtor mine in the Kyrgyz Republic. The new plan extends Kumtor's mine life by 5 years to 2026, increases reserves by 58% to 9.5 million ounces, and is expected to generate $3.4 billion in net present value at a $1,700/ounce gold price. However, the document cautions that forward-looking information is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations.
Taller exoneración y solucion de controversias.Valun
Este documento describe los procedimientos de exoneración y resolución de controversias en el proceso de contratación estatal. Detalla varias situaciones que permiten la exoneración como contrataciones de emergencia, desabastecimiento, proveedor único, o servicios personalísimos. También explica el proceso para declarar la exoneración, la solución de empates, la declaración de desierto, y la presentación de recursos durante el proceso de selección.
The document discusses the history and future of digital textbooks. It notes that over a decade ago, educators and publishers envisioned the "Future Textbook" as being more than just a printed book, incorporating interactive elements. Since then, ebooks and digital textbooks have grown significantly in popularity. The document outlines the stages of development for digital textbooks, from early experimentation to future standards. It also discusses increasing ebook and digital textbook sales, as well as activities in the academic community around adopting more digital content options.
The document provides an overview of RSS (Really Simple Syndication) and web feeds. It begins with an introduction to RSS and what it allows websites to do. It then covers the different types of RSS formats that exist and how users can subscribe to feeds using various feed readers or browsers. Examples are given of organizations, libraries, and sites that provide content via RSS feeds. The last part discusses how RSS can be used for things like announcements, databases, instruction, new books/journals, and more.
This document summarizes the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) e-print archive (arXiv.org), which revolutionized scholarly communication in scientific communities by allowing electronic sharing of preprints. Started in 1991 by Paul Ginsparg, it began as an email-based system for physicists to share preprints but grew significantly. It now hosts over 500,000 e-prints across physics, mathematics, computer science, quantitative biology, quantitative finance, statistics, electrical engineering and systems science, and economics. Authors can submit and retrieve preprints through a centralized server. The archive helped advance open scholarly communication before conventional journals embraced electronic formats.
The document discusses several free international web-based patent sites, including those run by the USPTO, European Patent Office, China Patent Database, DEPATISnet, and the Industrial Property Digital Library. It describes the types of patent information available on each site, such as bibliographic data, abstracts, and in some cases full-text patent documents. It also summarizes the different search interfaces provided, including basic, advanced, and Boolean searching options available to users.
This document profiles two lesser-known data sources for ecological and environmental data: CEED and Ecological Archives. CEED is a data repository containing peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed data primarily related to southern California organisms and environments. Users can search and browse metadata and download data files through FTP after registering. Ecological Archives is a public archive publishing supplemental materials to articles in Ecological Society of America journals, including data papers which are peer-reviewed compilations of datasets. It provides long-term access to these materials.
The document describes an upcoming American Chemical Society conference to be held from April 6-10, 2008 in New Orleans. It provides details on a presentation that will take place on April 7th from 8:30-11:55 AM titled "Using Social Networking to Teach Chemistry". The presentation will discuss using social networking services like Facebook for engaged library instruction. It then outlines the topics that will be covered in the presentation including an overview of Facebook, how to create a librarian and library presence on Facebook, Facebook groups and applications, and examples of outreach projects using Facebook at Iowa State University.
The document discusses RSS (Really Simple Syndication) and other web feed formats. It provides an overview of what RSS is, where feeds can be found on websites, and how users can subscribe to feeds using different feed reader programs. The document also gives examples of the types of content that are often distributed via feeds, such as news, journal articles, book listings, and library announcements.
This document summarizes several mobile applications related to accessing digital content on Apple devices. It discusses the Kindle app which allows iPhone and iPod Touch users to read Kindle ebooks and periodicals. It also describes the Questia Library app which provides access to Questia's collection of books, journals and articles. Finally, it mentions the arXiview app which enables browsing recent submissions to the arXiv preprint repository. All three apps help expand the capabilities of Apple mobile devices for accessing digital reading materials and scholarly resources.
This document summarizes five e-print servers across different academic disciplines:
1) The Chemistry Preprint Server (CPS) is a freely available archive for rapid distribution of chemistry research. Authors can submit manuscripts and works-in-progress.
2) Clinical Medicine & Health Research NetPrints is a repository for non-peer reviewed medical and health research. It contains 45 e-prints as of July 2001.
3) CogPrints is an e-print server for research in cognitive sciences like psychology and neuroscience containing over 4,000 e-prints as of July 2001.
This newsletter issue introduces several new contributors and articles about library technology. It includes articles on pricing trends for personal computers, open source software in libraries, educating users about copyright and fair use, and a case study of library automation at the University of Valencia, Spain. Conference reports are provided from recent library technology conferences. New columns explore e-books and a new SLAC electronic conference proceedings archive. The issue aims to provide timely information on library technology topics to its readers.
A Proposed EBook Model For Engaging PeerInteractionMary Calkins
This document proposes a model for engaging peer interaction in eBooks. It discusses how current eBook technologies allow for interactive features like video, audio, highlighting and notes but do not enable peer interaction. The proposed model aims to address this by allowing different stakeholders to interact. Specifically, it suggests that eBook authors could provide content and questions, publishers could publish HTML content, instructional designers could design interactivity, teachers could assign tasks to students and students could comment, ask questions and share problems/solutions with peers, enabling active learning through peer engagement with eBook content. The model aims to bring the benefits of peer-based active learning to eBook production and use in educational settings.
Literature in digital environments: Changes and emerging trends in Australian...Judy O'Connell
Igniting a passion for reading and research is core business for school libraries, inevitably placing the library at the centre of the 21st century reading and learning experience. It is in this context that digital literature creates some challenging questions for teachers and librarians in schools, while the emergence of digital technology and/or device options also offers a great many opportunities. Collection development in school libraries encompasses an understanding of the need to contextualise these e-literature needs within the learning and teaching experiences in the school. The Australian Library and Information Association’s 2013 statement Future of collections 50:50 predicted that library print and ebook collections in libraries would establish a 50:50 equilibrium by 2020 and that this balance would be maintained for the foreseeable future. This statement from the Australian professional body raised the need to know more about e-collections in school libraries. For teacher librarians in Australian schools, the nature of online collections, and the integration of ebooks into the evolving reading culture is influenced by the range and diversity of texts, interfaces, devices, and experiences available to complement existing print and media collections or services. Management and budget constraints also influence e-collections. By undertaking a review of the literature, a discussion of the education context, and a critical analysis of the trends evidenced by national survey data, this paper presents an overview of the changes and emerging trends in digital literature and ebook collections in school library services in Australia today.
The document provides an environmental scan of issues impacting academic libraries in 2015. It discusses trends in higher education including rising costs, decreased funding, and new technology-driven models. It also summarizes key issues for libraries regarding collections like e-books and demand-driven acquisition, streaming media, textbooks, and collaborative print management. The scan emphasizes libraries' evolving role in providing access to new forms of scholarship and assessing collections in light of metrics beyond traditional ownership.
Ebooks: desafios, perturbações e inovaçõesREA Brasil
The document discusses challenges, disruptions and innovations related to ebooks. It covers several topics including price, digital inclusion, technological standards and interoperability, content, new opportunities for authorship and collaboration, and user behavior. Ebooks present opportunities for lowering costs and increasing access but also challenges related to establishing common standards and business models. Innovation in authorship, publishing and accessing content will be needed to fully realize the potential of ebooks.
The document discusses challenges, disruptions and innovations related to ebooks. It addresses issues such as price, digital inclusion, technological standards and interoperability, content, new opportunities for authorship and collaboration, and user behavior. It also examines initiatives for open educational resources and open licensing models as ways to increase access and sharing of knowledge through digital means.
e-Governance is the ICT-enabled route to achieving good governance.
An e-library is a library in which collections are stored in digital formats (as opposed to print, microform, or other media) and accessible by computers. The digital content may be stored locally, or accessed remotely via computer networks.
As a part of my regular academic activities under the course “Globalization and Governance (PA-322)”, I was assigned to plan for making department’s seminar an e-library .
This document contains an e-Library Manifesto which introduces the relevant ‘systems’. It describes the main concepts characterising these systems, i.e., content, user, functionality, quality, policy and architecture. It also describes the reference frameworks needed to clarify the e-Library Reference Architecture.
This e-library will meet the needs and passions of teachers and students and the learning styles of the latter of the department .
The document summarizes key points from a workshop on eBooks held at UCD Library. It discusses developments in eBooks, findings from eBook research projects like SuperBook and the JISC National eBooks Observatory, and survey results about student and faculty use and perceptions of eBooks. Key themes included the impact of eBooks on libraries, varying use by subject and age, and how reading behaviors are changing in the digital environment.
Evolving content for mobile delivery report march 2011m-libraries
Evolving content for mobile delivery summary workshop report March 2011 by Gill Needham Associate Director (Information Management & Innovation) the Open Univeristy
The challenge of quality in peer-produced eLearning contenteLearning Papers
The document discusses the challenge of ensuring quality in peer-produced eLearning content. It notes that peer production is becoming an important method for creating eLearning content, but the decentralized nature can undermine quality if not properly managed. The document introduces the QualityScape method developed by the European QMPP project as an important approach for assuring quality of peer-produced eLearning content. QualityScape views quality as the result of the interplay between peer production and peer validation processes, taking a holistic approach to enabling effective peer content creation while maintaining standards.
The document discusses the impact that open and technologically-mediated learning environments will have on education in the future. It explores how new technologies like Web 2.0 allow for more open design, delivery, evaluation, and research of education. These technologies enable greater sharing, collaboration, and personalization of learning. However, they also create challenges around issues like ownership, credibility, and privacy of information. Overall, technologies are evolving education to become more student-centered, collaborative, and connected across boundaries.
The document discusses a study on the usability of e-libraries as repositories for learning materials for senior high school students. It provides background on how technology and e-libraries have advanced to provide more flexible access to educational resources online. The study aims to determine the usability of the e-library based on ease of use, functionality, compatibility, and how informative it is. It also looks at any differences in usability based on student demographics like strand and internet connectivity. The results could help teachers, students, and school administrators improve the effectiveness of e-learning through better use of the e-library. The scope is limited to surveying 250 senior high students on their experience using the e-library at Learn and Explore
The document identifies the top ten trends in academic libraries according to the ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee in 2012. The trends include communicating the value of libraries, data curation, digital preservation, shifts in higher education, the growing role of information technology, increasing use of mobile devices, patron-driven e-book acquisition, evolving models of scholarly communication, developing staff to meet new challenges, and changing user behaviors and expectations.
Page | 1
Performance Rubric: Research Paper
Criteria and Qualities
Unacceptable
Does Not Meet Standard
Acceptable
Meets Standard
Target
Beyond Standard
Point Value
Introducing the idea
Neither implicit nor explicit reference is made to the topic.
Reference is made to overall problem, challenge or topic.
The topic is introduced and groundwork is laid as to the direction of the paper.
Understanding of the issue
Disjointed reference to key concepts, or only some of the key concepts are referenced. Paper appears to have no direction and subtopics lack flow and/or clarity.
No reflection.
Key concepts are referenced and identified. There is a basic flow from one paragraph to the next but not all follow natural or logical order.
Reflection on significance to library discipline is evident.
Key concepts are referenced and identified. Concepts follow logical order. Transitions tie ideas and paragraphs together.
Reflection on significance to the library discipline is well supported.
Synthesis of ideas and application
There is no indication the author tried to synthesize the information or make a conclusion. No application to library discipline.
Author provided concluding remarks showing analysis and synthesis of ideas. Some conclusions not supported. Application to library discipline is stated.
Succinct and precise conclusions showing analysis and synthesis. Conclusions and application to the library discipline are strongly supported.
Clarity of Writing
It is hard to know what the writer is trying to express. Writing is convoluted.
Writing is generally clear, but unnecesary works are occasionally used. Meaning is sometimes obscure. Sentence structure too repetitive.
Writing is crisp, clear, and succinct. The writer supports ideas with examples. Meaning is clear.
References
Less than 3 References
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ACTIVATING LIBRARY 2.0
1
MEDA 5950
Renee Lyons
Activating Library 2.0: A Research Proposal
INTRODUCTION
The continually evolving role of the library in communities and schools calls for regular reevaluation of the the library's approach to fulfilling that role. One of the most .
E-Resources as Complements to Educational Delivery - Auwalu DisoAuwalu Diso
The document discusses how electronic resources can complement educational delivery in situations where infrastructure and resources are limited. It defines electronic resources as information available in digital formats, including e-journals and e-books. E-resources offer benefits like freshness, interactivity, portability, and wide distribution. They can be used as research materials, lecture notes, textbooks, for distance learning, and private study. While challenges exist, awareness and uptake of available e-resources as well as digitization efforts can help address infrastructure constraints.
The Future of Digital Textbooks, Tools of Change, 2010John Warren
Technology is driving change in education as it is in publishing. Distance education has become more common in higher education; universities are putting podcasts, texts, and entire courses online. The spiraling cost of textbooks is rendering higher education unaffordable to many students, particularly in community colleges, where textbook costs often exceed tuition. In the K-12 market, digital textbooks have been making inroads into the classroom; a California initiative aims to replace many high school science and math texts with free, “open source” digital versions, while the new Democratic Leadership Council has proposed a “Kindle in Every Backpack.” While some may think of a digital textbook merely an electronic image of a paper product, others have employed the electronic format in broadening the spectrum of learning. This session examines the emerging future of digital textbooks, including open access; subscriptions; texts bundled with online study resources; innovative texts that include multimedia, simulation models, automated assessments; and business models that will allow publishers to survive and thrive in the future.
Presentation on ebooks at the Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, Sapienza during Ciber seminar, Palermo 2009.
Images uploaded for educational purposes.
The document discusses open business models and trends disrupting traditional content industries like music, video, books, and textbooks. It describes how physical distribution of digitizable content is under threat. Initiatives for open textbooks and learning materials from projects like CK-12, Curriki, and Bloomsbury Academic are summarized. The Flatworld Knowledge business model for open textbooks that generates revenue from optional access to print/digital copies and study aids is presented as a case study. The document concludes new business models must absorb disruptive trends but are still untested, and experimenting with open content aggregation could benefit existing models.
The document discusses considerations for integrating mobile devices in education. It provides an overview of various mobile devices that could be used such as e-readers, iPads, and iPods. Challenges of using these technologies include the need for training educators, developing content for mobile devices, and technologies changing rapidly. Studies show students prefer using mobile devices for informal learning but more guidance is needed for curricula integration. Overall mobile devices show potential but require investment in research and teacher training to realize educational benefits.
This document summarizes the CyberStacks prototype, which applies traditional library classification and organization methods to facilitate access to science and technology resources on the World Wide Web. The prototype uses the Library of Congress classification system to organize selected Internet resources and provides browsable access through broad subject categories. It aims to enhance discovery and use of relevant resources by applying established selection criteria and presenting descriptive annotations. The document outlines the philosophy, organization, selection process, and access features of the CyberStacks prototype, arguing that familiar library structures and conventions can help users navigate Internet resources more effectively.
This document summarizes five innovative electronic journals, indexes, or services that go beyond conventional online publications by providing novel features and functionalities. It profiles the Astronomy and Astrophysics index from the Strasbourg Astronomical Observatory, which uses a self-organizing map to organize journal articles into a clickable graphical interface. It also summarizes the Internet Journal of Chemistry, an electronic-only journal that encourages authors to incorporate interactive elements like animations and molecular structures to enhance reader comprehension. The document discusses how these resources aim to fully utilize the digital environment and empower readers through customization options.
This document summarizes five innovative electronic journals, indexes, or services that go beyond conventional online publications by providing novel features and functionalities. It profiles the Astronomy and Astrophysics index from the Strasbourg Astronomical Observatory, which uses a self-organizing map to organize journal articles into a clickable graphical interface. It also summarizes the Internet Journal of Chemistry, an electronic-only journal that encourages authors to incorporate interactive elements like animations and molecular structures to enhance reader comprehension. The document discusses how these resources aim to fully utilize the digital environment and empower readers through customization options.
This document summarizes an article about new interfaces for electronic journals. It describes several novel technologies that take advantage of the digital format to further facilitate use of electronic collections, including higher-level access options beyond typical search features. These include automatically generating terms and semantic relationships to represent document topics, and visualizing these concepts and relationships to reduce the cognitive load of conventional searching. The visualization allows interactive exploration and filtering of document collections through concept mapping.
The Astrophysics Data System (ADS) is an online database funded by NASA that provides bibliographic records and full text articles in astronomy, astrophysics, and related fields. It contains over 2.3 million abstracts as of 2001. The ADS includes searchable abstracts from major journals, conference proceedings, technical reports, books, and dissertations. Users can search by author, title, keywords, publication date, and other filters. Search results are ranked by relevance and users can view brief records or full details of publications from the search results. The ADS is a widely used resource with over 100,000 users from 112 countries accessing it monthly in 2001.
Alexander Street Press provides online collections in the humanities and social sciences through its website and mobile apps. It offers collections of music scores, recordings, videos and reference materials that can be accessed on smartphones and tablets through its mobile-friendly website and apps for iOS and Android devices. Alexander Street Press partners with major content producers and plans to release an iPhone app.
The document summarizes recent events and projects in the fields of digital preservation, metadata, cataloging standards and practices. It describes a forum held by RLG on converging standards for digital preservation, ALCTS regional institutes on metadata and cataloging rules, training courses offered by Rare Book School, an Open Archives workshop in Portugal, and the annual NASIG conference in Virginia. It also provides overviews of the Diffuse Project standards information source and the DLIST digital library for information science and technology.
This document provides summaries of several upcoming conferences, training programs, videoconferences, and workshops related to metadata and digital libraries. It also summarizes two ongoing projects: the development of a MARC 21 XML schema by the Library of Congress to facilitate the communication and conversion of MARC records, and the Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard (METS) being developed by the Library of Congress as a standard for encoding metadata about digital library objects.
Gerry McKiernan is a popular science and technology librarian blogger from Iowa State University. He runs several blogs focused on emerging technologies and their applications for libraries. McKiernan has been blogging since 2003 and his blogs regularly rank in the top 1% worldwide according to Technorati. He gains professional benefits from blogging through opportunities to present at conferences and staying up to date on new developments relevant to his work.
Roddy MacLeod is an award-winning information professional at the cutting edge of the industry. He has been blogging since 2005 and runs multiple blogs, including the Heriot-Watt Library blog Spineless and the JISC-funded TicTocs project blog. Blogging helps Roddy market the library, build interest in projects, and stay on top of trends in the field. It also expands his network and improves his writing skills.
This document summarizes several free international web-based patent sites:
- The USPTO and European Patent Office websites provide free access to patent information as well as other intellectual property resources. Other non-Western nations also offer free patent databases.
- Key free patent database services highlighted include DEPATISnet, the Industrial Property Digital Library (Japan), and the Intellectual Property Digital Library hosted by WIPO. Each provides search access to large collections of patent documents and bibliographic information.
1. The document discusses how MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) could disrupt higher education through innovative business models and flexible learning approaches.
2. It analyzes MOOCs using the theory of disruptive innovation, finding that MOOCs initially target non-consumers of higher education but may eventually compete with traditional universities by improving performance over time.
3. While MOOCs have potential to disrupt higher education, the education sector is complex with many players and regulations, so the impacts are difficult to predict and universities may not be displaced in the same way as other disrupted industries.
Gerry McKiernan is a popular science and technology librarian blogger from Iowa State University. He runs several blogs on topics like online social networks, bioenergy, geothermal energy, and wind energy that receive thousands of subscribers. McKiernan has been blogging since 2003 and credits it with helping him stay on top of developments in his fields and getting invitations to present at conferences. He enjoys the feedback from colleagues who find his blogs professionally valuable.
The document discusses several free international web-based patent sites, including those run by the USPTO, European Patent Office, China Patent Database, DEPATISnet, and Industrial Property Digital Library. It describes the types of patent information available on each site, such as bibliographic data, abstracts, and in some cases full-text patent documents. It also summarizes the search interfaces and capabilities of each site.
This document summarizes several free international web-based patent sites:
- The USPTO and European Patent Office websites provide free access to patent information as well as other intellectual property resources. Other non-Western nations also offer free patent databases.
- Key free patent database services described include DEPATISnet, the Industrial Property Digital Library (Japan), and the Intellectual Property Digital Library hosted by WIPO. Each provides search access to large collections of patent documents and bibliographic information.
This document summarizes the CyberStacks prototype, which applies traditional library classification and organization methods to facilitate access to science and technology resources on the World Wide Web. Specifically, it uses the Library of Congress classification system to organize selected Internet resources into categories. This allows users to browse broad subjects and drill down into more specific topics. The goals are to reduce cognitive load for users and provide context among related resources. Key elements include selecting high-quality reference materials, classifying resources based on subject coverage, and presenting descriptive annotations to help users evaluate resources. The document argues this approach can make Internet resources easier to navigate for users familiar with traditional library systems and services.
This document provides details about the Energy Citations Database (ECD) produced by the U.S. Department of Energy. It describes the content, search features, and record format of the ECD. Key points include:
- The ECD contains over 2 million bibliographic records related to energy and energy-related research funded by the DOE.
- Records include fields for title, authors, publication date, report numbers, subject terms, and abstracts. Links to fulltext are provided for some newer publications.
- Searches can be done through a basic search box searching specific fields, or through an advanced search interface. Searching supports boolean operators and wildcard characters.
- Results can be sorted
The document discusses free web-based patent databases available through esp@cenet. Esp@cenet provides access to over 45 million patent documents from the European Patent Office and other patent offices around the world. It allows users to perform basic and advanced searches. The presentation also reviews other international patent databases from countries and regions like China, Germany, Japan, and WIPO.
The document summarizes esp@cenet®, a free web-based patent search service provided by the European Patent Office. Esp@cenet® provides access to over 42.5 million patent documents from over 70 countries. It allows users to search for patent information via three gateways - the EPO gateway, national patent office gateways of EPO member states, or the European Commission gateway. Basic "Quick Searches" can be done on title/abstract or by patent number. Search results provide bibliographic data and English abstracts when available.
1. LIBRARY MOBILE
Configuring
the 'Future
Gerald McKiernan
Associate Professor/Science and Technology Librarian
Iowa State University Library
Textbook'
In late May 2006, more than 50 educators and publishers, representing
a wide range of specialties, gathered at the National Academy of Sciences,
in Washington, D.C., to participate in a 3-day National Science
Foundation-funded workshop titled "Reconsidering the Textbook." 4Through small- and large-group discussions, the attendees "examined
the current state of the textbook and its relationship to the growing
number of electronic tools that also serve as learning resources for
today's students" and sought to envision the textbook of the future.
At the conclusion of the workshop there was general consensus that:
[T]he textbook of the future will be more than a static printed
volume. ... It will function as a guide, interweaving and
coordinating a variety of different learning resources including
animations, simulations, and interactive exercises. ... [It will]
be easily searchable, and thus would be learner accessible with
a flexible electronic interface.
-http.//bit.Vy/gytdx0
T he group envisioned the "Future Textbook" - whetherprinted or electronic - as "the organizing hub of an inte-
grated learning environment [that would] become increasing-
ly adaptable, customizable, and responsive." They imagined it
as a "Web-linked travel guide" that was modular by design,
thus allowing an instructor to configure content to suit the
goals of a particular course as well as the specific needs of in-
dividual students. In this view, access to networked resources
would strongly promote higher-level thinking. The group also
agreed that the Future Textbook would be integrated with
course management systems.
The attendees clearly recognized that creating the Future
Textbook would be a collaborative process that involved tech-
nical specialists as well as instructors and publishers. They also
recognized that faculty and students would have to accept a
new learning paradigm and that demonstrating and docu-
menting the benefits of alternative textbook models and tech-
nologies were critical to their adoption.
Participants agreed that the creation and integration of the
Future Textbook within learning environments would become a
major educational change agent, observing that "the adaptable,
flexible textbook will shift the way in which higher education is
accomplished." In their view,the Future Textbook could realign
formal education from a faculty-directed focus to a more stu-
dent-centered one. In addition, by catering to different learn-
ing needs and styles, the Future Textbook could significantly
www infotoday com/searcher
May 2011 43
2. MOBILE
increase the audience for "formal as well as informal science
education by making learning far more inviting for distance, in-
dependent, and out-of-field learners" [http://bit.ly/gDufmS;
http://bit.ly/ekUTl3].
In view of the enhancement and enrichment of digital
learning resources that have occurred since the workshop was
convened, as well as the accelerated development and wide-
spread adoption of mobile devices, platforms, and technolo-
gies in recent years, many would consider the attendees' vision
insightful, perceptive, and prescient. However, while some par-
ticipants considered the wiki as the framework for the Future
Textbook, ironically there is neither mention of the ebook as a
possible model nor appropriate recognition of the packaging
of textbooks with accompanying CD-ROMs and, more recent-
ly, the incorporation of links to companion websites and relat-
ed internet resources. Some did, however, consider the iPod
and cell phone as potential "future" platforms [http://bit.ly/gy
tdxO; http://bit.ly/g2qeEFl.
While different in some respects, most notably content and
purpose, the digital textbook is similar to the electronic book,
which has been defined as "atext and image-based publication
in digital form produced on, published by, and readable on
computers or other digital devices. ... IEI-books are usually
read on dedicated hardware devices known as e-Readers or
ebook devices. Personal computers and some cell phones can
also be used to read ebooks" [http://bit.ly/OWIJDI.
Ebooks
In early February 2011, the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative
(ELI), in cooperation with New Media Consortium (NMC), re-
leased its "Horizon Report 2011" [http://bit.ly/fYalBu]. Pub-
lished since 2004, the report seeks to identify and describe
"emerging technologies likely to have a large impact over the
coming five years on a variety of sectors around the globe,"
most notably the "potential impact on and use in teaching,
learning, and creative inquiry."
For the past 8 years, each edition of the "Horizon Report"
has profiled emerging technologies or practices that its adviso-
ry board agreed were likely to "enter mainstream use" within
three adoption horizons over the next 5 years, as well as asso-
ciated challenges. The near-term horizon assumes the likeli-
hood of entry into the mainstream for institutions within the
next 12 months, the midterm horizon (2-3 years), and the far-
term (4-5 years).
For the current near-term (next 12 months or less), the
board ranked the use and adoption of electronic books and
The report perceptively observes that it is
neither the devices nor the texts that are of
greatest importance, but the potential of the
associated technologies and value-added
features and functionalities to transform the
reading and learning experience.
mobile technologies as the highest of existing or emerging de-
velopments. In its profile, the report acknowledges the rise in
popularity of ebooks in the consumer market and the increase
in the variety oftheir content, as well as e-reading applications,
devices, and platforms.
The report perceptively observes that it is neither the de-
vices nor the texts that are of greatest importance, but the po-
tential ofthe associated technologies and value-added features
and functionalities to transform the reading and learning expe-
rience. It notes, the "richly visual interfaces that include multi-
media and collaborative elements" are becoming increasingly
common. More specifically, the report recognizes that "reader
technology has developed to the point that graphs, illustra-
tions, videos, and interactive elements can easily be included,
and [that] many enable bookmarking, annotation, commen-
tary, dictionary lookup, and other useful functions."
Overall, it recognizes that current "advanced forms of elec-
tronic books [offer] self-directed, interactive experiences; easy
exploration; collaborative work; multi-modal, immersive activ-
ities; and other deeply engaging approaches to learning" that
can serve as models for future academic and scholarly works.
The report appropriately notes that mobile applications can
offer "social interaction around electronic books [whichl could
be marshaled in support of group study and focused teacher-
student interaction. ... "
44 SEARCHER - The Magazine for Database Professionals
3. MOBILE
Sales
Although ebook sales were initially lower than those of oth-
er book types (e.g., trade, mass market paperbacks, profession-
al), during the past several years, electronic book sales have in-
creased significantly. From 2002 to 2003, sales increased nearly
170%, and nearly 45% from 2004 to 2005. There was an increase
of nearly 70% from 2007 to 2008 and more than 175% from
2008 to 2009. Overall for the period 2002 to 2009, there was a
compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 70%, a rate
higher than the 1.1 % averaged CAGR for all tracked book cate-
gories [http://bit.ly/ellph6].
Indeed, during the first half of this decade, the demand for
ebooks is expected to continue to increase significantly. The
Yankee Group, a market research firm, recently forecast that
Americans will purchase more than 380 million ebooks in 2011,
approximately more than four times the number purchased last
year ("2011 US E-Book Forecast: Get Set for the Next Best-Sell-
er" [http://bit.ly/fAgUYzl). Another market research firm, For-
rester Research, predicts that U.S. ebooks sales will nearly triple
by 2015 to $ 2.8 billion ("eBook Buying Is About to Spiral Up-
ward: US eBook Forecast, 2010 to 2015" [http://bit.lylatklKi]).
By 2014, it is estimated that 25%-50% of all books sold in the
U.S. will be ebooks ("e-Book Will Soon Be More Important
Than Print Books" [http://bit.ly/hlctSVl).
Digital Textbooks
Definition
As defined by Wikipedia, "Digital Textbooks" are:
core textbooks for students, with which students can learn
contents that are tailored to their abilities and interests
land that] offer various interactive functions, and provide
the learner with a combination of textbooks, reference
books, workbooks, dictionaries and multimedia contents
such as video clips, animations, and virtual reality ...
-http://bit.ly/eloxuv
History
According to one noted authority,there are five major stages of
digital textbook development and marketing: experimentation,
early markets, proliferation and integration, profitability and so-
cial learning, and standards and disaggregated distribution.
Experimentation (2000-2003)
During this period, major textbook publishers partnered
with startup vendors "to create non-PDF,non-standard, cus-
tom-reader products," each producing 50-100 titles, but dis-
covered that there was no market for these products and that
the technology could not be adequately supported [http://
bit.ly/dzl6aB].
Early Markets (2004-2006)
While publication continued, many publishers returned to
using the lower-cost PDF format. The development and prolif-
eration of online learning technologies among higher-educa-
tion institutions and demand for specific subject content (e.g.,
mathematics, science, world languages) fostered a more stable
market. During this period, Flash became the predominant
technology for digital books. By the end of this phase, major
publishers launched a variety of initiatives to create and/or
distribute ebooks.
Proliferation and Integration (2007-2008)
In this wave, the cost of etextbook production dropped sig-
nificantly, and publishers began to integrate ebooks into their
respective homework management products. During the pe-
riod, most major publishers supported multiple etextbook
www,lnfotoday com/searcher
May 2011 45
4. MOBILE
formats and readers. While XML became more prominent,
Flash continued to be a popular option.
Profitability and Social Learning (2009-2011)
By 2009, the size ofthe etextbook market had increased sub-
stantially, due in large part to the proliferation of for-profit vir-
tual universities (e.g., University of Phoenix) and the signifi-
cant growth of distance-learning programs offered by
brick-and-mortar colleges and universities. Concurrently, the
widespread adoption of a variety of mobile devices and the in-
creased use of e-readers, and subsequently tablet computers,
prompted publishers to offer more digital texts. During this pe-
riod, digital textbooks offered not only media-enhanced inte-
gration with a variety of technologies, but integration within
social learning environments as well.
Perhaps equally significant was the emergence and expan-
sion of the open textbook initiatives which sought to provide
free or low-cost access to textbooks [http://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Open-textbookl.
Standards and Disaggregated Distribution (2012-2014)
This future phase will be marked by several key develop-
ments, notably the emergence of a common standard for digi-
tal textbook XML and the reconfiguration of the digital textbook
"from a single, cohesive product into a collection of malleable
The widespread adoption
ofa variety of mobile
devices and the increased
use of e-readers, and
subsequently tablet
computers, prompted
publishers to offer more
digital texts.
content assets that can be disaggregated and mashed up easily
with other digital products."
This wave will also witness greater focus on smartphone and
tablet access and use, the further promotion of open textbooks,
and broader integration of social components.
Sales
To date, digital textbooks sales have been a fraction of over-
all textbook sales. While the current market is less than 3% of
national course materials sales, the National Association of
College Stores (NACS) [http://www.nacs.org] predicts that the
digital textbook market will increase from 10% to 15% by 2012.
Among the factors that the association believes will affect fu-
ture digital textbook adoption are an increasing awareness
among students of etextbook availability, their promotion and
effective use by instructors, and the incorporation of greater
interactivity within these electronic texts [http://bit.ly/gM
Badn]. One can expect that the ever-increasing popularity of
ebook content, dedicated e-readers, and ebook applications
on a variety of mobile platforms will also have a major effect on
etextbook adoption in a variety of venues.
Xplana, Inc. [http://info.xplana.coml, a service that oper-
ates Xplana.com, a "social learning platform," predicts that
U.S. digital textbook sales over the next several years will sur-
pass 18% of combined new textbook sales for the higher-edu-
cation and career education markets. This 5-year projection
assumes a current market share of 0.5% and an average yearly
increase in sales growth of approximately 150%-200%, with a
tapering to 30% to 50% annual growth for the ensuing 5 years
(2015-2019).
The firm expects that such growth "will also create avenues
for new content publishers to enter the textbook market, lead
to fundamental shifts in purchasing patterns around learning
materials, and expedite the formal adoption of open educa-
tional resources to augment premium digital content" [http:/!
bit.ly/99GHvY].
Current and Future Activities
Academic Bookstore Community
1 While many may consider forecasts and projections as only
potential scenarios, the presentations delivered at the recent
annual meetings of the NACS and the Independent College
Bookstore Association (ICBA) [http://www.icbainc.com] indi-
cate significant interest by the associations and their members
in digital textbooks.
46 SEARCHER mThe Magazine for Database Professionals
5. MOBILE
One can expect that the ever-increasing popularity
of ebook content, dedicated e-readers, and ebook
applications on a variety of mobile platforms will
also have a major effect on etextbook adoption
in a variety of venues.
Independent College Bookstore Association
The ICBA is a "professional cooperative dedicated exclu-
sively to institutional collegiate retail stores." At its most recent
annual conference held in early February 2011, the association
hosted a range of presentations that focused on digital text-
book developments. Its ICBA 2011 Strategic Direction Program
track [http://bit.ly/h9vodu] offered an update on the Canadian
Campus Retail Associates, Inc. (CCRA) and NACS Media Solu-
tions LLC (NMS) Digital Content Platform and the CampusE-
Bookstore.com service.
The latter is a joint project between the CCRA and the NMS
to develop and deploy "a common digital content platform
(DCP) for electronic books and print-on-demand content, de-
signed with student friendly terms and reflecting the academ-
ic nature of the collegiate marketplace" [http://bit.ly/ekLDat].
The former, the Campus E-Bookstore [http://www.campus
ebookstore.com], is a project by U.S. and Canadian college
stores that seeks "to develop affordable alternatives and com-
plements to traditional course materials."
The track also included presentations on two major state
digital textbook projects, the California State University sys-
tem's Digital Marketplace [http://www.calstate.edu/ats/digi
tal_marketplacel initiative, "an innovative one-stop-shopping
platform for the discovery, selection and authoring of digital
resources," and the Ohio Digital Bookshelf lhttp://ohiodigital
bookshelf.ning.com], "a pilot project of Ohio Textbook HQ that
aims to provide quality textbook options for faculty and better
learning outcomes, while also saving students money."
In addition, the track offered a general session that includ-
ed presentations by representatives from Blackboard Mobile
[http://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Mobile/overview.aspxl
and Digby Mobile Commerce lhttp://www.digby.com/mobile-
commerce-software-platform] about the impact of mobile tech-
nologies on communication, learning, and collegiate retailing.
National Association of College Stores
Based in Oberlin, Ohio, the NACS is a professional trade as-
sociation that represents the collegiate retailing industry. Its
most recent annual conference, CAMEX: The Campus Market
Expo 2011 [http://www.camex.org], included presentation
themes similar to those of the ICBA conference.
Apanel session, "Course Materials: Online, Mobile, and Part-
nering Solutions," included presentations on etextbook trends,
online buying, and brand awareness and loyalty. This session,
as well as one titled "The Past, Present, and Future of Open
Education Resources: Implications for Campus Stores," also
focused on open education resources [http://www.oercom
mons.org]. A session titled "NACS 2011 Digital Update" offered
presentations on recent developments and current initiatives
on digital content delivery,notably the CCRA-NMS Digital Con-
tent Platform project. The NACS conference also included a ses-
sion devoted to "Mobile Technology and Retailing," which
addressed the potential of smart mobile devices such as the
iPhone, BlackBerry, and iPad as platforms for generating sales
and disseminating information [http://bit.ly/i38cUb].
A future column will review current digital textbook ini-
tiatives by individual academic bookstores, as well as recent
projects undertaken by colleges and universities throughout
the U.S. In addition, several major digital textbook vendors
will be profiled. *
ww* Inlotodav corn/searcher
May 2011 47
6. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
Author:
Title:
Source:
ISSN:
Publisher:
McKiernan, Gerald
Configuring the ‘Future Textbook’
Searcher 19 no4 My 2011 p. 43-7
1070-4795
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