Cathy Cavanaugh, Curriculum and Instruction.
ccavanau@unf.edu
Terry Cavanaugh,
Curriculum and Instruction. tcavanau@unf.edu
What is an
eBook?
EBooks
then are textual documents that have been converted and “published” in an
electronic format that display on eBook readers, devices or computers using
eBook software programs. A modern definition is that an eBook is a digital text
file, but not limited to just text, which is displayed on some form of computer
or electronic device.
For example
Adobe Reader (.pdf):
Learning to
Think, Learning to Learn: What the Science of Thinking and Learning Has To Offer
Adult Education Programs, (1999) National Institute for Literacy
Web Based (non html):
Evaluating and Improving
Undergraduate Teaching in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
(2003) National Academies Press
Web Based (std html):
Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age: Universal Design for Learning
(2002) Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
MS Reader (.lit):
Macbeth
University of Virginia eLibrary
How do
eBooks work?
EBooks
have three basic components: hardware, software, and the book file. The
hardware of an eBook, known as a reader, is a computer style device or a
computer running specific software that displays the “book” onto a screen. The
software is the program which displays the book data on the device. The eBook
file contains all of the “book” material: text, pictures, and what ever else the
author can include.
The
hardware, software, and file must all be compatible for the book you wish to
use. For example MS Reader software can't be used on a Mac computer, while Palm
Reader software can be used on a Palm, Mac or Windows device
Quick chart information about
some of the major eBook platforms and their computer systems:
Book
Platforms/Formats
What are advantages and disadvantages?
|
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|
Many eBooks are
free or inexpensive.
eBook files are
relatively small and easily stored and shared.
eBook files don't
actually weigh anything - just data.
eBooks are
more interactive than most printed material.
eBooks have built
in features such as highlighting, note taking, dictionaries, bookmarks
and other annotations.
eBooks accommodate
many learning needs and styles. Most eBooks can read aloud using a
text-to-speech engine, and most can also change the text display size
making large print available.
eBook files can be
created using free software, web converters, or MS Word add-ins. |
eBooks require a
reading device such as a computer or handheld.
eBook devices
require a power source.
Not all books are
currently available as eBooks.
Users new to
eBooks will have a period of adjustment to screen reading.
|
Quick chart of eBook formats and
their features:
eBook
Features
Where
do eBooks come from?
Sample Online
Libraries (90+) where eBooks can be accessed.
Software
Programs used for creating eBooks:
goBCL.com:
http://www.gobcl.com/convert_pdf.asp
Document conversion to HTML and Adobe PDF format.
iPod eBook
Creator:
http://www.ambience.sk/ipod-ebook-creator/ipod-book-notes-text-conversion.php
Converts text files into iPod notes
JpegBook:
http://www.fumi2kick.com/jpegbook/
Tool for converting text documents into images for use with the PSP
MS Word Plug-in for
Palm Mark Up:
http://www.drscavanaugh.org/ebooks/word2pml.zip
Converts documents in word by adding Palm Markup Language (PML) code.
MS Word RMR Plug-in:
http://www.microsoft.com/reader/developers/downloads/rmr.asp
Converts Word documents into MS Reader
eBooks
NetscapeCommunicator:
http://www.netscape.com
Web page editor to create HTML documents
OpenOffice:
http://www.openoffice.org/
Word processor will create PDF, text, and HTML documents.
Palm DropBook:
http://www.palmdigitalmedia.com/dropbook/download
Converter to create PalmReader eBook
PaperlessPrinter:
http://rarefind.com/paperlessprinter/index.html
Tool for converting documents into PDF, HTML, DOC, Excel, JPEG or BMP files
ReaderWorks:
http://www.overdrive.com
Standard (free) & Profession (cost) versions to create MS Reader eBooks
Tom’s eTextReader:
http://pws.prserv.net/Fellner/Software/eTR.htm
eBook reader program displays plain text files in a book-like manner.
Ideas for using eBooks in teaching
