eBooks for learners and teachersAnn Hardingham

http://www.themarysue.com/reading-books-twice/

What are…?

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/40276953/ns/today-holiday_guide/t/e-readers-tablets-what-should-you-buy/

an eBook?

• it is an electronic book!

• it is electronic paper

• it is portable and can contain all of the information

that is published in pBooks (paper books).

What is…?

an eReader?

• it is a device that has been produced

specifically for reading eBooks!

• it has a screen that is referred to as

electronic paper display (EPD)

• the text can be view from different

angles without the image appearing

to fade.

• it is portable

What is…?

http://alive905.com.au/ereaders/

an EPUB?

• to read the information on the eReader the book

needs to be published using specific file formats.

• EPUB stands for electronic publication and has the

ability to act as a fixed file format

• EPUB is one type of format that is widely used by

many eReader devices.

What is…?

Trial groups from:

• Certificate IV Professional Writing & Editing

• Volunteer teachers ranging in computer skills

• Volunteers from Hanover & Common Ground

• IT Department

Who…?

Why…?Use eBooks?

• Learner demands

• Portability

• Study and work commitments

• Flexibility

• Less hassle

• Text manipulation

• Keeping up with trends

Why…?

To get started:

• download the Open Source Software - Calibre.

• set the default settings of your publication

format for your eReader. This can be set to

‘Generic’ if you do not have an eReader

http://calibre-ebook.com/download

How…?

How…?To edit your EPUB further:

• Download Sigil once you have created an ePUB

• Use HTML for editing of the EPUB

http://code.google.com/p/sigil/downloads/list

How…?

Make a word document and:

• Use Heading styles

• Wrapped images

• Make a Table of Contents

Save the document as a webpage

How to…?

Main menu bar of Calibre

This tool allows you to search your filing system for the document to be converted into an eBook.

Select the drop down for ‘Convert individually’ which allows you to edit the metadata individually for the book.

How to…?

How to…?

The response from the learners?"It would be perfect for compressing large documents ..."

"While I prefer the book-as-an-object, epublishing is the future of publishing".

“I want to produce a range of e-books using only teasers, e.g. a page.

Then encourage purchase of the entire book for say .99 cents to get the entire book".

What is…?

From the learners:“To gain familiarity with e-books, maybe all the tasks completed could be compiled

into a finished product of an e-book ... include the Certificate of Attainment.

This would not only be a document of evidence of the successful completion of the

course, it would contain important reference materials, e.g. How to put together a

CV, interview techniques. Being stored on line, it could be shown to prospective

employers”.

“Make a book ... I want to show my drawings”.

From the teachers:“Write the course notes ... Maybe even publish my own book”.

“Put pictures and video instructions to help teach O H & S in the Science Lab”.

Where to now…?

From me:• Extend my skills to insert video into the eBook

• Encourage the use of eBooks for course notes

• Embrace and enjoy emerging technology

And finally…