Dear all
I have summarised the responses regarding giving mobile devices to students pre-loaded with core texts or course materials.
Our project has not yet got underway as we are still writing the project proposal.
Other universities have already experimented and the issues commented on so far are;
* the format of the ebooks and compatibility with the chosen mobile devices (even more of an issue if one gives students the opportunity to download to a device of their own choosing)
* licencing and the need to negotiate individual agreements with publishers
* the product itself (one experiment was discontinued because students apparently sold the e-reader on e-bay)
* netbooks and i-pads may be more useful as internet access offers more options
* staff time required to load texts
* students like - the reduction in the need for printing but dislike the inabilty to highlight, make notes and print PDFs with some older e-readers
* lecturers like - the improved level of background reading by students.
If you want to see more detail see the press releases for
Leeds http://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/895/generation_y_student_doctors_swap_textbooks_for_iphones
Manchester http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/usingthelibrary/elearning/ereaders/
and Princeton http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S26/64/38E35/index.xml
Kind regards
Helen
Helen Williams
Assistant Librarian (supporting Creative Arts, Humanities & Education)
University of the West of England
Frenchay Campus Library
Coldharbour Lane
Bristol
BS16 1QY
0117 32 81543
Email: [log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: A general Library and Information Science list for news and discussion. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Helen Williams
Sent: 04 January 2011 10:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Mobile devices given to students
Dear all
One of our lecturers is considering a pilot project of giving new students an e-book reader pre-loaded with core texts.
Does anyone know of or belong to a university which offers mobile devices to students with access to texts or course materials?
May I ask further questions of those who respond positively?
I will summarise the responses for the list.
Many thanks for your time
Helen
Helen Williams
Assistant Librarian
University of the West of England
Frenchay Campus Library
Coldharbour Lane
Bristol
BS16 1QY
0117 32 81543
Email: [log in to unmask]
|