Developing integrated and interactive e-books

Goal: The project discussed focused on developing integrated and interactive e-books. These days, e-books are more than just a reformatted version of print textbooks. They are more engaging, encompassing a multitude of media and language enhancing features. In addition, electronic platforms encourage and stimulate more learning activity outside of the classroom.

Ubiquitous devices such as the iPad/Kindle & Net/Ultra Books are becoming the norm rather than the exception. More and more institutions around the world are now either encouraging students to “Bring Their Own Device” or even providing them to ALL incoming freshman students at no cost.

E-Books are more than just a re-formatted version of print textbooks. They are more engaging, encompassing a multitude of media and language enhancing features, such as on demand dictionary, etc. In addition, electronic platforms encourage and stimulate more learning activity outside of the classroom.

Being able to control content and more importantly modify it from semester to semester; year to year at little or no costs is a huge benefit to material developers. Additionally, since there is no publishing costs or timelines to consider, delivery to students is more efficient than traditional text based materials with substantial costs saving for students.

The purpose of the project was to develop a ‘stand alone’ (without the need for internet) integrated student e-textbook for three core English courses offered at Lingnan University.

The e-books incorporated the student text along with embedded interactive comprehension questions, quizzes, and exercises allowing students to check their understanding of the material, in addition to being able to check their answers immediately. Additionally, the project developed widgets to enable students to annotate and highlight written text as well as providing dictionary integration.