Can we really add value to teaching and learning by using e-devices?

Nicolene MurdochExecutive Director: Teaching, Learning and QualityMonash South Africa

Teaching and Learning @ Monash

Curriculum by DesignCurriculum reform and renewal, and the redesign of administrative processes to ensure that students and staff experience the best in educational innovation;

Virtual Learning EnvironmentAdapting and connecting enterprise-level technologies to provide staff and students with accessible and engaging experiences in the future of learning;

The Monash PassportHighlighting and recognising student skill development and mobility in curriculum and co-curriculum programs;

Educational ExcellenceStaff education in teaching, grants and awards development, development and monitoring of performance development standards in education,

development of education-focused academic roles.

Student Views

Staff Views

Stress factor ∞

Monash Virtual Learning Environment .

Content repository

Live multi-site classroom software

ePortfolio

6

eDevices

Research ProjectTitle:

The adoption of eBook readers as a tool to enhance MSA’s students teaching and learning experience thereby enriching the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Participants: MSA postgraduate students who are enrolled for their Master or Doctorate dissertations (approved proposals).

Aims of the research• Practicalities of students using e-devices• e-books = cheaper? • Choice of e-device to enhance teaching, learning and research

experience • Implications for Library? E.g. e-book loan management• Copyright restrictions hampering the use of academic e-

books?• Advantages of using e-devices?

Results of Similar StudiesAmerican Council of Learned Societies (ACLS)

handheld e-book readers (Sony ereader and Amazon Kindle 2)– High level of satisfaction with navigating despite the

limitations of formats– Less satisfied with presentation of images and tables– Difficulties with using the search functionsResult: The convenience of portability and access to

downloads did not outweigh the problems of limited functionality when it came to scholarly reading

Results of Similar Studies

Duke University Medical Centre explored the use of e-readers to support clinical medical education. • The Kindles were loaded with medical textbooks and other

relevant material for medical students, residents, and preceptors in clinical settings.

Five features that the participants valued in the clinical setting: portability, searchability, speed, navigation and display.

Results of Similar Studies

Northwest Missouri State University conducted a study involving a textbook assignment on the Sony Reader.• This study could not be completed because students

couldn’t work with their textbooks as quickly and efficiently as they were accustomed to with the print counterparts.

• Not being able to quickly flip and skim pages• Awkward note-taking • The absence of page numbers (Citations)

Electronic Device selected:• iPads for the co-researchers• Amazon Kindles for the

students

Research Instruments:• Reflective essays – regular

submissions• Focus group interviews• Structured questionnaires

MSA Ebook Project

Preliminary Research Findings• Functionality of the kindle

– Small size of the kindle – “fit in handbag”– Good accessibility when purchasing from the

Kindle store, user friendly process– Email access highly beneficial– High contrast & easy to read in dim light– Allows quick reading– Built in search function

Preliminary Research Findings– Built in 3G wireless connectivity

• Poor online capability as the device freezes– Limited web browsing capability – no direct access to

online databases– Difficult when using pdf’s – download to PC, then transfer

to device• Copyright restrictions

– Most of the current library e-resources incompatible with the Kindle

– Differing country download copyright laws

Preliminary Research Findings• Cost

– saving as books are cheaper than the printed equivalent (academic books are up to R100 – R200 cheaper and novels up to R70 cheaper)

– academic articles are expensive• Academic Material

– Discipline specific texts / older texts not always available from Kindle store

– Archiving of articles easier – no need to print the articles– Limited range of scholarly articles available – Can not open multiple books or articles at once– “Block reading” of PDF files

Preliminary Research Findings• Kindle is a fragile device – students can sometimes be harsh• Ebook readers in general seem to be designed for passive

consumption rather than active participation.• Kindle is advantageous but is not a substitute for a PC• An iPad or a similar e-device offers more value for postgraduate

students due to the following:– Excellent e-reader function– Scrolling on the iPad is more user friendly– Processing power that can handle light to medium computing

tasks– Excellent portable internet browsers– Integrated approach to email, searching, reading, note taking

etc

Future of E-readers / Tablets• Later releases... The Kindle Fire has ultra-fast web browsing,

documents in word and pdf, applications, games, touch screen, viewing figures etc.

• University of Adelaide - first year science students free Apple iPads. The science curriculum is based on the device. The objective behind this is to lower textbook costs and improve portability for students.

• iPad 2 features to facilitate remote learning, exploration, and lectures.• Despite some current limitations, the evolution of the tablet and

ebook reader will make it a must have for all future students.

Project Conclusion