The NC Community College System Conference
eText Initiative
Jimmy L. Council, MBA, CNMT
Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
Hudson, NC
jcouncil@cccti.edu
Description
This presentation highlights the current Nuclear Medicine
Technology e-Text pilot. Discussion includes research in
the electronic delivery of textbook material, hardware
platforms, and student / instructor perspectives. The
Nuclear Medicine Technology program of Caldwell
Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI)
began its use of e-Text as a means of textbook cost
reduction and delivery of content in Spring 2012. Emphasis
is placed on difficulties, accomplishments, and current state
of the project.
Why eTexts
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Economic times
Financial Struggle
Reduced Textbook costs – 30% - 80% ??
Content Delivery – Distance Education
Collaborative Education
Text/content Link
Learning Assessment
Retention
Student Expectations
Going Green
Why eTexts
Textbook Usage
• US PIRG Survey (2011)
– 7 in 10 students have skipped buying a
textbook due to cost
– 81% of students reported being unable to sell
back a textbook due to new edition being
published
– Textbook costs are 26% of tuition at state
universities and 72% of tuition at community
colleges
Other Schools
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Indiana University
Daytona State College
Virginia State
California State University System
Cornell University
University of Minnesota
University of Wisconsin
Others
Publishers / Platforms
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CafeScribe
Vital Source
Pearson eText
Course Smart
Cengage
Pageburst
Flat World Knowledge
Courseload
Nuclear Medicine Pilot
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Dr. David Shockley
– Summer 2011
2011 – 2013 Cohort
Dr. Rand Spiwak
– October 2011
Sliders Purchased
– December 2011
Adobe PDF Text
– Spring 2012
CourseLoad
– Summer 2012
– Fall 2012
VitalSource
– Fall 2012
– Spring 2013
Hardware Functionality
• Online/Offline Access
• Open Device Platform
• More Than a “Kindle”
– Word Processing
– Spread Sheet
– Web Surfing
Platform Comparison
• Physical Design
– Processor Speed
– Browser Functionality
– Book/software Accessibility
– Optional Features
Hardware Platform
• Candidates
•Apple – iPad
•Tablet
•Netbook
•Laptop
•Desktop
Asus Slider - Tablet
Photo: http://usa.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_Pad_Slider_SL101/
Asus Slider – Tablet
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10.74 x 7.1 x .71 Inches
2.1 Pounds
1 GHz Dual Core NVIDIA Tegra 2 CPU
8 Hour Battery
10.1 Inch Display
Asus Slider – Tablet
• Wi-Fi Only Connectivity
• Storage Options
• 16GB
• 32GB
• Android 3.1 Honeycomb Operating
System
• Ports/Interfaces
Adobe PDF
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Cross platform usage
Downloadable
Available offline
Format problems with some devices
1st Survey – Spring 2012
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PDF text
February 2, 2012
Essay/short answer
Not quantifiable
14 Respondents
1st Survey – Spring 2012
• How much do you use your tablet for this class?
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None. I bring my laptop.
All the time.
Every day – on campus and at home
Everyday
A lot, I use it every class and at home for my PowerPoints.
Daily
Two to three times a day.
Constantly
A lot – almost everyday
Every time we meet.
For everything. Slides, book, note taking, internet for questions
Most of the class period, and at home everyday
I use it for the whole class. I download the book and power points on it.
Not much, don’t like it
1st Survey – Spring 2012
• Do you find this device to be helpful with all of
your studies?
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Yes (x 9)
Yes, it is very easy to look up info.
Yes it could be
Yes, it gives you quick and easy access to books and notes without
having to carry a load of notebooks and paper.
– Not really, it mainly just helpful for this class
– No
1st Survey – Spring 2012
• What is your perception of online texts? Is it
easier or more difficult?
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It’s easier to understand and to find more sources.
Easier
Easier
It is easier to access and read. I like having everything in one.
It depends on the class – with this class it is easier with others it could be harder like w/
math.
I find it more mobile
I think it would be a great idea, allowing students to be more attentive to lecture, especially
with PowerPoints, so you can pay attention and not just copy notes all class period.
It’s easier than carrying around 5 different books
It’s ok
About the same
Same as having a book.
Easier, just need to find text that have a digital copy
More difficult
Hard to see OX’s – especially in sunlight - glares
1st Survey – Spring 2012
• Has it enhanced your learning experience?
– Yes, it’s easy to carry, store, and transfer data through cloud base
servers. So you can’t say you forgot the info. Saves Money and time.
Very easy to find info online.
– Yes (x 8)
– Yes!
– Enhanced? Idk It’s nuclear medicine, it’s hard.
– Yes, it makes it easier and more convenient to study.
– It has WiFi – I can search something immediately not have to wait
– No – again, rather have the book.
CourseLoad
• Summer 2012
• Two texts
• Expectations
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70% reduction in the cost of new textbooks
Accessible through any web-enabled device
Note sharing
Real-time analytics
Incorporates multimedia materials into your course
Moodle integration
Print-on-demand
CourseLoad
CourseLoad
• Initial impressions:
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Browser required for access
Unable to use offline with portable devices
Offline usage with Google Chrome plug-in only
Print copy available for one title at approximately 50%
of retail cost
– Weak analytics – new revision soon
– Students were reluctant to share notes and text
highlights
– Moodle integration problematic
2nd Survey – Summer 2012
• Sample size - 11
• Age
– 55% 18 - 25
– 36% 26 – 35
• Gender
– 36% Male
– 64% Female
• Which of the following electronic resources do you
currently access for academic or personal use?
– 100 % Electronic books
– 91% Educational websites
– 82 % Online reference databases
2nd Survey – Summer 2012
• Please indicate which devices your currently own, have
access to, etc.
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100% Smartphone
82% Laptop
55% Desktop (PC or Mac)
36% iPad
• Respond to the following Statements
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100 % I use technology frequently outside of school
100 % I complete at least 75% of class assigned readings
91% I keep my textbooks after the class ends
55% I prefer to read books in print form
55% I prefer to access class materials and textbooks
electronically
2nd Survey – Summer 2012
• If you were given a choice, which textbook
option would you prefer?
– 27% Printed textbook
– 18% Digital or electronic textbook
– 55% Either, depending on price
• Do think electronic books are easy to use?
– 100% Yes
2nd Survey – Summer 2012
• Which eText benefits are most important to you?
– 91% Cost
– 64%
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Weight of books
Ability to search within text
Dictionary and translation access
Instructor annotations
– 55%
• Ability to annotate text
• Ability to share notes with other students
• Sustainability
2nd Survey – Summer 2012
• Did you use the eText offered for this class?
– 91%
– 9%
Yes
No
• Did you find the eText for this class useful?
– 91%
– 9%
Yes
No Opinion
• If you do not prefer using the eText, would a cost
savings compared to printed textbooks make you
reconsider?
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36%
27%
9%
9%
9%
Yes, if the eText was free
Yes, 50% less than the printed textbook
Yes, 25% less than the printed textbook
Yes, 75% less than the printed textbook
No, I prefer printed textbooks regardless of the cost
VitalSource
• Fall 2012
• Student purchased
• VitalSource “Bookshelf”
– Mac®, Windows®,
– iOS and Android Apps
• Online or off
• Print 50 pages at a time
• No analytics
• No note or highlight sharing
VitalSource
3rd Survey – Fall 2012
• English 111 – 400 Respondents
• Health Science – 92 Respondents
– Which benefits are most important to you?
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58%
51%
41%
36%
Cost
Ability to search within text
Weight of books
Dictionary and translation access
Conclusions
• Investigate eText Delivery
Systems
• Pilot Programs
• Provide Student Choices
• Promote State-wide
Collaboration
• Cost ???
Resources
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The Chronicle of Higher Education
– http://chronicle.com/article/The-End-of-the-Textbook-as-We/125044/
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Inside Higher Ed
– http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/09/03/daytona
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Daytona State College
– http://www.daytonastate.edu/etext/index.html
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Campus Technology
– http://campustechnology.com/articles/2011/06/22/get-ready-foretext.aspx
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eTextConsult
– http://www.etextconsult.com/
Resources
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IT Business Edge
– http://www.itbusinessedge.com/cm/community/features/interviews/blog/t
echnology-explodes-on-campus/?cs=42396&page=2
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The Horizon Report
– http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/HR2011.pdf
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New York Times
– http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/business/online-textbooks-aim-tomake-science-leap-from-the-page.html?_r=2&ref=textbooks
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Indiana University
– http://etexts.iu.edu/home.php
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Student PIRGs
– http://www.studentpirgs.org/reports/cover-cover-solution
Resources
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ACSFA college textbook cost study plan proposal
• https://www.wvhepc.org/commission/Textbooks%20Study/ACSFA%
20College%20Textbook%20Cost%20Study%20Plan%20Proposal.
pdf
Net-generation and e-textbooks
• https://www.wvhepc.org/commission/Textbooks%20Study/ACSFA
%20College%20Textbook%20Cost%20Study%20Plan%20Propos
al.pdf
Virginia State Moves to Digital Textbooks in Business Program
• http://campustechnology.com/Articles/2010/09/10/Virginia-StateMoves-to-Digital-Textbooks-in-Business-Program.aspx?Page=1
Format war heats up among publishers of electronic textbooks.
• http://chronicle.com/article/Format-War-Heats-Up-Among/64323/
Resources
• Textbook survey finds low price drives sales of
• http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/2/prweb9224315.htm
• New partnership of Barnes & Noble and Microsoft will promote digital
textbooks
• http://chronicle.com/article/Barnes-NobleMicrosoft/131755/
• E-textbook market remains on course to pass 25% by 2015
• http://www.nextisnow.net/blog/e-textbook-market-remains-on-course-to-pass-25by-2015.html
• Free digital textbooks funded through advertising
• http://campustechnology.com/articles/2012/06/19/free-digital-textbooks-fundedthrough-advertising.aspx
• Western Governors U signs textbook pay-for-performance deal
• http://campustechnology.com/articles/2012/06/11/western-governors-u-signstextbook-pay-for-performance-deal.aspx
Resources
• Textbook alternative
• http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/05/10/university-minnesota-compilesdatabase-peer-reviewed-open-source-textbooks#ixzz1uTh16opu
• ebrary survey suggests student use of ebooks stronger in the UK.
• http://www.libraries.wright.edu/noshelfrequired/2012/05/08/ebrary-surveysuggests-student-use-of-ebooks-stronger-in-the-uk/
• A textbook case of digital disruption
• http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/04/05/a-textbook-case-of-digitaldisruption/?source=edddlftxt0860001
• Apple's new e-textbook platform enters an already crowded field
• http://chronicle.com/article/Apples-New-E-Textbook/130399/
Questions ?
eStudentLearning.com