From the Visual book to the WEB book: the importance of design

Landoni, Monica; Wilson, Ruth; Gibb, Forbes

doi:10.1108/02640470010361169

Cited by 40 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…However, it should be noted that developments in technology are currently improving screen quality. It has also been argued that etextbooks exhibit the potential for complexity, leading to various difficulties associated with usability (Landoni and Gibb, 2000;Catenazzi and Sommaruga, 1994) and some e-textbooks may promise complex added functionality, but actually deliver limited multimedia features (Shiratuddin et al, 2003). It is also necessary to ensure that there is sufficient memory space on computer hard disks both to store the electronic text and run the software (Walton, 2002), which could cause problems in schools where computer equipment is not particularly up-to-date.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can electronic textbooks help children to learn?

Maynard

Cheyne

2005

The Electronic Library

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Purpose -This paper investigates the potential electronic textbooks (e-textbooks) have to augment the learning and education of children.Design/methodology/approach -The study consisted of a total of 60 pupils, split into five groups of 12 participants (six boys and six girls). Each of the five groups were in turn split into two sub-groups of six (three boys, three girls): one sub-group used the printed textbook, while the other used a CD-ROM on a laptop computer. The pupils completed a group test and an individual multiple choice test on information found in the textbooks.Findings -The study showed that the e-textbook was widely accepted by the participants, and motivated group participation. Those using the e-textbook achieved significantly higher test results on average in the group test. Higher (but not significant) average results were achieved by e-textbook users in the individual test. Research limitations/implications -An acknowledged limitation of the study is that the textbooks used for the study were not identical in content. They were equivalent according to subject and recommended age range, but did not contain specifically the same information. Further studies would benefit from making use of an electronic version which is identical, or more similar, to a printed textbook. It would also be worthwhile to investigate the effects of long-term use once the novelty value of the electronic book has subsided.Originality/value -The paper aims to fill the gap in the original literature on the subject of how children relate to and learn from electronic textbooks. The research is of particular interest to teachers, librarians and parents.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can electronic textbooks help children to learn?

Maynard

Cheyne

2005

The Electronic Library

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“…(Juhl, 2001;Wilkinson, 2002;DiBianco & Chapman, 2003) Discussion of the best format for particular types of information, or why publishers would choose to pursue the electronic environment can be found in the Virtual Book and WEB book experiments. (Landoni, Wilson & Gibb, 2000;Wilson, Landoni & Gibb, 2004) Materials currently available electronically are largely the result of transferring print materials to an electronic format, with the occasional inclusion of information that cannot be incorporated in print, such as music. Culp (2002) discusses the new life given to several multiple volume reference sources in chemistry, by a switch to a searchable electronic format.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As pointed out by Culp (2002), "[handbooks] are used for consulting, not reading." This consultative use is referred to as 'reading-to-do' use by Lehto, Zhu and Carpenter, (1995) and is the reason Landoni, Wilson and Gibb (2000) used scientific books for their experiments, which are typically used in this fashion as opposed to being read linearly. Handbooks become inconvenient to use when they are not easily accessible (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For some people, the desire to find the information online outweighs the need to visit the library. (Webster, 2003;Subramanian, 1998;Gray & Langley, 2002;Marcum, 2003;Landoni, Wilson & Gibb, 2000) Lehto, Zhu and Carpenter (1995) demonstrated a user preference for electronic text with online books using hypertext, even for tasks shown to be poorly suited to electronic presentation. For those people, any progress in delivering resources online will be accepted as a positive change.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(Catenazzi & Sommaruga, 1994;Landoni, Wilson & Gibb, 2000;Wilson, Landoni & Gibb, 2004) Combine the added functionality with the advantages gained from one company producing and providing the interface for a collection of electronic handbooks and a model such as Knovel ® appears. This model combines an ability to search any word on any page of a collection of handbooks, familiar page representation via Adobe Acrobat PDF and the ability to select and manipulate data from handbook tables.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The evolution of electronic reference sources

Epps

2005

Library Hi Tech

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PurposeTo provide a historical look at the development of web versions of reference materials and discuss what makes an easy-to-use and useful electronic handbook. Design/methodology/approachElectronic reference materials were limited to handbooks available on the web. Observations and assumptions about usability are tested with an information retrieval test for specific tasks in print and online editions of the same texts. FindingsRecommended adoption of those elements which create a well designed book in combination with robust search capabilities and online presentation result in an easy-to-use and useful electronic reference source. Research limitations/implicationsThe small sample size that was used for testing limits the ability to draw conclusions, and is used only as an indication of the differences between models. A more thorough look at difference between electronic book aggregates, such as ENGnetBASE, Knovel ® and Referex would highlight the best features for electronic reference materials. Practical implicationsAdvantages to particular models for electronic reference publishing are discussed, raising awareness for product evaluation. Areas of development for electronic reference book publishers 2 or providers are identified. Work in these areas would help ensure maximum efficiency through cross title searching via metasearching and data manipulation. Originality/valueThe paper presents results from some human computer interaction studies about electronic books which have been implemented in a web interface, and the positive effects achieved. [ARTICLE BEGINS]The Evolution of Electronic Reference Sources INTRODUCTION The ease with which electronic reference materials can be used is increasing, as development moves beyond a static representation of the print edition and begins exploiting the capabilities of the electronic environment. Presented here is an overview of the history and development of web-based handbooks and what may be driving some of the decisions behind the online options some publishers are offering. Technology has progressed to a point where electronic information is at less of a disadvantage and more materials are becoming available online. (Webster, 2003) User preference seems to be for electronic information whenever they can get it. (Lehto, Zhu & Carpenter, 1995;Marcum, 2003;Gray & Langley, 2002) Development of online materials during the last 8 years, particularly reference materials, compelled the discussion of why people would use an electronic version that appears to take longer to access than the print, and may not be as easy to use. When a resource is available on the desktop it can save a trip to the library, and therefore be perceived as saving time. This article examines why electronic may be preferable in some situations and not others. Discussion is not restricted to locating information online, but includes reading and using the data as well.The literature about electronic resources includes articles discussing user interface and usability, (Tennant, 1999;Nielsen & No...

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