Promoting a Meaningful Learning Experience with a Born-Digital Interactive e-book and a Digital Teaching Platform

Abstract

The goal of this research was to evaluate the effects of learning mathematics with a born-digital interactive e-book and Digital Teaching Platform (DTP) on various aspects of a meaningful learning experience. DTP is a real-time learning system designed for one-to-one 21 st century environment. To that effect, the learning experience and perceptions of a class of sixth grade students and their teacher were evaluated. Research was conducted using a qualitative-constructivist approach. Twenty two (22) students, who study at one school, were observed and interviewed. These students learn mathematics with an advanced e-book, on the Digital Teaching Platform of "Time to Know". Analysis of the observations and the interviews led to the identification of three themes relating to aspects of learning with a born-digital interactive e-book: (1) Independent learning with collaboration, (2) Aspects of the technological environment and their implications and (3) The role of the teacher. Findings show that learning mathematics with a born-digital interactive e-book is characterized by a sense of relevance, learner involvement, a sense of value for the learner, independent learning with collaboration and a positive learning experience. It seems that learning with an e-book promotes a meaningful learning experience. The teacher perceives her role as the designer and the manager of the learning process. Most of the students think that it is easier to teach with an e-book and say that the teacher is no longer the only source of knowledge. 

Moodle-Based Digital Interactive Book: Student Reflections on the Technology Integrated Blended Class

“…The result of the study echoes what the previous study discussed. A learning environment based on digital interactive books is a natural environment for students who are considered 'digital natives' (Weiss & Bitan, 2018). The interface and content of the digital interactive book somehow also plays an important role as it gained so much attention from the participants of the study.…”