How do e-book readers enhance learning opportunities for distance work-based learners?

dc.creator	Gabi Witthaus
dc.creator	Alejandro Armellini
dc.creator	Ming Nie
dc.creator	Kelly Barklamb
dc.date	2011-12-01T00:00:00Z
dc.date.accessioned	2015-07-20T22:45:58Z
dc.date.available	2015-07-20T22:45:58Z
dc.identifier	10.3402/rlt.v19i1.17104
dc.identifier	2156-7069
dc.identifier	2156-7077
dc.identifier	https://doaj.org/article/a5c98f69f7374f9a9727c9bb4a31b24c
dc.identifier.uri	http://evidence.thinkportal.org/handle/123456789/23587
dc.description	We report on the incorporation of e-book readers into the delivery of two distance-taught master's programmes in Occupational Psychology (OP) and one in Education at the University of Leicester, UK. The programmes attract work-based practitioners in OP and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, respectively. Challenges in curriculum delivery included the need for more flexibility in the curricula, better access to essential readings and maximising the benefit of learners' limited study time. As part of a suite of pilot changes to curriculum design and delivery, 28 Sony PRS-505™ e-book readers were pre-loaded with course materials and sent out to students. The evidence suggests that the students' learning experiences improved as a result of four key benefits afforded by the e-book readers: enhanced flexibility in curriculum delivery to accommodate the mobile lifestyle of our learners, improved efficiency in the use of study time, especially short breaks during the working day, new strategies for reading course materials and cost. We discuss the opportunities and limitations associated with the e-book readers used and the challenges encountered in the study.
dc.language	English
dc.relation	http://www.researchinlearningtechnology.net/index.php/rlt/article/view/17104
dc.relation	https://doaj.org/toc/2156-7069
dc.relation	https://doaj.org/toc/2156-7077
dc.rights	CC BY
dc.source	Research in Learning Technology, Vol 19, Iss 1 (2011)
dc.subject	e-book reader
dc.subject	distance learning
dc.subject	work-based learning
dc.subject	m-learning
dc.subject	flexibility
dc.subject	innovation
dc.subject	Education (General)
dc.subject	L7-991
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	DOAJ:Education
dc.subject	DOAJ:Social Sciences
dc.subject	Education (General)
dc.subject	L7-991
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	DOAJ:Education
dc.subject	DOAJ:Social Sciences
dc.subject	Education (General)
dc.subject	L7-991
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	Education (General)
dc.subject	L7-991
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	Education (General)
dc.subject	L7-991
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.title	How do e-book readers enhance learning opportunities for distance work-based learners?
dc.type	article