Abstract
Printed textbooks are often criticized for only ‘transmitting’ knowledge to readers in a linear fashion whereas in e-textbooks, interactivity can be built in; so learners are ‘connected’ with other resources. There are e-tools for learners to communicate with the teacher and their peers, and they can also support individualization in the learning process. Here we will need appropriate design elements in language usage, conceptual organization, spatial arrangement and levels of interactions. Electronic textbook content in various file formats (e.g. web, PDF, e-Pub, audio) can be used in different devices to suit learners’ reading preferences. Open textbooks on the other hand, allow teachers to reuse, revise and remix the content. Linking to a repository of learning assessment items, an open textbook can also provide effective assessment of learning outcomes, an important requirement in Hong Kong schools. The paper first describes how an open textbook system for Hong Kong comes to fruition. It will then discuss in detail the pedagogical, quality assurance and technological considerations in the development of the open textbooks.
Access provided by Autonomous University of Puebla. Download to read the full chapter text
Chapter PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen, N.: A cover to cover solution: how open textbooks are the path to textbook affordability. The Student PIRGs, Chicago (2011)
Apple Daily, News article reporting on ‘publishers organizing expensive marketing/promotional functions for textbooks’ (April 22, 2008)
Belanger, F., Jordan, D.H.: Evaluation and implementation of distance learning: Technologies, tools and techniques. Idea Group, Hersey (2000)
Bliss, T.J., Hilton, J., Wiley, D., Thanos, K.: The cost and quality of open text-books: Perceptions of community college faculty and students. First Monday 18(1) (2012)
Chu, H.: Electronic books: Viewpoints from users and potential users. Library Hi Tech 21(3), 340–346 (2003)
Education Bureau, A parental guide to textbook matters. Curriculum Development Institute: Textbook Committee (2008), http://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/curriculum-development/resource-support/textbook-info/inside-e.pdf (retrieved June 24, 2013)
Education Bureau, Working Group on Textbooks and e-Learning Resources Development (2009), http://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment//en/curriculum-development/resource-support/textbook-info/wg%20final%20report.pdf (retrieved June 24, 2013)
Education Bureau, Hong Kong, Guidelines on Submission of Printed Textbooks for Review. Education Bureau, Hong Kong (2012), http://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/curriculum-development/resource-support/textbook-info/GuidelinesOnSubmissionPrintedTextbooks_201204.pdf
Education Bureau, Hong Kong (Working Group on Textbooks and e-Learning Resources Development), Main Report. Education Bureau, Hong Kong (2009), http://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment//en/curriculum-development/resource-support/textbook-info/wg%20final%20report.pdf
Ehrman, S.C.: Foreword. In: Markwood, R.A., Johnstone, S.M. (eds.) New Path-Ways to a Degree: Technology Opens the College, pp. 1–7. Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, Boulder (1994)
Guess, A.: E-textbook – for real this time? Inside Higher Ed. (2008), http://insidehighered.com/news/2008/01/03ebboks
Gribbons, W.M.: Organization by design: Some implications for structure information. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication 22(1), 57–75 (1992)
Hartley, J.: Applying psychology to text design: A case history. International Forum on Information and Documentation 22(1), 3–10 (1997)
Henke, H.: Consumer survey on e-books. Open e-book at openebook.org (2003), http://www.idpf.org/doc_library/surveys/IPDF_Consumer_Survey_2003.pdf
Legislative Council Panel on Education, Hong Kong, LC Paper No. CB(2)868/09-10(02) (April 4, 2010), http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr09-10/english/panels/ed/papers/ed0208cb2-868-2-e.pdf
Leung, C.M., Yuen, K.S., Li, K.C., Cheung, S.K.S., Tsang, E.Y.M., Wong, A.J.W.: Development of an Open Textbook System for Hong Kong: a Proposal to the Chief Executive’s Community Project List (2012) (unpublished paper)
McGowan, M.K., Stephen, P.R., Bradley, C.W.: Student perceptions of electronic textbook. Issues in Information Systems 10(2), 459–465 (2009)
Nicholas, A.J., Lewis, J.K.: The net generation and e-textbooks. eScholar@Salve Regina (2009), http://escholar.salve.edu/fac_staff_pub/17 (retrieved June 24, 2013)
Simba Information, MBS moves into second phase of e-textbook sales initiative. Educational Marketer (2006)
Smith, B.A.: A quantitative analysis of the impact of e-books format on student acceptance, usage and satisfaction. Doctoral dissertation, Capella University (2008)
Sun, J., Flores, J., Tanguma, J.: E-textbooks and students’ learning experiences. Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education 10(1), 63–77 (2012)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Tsang, E.Y.M., Yuen, K.S., Li, K.C., Cheung, S.K.S. (2013). Designing Open Textbooks for Effective Teaching and Learning. In: Lam, J., Li, K.C., Cheung, S.K.S., Wang, F.L. (eds) Knowledge Sharing through Technology. ICT 2013. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 407. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-45272-7_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-45272-7_5
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-45271-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-45272-7
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)