Universal Access using eBooks, Readers and Devices
by Gerry Kennedy
| Author: | Gerry Kennedy © March 2011 |
| Software: | eBook Formats, Electronic Publishing Software and Portable Readers & Devices |
| Category: | Inclusive Technology text and media supports |
Download this document as an MS Word .doc file
1. Introduction 
An electronic book (also e-book, E-book, EBook, eBook, digital book) is a text and image-based publication in digital form produced on, published by, and readable on computers or other digital devices. Sometimes the equivalent of a conventional printed book, e-books can also be born digital. The Oxford Dictionary of English defines the e-book as "an electronic version of a printed book," but e-books can and do exist without any printed equivalent. E-books are usually read on dedicated hardware devices known as e-Readers or e-book devices. Personal computers and some mobile phones can also be used to read e-books.
Among the earliest general e-books were those in Project Gutenberg, in 1971. One early e-book implementation was the desktop prototype for a proposed notebook computer, the Dynabook, in the 1970s at PARC: a general-purpose portable personal computer capable of displaying books for reading. [Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-book ]
eBooks are now commonplace and very popular with people who wish to read one or many books, in any location at any time and in any lighting conditions (Note: eInk are difficult to read without a light source). Many titles are free to acquire and are usually download from websites and online libraries. Books can be purchased from Amazon and other commercial agencies, book suppliers and online vendors and also via iTunes. School text books, study guides, journals, magazines, picture books, talking books and even some newspapers can be purchased or subscribed to on many other sites from companies all over the world, in many different languages.
Using computer based software; users can also write, create and design their own content, with text or with photos, drawings, graphic images and illustrations.
2. Background to eBooks, Readers and Devices 
eBooks or electronic texts have been available for many years. In the past students and educators could freely download novels, fiction and nonfiction as well as poetry, quotations and study guides from a number of pioneering web sites. The format was initially text, HTML or later PDF with some early ePublishing formats available. These texts could be opened in Notebook or WordPad (i.e. if text only) and in MS Word and browsers (i.e. if HTML). PDF files could be opened in programs such as Adobe Reader, Foxit Reader and many others. Using text to speech applications or screen reading programs, they could be read back to users and voiced aloud.
With the advent of small, portable devices, people quickly recognised that they could read their preferred or favourite texts not only on their computers but alternatively on hand held portable devices such as PDAs from Palm and HP as well as from other manufacturers.
The first eBooks were text based. With the memory capacity and processing speeds increasing and purchase costs decreasing, devices became more specialised with the advent of dedicated eReaders, such as the Kindle and Sony eReaders. Apps on iPods, iPhones and iPads emerged, eventually competing with other Smart Phones and digital tablet operating systems and models (e.g. Windows and Android). The choice at the moment (in 2011) is quite diverse and models vary in style, size, weight, colour, cost, functionality, features and multimedia options. Ease of use is an important consideration as well as the number of inbuilt features, internal and upgradeable memory capacity, screen quality, font style, size and colour options, flexibility downloading and displaying different publishing formats, online and offline uploading of eBooks and portability. Battery charging and battery life need to be explored as does design and ergonomics.
3. eBook Publishing Formats
Programs such as Plucker (http://www.plkr.org/ ) and more recently Blio are able to create eBooks. Blio eReader (http://www.blio.com/ ) is relatively new (launched in 2010). Books published in Blio have the same layout, fonts, and full-colour images that people enjoy in the print version of their favourite titles.
Another ideal tool is MobiPocket eBook Creator (http://www.mobipocket.com/en/downloadsoft/productdetailscreator.asp MobiPocket eBook Creator is free software for creating eBooks which can be exported to a mobile device. It includes ten applications in one program. Users can create an eBook in a few clicks by adding HTML and image files to their publication. The table of contents Wizard enables users to automatically generate links to the chapters of their eBook, based on smart heading extraction and they can add a personalized cover page to their eBook as well, if desired. Students will enjoy that aspect, I am sure!
Creating an eBook is quite achievable as most file formats such as MS Word or PDF documents can be dragged and dropped into the MobiPocket eBook interface. It is even possible to create a table of contents using hyperlinks to each section/chapter of the eBook. eBooks can be exported and read using a range of mobile devices such as MS Windows, Symbian (e.g. Nokia) and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). They can also be viewed in the eBook Reader which is a free download from the MobiPocket site. The eBook Reader has a number of options for customising reading options such as background and font colour as well as font size.
Jutoh makes it easy to create ebooks in popular formats that users can distribute on many eBook sites, including Amazon’s Kindle and Apple’s iBooks. Users are able to create projects very quickly from existing files using the Project Wizard; or create books from scratch using the built-in styled text editor. It is simply a matter of selecting a book cover design from Jutoh’s templates, or creating one with the built-in cover designer.
Jutoh is fully portable and can even run from a USB drive. It works on all major desktop platforms including MS Windows, Mac OS and Linux and is fast and flexible.
Calibre is open source eBook management software. Despite some minor annoyances, it is a very worthwhile option as an eBook solution. It is flexible and very powerful. Users can use it to import and manage an eBook collection, convert between different formats, synchronize devices, download RSS news and retrieve book covers, ISBN information and ratings from the internet. Calibre is also compatible with the iPhone Stanza application.
Stanza (http://www.lexcycle.com/) is an eBook reader available for iPhones, iPods and iPads. There are also Stanza desktop versions for MS Windows and MacOS.
An online resource is dotEPUB. dotEPUB (http://dotepub.com/) is software ‘in the cloud’ that allows users to convert any webpage into an e-book. For content consumers (i.e. readers), they have developed a bookmarklet (or favlet) for popular web browsers including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari or Opera. Google Chrome users can install the dotEPUB extension in their browser.
For content producers (i.e. editors, authors), they offer a widget. It is a free online resource.
4. Creating Files with Different Formats
One of the most frustrating aspects and area of confusion is the proliferation of different eBook formats. The following are the most common and popular:
| HTML | Hypertext Mark up Language is the predominant mark up language for web pages. HTML is the basic building-blocks of web pages and is written in the form of HTML elements, consisting of tags |
| Portable Document Format (most commonly read by Adobe Reader and other apps) | |
| RTF | Rich Text Format (a common format between word processors) |
| DTB | DAISY format |
| PRC | Palm Resource File often holds a MobiPocket eBook but occasionally holds an eReader eBook |
| AZW | This is the Amazon proprietary format and is very close to the MOBI format sometimes with and sometimes without DRM and is unique to the Amazon Kindle |
| TPZ | Topaz file extension used on Amazon Kindle. Topaz is a collection of glyphs arrange on pages, along with an un-proofed OCR text version. An Amazon proprietary format, used to make older books available quickly, since conversion is essentially automatic from scans of the pages of a book, but it reflows very well. |
| TXT | Text has no formatting applied other than space, paragraph, end of line, new line and tab. It is usable in many e-book devices |
| ePub | Short for Electronic Publication is a free and open e-book standard by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF). Files have the extension .epub. EPUB is designed so that the text display can be optimized for the particular display device used by the reader of the EPUB-formatted book. The format is meant to function as a single format that publishers and conversion houses can use in-house, as well as for distribution and sale. |
| MOBI | MobiPocket format, MobiPocket’s own reading software on most PDA and Smartphones. MobiPocket’s Windows PC software can convert .chm, .doc, .html, .ocf, .pdf, .rtf, and .txt files to this format |
| CHM | Compressed HTML, often used for Windows help files and is popular for distribution of texts and other support materials over the Web |
| ODT | An open standard document format used in OpenOffice.org, Star Office and other word processors |
| MP3 | The most popular music compression format as it is widely used throughout the Internet and plays on almost every portable music player and this format can also be used for some audio books |
Note: There are many other older formats and ones that are proprietary (or just work on one model or brand or eReader).
5. Acquiring eBooks from the Web – Commercial and Free Sites
This can be achieved by purchasing an eBook online and saving it to a computer and transferring to an eReader device, Smart Phone or PDA. Some eReaders and devices are either Wi-Fi or 3G capable. This means that they can download eBooks from sites without the use of a computer based system. Smartphones and iPods/iPads can also be used to download eBooks from sites dedicated to books as well as Apps that run as eBooks.
The same can be said about acquiring free Ebooks. They can be downloaded from a large number of sites and transferred to a device. Acquiring eBooks for iPods, iPads and other devices with Wi-Fi or 3G connectivity means that students can access books anywhere. Having an iTunes account at home or at school may be necessary. Devices that can download using Wi-Fi or 3G are very attractive to some users, espe4cially when travelling.
6. Benefits, Advantages and Disadvantages
One of the main attractions of eBooks is that they can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or wherever students can access the internet. Access to eBooks is quick and convenient; meaning that users can access and use e-books wherever they are and at whatever time they wish. E-books can be accessed remotely, which has clear benefits for distance learners, part time students or people who simply prefer not to go to the campus, University, TAFE, training college to read material.
The eBooks and eBooks platform can be accessed via a range of mobile devices, Notebooks, Laptops, ultra mobile PCs (e.g. Netbooks), Handheld Game consoles, and mobile phones. eBooks can help to overcome issues of physical space in libraries and are easily portable by students as they do not have to carry big or heavy books from one place to another which is especially useful for international and distance learners or those walking or travelling long distances by public transport.
There are many advantages in possessing and using an eBook reader.
- eBooks do not necessarily have to stored on a device but can be purchased or downloaded when required
- Most eBook models are very attractive, mobile and socially acceptable by peers
- An e-book can be offered indefinitely, without ever going "out of print"
- An e-book collection or library takes up little room (some devices can store thousands of texts)
- The weight and device dimensions is fixed with carry cases available for security and maintaining integrity
- Storage capacity can be fixed or external memory card limit can be expanded (on some models)
- An eReader can potentially contain thousands of e-books (limited only by its internal/external storage memory capacity)
- Consume very little power, allowing continuous reading for weeks at time
- Lighting conditions are sometimes not required as some devices are back-lit (i.e. in low light or even total darkness)
- eBook websites can include the ability to translate books into many different languages
- Texts are available in languages not covered by printed translations
- Many readers have the ability to
- display motion
- enlarge or change fonts
- use Text-to-Speech software to read the text aloud for students who struggle with reading, younger students beginning or learning to read, visually impaired, partially sighted, elderly or dyslectic people
- search for key terms
- find definitions
- provide highlighting bookmarking and annotation functions
Apart from the initial purchase cost of a dedicated eReader and other necessary peripherals (e.g. covers, adapters, chargers, USB cables etc) electronic texts are generally cheaper than hard copy books, texts and magazines. Thousands of books are available at no cost from a number of libraries and websites (www.gutenberg.org ).
All fiction from before the year 1900 is in the public domain. E-books can be printed for less than the price of traditional new books using new on-demand book printers.
An eBook can be purchased or borrowed, downloaded, and used immediately. Others can be acquired then added to a library from a computer to a device. Books may need to be purchased in a ‘bricks and mortar’ store or from an online shop, but delivery or out-of-stock issues may preclude immediate access.
In the case of a required text, study guide or user manual, this may be a significant inconvenience.
Other benefits and considerations include:
- The production of eBooks does not consume paper, ink or cardboard
- Compared to hard copy publishing, it is cheaper and easier for authors to self-publish e-books
- Authors and students can write, design, create and even publish their own books at no cost
- Printed books use 3 times more raw materials and 75 times more water to produce
- Recovering a new copy without cost from the distributor should be possible if a title is accidently erased (i.e. lost hard copy books usually require additional purchase cost)
- Depending on possible digital rights management, eBooks can be backed up to recover them in the case of loss or damage
- The distribution of a free eBook copy can stimulate the sales of the printed version
Disadvantages
eBook formats and file formats continue to develop and advance as new technologies emerge and converge. Printed books remain readable for many years. Some eBooks may need to be copied or reversioned to a different or alternate file-type or format over time. Conversely, this can prove to be an advantage, though.
There are numerous proprietary formats that compete and these competing formats can confuse users. HTML, PDF and ePub are the current standards, but are not universal. The lack of a single universal format is an issue. The usefulness, longevity and application of some texts and their availability or readability in the future as a result of the format(s) used at the time of production may need to be considered. The capacity of an eReader model to read different eBook formats is a major consideration.
- Not all books are available as eBooks and is a major concern and issue where compulsory texts are required or where newly published books are not published electronically
- Not all books are available so that non readers, struggling readers and students with learning disabilities are disadvantaged where they are not offered or provided by a school or education department
- Students might use the eBook format for reference purposes rather than reading for pleasure and leisure
- Paper books can be offered as a prize or as a present as a tangible, physical object
- A library of books can provide visual and aesthetic appeal
- E-books cannot provide the physical feel and smell of the cover, paper, and binding of the original printed work
- Authors who publish a physical book often put more effort and time into the work than simply the words on the pages
- The digital nature of e-books makes them non-visible or tangible
- Some models do not offer enlarged or coloured text or background colour, line or word spacing options
- Some models are difficult if not impossible to read at night or in dark areas/rooms
- Books with large pictures (such as Big Books) or diagrams are more inconvenient for viewing and reading (Note: some are now available on iPads and so this restriction may not always be the case).
The shelf life of a printed book exceeds that of an e-book reader, as over time the reader’s battery will drain and require recharging. A book will never turn off and requires no charger or batteries. It might be unusable only if damaged, torn in parts or deteriorate and the ink fade over many decades.
There is no guarantee that electronic copies will last as components can fail, screens can become scratched and parts may fall off with buttons becoming inoperable. Electronic devices do degrade over a period of time and obsolescence is a key factor is usability; user acceptance and other newer technologies take over. Hardware and software become extinct at a constant, predictable rate. E-book readers are more susceptible to damage from being dropped or hit than a print book.
eBook readers may malfunction and data loss can occur due to faults in hardware or software and memory can corrupt. The device or reader must be protected from the elements (i.e. extreme cold, heat, water, etc.). Hard copy printed texts are not susceptible to damage from electromagnetic pulses, surges, impacts, or extreme temperatures.
Less costly devices emerge with increased functionality. The ‘bright shiny object’ syndrome may cause abandonment.
- Documents may get lost in cyberspace.
- The cost of an e-book reader far exceeds that of a single book
- eBooks often cost the same as their equivalent print versions (this will change over time, though)
- Due to the high cost of the initial investment in some form of e-reader, e-books are often unavailable or too costly for many students and schools in some remote, disadvantaged populations or in some countries
- There is no used eBook market or swap shops
- Users will neither be able to recoup some of their costs by selling an unwanted title they have finished
- Students will not be able to buy used copies at significant discounts
- They are a greater target for theft than an individual print book and appealing to those who cannot afford them
- Not only the reader or device is lost, if stolen, but all of the e-books it contains may be lost
- The screen resolutions of reading devices are currently lower than actual printed materials (particularly colour)
- Because of proprietary formats or lack of file support, formatted eBooks may be unusable on certain readers/devices
- A user’s interaction with the reader may cause discomfort (e.g. the glare on the screen or difficulty holding the device)
Feedback and Data Collection
As a diagnostic tool to gauge user interest or interaction, eBook technology can be a real benefit to educators and to those promoting and encouraging reading. eBooks and associated software can track data, times, usage, pages and details about what a student is reading and how often he or she reads. Due to data mining engines and software, the growing amount of data available through Google search engines, MySpace and Facebook is available. A recent phenomenon is that it is far easier to track and record what specific people might be reading by a specific location, region or country. Issues of privacy, solitude, personal and private writing and personal reading are changing.
Environmental Concerns
There are environmental issues that need to be recognised. As old devices become obsolete, there will be larger amounts of toxic waste that are not easily biodegradable. Issues such as working conditions for people in the countries manufacturing them must be debated. The use of metals, compounds and chemicals as well as residues and pollutants in the manufacturing process need to be investigated and how it impacts on the workforce. More privileged users benefit whilst others may suffer short or long term illness or hardship. Developing countries or those who do not adequately protect their workforce will be further disadvantaged.
eBook readers require various toxic substances to produce, are non-biodegradable, and the disposal of their batteries in particular raises environmental concerns.
Refer to: [www.calrecycle.ca.gov/electronics/whatisewaste/ ]
Social Issues
The potential for piracy of e-books is a concern and has been a major issue for publishers and authors who have been very reluctant to distribute their subject matter in digital forms.
These impacts upon copyright issues in education and often impedes teachers and students alike in providing appropriate content in a timely manner.
It also impacts upon those students who require alternate formats, or text that is easily manipulated and reversioned according to their cognitive, learning, study, concentration, organisational, visual and comprehension needs.
7. Commercial and Free eBook Sites 
| Commercial Sites: | |
| Amazon | http://www.amazon.com/ (home of the Kindle eReader) |
| eBook Mall | http://www.ebookmall.com/ebook-club.htm (2500 eBooks – Lifetime Membership fee) |
| Fictionwise | http://www.fictionwise.com/ |
| eBookWise | http://www.ebookwise.com/ |
| Ebrary | http://shop.ebrary.com/home.action: – 20,000 full-text academic library – $5 registration |
| Barnes and Noble | http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ (Home of the Nook Reader) |
| The Book Depository | http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/ (For hard copy books – no delivery fee worldwide) |
Free eBook Sites, Links and Resources:  | |
| Project Gutenberg | www.gutenberg.org – a long time favourite and one of the best sites |
| 100+ Places for Free Books Online | www.techsupportalert.com/content/50-places-free-books-online.htm – over 180 sites listed |
| The Online Books Page | http://digital.library.upenn.edu/books/index.html – Promote and encourages free books |
| Free eBooks | www.e-book.com.au/freebooks.htm Links to free digital libraries in Australia and New Zealand |
| eBooks @ Adelaide | http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/ – Free eBooks from South Australia |
| Baen Library | http://www.baen.com/library/ – Free eBooks – a selection of books by various authors |
| Planet eBooks | http://www.planetebook.com/free-ebooks.asp – Free classics and novels |
| Shelfari | http://www.shelfari.com/ – Is a community-powered encyclopaedia for book lovers. Users can create a virtual bookshelf, discover new books, connect with friends & learn more about favourite books – all for free |
| Many Books | http://www.manybooks.net/ – Free eBooks |
| Audio Books | |
| Books Should Be Free | www.booksshouldbefree.com – Free audio books (also downloaded from iTunes) |
| UDL Editions of eBooks | http://udleditions.cast.org – UDL Editions support and engage all readers |
| Free Audio Books Online | www.techsupportalert.com/content/50-places-free-books-online.htm – Over 50 sites listed |
| Audio Books for Free | www.audiobooksforfree.com – Download MP3, MP4 and DVD audio books |
| Lite2Go | http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go – A free online collection of stories & poems in Mp3 (audio book) format |
| LibriVox | http://librivox.org – Free audio books from the public domain with options for listening |
| Daisy Books | www.daisy.org The DAISY Consortium: talking book libraries to lead the worldwide transition from analogue to digital talking books. DAISY stands for the Digital Accessible Information SYstem |
Children’s Books  | |
| CAST Bookbuilder | http://bookbuilder.cast.org – Create, share, publish, and read digital books to support students according to their individual needs, interests and skills |
| Children’s Story Books Online | www.magickeys.com/books – Online illustrated books for children and young adults |
| Children’s Stories | www.childrenstory.com – Online children’s stories categorised by genre/type |
| Aesop’s Fables Online Collection | www.aesopfables.com – Online collection of Aesop’s Fables, includes over 600 Fables |
| International Children’s Digital Library | http://en.childrenslibrary.org – Extensive collection of stories from around the world |
| Speakaboos | www.speakaboos.com/about_us – Classic children’s books, fairy tales, nursery rhymes |
| Bartleby | www.bartleby.com – Internet publisher of literature, reference and verse & searchable database |
| Read, Write, Think | www.readwritethink.org – A reading resource site to assist and guide educators |
| Literactive | http://www.literactive.com/Home/index.asp – Is a wonderful resource for young readers |
| Books with Signing | |
| Signed Books | http://www.signedstories.com/ – with signed English (UK) and subtitles, music and narration (these books are ideal for students who are deaf or hearing impaired or for educators who wish to promote/teach sign language) |
| At Subscription or at Cost | |
| Bookshare | www.bookshare.org – Free for all US citizens who qualify for membership |
| World Public Library | http://worldlibrary.net – Over 500,000 PDF eBooks in over 100 languages |
| Audible | www.audible.com – Audio books in MP3 format for computer or MP3 player. Users can download individual books or subscribe to monthly downloads |
| eBook Publishing Software | |
| MobiPocket eBook Creator | http://www.mobipocket.com/en/downloadsoft/productdetailscreator.asp |
| Plucker | http://www.plkr.org/ |
| Jutoh | http://www.jutoh.com/ |
| Briss | http://sourceforge.net/projects/briss/ – This project aims to offer a simple cross-platform application for cropping PDF files. A simple user interface lets you define exactly the crop-region by fitting a rectangle on the visually overlaid pages |
| Stanza | http://www.lexcycle.com/desktop – Stanza Desktop is a small utility program to assist in converting books from various formats into ePub |
| CAST Book Builder | http://bookbuilder.cast.org/ – Use this site to create, share, publish, and read digital books that engage and support diverse learners according to their individual needs, interests and skills |
| eBook Reading Software | |
| Blio |  http://www.blio.com/ – Blio is a free eReading application that presents eBooks just like the printed version in full colour |
| Ibis Reader | http://ibisreader.com/ – Is an eBook reader to read ePub books anywhere. This app works best for Smartphones and tablets but users can also read online with just a web browser on a computer |
| FBReader | http://www.fbreader.org/ – FBReader is a free and open source e-book reader for GNU/Linux, Microsoft Windows and other platforms |
| DAISY Reader: Amis | http://www.daisy.org/amis – a free DAISY format reader with a portable version available |
| DAISY Reader: Dorian | http://www.daisy.org/daisypedia/dorina-daisy-reader – A free Firefox browser add-on |
eBook Readers and Devices 
An e-book reader is an electronic device that is designed primarily for the purpose of reading digital books and periodicals and uses e-ink technology to display content to readers. They vary in price due to size, screen size, eInk and colour/ grey scale screens, weight, Wi-Fi and 3G capabilities, eBook format capabilities, storage capacity, storage memory on hard drive and/or memory card expansion, MP3 and music playback, voice recording, navigation features, editing features and battery life.
| eBook Readers – Dedicated Reader Models | |
| Intel Reader | Soon to be released in Australia |
| ClassMate Reader | http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/product/classmate-reader – very popular in schools |
| Sony 7" Reader Daily Edition | 7” built-in Wi-Fi, free 3G wireless access to Reader™ Store |
| Sony Reader Touch Edition | 6" clear touch screen that reads like a real book |
| Sony Reader Pocket Edition | 5” intuitive, clear touch screen, thin and lightweight Reader |
| Amazon – Kindle Wi-Fi | 6”, 3500 book storage, 3 weeks battery life (with Wi-Fi on), TTS |
| Amazon – Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi | 6”, 3500 book storage, 3 weeks battery life (with Wi-Fi on), TTS |
| Amazon – Kindle | 9.7”, 3500 book storage, 2-3 weeks battery life (with Wi-Fi on), TTS |
| Iriver IS2GBJB – White | 6” 2GB Memory, voice recorder and MP3 player, 5 hours battery |
| GHT 7” E-Book Reader – Black | 7” 2GB internal memory, SD card, multi format, MP3 playback, colour screen |
| Hanvon N516 – White | 5” 2GB SD card (up to 32), e-Ink, 100 preloaded eBooks, 8000 page battery life |
| MiGear eBook Reader 7" – Black | Colour, official Adobe DRM license preloaded, built-in 2GB hard drive micro SD card |
| EZ Reader – White | 6” Grey Scale, Wi-Fi, eInk, 2000 book memory, |
| BeBook Models | BeBook Club, BeBook Neo, BeBook One 2010 |
| Barnes & Noble Nook | Nook Colour |
| Comparison Chart | For a comparison of eBook readers, refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-book_readers as it has a very comprehensive chart. Other brands are being sold and the market is constantly changing, so also refer to local web sites and stores or read reviews from the UK – http://www.ebookreadersreview.co.uk/ |
| eBook Reader – Other Devices | |
| Palm PDA models | Palm Pilots (PALM OS), PocketPCs (Windows OS), HP iPAQ, |
| A range of Smartphones | iPhone 3 or 4, Blackberry, HTC Desire, Samsung Wave, Motorola Defy, Sony Ericsson and HP iPAQ |
| A range of Digital Tablets | iPad, HP, HTC, Samsung Galaxy, Archos, Fujitsu, Acer, LG, Motorola, Dell, View Sonic and Coby Kyros models running Apple OS, Android or Windows OS |
| Alternative Electronic Devices
The following are some devices that have been tried by members of this forum and found to be usable.
| |
|  |
| iPad/iPod Touch/iPhone – eBook Reader Apps | |
| Stanza | http://www.lexcycle.com/ |
| vBookz | http://e-bookvine.com/vbookz-an-ipad-ereader-with-text-to-speech-support/ – vBooz is an e-book reader that reads out loud. The vBookz provides access over 30,000 books free of charge |
| DaisyWorm | A DAISY digital talking book playback app for the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch – http://www.guidedogswa.org/daisyworm/#skip-link |
| Pictello | Create talking photo albums and talking books on your iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Pages in Pictello Stories can contain up to five lines of text, a picture and a recorded sound or text-to-speech output, using high-quality digital voices |
| iBooks | http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/ibooks.html |
For more Apps, check out Jim Sprialis’ LiveBinder page at http://livebinders.com/play/play/60957 and also his Delicious account at http://www.delicious.com/sprialis/ipad .
8. Universal Access using Electronic Text
Users can store, carry and access a large number of books on a single computer, memory card, USB and/or external hard drive. eBooks enable students of all abilities to copy and paste pieces of text and images into their own documents. For many students, this can save time, lessen frustration, increase confidence in their creation of and dealings with text and improve efficiency. The amount and accuracy of information is also increased.
Well written and published e-books offer personalised access to text. It certainly benefits all students, but more particularly provides added value to readers with reading and learning disabilities. Therefore the students are catered to as well as promoting leading practice in the schools, colleges and centres where they attend. This change of culture is paramount. Mainstreaming the technology has numerous benefits, for everyone, including the educators and trainers. Learners are accommodated more effectively; the organisation complies more fully with disability legislation and can be an example for other educational institutions.
Digital materials delivered through a learning platform or eLearning Environment can be far more accessible to blind and vision impaired students than hard copy, being more unmanageable and inaccessible. A range of inclusive technologies including screen readers, text-to-speech applications are compatible with technologies including DAISY and JAWS software. Text in eBook formats can be reversioned into alternate formats. The text can be altered to MS Word, large print format, MP3, Braille or DAISY.
Some dyslexic users might discover that eBooks in some formats and require some changes to be made in the visual and graphic settings on some eBook models and systems. It is not a quick fix solution and may present other issues with associated problems and impediments. Research is very important to meet students’ individual needs.
Issues of flexibility with altering and changing the text are vitally important for students with dyslexia. The size and functionality, navigation aspects, location and use of buttons are concerns for students with physical disabilities. The capacity to have actor’s voices read out aloud the content or text-to-speech facilities will be important for students who are blind or vision impaired. DAISY reading software and devices may cater to their needs more adequately. iPads and digital tablets, as they are back lit and have greater global features and functionality and thousands of Apps might be more attractive to students with intellectual disabilities as they can be used as communication devices and for games as well as for other leisure activities. Devices that play MP3 and other music formats will be enjoyed by different audiences and users.
9. Conclusion
This article is a brief discussion into some of the issues involved in creating, sourcing, acquiring, reading and using eBooks on computers, eBook Readers and other devices, including Smart Phones and new emerging technologies. As with all technologies, users need to determine what they wish to achieve and accomplish. How, when and where the device is going to be used, and the intended purpose needs to be investigates and documented. Catering to the individual’s skills, vision needs and reading capacities will help determine the best option. Price is certainly a consideration, but long term use and enjoyment will rely on solid research and trialling a device, if possible.
Resources
- For a very comprehensive comparison of current eBooks refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-book_formats
- Reading Rockets: www.readingrockets.org – is a multimedia project, offering information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help.
- Interesting articles regarding emerging standards eBooks from 2000-2002 are at http://www.planetebook.com/oldnews.asp
- A handy e-Book guidance site – www.techdis.ac.uk/getebooks
- A very useful eBook comparison is at http://www.ebookreadersreview.co.uk/6-inch-ebook-reader-comparison-matrix/ and http://www.ebookreadersreview.co.uk/5-ebook-reader-comparison-matrix/
- For all things to do with eBooks – http://e-bookvine.com/
- Information about DAISY readers – software and devices – http://www.cnib.ca/en/services/products/daisy/players/
- Tar Heel Reader http://tarheelreader.org is a collection of free, easy-to-read, and accessible books on a wide range of topics. The books may be downloaded as slide shows in PowerPoint, Impress, or Flash format. Each book can be voiced aloud online or offline (using PowerTalk – http://fullmeasure.co.uk/powertalk/) and accessed using multiple input devices.
- An excellent Wiki is http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Main_Page and has vast amounts of information, history, technical reading and links to other sites
- JISC TechDis guidance on creating accessible PDF documents – maximising the benefits of the PDF format – www.techdis.ac.uk/accessibilityessentials.
- RNIB online guide – Brief introduction to the world of ebooks: trial, usage, efficacy – www.rnib.org.uk/ebooks
- British Dyslexia Association – www.bdadyslexia.org.uk and Dyslexia Action – www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk
- For local support in Australia for LD students www.helpingchildrenwithdyslexia.com
- Some helpful links and resources are listed on http://www.ldnetwork.net.au/LDNetwork/Helpful_Resources.html
- An insightful and intriguing article re the benefits of using Blio Reader and Jaws is at http://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/Publications/bm/bm11/bm1103/bm110308.htm
Please feel free to share this article with colleagues and especially with students, their parents and families. It is often a complex and daunting exercise to choose between eBook technologies – so look at all of the options before purchase.
Email: specmelb@bigpond.net.au Ph: 03 9894 4826 Mob: 0411 569 840Author: Gerry Kennedy © March 2011