E-reader formats for teaching content

Reading and Learning with Any Device
University Content for E-Books and E-Readers
 
 
Walther Nagler
Computing and Information Services / Division of Social Learning
Graz University of Technology
Graz, Austria
walther.nagler@tugraz.at
 
Martin Ebner
Computing and Information Services / Division of Social Learning
Graz University of Technology
Graz, Austria
martin.ebner@tugraz.at
 
Nikolai Scerbakov
Institute for Information Systems and Computer Media
Graz University of Technology
Graz, Austria
nsherbak@iicm.edu
 
 
 
Abstract: Due to the fact that e-readers and e-books in general are booming stronger than ever their applicability for teaching and learning aspects absolutely need to be focused. Besides important didactical aspects there are a number of product related challenges that had to be taken first when integrating e-books to the university´s workaday life. This paper presents a way to turn teaching content into e-reader readable formats. On base of different raw materials according to their formats a couple of e-book output versions (for HTML, PDF, iPad, EPUB and Mobi usage) are compiled automatically. This development of adequate learning content by the meaning of e-book generation for multiple devices is described detailed as well as its user-friendly implementation into the Learning Management System of Graz University of Technology. Current technological limitations of that process and future aspects are discussed too.