Mobile Learning

Transcription

Mobile Learning

MENUET – Mobile E- Novative Use of
E- learning Technologies
Project No. LLP-LdV/ToI/2008/RO/010
MENUET
Mobile E- Novative Use of E- learning Technologies
WP 1 STUDY
WP 1.1
Study on ICT & E-Learning Concepts
Work package aims:
Study of technological and didactical issues, collection of information, benchmarking, best
practices and success stories from the participating countries on:
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Mobile devices and technologies for learning;
Architectures that support rapid deployment of m-learning environments;
Innovative designs and uses of mobile tools to overcome barriers of learning;
Comparisons of alternative learning designs / methodologies;
Principles and patterns for learner-centred design;
Design of learning activities supported by mobile devices;
Innovative designs of multimedia e-books/e-textbooks supporting m-learning;
Interface designs optimized for small screens or other modes of interaction that fit on
mobile devices;
Techniques for motivating m-learners;
Case studies of mobile teaching and learning;
Surveys of teachers and learners that reveal important didactical trends and
opportunities;
Analysis of the topology of m-learning communities;
Issues of scaling up to reach large numbers of m-learners;
Evaluation of didactical effectiveness of m-learning using Tablet PCs and e-books.
Description of activities:
Collection of materials (product info, articles, surveys, analyses, etc.) and study of up-to-date
technological and didactical issues concerning Tablet PCs and e-books/e-textbooks.
Description of methodological / pedagogical framework (where relevant)
Working methods and techniques:
 desktop search/survey
 meetings with key-experts
 Quality management tools:
 Intermediate assessment report
Description of outputs:
Study and survey results.
MENUET
WP 1 STUDY
WP 1.1
Study on ICT & E-Learning Concepts
E-Learning Technologies
E-Learning Technologies use interactive multimedia (the simultaneous transmission via
computer screens of text, graphics, computer software, animation, video, voice-over and
music in stereo sound, as well as virtual reality worlds). The use of E-Learning Technologies
allows user- interaction with controlling computer software programmes and may be used
effectively in education and training, Sophisticated computer hardware and software are
available for the production of high quality flexible training materials and at low cost.
Interactive teaching materials enhance the learning process; are enjoyable; and, using
wireless networks, may be used anywhere, at any time and by anyone. An individual has the
freedom to learn at one‘s own pace, to select the appropriate level and to pick times for study,
so as to be able to study at work or at home or in travel. The use of this dissemination
medium, if prepared carefully and comprehensively can eliminate the need for face-to-face
workshops, seminars, conferences, site visits and attendance at technical fairs, saving time,
travel and fuels and so also reducing polluting emissions to air.
All the elements involved in the delivery of materials in classroom situations can be
incorporated via video and sound. By making the multimedia package multi-dimensional with
help menus and cross-links, the user may interrogate the system, just as questions are asked
and answered in a classroom situation. The multimedia instructional package never becomes
tired and never retires. Each use is as fresh as the first. An infinite amount of materials and
knowledge can be accessed via the internet.
A Brief History of E-learning
E-Learning Technologies have rapidly entered the educational sector and, as a result, more
and more new learning tools are appearing. These change the way that teachers and
students work and interact thus enabling a more effective learning process.
Historically, educational and corporate training managers have always looked for ways to
reduce the cost and improve the effectiveness of training programs and processes through
the use of technological advances. Prior to 1980, in-class instructor-led training dominated,
although some organisations used mainframe and interactive video approaches. By 1990, the
delivery of PC-based CD-ROM content became possible. Since 1998, Internet-based
approaches (e.g. e-learning) have become the dominant delivery method for creating
fast, scalable, low cost learning and corporate training.
Until now, the implementation of ICT into education has been in the form of desktop or
laptop/notebook computers, local area networks (LANs) and Internet connections and with
learning content in different electronic formats, but still accompanied by traditional paper
books/textbooks.
Those methods usually follow the ―classic‖ form of class-based learning, moving only the
content from the paper book pages on to the computer screen. The participants in the
process (teachers and students) still remain ―tied‖ to the school LAN, which connects them to
the learning content and the school Learning Management System (LMS). The ―classical‖ pen
has been replaced by the keyboard and mouse. But, in most cases, these changes do not
give the freedom that teacher‘s and student‘s ―hands‖ may need, especially teaching and
studying some specific subjects, such as art, drawing, design and architecture. In field studies
and laboratory work, it is difficult to operate easily via a computer, mouse and keyboard even
for notebook owners. .
Evolution of E-Learning Technologies
Multimedia/Internet Courseware
The future of teaching is envisaged as being heavily involved in distance-learning using
multimedia, CD-ROMS, the internet and intranets incorporating video-conferencing and
computer-assisted learning.
The use of E-Learning Technologies throughout educational systems will bring about a major
revolution in teaching world-wide. It is now possible to transmit files throughout the internet
containing all the elements of multimedia: video, animation, text, graphics, stereo sound and
computer software.
Presentations, containing interactive diagrams, pictures, animations, videos and voice-overs
may be viewed anywhere in the world at any time. Multimedia lecture material may thus be
produced and presented exactly as in a lecture room situation, but viewed by millions.
There is therefore the opportunity for huge revenue streams arising from the delivery of
university courses world-wide.
Broadband telephony, internet, email and videoconferencing can be used for two-way
communication between ―lecturers‖ and students. International courses will grow like wild fire
on the internet or via exclusive intranets. Mega-courses will be offered by consortia of
educational organizations and new E-Learning companies.
The immediate challenges facing educational providers are as follows:
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To set up multidisciplinary multimedia studios for e-book course production.
To convert existing courses to multimedia e-book format.
To convert class and lecture rooms to electronic classrooms with stereo sound,
computer-assisted learning and internet connection to in-class projection systems.
To present teaching materials in interactive multimedia formats and to place these on the
internet for delivery world-wide.
To establish exclusive world-wide intranets.
To set up international videoconferencing facilities in the lecture rooms.
To network with key universities and organisations world-wide.
To offer international courses via this facility to in-house students.
To offer international courses via the established network from the multimedia studios to
individuals and groups of students world-wide.
Biblographic Sources
Becta, Emerging Technologies for Education, 2006
Becta, The Becta Review 2006, Evidence on the progress of ICT in education, 2006
EDUCAUSE Center for Educational Research, M-Learning: Emerging Pedagogical and
Campus Issues in the Mobile Learning Environment, 2004
Ellen D. Wagner, Enabling Mobile Learning, EDUCAUSE, 2005
Richard Nantel, How to Determine Your Readiness for Mobile E-Learning, Brandon-Hall,
2001
Holly Behr, Is the Time Right for mLearning?, eLearning Solutions, 2005
KNOWLEDGESTORM, Mobile Wireless Communications Management and Enterprise
Telecommunications Management, 2004
Mobile Learning Pilot Project, HARVESTING FRAGMENTS OF TIME, ISBN 0-07088866-3, 2003
David Webster, Learning About e-Learning, Kookaburra Studios Pty. Ltd., 2005
Norshuhada Shiratuddin, Monica Landoni, Forbes Gibb and Shahizan Hassan, E-Book
Technology and Its Potential Applications in Distance Education, JoDI, 2003
R. Hamilton, C. Richards & C. Sharp, An Examination of E-Learning and E-Books, 2001
Chris Clark, Tablet PC Initiative Briefing, University of Notre Dame, Kaneb Center for
Teaching and Learning, 2003
Mobile Learning
Mobile Learning‖ (m-learning - ―anytime, anyplace learning‖) has evolved with the
introduction of mobile and hand-held devices, such as PDAs, mobile phones, laptops,
notebooks and Tablet PCs, in teaching and learning, together with broadband and wireless
data transmission. This greater connectivity creates opportunities for flexible, collaborative
modes of learning, whilst supporting stronger links between learning at work, in the home, at
school and in the community.
Advantages for learners using portable devices
Spontaneity
Learning activities take place when the learner feels ready, or can be used to fill 'dead time'.
Immediacy
Learning becomes possible at the point of need, regardless of location.
Increased access
Learning resources can be accessed from the workplace and in the field, while traveling, and
during classes and lectures.
Portability
Communication with peers and tutors, and the capture, storage and retrieval of information in
multimedia formats are possible from one device at any location.
Mobile learning:
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allows truly anywhere, anytime, personalised learning
can be used to enliven, or add variety to, conventional lessons or courses
can be used to remove some of the formality which non-traditional learners may find
unattractive or frightening and can make learning fun
can help deliver and support literacy, numeracy and language learning
can help learners and teachers to recognise and build on existing basic literacy skills
which allow young people to communicate in notational form via text messages
facilitates both individual and collaborative learning experiences
enables discrete learning in the sensitive area of literacy
can help to combat resistance to the use of ICT by providing a bridge between mobile
phone literacy and PC literacy
has been observed to help young disconnected learners to remain more focused for
longer periods
can help to raise self-confidence and self-esteem by recognising uncelebrated skills,
enabling non-threatening, personalised learning experiences and enabling peer-topeer learning and support
Mobile learning tools
Installing a wireless network in educational organizations (schools, universities or companies)
is neither an expensive nor a complex process from a technical point of view. Wireless access
to the Internet is already offered in many public areas - traveler terminals, hotels, Internet
cafes, and even on trains.
A great variety of mobile computers and devices are now available. Laptop computers
outnumber desktop and laboratory computers, while notebook computers and cellular
telephones are considered to be most important hardware items.
Advantages of Mobile Learning
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It Is much easier to accommodate several mobile devices than several desktops in a
classroom, as far less space is required.
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Mobile devices holding notes and e-books are lighter, less bulky and easier to carry
than bags full of files, paper and textbooks.
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Mobile devices can be used anywhere, anytime, including at home, on the train and
in hotels - such places are conducive to learning because they cannot be disturbed.
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Mobile devices facilitate electronic registration and inputting data in practical lessons
or outdoors where desktops are not appropriate or too cumbersome (e.g. in science
experiments, kitchens, field trips and on site).
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Mobile devices can accommodate just-in-time learning/reference tools for quick
access to data in the field e.g. accessing step-by-step guidelines to help achieve a
task.
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Students can interact with the teacher and with each other and so conduct shared
assignments and collaborative working, so several students and the teacher can pass
the device around a group, or ―beam‖ the work to each other using the infrared
function of the PDA, or a wireless network such as WiFi or Bluetooth.
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People who may have lost interest in education do enjoy the use of mobile phones,
mp3 players and games devices. If interactive multimedia, music, games and
simulations are incorporated into the teaching/learning materials, then the use of
mobile devices enhance the possibility of engaging learners by making learning a fun
activity.
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Mobile devices may be used as assistive technology for learners with learning
difficulties and/or disabilities.
Disadvantages of Mobile Learning
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There is a lack of a common platform (e.g. different sized screens - horizontal
screens on some handheld computers, small square screens on mobile phones), so it
is difficult to develop content that will work on all mobile devices.
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Mobile devices are more easily lost or stolen than desktop computers and are more
attractive to thieves than paper notes.
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Batteries require regular charging, and data can be lost on some devices if this is not
done correctly.
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Mobile devices can become obsolete very rapidly.
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There are security issues when accessing wireless networks via mobile devices.
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Bandwidth may degrade with a large number of users using wireless networks .
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Teachers may require extra training in order to be able to use the devices effectively
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There are difficulties with printing, unless the device is connected to a network.
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Small screens limit the amount and type of information that can be displayed,
especially on mobile telephones or PDAs, which also have limited storage
capacities.
Bibliographic Sources
How to Make Your Wireless LAN Work: Design for Context, Coverage & Capacity, Motorola,
Inc., 2006
BECTA, Emerging Technologies for Education, 2006
EDUCAUSE Center for Educational Research, M-Learning: Emerging Pedagogical and
Campus Issues in the Mobile Learning Environment, 2004
Ellen D. Wagner, Enabling Mobile Learning, EDUCAUSE, 2005
Richard Nantel, How to Determine Your Readiness for Mobile E-Learning, Brandon-Hall,
2001
Holly Behr, Is the Time Right for mLearning?, eLearning Solutions, 2005
KNOWLEDGESTORM, Mobile Wireless Communications Management and Enterprise
Telecommunications Management, 2004
Mobile Learning Pilot Project, HARVESTING FRAGMENTS OF TIME, ISBN 0-07-088866-3,
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Tablet PCs
A Notebook PC, such as the Acer Aspire One, does not contain a hard disk drive and is thus
far smaller than Laptop PCs. It contains wireless technology and so may connect to the
internet remotely.
Tablet and Notebook PCs incorporate the additional functionality over the capabilities of the
Laptop PC of Enhanced Mobility. Tablet and Notebook PCs are lighter and smaller than
Laptop PCs and may be used in places where it has not been practical to use a PC before,
such as at meetings, whilst standing or walking and in auditorium seats (where insufficient
room is available to open a conventional laptop).
A Tablet PC is a computer shaped in the form of an A4-sized notebook
Types of Tablet PC
There are two main types of Tablet PC available at present, slate and convertible. Within
these two main form factors there are a variety of designs of different sizes and specifications.
Slate or Pure Tablet PCs do not include a keyboard as standard, requiring use of the pen for
all input; however, attachable keyboards and docking stations are typically also available.
Convertible or Hybrid Tablet PCs resemble conventional laptop designs at first glance.
They include integrated keyboards and open and close just like a laptop. However, unlike
laptops, convertibles are dual-function. Their screens swivel or hinge back, folding flat to
create a tablet with the keyboard hidden beneath. Some convertibles allow the keyboard to be
detached completely (HP), allowing use in pure tablet mode.
All convertible tablets feature screen-swivelling (pivoting 180° around their centre and rotating
between portrait and landscape modes). This is useful for presentations or sharing a
computer among a group.
The orientation of Tablet PC screens can be easily changed between portrait and landscape
modes as required; most include a button on the chassis for this. Some convertible models
alter the screen orientation automatically as they are switched between laptop and tablet
modes.
The most popular convertible Tablet PCs are the Acer and Toshiba. The most popular slates
are the Motion, Fujitsu, and HP/Compaq.
Tablet PCs can be linked up to other computers for business use, sometimes using wireless
networking such as Bluetooth or Wireless LAN (also known as WLAN or WiFi). Currently
wireless devices comply with 802.11a/b/g standards.
Tablet PC screen technologies
Tablet PC screens work differently from the touch screens currently used on many Portable
Digital Assistants (PDAs). PDA touch screens are resistive, comprising two conductive layers
separated by a gap and coated with a conductive material. The lower layer is rigid (typically
glass) and the top layer is a flexible plastic film. Thus such screens can be operated using
pressure from almost anything (a stylus, a fingernail, the edge of a credit card) to deform the
top flexible layer so that it touches the rigid bottom layer, defining the position of the point on
the screen.
In contrast, Tablet PC displays are inductive, employing digitisers. A magnetic field above the
surface of the display detects changes caused by the movement of a special pen equipped
with either active or passive circuitry. The pen‘s position can be detected even when it is
hovering just above rather than touching the surface of the screen.
The working parts of the system are mounted behind the screen, making Tablet PCs‘
inductive screens sturdier than resistive systems. Inductive systems also tend to provide a
clearer image with smooth and precise tracking. As the screen only responds to the special
pen, other objects (such as the palm of a hand or a watch strap) that accidentally come into
contact with the screen do not alter the position of the cursor. This allows a user to rest the
hand on the screen when writing, creating a more natural experience. Nothing but a WACOM
pen will move or click on the screen. A disadvantage of this technology is that no input is
possible if the pen is lost. Current Tablet PC models employ digitisers from either WACOM or
FinePoint Innovations. The added expense of the digitisers is one of the reasons for the price
difference between Tablets and conventional notebooks. Currently the digitisers are fitted
after the TFT-LCD displays have been produced. Manufacturers are looking at integrating the
digitisers into the display manufacture process which should help reduce costs.
A user can use a stylus and operate the computer without having to have a keyboard or
mouse.
The diagonal screen sizes vary between 10.4 and 12.1 inches. Moving the stylus over the
screen is equivalent to moving the mouse. Pressing it down replaces a left mouse click, while
a button on the side of the stylus substitutes a right-click.
Digital ink.
The screen of a Tablet PCs records pen movements to create the ―digital ink‖ displayed as
the user writes on the screen
Table PCs have the capabilities of being written on through the use of a pen and a digitizing
tablet and a touch-sensitive screen. Integrated handwriting recognition technology enables
users to create handwritten documents. Handwriting can be saved as an image, converted
into typed text, and some applications, such as Windows Journal, allow the user to save and
search ―digital ink‖ documents.
A Tablet PC offers an alternative to pen and paper, with a more natural and intuitive interface
than a conventional laptop computer with keyboard and mouse. A Tablet PC is easily potable
providing enhanced mobility and ease of use. It is possible to use one effectively while
standing - a bit like an e-clipboard. They have low weight and long battery lives.
Tablet PCs may be used therefore at meetings where social conventions limit the use of a
keyboard or whilst standing or walking when it's impossible to type.
Each ink stroke (or group of strokes) and its associated properties (color, width, author, text
translation, etc.) can be manipulated and stored just like traditional ASCII text. In the past, ink
has been stored only as a bitmap, which severely limited its usefulness. Digital ink allows
programs to use ink for many different things, including ink email, sketching, instant
messaging, games (where the ink becomes a game element), highlighting, program control
(through the use of gestures), annotation, ink chat, creative work, note-taking, traditional text
entry, music creation - and even more uses will appear in the future as the Tablet PC begins
to take hold.
Tablet PCs use handwriting recognition provided by Microsoft's 'Digital Ink' extension to
Windows XP. The success at recognising handwriting varies, and writing styles may need to
be altered to achieve an acceptable level of recognition accuracy.
Symbols drawn with the stylus may be used to execute common commands such as starting
a new paragraph.
It is also possible to instruct half the display to show a QWERTY keyboard - pressing the
stylus over this image allows typing.
Text may therefore be input using the operating system's built-in text recognition, the onscreen (virtual) keyboard, voice-recognition, or a physical keyboard (if available).
Tablet PCs and Innovation
Over recent years, innovation by students, artists, designers and engineers has become
increasingly stymied by the limitations of inputting ideas to a computer via a pc keyboard and
a mouse.
Freeform design has become increasingly impossible.
The uses of charts, such as those needed for refrigeration, psychrometry and air conditioning
designs, and nomograms, such as used in combustion calculations, have become defunct.
The stylus system is excellent for applications such as filling out online forms or drawing with
art programs.
By allowing the user to input drawing using the stylus, the Tablet PC rectifies these defects,
so renewing the possibilities of chart usage and freeform design.
This makes possible the input of drawings, annotated photographs, graphing, diagrams and
networks, such as electrical circuitry, flow charts, Sankey diagrams and plant layouts.
With appropriate software, these inputs might be interpreted via area calculations, network
analyses and technical performance indices.
Tablet PCs in the Classroom
In the traditional lecture delivery mode, instructors usually use chalk and blackboard or they
prepare PowerPoint slides. It is a very time consuming process to prepare learning modules
that are highly mathematics and graphics oriented. Lecture material may consist of text,
pictures, sketches, mathematical symbols and equations It is difficult, if not impossible, to
create this content in digital form using a PC through a mouse and keyboard interface during
a live presentation.
This problem can be solved through the use of a Tablet PC, which offers a more natural user
interface than the keyboard and mouse. The MS Journal program that comes with the Tablet
PCs provides all the necessary tools for controlling the pen movements and the resulting
drawings. The line width and colour can be adjusted through the program menus. It also
provides erasure as well page numbering functions. The author can flip through the pages by
simply pressing on the arrows located at the bottom right corner. The intuitive program
interface emulates a writing pad and it is very easy to use. The hand written text can be
converted to regular typed text through the hand writing recognition program that is part of it.
It is very easy to master the use of this program.
The use of the Tablet PC in the Teaching and Learning Process serves the purpose of the
blackboard without obstructing the student‘s view from the instructor, leading to a better
visibility of the lecture material. Using different colours, the instructor has the choice of
highlighting the lecture material for added emphasis and clarity.
Thus a combination of Tablet PC with a video projection system provides an improved
alternative to a chalk and blackboard. In the presentation method that uses chalk and
blackboard the lecture material is erased after the blackboard is full or at the end of the
lecture session resulting in the loss of lecture material. By using the Tablet PC, the entire
lecture session may be saved in the form of a computer file.
In a teaching environment, a Tablet PC may be used as a replacement for a blackboard to
deliver the lectures. Lecture material may be created during s lecture session by writing on
the tablet PC connected to a video projection system to display the lecture content to the
students attending the class. The lecture files may be saved and placed on a web server for
students to have a complete access to the lecture notes through the course web site.
The lecture material may be supplemented by documents, presentations, spreadsheets and
videos. The Tablet PC may be connected to the internet during the lecture session. Thus
previously prepared course notes may be recalled. Hyperlinks within the course can then link
to the computer files that were created during previous lecture presentations. Outside the
classroom, the course web site can provide access to the class material anywhere on a 24/7
basis.
Tablet PCs in Distance Learning
Standalone courses may be devised for distance-learning purposes and self-assessment. If
appropriately constructed, these courses would not require a lecturer, or indeed a tutor. The
computer can invite feedback from the student and evaluate the responses.
In summary, the Tablet PC can replace expensive electronic blackboards and white boards in
the classroom and may be used for self-learning purposes.
Uses and Benefits of the Tablet PC
Several key applications for the Tablet PC have emerged. These include clipboard
replacement (inventory, form filling, surveys); annotation of documents; non-text input
(equations, drawings, diagrams); collaboration; note taking in meeting and lectures), paper
replacement for knowledge workers/students; data collection (field trips etc); and wireless
connection to projectors for interactive presentations and display.
When used in pure tablet mode, a Tablet PC can be carried and used comfortably in the
crook of an arm by adults and older children. They can also be used standing up, whereas
even an ultraportable computer is primarily designed to be used while seated. This greatly
increases the number of situations and circumstances in which they can be used. As with
laptop computers, the integrated wireless connectivity of Tablet PCs also provides great
freedom of use. They have more subtle advantages too. The use of conventional laptop
computers in certain situations (such as meetings, interviews and classrooms) can create a
―barrier‖ between people. Tablet PCs‘ more natural user interface is less divisive – Tablet PCs
can be laid flat on a table, and can also be passed more easily between people than a laptop
computer.
Whenever an input from the user is required in Microsoft Word, Excel version 2003 or Outlook
or other software, the Tablet PC has tools to convert your handwritten text into typed text. It
also identifies words that may have been recognized incorrectly and gives a list of alternative
words.
The digitiser is also able to recognise gestures made with the pen. Gestures are strokes that
correspond to a limited set of commands. For example a zigzag motion can be used to delete
words in the Tablet Input Panel (TIP).
Stylus pens are much more natural for web browsing - click directly on links etc with the pen
instead of using a mouse
Tablet PC Hardware specifications
Many Tablet PCs are very similar to ultraportable laptop computers in specification,
architecture and size/weight. They incorporate a full operating system (Windows XP Tablet
Edition) and processors, memory and hard disks sufficient to enable them to run standard PC
applications and software. They are fully networkable devices, with the majority including
wired and wireless (WiFi or Bluetooth) network connectivity as standard. Many conventional
laptop features, such as modems, USB ports and expansion slots (PCMCIA, CompactFlash)
are also provided.
Appendix 1 lists the specifications of a selection of Tablet PCs.
Tablet PC Software
Tablet PC Operating system
The Tablet PC comes loaded with a special edition of Microsoft Windows XP Professional
operating system and can run nearly all XP-compatible applications, including applications
designed especially for the Tablet PC.
At first glance the operating system looks very similar to the standard Windows XP
Professional, but there are a number of significant additions:
The Tablet Input Panel
The operating system provides pen support for all applications via the Tablet Input Panel
(TIP). The TIP can be called up whenever the pen is to be used for input even with command
line operations. The TIP has three main input modes writing pad, on-screen keyboard and
write anywhere. Additionally, voice input is supported.
Writing pad
The writing pad is used for entering hand-written text, which can be ―sent‖ (pasted) to a
particular application. It is best suited to entering relatively short amounts of text, filling in
boxes, and Windows operations such as renaming folders.
On-screen keyboard
The on screen keyboard is an image of a full keyboard that is ―pecked‖ with the pen in order
to enter text. This is a slow and tedious input method best suited to situations where
handwriting recognition is likely to fail (uncommon words, symbols) or where accuracy is
essential eg, entering passwords
Write anywhere (not available in Tablet PC Edition 2005)
This is a variation on the writing pad that provides a large, transparent writing window that is
better suited to entering large amounts of text. It hides the Tablet Input Panel and allows
users to write anywhere on the screen. Handwriting is converted into text and pasted into the
application as before.
Voice input
The TIP also allows dictation and voice commands. The commands supported vary with
different applications. Dictation suffers from the same problems associated with other voice
recognition applications such as poor accuracy and the need to train the system to an
individual‘s voice.
Users can call up and adjust settings for the pen using the Tablet and Pen Settings icon on
the Taskbar. This allows users to specify whether they are right- or left handed and to
calibrate the pen to ensure accurate input.
Bundled applications – Sticky Notes and Windows Journal:
Windows XP Tablet Edition includes two new applications as standard – Sticky Notes and
Windows Journal. Sticky Notes is essentially an electronic version of a post-it pad, allowing
users to paste handwritten notes onto applications and the desktop. Windows Journal is a
more powerful tool and is the main note-taking application for current Tablet PC models. On
opening the application the screen resembles a ruled A4 pad of paper. Users can create,
save and search handwritten notes and drawings with the pen, converting their notes to text if
they choose. A ―lasso‖ tool allows users to circle the words or notes they wish to convert to
text. On selecting the convert to text tool a window opens that allows users to check and
amend the converted text if necessary. This text can then be cut and pasted into other
applications. However, Windows Journal recognizes handwriting as text straight away
(regardless of whether the user manually converts their notes to text or not), allowing users to
search through a handwritten document for a particular word or phrase. This always-on
recognition is central to Microsoft‘s ―digital ink‖ concept. Windows Journal supports pressure
sensitivity and includes a variety of different ―pens‖ and ―highlighters‖.
Office files (such as Word documents or PowerPoint presentations) can be imported into
Windows Journal, allowing users to make handwritten notes and comments on top of them.
These notes and comments can then be saved; the document is converted into Windows
Journal format as part of this process. A free Windows Journal Reader (similar to PowerPoint
reader) is available for download from Microsoft. This allows Windows Journal files to be
viewed (but not edited) on computers other than Tablet PCs.
Other Microsoft software applications for Tablet PCs:
OneNote
Microsoft has launched an application called OneNote 2003. Although OneNote also runs on
desktop and laptop computers, it is geared specifically towards Tablet PCs, offering additional
functionality over
Windows Journal. OneNote allows users to capture, organise, search and retrieve typed or
handwritten notes, audio, video, pictures and sketches. In particular, OneNote allows users to
record audio at the same time as taking notes; selecting specific notes subsequently will play
back the portion of audio that was recorded as the notes were written. Audio is recorded in a
compressed format that does not require significant amounts of disk space. Service Pack 1
for OneNote has improved integration with Outlook, offers the ability to insert Office
documents as pictures and has public APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for creation
of third party add-ons.
Microsoft Office
Office 2003 provides full integration with pen and ink input. For example Word documents can
be edited and comments added; PowerPoint slides and Excel spreadsheets can be
annotated; and handwritten messages can be sent in Outlook.
For more information: http://www.microsoft.com/office/editions/prodinfo/tabletpc.mspx
An additional free download pack is available from Microsoft for Office XP. This provides
support for Office XP when used on a Tablet PC.
Windows XP Tablet PC MUI & Recognizer Pack/Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC
Edition 2005 Recognizer Pack
The Recognizer Packs add handwriting recognition support for a variety of languages
including Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Simplified), U.S. English, U.K. English, French,
German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Appendix 4 lists some third party software applications for the Tablet PC.
Links
Tablet PC evaluation:
http://www.becta.org.uk/research/research.cfm?section=1&id=3357
British Educational Communications and technology Agency (BECTA) commissioned The
Open University to conduct a substantial piece of research on the use of Tablet PCs in
schools in the UK.
Case studies/research:
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/connected/connected/ictinpractice/tablettrials.asp
Aberdeen trials of Tablet PCs
http://www.bgfl.org/services/elearn/tabletpc.htm
BGfL trials of tablets
http://www.bgfl.org/services/editaal/projects.htm
Tablet PC trials in 8 Birmingham schools
http://www.rm.com/LEA/CaseStudies/CaseStudyDetail.asp?cref=CS11323
Cornwallis School Kent
http://www.lgfl.net/lgfl/leas/greenwich/schools/millennium/web/projects/intro/
Greenwich Millennium primary school trials
Hull Tablet PC trials
http://www.hgfl.org/hgfl/custom/files_uploaded/uploaded_resources/1613/PDF_version_Table
t_PC's.pdf
East Manchester Educational Action Zone (EAZ) Tablet PC trials
http://www.digital-think.info/eaz.htm
http://www.nitle.org/rsrc_issues_tabletpc.php
National Institute for Technology and Liberal Education (US)
Microsoft links:
Tablet PC home page
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/default.asp
XP expert zone
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/relatedsites.mspx
Resources for education
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/evaluation/bymarket/education/default.mspx
Tablet PC case studies – UK
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/education/resources/schools-case-studies/
Tablet PC case studies - US
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/evaluation/casestudies/default.asp
Downloads: Windows Journal Viewer, Office XP Tablet PC pack & PowerToys for Windows
XP Tablet PC Edition
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/downloads/default.asp
OneNote
http://www.microsoft.com/office/onenote/
Tablet PC Glossary
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/enus/tpcsdk10/lonestar/glossary/tbidxglossary.asp
Tablet PC Manufacturers:
http://www.acer.co.uk
http://www.ergo.co.uk/
http://www.fujitsu-siemens.co.uk/
http://www.hp.com
http://www.motioncomputing.co.uk/
http://www.rm.com
http://www.toshiba.co.uk
http://www.finepointinnovations.com
http://www.wacom-europe.com
Tablet PC Comparisons, News, Reviews and General Information sites:
Microsoft Tablet PC website - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/
TabletPCTalk.com - http://www.tabletpctalk.com/
TabletPCDeveloper.com – http://www.tabletpcdeveloper.com/
TabletPCEvent.com – http://www.tabletpcevent.com/
TabletPCBuzz.com - http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/
TheTabletPC.net - http://thetabletpc.net/
TabletNews.com - http://www.tabletnews.com/
TabletPCLinks.com – http://www.tabletpclinks.com/
TabletPC2.com - http://www.tabletpc2.com/
TabletPCCorner.net - http://www.tabletpccorner.net/
TabletPCLounge.com - http://www.tabletpclounge.com/
Tabletpctraining.com – http://www.leszynski.com/tabletpc/tpcMain.htm
Tablet PC user community - http://www.tabletpchome.com/
Pen computing - http://www.pencomputing.com
Software for Tablet PCs:
http://www.tabletpc2.com/Software.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/partners/software.mspx
More links related to Tablet PC theme:
http://www.tabletpctalk.com/links.shtml
http://www.tabletpc2.com/Links.htm
Biliographic Sources
Becta ICT Research report, Tablet PCs in School, Case study report, 2005
Becta ICT Research report, Tablet PCs in School, A review of literature and selected
projects, 2005
Becta ICT Research report, Handheld Computers (PDAs) in Schools, 2003
Sean McDougall, One tablet or two? Opportunities for change in educational provision in
the next 20 years, 2006
Microsoft in Education, Using Tablet PC: A Guide for Educators
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University Improves Collaborative Hands-on
Learning with Tablet PC Projects, 2003
PC Magazine, Special Tablet PC Edition (Electronic version), Tablet PC: Tips & Tricks,
2005
Jeff Van West, Tablet PC Quick Reference, ISBN 0-7356-1863-1, 2002
How to Make Your Wireless LAN Work: Design for Context, Coverage & Capacity,
Motorola, Inc., 2006
Becta Technical paper, Wireless local area networks (WLAN), 2006
E-Books and E-Textbooks
According to Webopedia (webopedia.com) an electronic book (E-book) is an electronic
version of a paper book.
Many so-called ―E-books‖ are electronic versions of previously published and printed books.
Usually one can download and read on screen an e-book using a free programme, such as
Adobe Reader. The book can be read on the screens of desktop computers, laptops, Tablet
PCs, E-book readers (specialized e-book reading devices), or Personal Digital Assistants
(PDAs). Some software producers offer programs making reading e-books on screen more
like reading a paper book. They feature the ability to ―turn pages‖, as one would with a regular
book. Commercial content brokers (ebrary, netlibrary, Academic Materials) are making a
wealth of digital texts available in this form (mostly for libraries), often with links to
supplementary materials.
E-Book Formats
The e-books available for sale are usually offered in several different formats. In fact, the
proliferation of different -- and mutually incompatible -- e-book formats have been one of the
major inhibitors of more widespread acceptance. While e-books can be created in formats
such as plain text or HTML, which are non-proprietary, universally accessible, and easy to
produce, these formats do not offer much flexibility in terms of display, organization, and
searchability. Nor do they provide for the digital rights management (DRM) publishers
demand.
The formats most used today by commercial e-book providers are Microsoft Reader, Adobe
eBook, and Palm Doc. All provide for rights management and restricted access (although
managed in different ways), and allow for sophisticated formatting and display options. New
font technologies employed by Microsoft Reader (ClearType) and Adobe (CoolType) enhance
considerably the screen legibility of text. However, both are proprietary formats incompatible
with each other and usable only on specific hardware running Microsoft Windows. This is true
as well for other formats such as Gemstar or hiebook. The document type which is most
widely supported across platforms and devices is Palm Doc, which uses a plain text format,
thus limiting display options.
Since 1999 there has been an initiative underway to create a common format for e-book
readers, the "Open eBook publication specification" (OEBPS) created by the Open eBook
Forum, a membership organization consisting mostly of large companies and publishers. The
Open eBook format is based on open standards, namely XML (extensible markup language).
An OEBPS converter for a free hypertext reader, Plucker, has been developed. Plucker is an
e-book (and offline Web) viewer for handheld devices that supports Windows, Macintosh, and
Unix. Production tools for Open eBooks are being developed through LiberGNU, a free
software development project for the Open eBook standard.
One of the challenges for the Open eBook project is rights management; efforts are being
directed toward developing standards that allow the same usage rights for consumers no
matter who is the publisher or software vendor. It will of significant interest to language
teachers and humanities scholars if tools can be developed to enable interchange between
the Open eBook standard and the new XML-based format for the long-running Text Encoding
Initiative (TEI). A large number of language corpora, archival materials, grammars, and
literary texts are encoded in TEI, including texts in 33 different languages. Making selective
TEI texts available as Open eBooks would provide a potentially rich resource for language
learners and researchers.
Many hardware e-book reader products have been marketed (e.g. the Rocket eBook, from
Nuvomedia (www.nuvomedia.com) and the SoftBook (www.softbook.com)). These are small
computers the size of a paperback book with backlit screens that allow a user to read, save,
highlight, bookmark, and annotate text. They can download books from a website, such as
(e.g. barnesandnoble.com).
But any e-book may be read also on a desktop, laptop/notebook or Tablet PC with the
appropriate reading software.
The introduction of the Tablet PC, has sparked renewed interest in electronic texts or ebooks. This new hybrid of laptop computer and the PDA (personal digital assistant), which
features a writing tablet and stylus-based input/navigation, offers compelling advantages for
reading and writing texts, including interesting possibilities for working with non-Roman writing
systems. The addition of wireless networking, integrated into most models, provides intriguing
opportunities for collaborative and classroom use.
Electronic versions of texts have a long history in the digital age. Michael Hart began his
Gutenberg project in 1971, with the goal of creating a widely-available library of texts of all
kinds in plain text format. Similar Gutenberg projects have since been introduced in other
countries, notably in Germany and Australia. Electronic text centers, such as those at the
University of Virginia and Columbia University, have created extensive collections of
electronic texts accessible over the Internet. There have been longterm projects for making
available digitized versions of texts other than English, such as the ARTFL French literature
project or the Perseus classics collection.
In the mid-1990's, the exponential growth of the Internet and the introduction of new formats
and devices for reading texts created media buzz about e-books with predictions of the
imminent demise of the printed page. Subsequently, however, disappointing sales, the
dotcom bust, and the failure of experiments such as Stephen King's serial publication of The
Plant dampened enthusiasm for the promised revolution in publishing.
E-book vendors and apostles, however, continue to tout the supremacy of digital over print
texts, emphasizing the ability to search and annotate, the portability (thousands of texts on a
disk), and the instant access (through downloading). For many consumers these benefits do
not outweigh the major drawback of e-books - the user-friendliness and familiarity of print
when compared with electronic devices. For most people reading a text on paper is always
preferable to reading the same text on a digital display of any kind. The availability of
desirable texts has been another problematic issue. What is widely circulated for free on the
Internet are works in the public domain, not current bestsellers (although bootleg copies
abound). The recent extensions of copyright in the United States and Europe further limit
copyright-free texts. Given the experience of the music industry, publishers have not been
eager to release their lists in digital format, for fear of Napster or Gnutella like distribution of
copyrighted works.
Software companies and e-book vendors have in recent years found ways to restrict usage of
purchased ebooks which satisfy many publishers. As a result, e-book titles of many recent
publications are now offered for sale on amazon.com and Barnes and Noble, both of which
have recently experienced significant growth. Many on-line vendors of e-books have
experienced fast growth in the past years.
E-Book Standards
E-book publishing using e-book readers, both devices and software, are following a different
track. Both think about content as a digital object that is moved from place to place and that
represents something intellectually closely akin to a printed book. One model is to define a
subset of HTML/XML that includes text and some limited multimedia components. The other
model is to use Adobe PDF, which can work at a page image level.
As predicted, standards in e-book publishing have stabilized and it is not hard to translate
existing digital books that are representations of printed books into one of the standard
formats for loading into e-book readers, or to move from one reader format to another.
The Open eBook Forum (OEBF) is established as a leading international trade and standards
organization for the electronic publishing industry – heavily dominated by US publishers and
hardware and software companies including Microsoft and Adobe. OEBF also incorporates
the Electronic Book
eXchange (EBX) System. While the OEB provides a specification for representing the content
of electronic books intended to give content providers and tool providers minimal and
common guidelines which ensure fidelity, accuracy, accessibility and presentation of
electronic content over various electronic book platforms, the EBX System defines the way in
which e-books are distributed from publishers to booksellers and distributors, from
booksellers to consumers, between consumers, and between consumers and libraries.
E-books/E-textbooks in Education
There are many advantages of electronic books in comparison to paper books. First, their
delivery time is immediate – a ‗click‘ away – in contrast to the traditional or electronic delivery
canals. Second, their ‗print run‘ never gets out of print. Yet another advantage of electronic
books is their ‗portability‘. Even the largest electronic books take up little space in the memory
of the portable e-book readers or computers (desktop or portable), and vast libraries and
collections of e-books could be easily transferred over the Internet to different locations
anywhere in the world or be ‗carried‘ by the users.
The option for fast and easy ‗search‘ for specific content, phrase or word is another
advantage without an existing analogue. Inserting hyper links similar to those in the World
Wide Web into the text allows adding to the content interactive (dialogue) functions. The book
content itself could be enriched with multimedia elements – sound, video and animation,
which cannot be accomplished with traditional paper books. Thus e-textbooks can be
created easily including rich multimedia and interactivity (tests, quizzes, simulations,
etc.).
There is no doubt that Tablet PCs and e-books/e-textbooks open a new frontier in the field of
teaching and learning technology today.
For those who don‘t have access to Internet, electronic books could be published on datastorage devices (diskettes, CD-ROMs, etc.) and in this way everyone will have access to
them. It is also very important for the consumer that the production cost of electronic books is
much lower than that of paper ones. And there are no costs for expensive transport to
warehouses/book-shops or trade centres. Here we should mention that electronic books are
‗ecologically sound‘. There‘s no need to cut down trees, to pollute the environment in the
process of paper production and use chemicals in polygraphy for the creation of e-books.
Up to 200 000 standard text pages could be published on one single CD-ROM, which is
eloquent testimony to the fact that huge economies of paper could be made, and
consequently, a great number of trees could be saved from felling.
Another extremely important characteristic of electronic books is that the process of
publishing them accumulates ‗content‘ (textbooks, reference books, tests and etc.) on the
internet, which is the natural basis for proceeding to new educational models such as
distance (non-attendance) training/self-education over the Internet through modern
information and communication technologies.
Internet compiles substantial content and turns into a vast digital library accessible to all
knowledge users. It becomes a place where the scientific and cultural heritage of society
could be gathered and preserved.
E-books offer enormous potential as teaching and learning tools but not merely as electronic
―paper books‖.
The text can be transformed into powerful didactical tools by the addition of :
Hyperlinks to reference works (on-line dictionaries, encyclopedias) and Web sites.
Graphics
Sound – music and voiceovers
Videos
Simulations
Interaction
Quzzes
Games
Computer Assessment
Feedback
The Features of E-Books











Can be read on the computer
Can contain multimedia and hyperlinks
Can receive free updates by the author
Can bookmark relevant websites
Can be specialised for learners with educationally difficulties
Can be purchased cheaply
Can be downloadable in seconds
Can be printed out for hole classes
Can contain tests, assessment tools and assignments.
Can be taken home on diskettes, CDs or memory cards and sticks.
Can combine curriculum with chat forums/discussion groups
The Benefits of E-books













Can save time combining technology and curriculum delivery
Can save time as structured learning is already in place
Can save money
Can make learning more interactive and visual for students
Can save countless hours surfing the Internet
Can access knowledge immediately
Can be reprinted ... endlessly
Can be more proactive with students and parents
Can let students work on material at home doing Internet research
Can give student help and feedback – homework, research, tests, feedback
Can promote working together on a unit with other classes around the world
Can navigate easily
Can allows for creative freedom.
Positive Features of E-Books





Improves on-screen reading experience when compared with lecture notes in paper
format or slide presentations or Web pages.
The possibility of imitating actions used on printed notes, such as highlighting,
bookmarking and annotating, is very useful and helpful.
Accessing links from within the text is very useful.
Compiling an assignment in an e-book format, with a cover and table of contents,
improves presentation.
Students could store their collections of assignments (in the e-book form) in the
personalised digital library provided in the reader, thus saving physical space as well
as increasing the portability.


By the end of their course, many e-books would have been created, thus improving
the electronic authoring experience and promoting self-publishing.
Lecturers' comments (in digitised hand writing form and attached notes) included in
the marked assignment give students a "sense of the lecturer's personal touch" on
their work. In addition, students could read and identify the strengths and
weaknesses of their work, from the lecturer's point of view. This "personalised" touch
is one of the traditional interaction methods in the education environment, but is either
difficult or not possible in other submission-return methods for electronic
assignments.

.Lecturers' responses and comments on students' work are delivered faster via the
Internet.
Negative Features of E-Books

Even though multimedia capabilities are not considered crucial to adult learners, the
need is there, especially when complex concepts are to be explained in distance
education. Currently, e-book technology (i.e. either hardware or software based
readers) has limited multimedia features.

Reading online is still not as comfortable as printed text. But when the new display
technologies (as E-ink Electronic Paper Display technology) come to all portable
devices this may change.
The portability of software-based readers is not as good as for hardware readers, but
Tablet PCs and hardware-based readers are still too expensive for students.

E-Book Authoring Systems
An authoring system is a software package that supports trainers and developers so that they
can produce interactive e-books and multimedia courses efficiently.
Essential components are:

facilities that allow developers, who may not be computer experts, to enter the
training content onto screens in an attractive way

support for linking screens of training material together into modules

support for a range of question types so that the course designers can choose the
most appropriate for a particular situation and provide variety for the student

response analysis that takes the student's answers to questions and provides
feedback and makes branching decisions based on the student responses.
Other features that will usually be provided with differing levels of sophistication are
multimedia support, recording of student and course details and support for the Internet and
intranets.
Some authoring systems are designed to be easy to use by people with limited computer
skills. Others can support users with different levels of computer expertise by having, for
example, a programming or scripting language that the less technically skilled developer may
never need to see. The complete authoring system may be very comprehensive or quite
simple.
Among the popular authoring systems and e-book publishing tools are:
 Macromedia Authorware (http://www.macromedia.com/)
 Macromedia Director
 Macromedia Flash









Macromedia Dreamweaver with CourseBuilder
SumTotal Systems ToolBook (http://www.sumtotalsystems.com/)
DeskTop Author (http://www.desktopauthor.com/)
Hyper Publish (http://www.hyperpublish.com/)
EBooksWriter (http://www.ebookswriter.com/)
eBook Publisher (http://www.ebooktechnologies.com/)
eBook Maestro (http://www.ebookmaestro.com/)
eBookGold (http://www.ebookgold.com/)
Activ E-Book Compiler (http://www.ebookcompiler.com/)
Appendix 3 contains more in-depth information on some popular E-book/E-textbook authoring
systems/tools on the market.
The website for each supplier provides the most up to date information about the specific
products. It is often possible to download an evaluation version of the authoring system or to
order an evaluation CD-ROM.
In this evaluation, it is important to ascertain whether the authoring system allows the
integration of
Hyperlinks
Graphics
Videos
Simulations
Interaction
Quzzes
Games
Computer Assessment
Feedback
In many of these authoring systems, E-Books are created by importing the existing text,
graphics, etc. files, and then compilers automatically generate the pre-defined structure and
the interface of the E-Book. Designing multimedia or hypermedia books normally requires
more steps as it involves more media. In textual e-books (or any other single medium),
designers need only follow guidelines such as using appropriate fonts, making text readable
and considering type styles and colours. For multimedia or hypermedia books, on the other
hand, design considerations are focused on graphics, audio, animation, video, text, as well as
on their combination and required level of interactivity.
Security Levels for E-Books
Publishers of electronic e-books can choose from the different security levels for copyright
protection.
E-books marked [Secure Mobipocket], [Secure Microsoft Reader], [Secure Adobe Reader
6.0.2] or [Secure Palm Reader] are available in that format as an encrypted file. Secure
Mobipocket e-books can be read on PCs or virtually all handheld devices. Secure Microsoft
Reader files can be read on PCs with Microsoft Reader 2.0, or on Pocket PC 2002 handheld
devices. Secure Adobe Reader 6.0.2 files can be read on on PCs or Macs with the Adobe
Reader 6.0.2 software, or on handheld devices running the PalmOS v3.0 or later with the
Adobe Reader 6.0.2 software installed. Secure Palm Reader files can be read on PC or Macs
with the Palm Reader software, or on handheld devices running the PalmOS or Pocket PC
software. These Secure Formats use encryption technology, preventing copying.
Some levels prevent you from using certain Microsoft Reader features, such as copying and
pasting text into other applications. You can use Microsoft Reader to view all of the following
security level e-books:
Sealed E-Books - Sealed books allow you to use all features of Microsoft Reader, while
ensuring the authenticity of content, which means that you cannot modify the text and other
content.
Inscribed E-Books - Inscribed content displays information from the purchaser (for example,
the name of the purchaser) on the cover page. This reinforces honest usage by consumers.
Owner Exclusive E-Books - Publishers provide these e-books with inscribed security plus
an additional encrypted license that requires you to activate your computer for Microsoft
Reader before purchasing and reading these e-books. Publishers prohibit you from copying
and pasting text from Owner Exclusive e-books into other applications. They also prohibit you
from using the Text-to-Speech functionality.
E-books and Digital Rights Management
The Digital Rights Management (DRM) is the description, identification, trading, protection,
monitoring and tracking of all forms of rights usage, which includes all intellectual property
rights (IPR) and not only the rights applicable to permission over digital content. This is a
much more complex and controversial issue for the e-book industry, for three main reasons:


DRM works where it supports the business model, not the other way round.
Business models for trading in e-books, particularly to libraries and institutions, are
not yet tested or mature.

Current DRM systems are not sufficiently developed to handle smoothly the
complexities of, for instance, ―fair use‖ (in the US) and ―fair dealing‖ under license (in
the UK).
Balancing control of e-book content against the need to remain competitive is taking
publishers into unknown territory – and this is particularly relevant to e-textbooks.
If your e-book/e-textbook offering is hedged around with too many rights restrictions, your
competitor‘s may be available on more flexible terms.
E-book Formats and Standards
E-books are available in a wide range of formats, the simplest of which is plain ASCIIstandard text. However, this format is extremely unappealing to read, cannot preserve
formatting and cannot handle graphics.
To solve these problems, the following formats can be used:

Adobe Acrobat's Portable Document Format (PDF) - suitable for richly formatted
documents – academic textbooks, magazines and similar publications. Adobe
proprietary standard

OEB - Open eBook Format, suitable for trade books, simple text and graphics. Open
standard

Microsoft Reader's Literature (LIT). Microsoft‘s wrapper around OEB

ASCII text (TXT) - Project Gutenberg eTextsare based on vanilla ASCII text. Over
3400 titles

Rich Text Format (RTF)

Markup Language (e.g. Hyper Text Markup Language - HTML, Standard Generalised
Markup Language - SGML, eXtensible Markup Language - XML);

Night Kitchen's Tool Kit 3 (TK3). NightKitchen‘sformat, incorporates support for text,
images, sounds and videos. Looks like a Windows application

Software for PDAs such as AportisDoc for Palm Pilots and Pocketbooks, Palm
Reader and Mobi-Reader for Palm Handheld, Handspring Visor, and Window CE
devices, and many more…
The most popular e-book formats today are HTML, PDF and LIT.
There are also E-Book titles marked ―MultiFormat‖.
Ten formats are included for MultiFormat titles:










Adobe Acrobat (PDF) for Macintosh and PCs
Palm DOC (PDB) for Palm compatible devices
Palm iSilo (PDB) for Palm compatible devices
Microsoft Reader (LIT) for PC, Tablet PC and PocketPC devices
Franklin eBookman (FUB) for Franklin eBookMan devices
Hiebook (KML) for Hiebook devices
Mobipocket (PRC) (currently available for Palm, PocketPC, Franklin eBookman
devices, and Symbian-enabled cell phones)
Rocket (RB) for Rocket and REB/1100
eBookwise-1150 (IMP) for the eBookwise-1150 device
REB 1200/GEB 2150 [.IMP] for the REB 1200 and REB 2150 devices.
E-Book Format Capabilities
The chart below shows a comparison between the five major e-book formats.
Web (.html/.xml)
Text
(.txt)
Adobe Acrobat Reader Microsoft
(.pdf)
(.lit)
Reader Palm
(.pdb)
Reader
Portable device
Yes
yes
yes
can be used on your
can be used on laptops
Palm,
PocketPC
or
and PocketPC devices.
laptop
Reader cost
Free download
Free built in
free download
free download
Printing
Yes
yes
while the system has the
ability, most publishers No
block this option.
free
download
(Pro
version approx $15)
no
unlimited, depending on unlimited, depending on unlimited, depending on unlimited, depending on unlimited, depending on
memory size
memory size
memory size
memory size
memory size
1 copy of Tarzan takes 1 copy of Tarzan takes 1 copy of Tarzan takes 1 copy of Tarzan takes 1 copy of Tarzan takes
up: 47 KB
up: 331 KB
up: 238 KB
up: 21 KB
Number of titles that up: 46 KB
can be stored
A 1.44 floppy could hold A 1.44 floppy could hold A 1.44 floppy could hold A 1.44 floppy could hold A 1.44 floppy could hold
2 copies
3 copies
4 copies
6 copies
6 copies
12 copies on a 64 MEG 133 copies on a 64 MEG 13 copies on a 64 MEG 268 copies on a 64 MEG 22 copies on a 64 MEG
card
card
card
card
card
Word/text search?
Yes
yes
yes
Yes
yes
Bookmarking
No
No
Yes
Yes
yes
Highlighting
No
No
Yes (if allowed)
Yes
Yes with Pro version
Note taking
No
No
Yes (if allowed)
Yes
Yes
Text-to-speech
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
with No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
yes
No (only zoom)
Yes
Yes
Display pictures and art Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Draw in eBook
No
No
No
Yes
No
Interactive dictionary
No
No
Yes (if online)
Yes
Yes with pro version
Remember where last
No
stopped
No
No
Yes
Yes
Display
Scroll
Scroll
Page at a time
Page at a time
Page at a time
2 page display
No
No
Yes
No
Yes with Pro version
Synchronized
highlighting
“read” text
Adjustable text size
Note: For more in dept information on e-book formats refer to Appendix 2
Reading Technology
There are basically three ways to read e-books:
 on a dedicated handheld reading device with integrated hardware and software
 on a handheld device (Palm, PocketPC, PDA, etc.) with a software reading application
 on a desktop or laptop computer (incl. Tablet PCs) with a software reading application.
Each of these ways has more than one file format or reading application option and each has
different methods of encryption for the protection of copyrighted material.
E-Book Hardware
The emergence of the e-book has resulted in many companies manufacturing electronic reading
devices (dedicated e-book readers) used for displaying, reading and storing electronic
information. Cybook, Franklin eBookman and Gemstar eBook are some examples of such
devices.
They are targeting a general mass market such as students, academics and individuals. These
machines are produced purposely for reading downloaded electronic content (e-books). They are
lightweight devices aimed at duplicating the familiar experience of reading a paper book, yet
contain electronic-age features to further enhance convenience and enjoyment.
All these devices have one common function in that they are dedicated to reading e-books only,
and are not as sophisticated as personal, handheld computers, Tablet PCs or PDAs.
Appendix 2 contains a comparison of Dedicated e-book hardware reading devices.
E-Book Software
To read e-books on the screen of any PC (incl. Tablet PC) or handheld device, software-based
e-book readers are needed. One advantage of software-based readers is that, in addition to
offering the functions of dedicated readers, they offer extra facilities through a keyboard, mouse
or stylus/pen and larger screen size.
Microsoft Reader, Adobe Reader and Digital Web Book DNL Reader are three examples of such
software.
Microsoft Reader (http://www.microsoft.com/reader/) displays e-books in the LIT file format. (The
".LIT" is for "literature".) These books can be purchased and downloaded from large online
stores, including Amazon.com.
Microsoft Reader is versatile software and can be installed on a standard (Windows) desktop PC,
laptop
or
Tablet
PC
and
on
handheld
devices
such
as
PocketPCs.
Reader uses ClearType technology which is designed to increase the clarity of type on color LCD
screens. For this reason, MS Reader e-books will look better on Tablet PCs than on desktop PCs
using a standard monitor. That is not to say that you can't use Reader with a standard desktop
monitor, MS Reader is just better optimized for the Tablet PC LCD screen.
Among the features of Microsoft Reader are highlighting and doodling/scribbling designed for
quick note-taking, text notes and a search function. Other features also include finding the last
page read, and a library of e-books. Dependent on the book, there can be a cover image and
images throughout the book. The Tablet PC version has an optional plug-in for text-to-speech.
Adobe Reader (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html)
Adobe's PDF is a well-known and popular format for reading documents on a computer screen.
PDF is easy to read and print and is an ideal format for documents on the web or for reading on
your desktop computer. The software to read PDF files is Adobe Reader and is available free for
Windows, Mac and Unix computers. Digital editions (e-books in PDF format) appear just like any
PDF file, with high-fidelity display and rich graphics. You can also take advantage of different
display settings, such as landscape and portrait viewing, to enhance your experience. For
example, the Full Screen setting allows you to see only the digital edition with a black
background, which helps to eliminate other visual distractions. You can use the F8 and F keys to
hide the menu bar and toolbar. You can also use the navigation and view controls at the bottom
of the screen and the Bookmarks tab on the left. You can use Adobe Reader mark up features to
highlight text, search, and make notes in digital editions.
The DNL Reader (http://www.desktopauthor.com/) lets you view e-books in Digital Web Book
DNL format created by the DeskTop Author software. (The ".DNL" is for Dynamic HTML.) Viewing
the Digital Web Books in the DNL format allows very easily navigation of the book content, it also
reduces the file size of the final document hence even less time is spent downloading the Digital
Web Book. The DNL Reader also allows for Digital Web Books to be viewed inside a browser or
as standalone books.
All three readers are available to be downloaded from the respective websites as free programs.
Appendix 2 provides more information on .E-Book software readers.
E-Book/E-textbook Design Issues
General guidelines on-screen appearance of e-books/e-textbooks:















Cover your book
Include a table of contents
Include an index
Provide a search tool
Treat the book as a closed environment
Use hypertext to enhance navigation and facilitate cross-referencing
Design typographical aspects carefully
Use short pages
. Provide content clues
Provide orientation clues
Choose a readable font
Use colour to create a consistent style and aid scannability
Break text into short chunks
Use non-text items with care
Use multimedia and interactive elements to engage users
Hyperlinks
Graphics
Videos
Simulations
Interaction
Quzzes
Games
Computer Assessment
Feedback


Provide bookmarking and annotating functions
Enable customization
SURVEY RESULTS
An extensive internet survey of existing E-Books for educational purposes covering the following
websites found many page turners but with no multimedia.
http://libres.curtin.edu.au/libres12n2/ebooks.htm
http://www.ics.ltsn.ac.uk/pub/conf2001/papers/Shiratuddin%20paper.pdf
http://www.e-learningcentre.co.uk/guide2elearning/2-2/2-2-3.htm
http://www.e-learningcentre.co.uk/articles/makingsense.htm
http://www.learnalberta.ca/sci9pilot/HTML/ScienceInAction9/default.asp
http://iit.ches.ua.edu/peek447/CR.htm
http://www.heron.ac.uk/Presentations/Hull14Nov2001.ppt
http://www.bestforbusiness.com/BusInfo/TrELearning.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/library/science.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/french/lj/taxi/vocabulary/index.shtml
http://jodi.ecs.soton.ac.uk/Articles/v03/i04/Naber/
http://ocw.mit.edu/NR/rdonlyres/Architecture/4-42JFundamentals-of-Energy-inBuildingsFall2003/E59A9D1C-E571-497D-A8FA-DFB8DEE19313/0/442Glickman114.pdf
Whilst the following websites each contain some muiltimedia, mainly hyperlinks, animations,
sound and videos, none contains all the elements of multimedia, viz.
Hyperlinks
Graphics
Videos
Simulations
Interaction
Quzzes
Games
Computer Assessment
Feedback
http://edition.cnn.com/2002/TECH/science/08/30/coolsc.ebooks/index.html
http://www.inno-pro.com/
http://www.andeanwinds.com/andeanwinds/cdengschoolhouse1/cdengschoolhouse.htm
http://www.open.ac.uk/elearning/
http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/music/postgraduatemusic/index.html
http://www.open.ac.uk/elearning/p3_4.shtm
http://www.mediachrome.com/music/index.html
http://www.learnsouthwest.co.uk/Dreamw/media2.htm
http://www.rossiterandco.com/video-price-03.htm
http://www.rossiterandco.com/streamingvideo-intro.htm
http://www.rossiterandco.com/showcase.asp
http://www.rossiterandco.com/flash/main.html http://www.herts.ac.uk/ltdu/technology/what_is_multimedia.html
http://www.seedtech.co.uk/aircon/aircon.htm
http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/quicktime/lightning.html
http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/video/
Discussion and Conclusions
The stark conclusion from this survey is that, whilst the use of E-Books and E-textbooks are
considered to be capable of promoting a major revolution in teaching/learning processes, many
are simply ―paper books‖ in digital form.
The problem is that there is at present no proper infrastructure for the preparation, marketing and
selling of E-textbooks, the market still being entrenched in conventional publishing.
E-textbooks must break the link with printed books and conventional publishing systems, where
an author may get 5% commission on the sales of a paper book.
An e-textbook is not a digitised paper book but an entirely different animal, the best material to
date being supplied by the entertainments industries and not conventional publishing.
Its content must "come alive."
The revolution needs a new type of E-Book which harnesses all the power of the computer in
producing multimedia ―edutainment.‖
An E-book should not follow the form of traditional paper books but must be the dynamic
stage of an electronic theatre or the screen of an interactive cinema.
If the love of music, video, computer games and quizzes can be harnessed to serve didactical
purposes, new and powerful form of education and training will be created.
The three major factors that are slowing the uptake of e-learning in education and life-long
learning are
(1) The inertia to organisational changes required to implement it effectively and efficiently
(2) The lack of exemplary quality multimedia learning resources.
(3) The lack of a unified integrated framework within which to evaluate its pedagogical and
didactical benefits.
Teachers and trainers are not accustomed to producing e-learning materials but sometimes
commission external software engineers to ―translate‖ traditional teaching materials into elearning format.
This dependency must be broken. Teachers and trainers must themselves produce pedagogical
materials in multimedia format, which include
Hyperlinks
Graphics
Videos
Simulations
Interaction
Quzzes
Games
Computer Assessment
Feedback
The survey of E-Books revealed not one example of a successful (i,e, in demand and moneymaking) E-book which contains all these elements. The existing E-Book authoring packages are
clandestime and restrictive, so inhibit creativity and innovation and deter educators from
producing multimedia E-Books.
The MENUET Project will construct a simple E-Book Authoring System that uses only the
commonly available
HTML
WORD
EXCEL
POWERPOINT
JavaScript
VBScript
to produce dynamic E-Books containing
Hyperlinks
Graphics
Videos
Simulations
Interaction
Quzzes
Games
Computer Assessment
Feedback
Links
General information websites
Reader‘s E-Book Primer - http://www.scribesworld.com/EBookPrimer/
Text Library - http://www.textlibrary.com/
eBook Technologies, Inc. - http://www.ebooktechnologies.com/
Project Gutenberg - http://www.gutenberg.org/
Ebookmall.com - http://www.ebookmall.com/
E-Book publishers and booksellers
BarnesandNoble.com - http://www.bn.com
DigitalPulp Publishing – http://www.digitalpulppublishing.com/
eHarlequin.com - www.eharlequin.com/cms/index.jhtml
eLib AB – http://www.elib.se/
Ellora's Cave – http://www.ellorascave.com/
E-Reads – http://www.e-reads.com/
Fictionwise, Inc. – http://www.fictionwise.com/
Hard Shell Word Factory – http://www.hardshell.com/
HarperCollins Publishers – http://www.harpercollins.com/
Houghton Mifflin Company – http://www.hmco.com/
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. – http://www.wiley.com/
McGraw-Hill – http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/
Pearson Education – http://www.pearsoned.com/
Random House – http://www.randomhouse.com/
RosettaBooks LLC – http://www.rosettabooks.com/
Simon & Schuster – http://www.simonsays.com/
Stonehouse Press – http://www.warrenadler.com/
Time Warner Book Group – http://www.twbookmark.com/
Zondervan - http://www.zondervan.com/
Print-on-Demand
Book
Printers
http://www.bookmarket.com/ondemand.html#ebooks
and
Publishers
list
Amazon.com – http://www.amazon.com/
ebookshoppe.com - http://www.ebookshoppe.com/
Electronicbookseller.com - http://www.electronicbookseller.com/
Cyber Read - http://cyberread.com/
Electric Book - http://www.elecbook.com/
E-book libraries
ebrary - http://www.ebrary.com/
NetLibrary - http://www.netlibrary.com/
World eBook Library Consortiay – http://public-library.net/
The Internet Public Library - http://www.ipl.org/
Baen Free Library - www.baen.com/library/
The International Children's Digital Library - http://www.childrenslibrary.org/
DrsCavanaugh E-book Libraries - www.drscavanaugh.org/ebooks/ebook_libraries.htm
Sources of E-Learning news & information
CLO Magazine – http://www.clomedia.com/
eLearn Magazine - http://www.elearnmag.org/
Learning & Training Innovations Magazine - http://www.ltimagazine.com/
Internet Time Group - http://www.internettime.com/
Checkpoint e-learning - http://www.checkpoint-elearning.com/
e-Learning Centre - http://www.e-learningcentre.co.uk/
Resources for m-learning
A discussion forum on Handheld Learning - http://www.handheldlearning.co.uk
Resources for teachers at M-learning - http://www.m-learning.org
-
Get Mobile - http://www.getmobile.org
M-learning projects in the UK
Mobilearn - http://www.mobilearn.org
Learning 2 Go - http://wgfl.wolverhampton.gov.uk/PDASite/index.html
CTAD projects - http://www.m-learning.org/projects.shtml
Mudlarking - http://www.futurelab.org.uk/showcase/mudlarking/mudlarking.htm
Savannah - http://www.futurelab.org.uk/showcase/savannah/savannah.htm
Bibliographic Sources
Robert Godwin-Jones, EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES: E-Books and the Tablet PC, ISSN
104-3501, 2003
Eva Almeida and Glenn F. Dietzel, Master Change the eBook Way: Helping Teachers Save
Time and Effort with eBooks, 2002
Glenn F. Dietzel, BETTER COMMUNICATION THROUGH eBOOK TECHNOLOGY, 2002
Glenn F. Dietzel, THE BENEFITS OF eBOOKS: LEARNING WITH AN ATTITUDE!, 2002
Christopher Dean, Technology Based Training & On-line Learning, An overview of authoring
systems and learning management systems available in the UK, 2002
Adobe Reader 7.0, Frequently Asked Questions for Digital Edition Users, 2005
Michael A. Looney and Mark Sheehan, Digitazing Education: A Primer on eBooks,
EDUCAUSE, 2001
JISC Study report, A STRATEGY AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE FOR ELECTRONIC
TEXTBOOKS IN UK FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION, 2003
Andrew Dillon, Designing Usable Electronic Text, 2nd Edition, CRC Press, 2004
Bill Lockitt, Right tools for the job: evaluating multimedia, flexible and open learning materials,
FEDA, 1
Ruth Wilson and Monica Landoni, EBONI Electronic Textbook Design Guidelines, JISC, 2002
William Horton, Designing Web-Based Training, ISBN 0-471-35614-X, 2000
KnowledgePresenter Professional, Seven Common Layout Mistakes, 2006
Mark Bide & Associates, STANDARDS FOR ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING, A report for the
NEDLIB Project, 2000
Becta, ADVICE FOR INDUSTRY ON DEVELOPING QUALITY DIGITAL CONTENT FOR
SCHOOLS, 2006
Threshold Magazine , TRANSFORMING TEXTBOOKS: A THRESHOLD FORUM, 2005
William M.K. Trochim, The Future of College Textbooks, Syllabus Magazine, 2006
The EDUET Project
The overall project purpose was to develop Art and Skills for Teaching in the m-Learning Era.
Comprehensive guidelines that integrate learning drivers with enabling mobile technologies were
prepared in order to provide a logical framework for promoting and coordinating mobile learning
practices in support of European education and training.
Objectives were

To promote and reinforce the contribution of vocational training to the process of innovation,
with a view to improving competitiveness and entrepreneurship, and also in view of new
employment possibilities.

To improve the skills and competencies of people, especially young people, in initial
vocational training at all levels, with a view to facilitating their integration and reintegration
into the labour market.

To improve the quality of, and access to, continuing vocational training and the lifelong
acquisition of skills and competencies.

To study all relevant didactical concepts and methodologies from the field of mobile learning
based on mobile computer technology as well as cognitive science.

To design and test TWO learning resource models in the form of e-textbooks in language
learning (Business English) and a common European subject (Energy & the Environment) for
colleges, universities and corporate learners.

To ascertain whether the Didactical Use of E-books/E-textbooks and Tablet PCs as Effective
Innovative Delivering Media.
Aim of the EDUET Project
The aim of the EDUET Project was to help educators to introduce Tablet PCs and E-Books/Etextbooks into the learning process to achieve better results. It was targeted to those who develop
e-learning resources (authors and instructional designers), those who plan and manage the
learning process – school and university administrators, company Chief Learning Officers
(CLOs), etc., and those who conduct the learning process - teachers, instructors, lecturers,
trainers, etc. It was targeted to all those professionals in the field of education and corporate
training who wish to use more effectively the features and advantages of the new ICT-based
learning tools. Last, but not least, it was targeted to those final users of the process – students
and self-learners, who can use it to become familiar with these new and effective learning tools
and technologies.
The specific aim of the EDUET project was thus to determine whether the Tablet PC, equipped
with especially designed e-books/e-textbooks, is better suited for educational applications than
any other PC with "conventionally" designed e-learning content.
The chosen design of the E-pedagogy model (the Test Methodology) was "tuned" to the special
added functionality of the Tablet PC as a new learning tool and includeed all the special Tablet
PC "added educational functions/characteristics over and above the capabilities of the Laptop
PC.
It consisted of a project methodology containing the following sequential project processes:

Specifying the Desired Educational Objectives (define performance indicators - process and
output indicators, quantitative and qualitative indicators)

The Design of the Courses for the Tablet PC

Conducting Test Procedures (Design of a Questionnaire to evaluate the Didactical
Functionality (incl. Design) of the new e-content delivering media – Tablet PCs and ecourses/e-books.

Inviting Feedback (from the students and the lecturers to assessing the suitability of the Elearning Tools – the Tablet PC, the courses and the media types contained therein)
(Gathering the data).


Quantitative Analyses (Analysing the data).
Questionnaire Responses – Select Questions


Qualitative Analyses (Analysing the data).
Questionnaire Responses - Open questions

Critical Analyses of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of the learning
activity

Ascertaining the level to which the Educational Objectives had been satisfied (Reporting the
findings).

Suggesting Improvements to the Teaching/learning Activity using Tablet PCs and e-books/etextbooks.
148 students and 25 lecturers were introduced to e-learning technologies using PCs and Tablet
PCs containing two developed multimedia rich e-learning resources in form of e-books/etextbooks in English with integrated interactive knowledge assessment tests:
64.1% of the students involved had not had experience with e-learning before
24.7% of the students involved had some prior experience with e-learning.
11.2% of the students involved were experienced in e-learning
None of the students involved had used a Tablet PC before.
None of the students involved had experienced mobile learning before.
50% of the teachers/tutors involved already used some e-learning elements in their classes, 33%
provided on-line courses and 17% did not use e-learning but planned to do so.
None of the teachers/tutors involved had used a Tablet PC before. None of the teachers/tutors
involved had experienced mobile learning before. Over 80% of the participants learnt to work with
the e-books in less than 10 minutes.
The e-books and the Questionnaires are available at the project website at www.eduet.net.
173 completed questionnaires were collected by the project web site and the responses were
comprehensively analysed.
The interfaces of both books were well accepted by all four user groups. The great majority of
students and trainers (over 60%) agreed or strongly agreed that the book interfaces were easy to
use, the graphic interfaces were clear and aesthetically pleasing, provided interactive
experiences and enhanced the learning experience.
All of the students and teachers/tutors involved in the project considered that the new electronic
didactic technologies: Tablet PCs using e-books and desktop or laptop/notebook PCs using ebooks are clearly preferable to the traditional didactic technologies: paper books and traditional
lectures using a blackboard and chalk (―chalk and talk‖) or a flip chart.
They felt that the e-books and methods of delivery were innovative and that e-learning provided
exciting new possibilities for development.
EDUET Key findings
The key findings emerging from the EDUET project study and survey were that Tablet PC and EBook technology in ―duet‖ provides tremendous pedagogical benefits to students.
Tablet PCs:

for maximum benefit, need to be used in conjunction with a wireless network

need to be introduced in a planned way that takes full account of the organization‘s
vision, as well as of the technical infrastructure, support and staff development, and dayto-day management issues

can increase the amount of ICT use and the degree of integration of ICT in the teaching
and learning process

in some cases can be used effectively to replace desktop PCs and thus free up space in
the classroom

increase motivation, and hence are likely to have a positive impact on learning outcomes

allow support moves to more independent and collaborative study

are more versatile than laptops, although the higher price of Tablet PCs relative to
similarly specified laptops are still prohibitive.

in slate mode are qualitatively different from laptops or other computers and students
relate to them more intimately.

You can decide how to control your Tablet PC – using pen, voice, keyboard or mouse,
but the use of the pen input is a key feature of Tablet PCs.

The pen is a more intuitive and direct physical interface with the PC compared with a
mouse and keyboard (or touch-pad on a laptop). This makes certain software more
accessible, particularly where it involves selecting moving items on the screen, what is
almost impossible with a standard laptop touch-pad, yet very easy with the Tablet PC
pen. Freehand drawing using the pen is also among the key benefits of Tablet PCs,
where no comparison can be made with a mouse and touch-pad on a laptop.

Accelerate your dexterity with the digital pen, Input Panel, and Windows Journal

Save, edit, search, and e-mail your handwritten notes

Add notes and drawings directly into Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft Excel
spreadsheets, and other digital documents

You can annotate Microsoft PowerPoint slides - even as you present them

Go hands-free with voice commands and dictation capabilities

The Tablet PC can maximize your collaboration and interactivity in meetings

Use the Tablet PC with a wireless data projector. This provides a better solution than a
desktop or laptop and hardwired interactive whiteboard. Tablet PC plus data projector
with wireless connection is better and more effective even than an interactive whiteboard
or a laptop plus data projector.

Teacher and students‘ individual notes can be shared by connecting their Tablet PCs to a
data projector, in order to move towards a record that represents a class consensus.

Use of the Tablet PC outside the classroom changes the nature of field trips. The mobility
of the Tablet PCs also helps to transform aspects of the curriculum, changing the way
that teachers and students interact with data and allows analysis to be integrated into
practical (field) sessions rather than being restricted to formal classroom lessons/space.
E-books:

give you portability – they are the ―perfect match‖ with the Tablet PCs. You can carry a
whole library with you. No more heavy text books.

place a great interactivity at your disposal. They bring the following strengths to a
learning situation: linguistic, logical-mathematical, intrapersonal, musical, spatial,
interpersonal and even naturalistic parameters.

give you the possibility to choose and ―tune‖ their appearance: adding colour, changing
font size, etc. - e-book technology allows you to provide some interface specifications
and format your e-book which way you like and for no added monetary increases over
black and white traditional formats. Adding colour and interactivity does not require extra
cost.

sound can be used for several key pedagogical benefits. You can create sound files so
that students can play back the reading as they read a passage of text. You can also use
sound files to give instructions for assignments. Students can play them back to review
them.

hot spots and bookmarking capabilities make navigating an e-book so much easier.

interactive forms increase the involvement of students. Students can use this
enhancement to complete answers from tests and/or assignments and
then email them directly to their teacher(s).


movie clips give you more visual perception. Creating hotspots (hyperlinks) to key movie
clips enhances the pedagogical nature of the e-books.

can be read online and offline. The sections of one's e-book to be read online should be
formatted in the most pedagogically sound way using all the enhancement tools of
software e-book readers. The author can also be as creative as one would like to be.
However, parts of the e-book to be read offline (if any), should be formatted to save
space and hence paper, ink, and photocopying.

versatility is platform-independent creating a "universal language". This universal
language provides a ―special syntax‖. This includes linking capabilities as previously
mentioned where readers are able to navigate instantaneously to other areas of the same
document, different documents, or the Internet. All this with a simple click on the proper
hotspot.

bookmarks and a Table of Contents with each chapter title associated to its source
material by a hotspot facilitate the versatile nature of e-book technology. Bookmarks also
allow someone to see the Table of Contents at all times while reading the e-book, aiding
the navigational process.

updating is easy and requires no added expenses. When compared with the traditional
offline paper counterparts, no expense is accrued to the author. Furthermore, the ability
to make changes quickly and timely creates a "living" document. Buyers of e-books can
get these updated changes virtually in real-time and at no added cost. This feature give
tremendous pedagogical value over traditional print formats, especially in curriculum
areas where knowledge can go out of date in months, days, or even hours!
The ELEVATE Project
Innovation E-Learning Content for the Modernisation of Environmental Education and
VocAtional Training in Europe
LEONARDO DA VINCI Community Vocational Training Action Programme Second phase:
2000-2006
The project designed, developed, tested, evaluated and disseminated new innovative methods,
online tools and multimedia-rich content eContent used for training teachers and VET trainers in
the "environmental" education and training sector. The project team from the UK, Bulgaria, Spain,
Italy and Finland conducted a SURVEY ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, developed
ENVIRONMENTAL E-TRAINING CONTENT (e-book), constructed an ENVIRONMENTAL
DATABASE and conducted PILOT VALORISATION (Dissemination and Exploitation)
EXPERIENCES.
Aims of the ELEVATE Project
The specific aims of the project were to design, develop, testi, evaluate and disseminate new
innovative methods, online tools and multimedia-rich content (eContent) to be used for training
teachers and VET trainers in the "environmental" education and training sector.
To achieve these aims the project team
Conducted a SURVEY ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.
This activity consisted of a Surveys on Global and Local (EU level) Environmental Problems; EU
Environmental Legislation; EU Environmental Standards; European Environmental Education
programmes to aid Sustainable Economic Development (developing appropriate training/learning
materials for environmental assessment and technical environmental auditing).
Developed ENVIRONMENTAL E-TRAINING CONTENT.
This activity developed training materials for Implementing Environmental Standards; Tools for
Technical Environmental Auditing (Energy, Water, Materials and Waste); training in Economics
and Environmental Economics and provides background information for the improvement of
analytical skills. This INNOVATIVE E-LEARNING CONTENT contains e-training materials
integrated with the following on-line database of cost-effective retrofit options.
Constructed an ENVIRONMENTAL DATABASE.
This online database of cost-effective retrofit options was developed covering Energy, Water and
Materials conservation measures, the use of Renewable Systems for Sustainable Economic
Development, Pollution Reduction and Waste Minimisation.
PILOT VALORISATION (Dissemination and Exploitation) EXPERIENCES.
These provided the key to the end-users where the developed package was used to educate and
train energy and environmental personnel in industry, commercial organisations and the public
sector and helped them to construct energy and environmental audits for their sites using the
interactive software developed during the project.
As complimentary aims, the project taught "environmental" teachers and VET trainers to teach
online and supported them using ICT-based learning techniques.
The MENUET Project

One of the main aims/ objectives of the MENUET project is to develop art and skills for
teaching in the m-Learning era. Comprehensive guidelines that integrate learning drivers
with enabling mobile technologies will be prepared in order to provide a logical framework
for promoting and coordinating new m-learning practices, well adapted to the needs of
learners and teachers, all focusing on the European education and training aims.

In this context, MENUET will study relevant didactical concepts and methodologies
developed in the field of mobile learning, computer technologies & applications, will
create and implement an instrument to evaluate the opinions of the specialists in Elearning technologies and together with the results of this project will provide a feed-back
control for national initiatives and policy makers; (interviews, project database, quiz
questionnaires for specialists).

At the same time, MENUET intends to offer a strong support for the dissemination of best
practices in the use of ICT in environmental protection for sustainable development, with
accent on mobile technologies in ODL, classroom learning and blended learning by
bringing together all relevant actors in the concerned sectors.

A particular emphasis will be put on promoting a cost-effective transfer and taking-up of
project results by new users and mainstreaming them to education, training systems and
practices.

At last but not the least MENUET aims to build and to expand content and experiences
gained from the prior project EDUET dealing with vocational training in the sector of
energy management. The resulting product will not be simply a training tool on a specific
topic, but will constitute an integrated training and decision support tool aimed to provide
end users with skills for the management of environment protection.

Therefore, MENUET is designed to be a state of the art system, ready and easily
transposed to different cultural backgrounds, to different geographical areas and adaptive
to different educational levels, easing the access to new technologies and ways to use
them in university to high school environments.
Appendix 1: Tablet PC specifications
Tablet PC 2004 - 2005 quick comparison
(Source: http://www.tabletpctalk.com/faqs/comparison/2004.php)
Name
OEM
Picture
Type
CPU
GHz RAM Disk Disp Disp_Pixels Ports
TravelMate
C301XCi-G
Acer
Convertible Pentium M 1.5
512 40
FireWire, Gigabit
14.1 1024 x 768 (2)USB 2.0, Ethernet,
VGA
802.11g
TC1100
HP Compaq
Both
512 40
firewire,
10.4 1024 x 768 Usb 2.0,
VGA
Pentium M 1
275e
Gateway
256 30
FireWire,
14.1 1024 x 768 (2) USB
2.0, VGA
TravelMate C111
Acer
Convertible Pentium M 1
512 40
FireWire,
10.4 1024 x 768 (2) USB
2.0, VGA
256 20
(4) USB
2.0,
14.1 1024 x 768
Parallel,
VGA
TravelMate 250PE Acer
Convertible Pentium 4 2.2
Networking
Storage
Weight Bat Buy
PC Card,
SmartCard, 6.2
DVD/CDRW
10/100
PC Card,
Ethernet,
Fingerprint
Modem, Wi-Fi Sensor
4.1
PC card
Type II,
10/100
Integrated 4Ethernet,
in-1 Memory 5.7
Modem , Wi-Fi Card
Reader, dvd
rom
10/100
PC Card
Ethernet,
3.2
Type II
Modem, Wi-Fi
(2) PC Card
10/100
Type II,
Ethernet,
Parallel,
8.4
Modem, Wi-Fi,
Infrared,
Infrared
Floppy D
5
.
3
Mobile
Planet
3.5 .
3
.
2.5 .
(2) USB
2.0, VGA
TC1100
HP Compaq
Both
Celeron
0.8
256 30
10.4 1024 x 768
SC-2000
Electrovaya
Both
Pentium M 1.2
256 30
FireWire,
12.1 1024 x 768 (2) USB
2.0, VGA
SC-2010
Electrovaya
Both
Pentium M 1.2
512 40
FireWire,
12.1 1024 x 768 (2) USB
2.0, VGA
Lifebook T3010
Fujitsu
256 40
12.1 1024 x 768
Stylistic ST5000
Fujitsu
Slate
256 20
FireWire,
12.1 1024 x 768 (2) USB
2.0, VGA
275x
Gateway
512 40
FireWire,
14.1 1024 x 768 (2) USB
2.0, VGA
M1300 Power Base
Motion
Computing
Slate
256 20
FireWire,
12.1 1024 x 768 (2) USB
2.0, VGA
Pentium M 1
Pentium M 1
(2) USB,
VGA
10/100
Type III
Ethernet,
Cardbus PC
Modem, Wi-Fi,
4
Card, SD
option
slot
802.11g
10/100
PC Card,
Ethernet,
Fingerprint 4.1
Modem, Wi-Fi,
Sensor
FIR
10/100
PC Card,
Ethernet,
Fingerprint 4.1
Modem, Wi-Fi,
Sensor
FIR
10/100
(2) PC Card
Ethernet,
Type II
4.18
Modem, Wi-Fi, (stacked),
FIR
Smart Card
Gigabit
PC Card
Ethernet,
Type II,
Modem, Wi-Fi SD/Memory 3.4
or 802.11abg, Stick reader,
FIR
SmartCard
PC card
Type II,
10/100
in-1 Memory 5.7
Modem , Wi-Fi Card
Reader,
dvd/cdrw
10/100
Ethernet,
PC Card
3
Modem , Wi-Fi Type II
or 802.11g
3
Mobile
Planet
Mobile
Planet
Mobile
Planet
4.5 .
5
.
3.5 .
3.8 .
512 60
FireWire,
14.1 1024 x 768 (2) USB
2.0, VGA
M1300 Mainstream Motion
Base
Computing
Slate
0.8
256 20
FireWire,
12.1 1024 x 768 (2) USB
2.0, VGA
Actius TN10W
Sharp
256 30
FireWire,
12.1 1024 x 768 (2) USB
2.0, VGA
Protégé
M200/M205
Toshiba
256 40
12.1 1400 x 1050
275xl
Gateway
Celeron
(2) USB
2.0, VGA
V1250
Viewsonic
256 30
FireWire
6pin, (2)
12.1 1024 x 768
USB 2.0,
VGA
eXaro II
Viglen
Slate
512 20
FireWire,
12.1 1024 x 768 (2) USB
2.0, VGA
256 30
FireWire
6pin, (2)
12.1 1024 x 768
USB 2.0,
VGA
V1250S
Viewsonic
Pentium M 1.2
PC card
Type II,
10/100
in-1 Memory 5.7
Modem , Wi-Fi Card
Reader,
dvd/cdrw
10/100
Ethernet,
PC Card
3
Modem , Wi-Fi Type II
or 802.11g
PC Card
10/100
Type II,
Ethernet,
Compact
4.2
Modem, Wi-Fi Flash Card
Type II
10/100
Ethernet,
PC Card
Modem, Wi-Fi Type I, SD 4.4
or 802.11g,
slot
FIR
PC Card
10/100
Type II,
Ethernet,
3.
SD/MMC/M
Modem, Wi-Fi
S
10/100
Ethernet,
PC Card
Modem,
Type II, mini 3.08
802.11ab or PCI slot
802.11abg, IR
10/100
PC Card
Ethernet,
Type II,
3.
Modem,
SD/MMC/M
802.11g
S
3.5 .
3.8 .
5
.
4.3
Mobile
Planet
3
Mobile
Planet
3
.
3
-
FireWire,
14.1 1024 x 768 (2) USB
2.0, VGA
FireWire,
14.1 1024 x 768 (2) USB
2.0, VGA
PC Card,
SmartCard, 6.2
DVD/CDRW
PC Card,
SmartCard, 6.2
DVD/CDRW
256 40
12.1
PC Card
Type II, SD 3.85
slot
5.3 .
Transmeta
Crusoe
0.8
5800
256 40
8.4
4 in 1 Card
2.6
Reader
3
Pentium M 1.1
256 20
12.1
PC Card
Type II
3.8 .
Averatec
AMD Athlon
Convertible XP-M
1.8
2200+
512 60
12.1
SC-2100
Electrovaya
Both
Pentium M 1.3
256 40
12.1
i213
Sahara
Slate
Pentium M 1.3
256 40
12.1
TravelMate
C302XMiG
Acer
1024 60
TravelMate
C301XCi
Acer
512 40
LT20
LG
Electronics
EZ30D
HugeBee
Slate
M1400 Centrino
Motion
Computing
Slate
C3500
Gigabit
Ethernet,
802.11g
Gigabit
Ethernet, WiFi
10/100
FireWire,
Ethernet,
1024 x 768 (3) USB
Modem ,
2.0, VGA
802.11b
(2) USB
10/100
2.0, VGA, Ethernet,
800 x 600
Digital
Modem ,
Camera
802.11b
10/100
FireWire,
Ethernet,
(2) USB
1024 x 768
Modem ,
2.0, VGA,
802.11g,
Fingerprint
Bluetooth
(4) USB
10/100
2.0, VGA, Ethernet,
1024 x 768
SVideo, TV Modem ,
Out
802.11g
10/100
FireWire,
Ethernet,
1024 x 768 (2) USB
Modem,
2.0, VGA
802.11g, FIR
(2) USB
10/100
2.0,
Ethernet,
1024 x 768
FireWire, 802.11b/g,
VGA,
Modem
3
DVD+CDRW, PC
5.5
Card Type II
PC Card,
Fingerprint
Sensor
5
.
5
.
3
.
.
3.5
-
Type I
CompactFla 3.3
sh
4.5 -
TravelMate C112CiAcer
G
512 60
FireWire,
10.4 1024 x 768 (2) USB
2.0, VGA
VersaPro
Slate
512 20
10.4 1024 x 768
256 40
FireWire,
(2) USB
12.1 1024 x 768
2.0, VGA,
IrDA
M1400 Mainstream Motion
Base
Computing
Slate
256 20
FireWire,
12.1 1024 x 768 (2) USB
2.0, VGA
Satellite R15-S822 Toshiba
512 60
14.1 1024 x 768
(2) USB
2.0, VGA
Hewlett
Packard
256 40
12.1 1024 x 768
(3) USB
2.0, VGA
V800XPT-2
Advueu
Slate
Transmeta
0.8
Crusoe
Tecra M4
Toshiba
Convertible Pentium M 1.73 512 60
Stylistic ST4000
tc4200
NEC
Fujitsu
Pentium M 1.1
Celeron M 0.
512 40
(3) USB
2.0, VGA
(2) USB
2.0, VGA,
8.4 800 x 600
CCD
Camera
(3) USB
2.0,
14 1400 x 1050
FireWire,
VGA,
10/100
Ethernet,
Modem,
802.11g,
Bluetooth
PC Card
Type II
3.2
3
.
10/100
Ethernet,
802.11/a/b/g
CompactFla
1.5
sh Type II
2
-
DVD, PC
Card Type II, 4.3
SmartCard
5
-
PC Card
Type II
3.8 .
Gigabit
Ethernet,
802.11g, 56k
modem
10/100
Ethernet,
Modem,
802.11g,
Bluetooth
10/100
Ethernet,
Modem,
802.11g, FIR
3
PC Card,
0
DVD-CDRW
Gigabit
Type II PC
Ethernet, 56k Card, SD, 4.5
Modem, IR
DVD/CDRW
10/100
Ethernet,
802.11b, 56k
modem
Gigabit
Ethernet,
Modem,
802.11b/g,
4-IN-1
CARD
READER
0
4.75
2.8
6
DVD Double
Layer, SD 6.2
Slot
0
Satellite R15-S82
TTAB-A12D
Toshiba
Tatung
Slate
Pentium M 1.6
512 80
512 60
SVideo
(3) USB
2.0,
FireWire,
14.1 1024 x 768
VGA,
Headphone
, Mic-in
(2) USB
2.0,
12.1 1024 x 768
FireWire,
VGA
TTAB-10E
Tatung
Slate
Celeron M 0.733 256 30
10.4 1024 x 768
LS800
Motion
Computing
Slate
Pentium M 1.2
256 20
8.4 800 x 600
LE1600 Centrino
Motion
Computing
Slate
Pentium M 1.5
512 30
12.1 1024 x 768
Thinkpad x41
Lenovo
512 60
12.1 1024 x 768
CX2600
Gateway
14
1280 x 1024
Fast IR
10/100
Ethernet,
Modem
DVD
SuperMulti
6.13
Double
Layer drive
0
10/100
Ethernet,
802.11 a/g,
Modem,
Infrared
PC Card
Type II
3.08
0
3.08
0
2.2
0
(2) USB
2.0, VGA, 10/100
Headphone Ethernet,
,
802.11b/g
Microphone
(2) USB,
10/100
VGA,
ethernet,
Infrared,
802.11 g,
FingerPrint
Bluetooth
Reader
10/100/1000
(2)USB 2.0,
Ethernet,
DVI, VGA,
802.11g,
IRDA
Bluetooth
10/100
Ethernet,
(2) USB
802.11a/g,
2.0, VGA
Bluetooth,
IRDA, Modem
(3) USB
Gigabit
2.0,
Ethernet,
SD
PC Card
3.13
Type II, SD
3
PC Card
3.5
Type II, SD
6.3
DVD/RW,
PC Card
5
6.87
FireWire
CX200X
S-7200C
M280E-QS
Gateway
Gateway
Gateway
14
(3) USB
2.0,
1280 x 768
FireWire,
VGA
14
(3) USB
2.0,
1280 x 768
FireWire,
VGA
14
(3) USB
2.0,
1280 x 768
FireWire,
VGA
Convertible Celeron M 1.4
512 40
Lifebook T4010
Fijitsu
256 40
(2) USB
2.0,
12.1 1024 x 768
Firewire,
VGA
Lifebook P1500
Fujitsu
256 30
8.
SC-3000
Electrovaya
Slate
256 60
(2) USB
12.1 1024 x 768 2.0,
Firewire
Pentium M 1.5
800 x 600
USB 2.0
802.11g,
Modem
type II, 5-in1 digital
media
reader
PC Card
10/100/1000 Type II, DVD
Ethernet,
Double
6.84
802.11b/g,
Layer, 7-in-1
Modem
media card
reader
DVD/CDRW,
Gigabit
PC Card
Ethernet,
Type II, 7-in- 6.75
802.11g, 56k
1 media card
modem
reader
DVD/CDRW,
Gigabit
PC Card
Ethernet,
Type II, 7-in- 6.75
802.11g, 56k
1 media card
modem
reader
CD10/100
RW/DVD,PC
Ethernet,
Card Type II,
4.3
802.11g,
Smart Card,
Modem
Secure
Digital
10/100
Ethernet,
CompactFla
2.2
802.11g,
sh Type II
Modem
10/100
Ethernet,
PC Card
3.5
802.11a/g,
Type II
Modem,
0
0
0
5
0
i215
Sahara
Slate
Pentium M 1.5
C204TMi
Acer
C204ETCi
Acer
Convertible Celeron M 1.5
NB7630-N7
SCEL
512 80
cPC
DualCor
Slate
Via C7-M
1024 40
Portege M400
Toshiba
Convertible
Core Duo
1.83 512 80
Pentium M
R1F
Asus
1.5
Infrared
10/100
Ethernet,
802.11a/g,
Modem
Gigabit
Ethernet,
802.11a/g,
Modem,
Bluetooth
Gigabit
Ethernet,
802.11a/g,
Modem,
Bluetooth
802.11b,
4 USB 2.0,
10/100
12.1
VGA, SEthernet,
Video
Modem
(2) USB
2.0,
5
800 x 480
none
Windows
Mobile 5.0
802.11a/g,
FireWire (3) Bluetooth,
12.1 1400 x 1500 USB 2.0, 10/100
VGA
Ethernet,
Modem
(3) USB,
10/100
13.3
VGA,
Ethernet,
SVideo
Modem
(2) USB
2.0,
256 40 12.1 1024 x 768
FireWire,
VGA
(3) USB
2.0,
1024 100 12.1 1024 x 768 FireWire,
VGA,
Infrared
(3) USB
2.0,
512 80 12.1 1024 x 768 FireWire,
VGA,
Infrared
Core Duo
2.33 512 80
Pentium M
CompactFla
3.3
sh type II
4
DVD+/-RW,
4 in 1 Card 4.4
Reader
5
CD-RW
DVD-ROM,
4.4
4 in 1 Card
Reader
5
DVD /RW
3.5
5.5
CompactFla
1.125
sh Type II
3
5 in 1 Media
4.5
Reader
5
DVD-RW
0
0
Table 1
Notes:
1. Type - Convertible means a Tablet PC that includes a built in keyboard, Slate means a Tablet PC without a keyboard and Both
means a removable keyboard.
2. RAM is the default in Megabytes
3. Disk is in Gigabytes
4. Disp is Display size in inches (1 inch = 2,54 cm)
5. Weight is in Pounds (1 Pound = 0,453 Kg)
6. Bat Life is Battery Life in Hours, 0 means unknown battery life
Appendix 2: E-book formats and readers
Dedicated e-book reading devices comparison
(Source: http://www.ebookmall.com/)
Example Image
eBook Format
Weight
Size
Screen
Mobipocket
6.5 oz.
5.17" x 3.3" x 0.67"
240 x 200 pixel LCD
Gemstar eBook
17 oz.
largish
4.75" x 3" Monochrome
Back lit Touch screen
Device
Franklin eBookMan
Gemstar eBook
Handheld PC
Palm Reader
1.1 lbs
7.44" x 3.74" x 1.34"
6.5 in color LCD display
640 x 240 px on screen
Mobipocket
Handspring Visor
Palm Reader
5.4-6. oz.
smallish
about 3"x4", some color,
some not
8.8 oz.
115.4 x 146 x 17 mm
Back lit 480 X 320 px
touch
screen
LCD
display
4-6 oz.
4.82" x 3.1" x .87"
Advanced LCD
backlight
6-16 oz.
Depends on device
Reflective
or
Transflective LCD, 16+
colors
Mobipocket
hiebook
hiebook
Palm
Palm Reader
Mobipocket
with
Pocket PC
Microsoft Reader
Mobipocket
Note: 1 oz. = 28,35 g; 1 lbs = 453,5 g
System requirements:
Device
Franklin eBookMan
Gemstar eBook
Operating System
RAM
Disk Space
486 PC or higher Windows® NT 4.0, Windows® 32
MB
RAM 50 MB
8, or Windows® 2000
(recommended)
n/a
n/a
n/a
Handheld PC
Windows
n/a
n/a
Connection
USB port
USB port for PC connection,
Infrared port (IrDA 1.0)
One RS232C serial port,
115Kbps
One
Handspring Visor
hiebook
Palm
Pocket PC
Windows
8,
Me
and
2000
OR
Windows 5 and NT 4.0 with serial port (serial
cradle sold separately) OR Macintosh System 8.5
or later
Windows
PC with Windows 8, 2000 or Me, Macintosh with
PowerPC
processor
and
Mac
OS
8.5.1
through
Mac
OS
**
** Windows 5 and NT 4.0, or serial connectivity,
require a serial HotSync cradle, sold separately.
Depends on device
8 MB RAM minimum 25 MB
(16
MB
recommended)
n/a
n/a
5MB free RAM for 30MB
Macintosh
hard
space
Depends on device
IrDA
port,
115Kbps
One RJ11 modem port (hp
jornada 720 only)
USB cradle
USB Cradle
free USB Cradle
disk
Depends on USB Cradle
device
E-book formats and software readers – platforms and features comparison
(Source: http://www.ebookmall.com/)
Adobe Reader (.pdf)
Gemstar eBook (.rb)
Recommended for:
Windows PC Computers
Windows Tablet PCs
Macintosh Computers
Recommended for:
Gemstar eBook RCA REB 1100
Rocket eBook
Can be read on:
PalmOS PDA
Can be read on:
hiebook (.kml)
HTML (.htm)
Recommended for:
hiebook Devices
Recommended for:
Macintosh Computers
Windows Tablet PCs
Windows CE
Linux Computers
Unix Computers
Can be read on:
Can be read on:
Franklin eBookMan (with MobiReader installed)
Anything with a Web browser
Instant eBook (.exe)
Microsoft Reader eBook (.lit)
Recommended for:
Windows Tablet PCs
Recommended for:
Windows PC Computers (with MS Reader installed)
Pocket PCs
Windows Tablet PCs (with MS Reader installed)
Microsoft Word eBook (.doc)
Mobipocket eBook (.prc)
Recommended for:
Windows Tablet PCs
Macintosh Computers (with Microsoft Word)
Recommended for:
Any PDA
Palm Reader (.pdb)
Plain Text (.txt)
Recommended for:
PalmOS PDA
Pocket PC
Recommended for:
Windows Tablet PCs
Macintosh Computers
Windows CE
Linux Computers
Unix Computers
Can be read on:
Windows Tablet PCs
Macintosh
Handheld PC
Windows CE
Can be read on:
Windows Tablet PCs
Pocket PC
Franklin eBookMan
PalmOS PDA
Epoc
Windows CE
Any other PDA
Can be read on:
Franklin eBookMan (with MobiReader installed)
PalmOS PDA (with MobiReader installed)
Format
Reader Software
Format
Reader Software
Adobe Reader Summary
Adobe Reader eBooks can be with Macintosh and Windows computers, as well as Palm PDAs. Page
navigation, multiple viewing options, bookmarks, and search features are included. Adobe Portable
Document Format (PDF) is the open de facto standard for electronic distribution worldwide. PDF files are
compact and can be shared, viewed, navigated, and printed (if allowed by the publisher).
Platform
Features
Buy eBooks
More Info
Cross-platform
Adobe Reader FAQs,
Windows PC, Macintosh, compatibility, printable (if
Adobe Reader eBooks
System Requirements,
Palm
allowed) single or double
and more details
page view
Microsoft Reader Summary
Microsoft Reader eBooks are compatible with Win5/8/2000/NT desktop and laptop computers as well as
Pocket PC handheld devices. Microsoft's revolutionary new ClearType technology makes words on the
screen appear just like words in a printed book. Microsoft Reader's smart navigation system remembers
where you left off reading, and includes multiple methods of page navigation, multicolored bookmarks,
and whole book search features. Personalize your eBook with multicolored highlighting, drawing, font
sizing, and personal notes.
Platform
Features
Buy eBooks
More Info
ClearType
Display
Technology,
book-like
Microsoft Reader FAQs,
Windows
PC,
Microsoft
Reader
reading
environment,
Pocket PC
eBooks
bookmarks
and
and more details
annotations
Format
Reader Software
Format
Mobipocket Summary
The Mobipocket Reader Format is your Universal eBook Reader for all PDAs and brings you a wide
range of eReading technologies to choose from – Palm Series (PalmOS v2.0 and onwards), Windows
CE, Pocket PC, Psion (Epoch 32), Franklin eBookMan, as well as Windows PCs and Windows Tablets.
Backed by powerful eReading features, it brings a completeness and versatility to your reading
experience that is quite unmatched. The Reader features touch-screen page turning, bookmarking to
facilitate quick returns to noteworthy sections, adjustable font size and color, full text search – in fact all
that you need for an enriched reading experience.
Platform
Features
Buy eBooks
More Info
Palm,
Pocket
PC,
Can be used on any PC
eBookMan, Blackberry,
Mobipocket
FAQs,
or
PDA,
includes
Symbian, any PDA,
Mobipocket eBooks
bookmarks, table of
Windows PC, Windows
and more details
contents, and more
Tablet
Palm Reader Summary
Palm eBooks can be read on your Palm handheld device. Palms allow you to carry as many eBooks with
you as the memory will allow. You can select various fonts and font sizes, and you can control how much
text is on the screen at one time. You can also jump to any section of the eBook with ease. Palm Reader
eBooks can also be read on your Windows PC or Windows Tablet.
Reader Software
Format
Platform
Palm
OS,
Pocket
PC,
Handheld PC, Windows
CE,
Windows
PC,
Windows
Tablet,
Macintosh
Gemstar Summary
Features
Buy eBooks
Can be used on Palm,
Pocket PC, Windows, or
Macs.
Includes Palm Reader eBooks
bookmarks, table of
contents, and more.
More Info
Palm Reader FAQs,
and more details
Gemstar eBooks are designed for the Gemstar eBook RCA REB 1100 or the Rocket eBooks. These
eBook reading devices come with their own eBook reading software. The REB 1100 gives new meaning
to the term "light reading." About the size of a paperback book, and weighing about 1 pound, the REB
1100 provides a reading experience just as good as a traditional book, but with powerful electronic
features such as a built-in dictionary, word search, and touch screen for notes, highlighting and
bookmarks. The Gemstar eBook™ is all about being simple and convenient. You can turn pages, change
the text orientation, enlarge the font size and turn on a back light for the screen just by pushing a button.
Reader Software
Format
Reader Software
If you'd like to read Gemstar eBooks on your Windows PC, you will need the Rocket eBook reader (2.73
MB).
Platform
Features
Buy eBooks
More Info
Dedicated reader for
Gemstar FAQs, System
Gemstar
&
Rocket
eBooks, carry titles with Gemstar eBooks
Requirements, and more
eBook devices
you
details
hiebook Summary
The hiebook™ also functions as a fully-featured portable MP3 player. Using the included headphones
you can enjoy your own digital music while reading your favorite novel. What good is a portable device
unless it can help you get organized? You'll never miss another appointment when you use the DateBook
functions of your hiebook™. You can keep track of your business and personal contacts as well as store
memos. If you wish to share information with your PC, you can sync your address data with Microsoft®
Outlook®. You can easily draw pictures and diagrams with the included drawing program. Different sized
pens, shapes such as boxes or circles and even an eraser is at your fingertips! Take notes, write
reminders. You can enter text using a pop-up keyboard or handwriting recognition! Send text files to and
from your PC.
Platform
Features
Buy eBooks
More Info
hiebook devices
Format
eBooks, includes lots of hiebook eBooks
additional programs
hiebook FAQs, System
details
HTML Summary
No special eBook readers or devices required. You can enjoy HTML eBooks with the browser already
installed on your computer. Hypertext navigation - just like what you're already used to on web pages.
Clean, easy to read text. Smaller file sizes, very easy to use.
Reader Software
Platform
Features
Buy eBooks
Windows,
Macintosh, Customizable, printable,
Linux,
Unix,
Palm, can be read with any HTML eBooks
Pocket PC, eBookMan
web browser
Format
Reader Software
More Info
HTML FAQs, System
details
Instant eBook Summary
Instant eBooks install instantly and are ready to use with no additional software or eReaders needed.
Instant eBooks are in hypertext format with chapter-indexed links. You can personalize your Instant
eBook by selecting your favorite text styles, size, and colors. You can search and copy and paste
selected text to other programs. Includes interactive features like the ability to send book reviews directly
from within the eBook.
Platform
Features
Buy eBooks
More Info
Windows PC
Format
Reader Software
Format
No
special
reader
software required (only
Instant eBooks
Internet Explorer), easy
to use
Instant eBook FAQs,
and more details
Microsoft Word Summary
For many people who are unfamiliar with eBooks, our Microsoft Word eBooks provide e-reading in a
familiar setting - Microsoft Word. As long as you have Microsoft Word installed on your computer,
you'll need no additional software. You can change the font size just like you would in any other Word
document, and you can also print your eBook just like you would any other Word document.
Platform
Features
Buy eBooks
More Info
Familiar environment,
Microsoft Word FAQs,
Windows PC
printable, customizable, Microsoft Word eBooks System Requirements,
resize text
and more details
Plain Text Summary
No special reader software required. Can be read on any type of computer using any operating system.
Use Notepad or WordPad or Microsoft Word or anything similar that's capable of reading .txt files.
Reader Software
Platform
Features
Buy eBooks
Very simple and plain,
Windows PC, Macintosh,
can be read with any
Linux,
Unix,
Palm,
Plain Text eBooks
word
processor,
Pocket PC, eBookMan
printable
More Info
Plain
Text
FAQs,
and more details
Format comparison
Format
Advantages
Reader Software
Cross-platform
compatibility, single or
double page view
eBooks, carry titles with
you
eBooks, includes lots of
other programs
Easy
to
use,
customizable, can be
read on anything with a
browser
No
special
reader
software required (only
Internet Explorer), easy
to use
ClearType
Display
Technology, book-like
reading
environment,
bookmarks
and
annotations
Familiar
environment,
printable, resize text
Can be used on any
PDA
Navigation
Images
Library,
Table
of
contents, Chapter links, Yes
bookmarkable
Platforms
Library,
Table
of
Yes
contents, bookmarks
Gemstar
&
eBook devices
Library,
Table
of
Yes
contents, bookmarks
hiebook devices
Hypertext links
No
Windows
PC,
Macintosh, Linux, Unix,
Palm,
Pocket
PC,
eBookMan
Hypertext links
Yes
Windows PC
Windows
Macintosh, Palm
PC,
Rocket
Library,
Table
of
bookmarkable
Windows
Pocket PC
Hypertext links
Yes
Windows PC, Macintosh
Library,
Table
of
bookmarkable
Palm,
Pocket
PC,
eBookMan,
Windows
PC
PC,
Very simple and plain,
can be read on just
about
anything,
printable
None
No
Windows,
Macintosh,
Linux,
Unix,
Palm,
Pocket PC, eBookMan
Great eBooks for your
PDA
Library,
Table
of
contents, Chapter links, No
bookmarkable
Palm
OS,
Pocket
PC,
Handheld PC, Windows
CE, Windows PC
Recommendation chart
E-book device:
Windows PC
Windows Tablet PC
Macintosh
Linux/Unix computer
Pocket PC
E-book preferences:
Printable
HTML,
Instant
eBook,
Microsoft
Word,
Plain Text
Adobe
Reader,
HTML,
Instant
eBook,
Microsoft
Word,
Plain Text
Adobe
Reader,
HTML,
Microsoft
Word,
Plain Text
HTML,
Plain Text
Not Printable
Easy to read on-screen
Easy to navigate
Adobe
Microsoft Reader
Reader
Adobe
Instant
Microsoft Reader
Reader, HTML,
eBook, Microsoft
Plain Text
Word,
Adobe
Microsoft Reader
Reader
Adobe
Instant
Microsoft Reader
Reader, HTML,
eBook, Microsoft
Plain Text
Word,
Adobe Reader
HTML,
Plain Text
Microsoft
Mobipocket
Palm Reader
Adobe Reader
HTML,
Plain Text
Reader Microsoft
Mobipocket
Palm Reader
Simple
HTML,
Microsoft
Plain Text
HTML
Plain Text
Reader Microsoft
Mobipocket
Palm Reader
Word,
Reader
Palm OS device
Blackberry
Symbian
(Smartphone)
Not Printable
Mobipocket
Palm Reader
Mobipocket
Not Printable
Mobipocket
Not Printable
OS
Handheld PC
Not Printable
Windows CE device
Not Printable
EPOC device
Gemstar/ Rocket eBook
hiebook
Not Printable
Not Printable
Not Printable
Mobipocket
Palm Reader
Mobipocket
Palm Reader
Mobipocket
Gemstar eBook
hiebook
Mobipocket
Palm Reader
Mobipocket
Mobipocket
Mobipocket
Mobipocket
Mobipocket
Palm Reader
Mobipocket
Palm Reader
Mobipocket
Gemstar eBook
hiebook
Mobipocket
Gemstar eBook
hiebook
MENUET – Mobile E- Novative Use of E-learning
Technologies
Appendix 3: E-book authoring tools
Features to Consider

Support for a variety of question types (multiple-choice, open ended, true/false, formfilling, drag and drop, etc.), the matching of student responses and subsequent
branching. This is crucial if you are to write training that is responsive to the individual
needs of learners.

Interactions using the mouse as a pointing device and for dragging objects.

Graphics and colour. Taking the PC as an example, there are different qualities of
graphics and colour that can be supported. Wherever possible, anyone starting on the ebook publishing path today should specify 800 x 600 screen resolution and 64,000
colours as the minimum standard.

The variety of different character sizes and fonts that are available.

Multimedia support. If sound is needed check that the PCs on the desktop can deliver
sound. Many organisations either exclude sound from the desktop PC or don't permit the
use of sound. If sound is essential it may mean the e-learning has to be delivered in a
learning centre.

Support for special devices such as a touch-sensitive screen, light-pen and other
equipment which may, for example, be a slide projector or a piece of apparatus.

The ability to interface with programming languages. This may allow the trainer to do
non-standard functions by getting a computer programmer to write a special program that
can be linked into the courseware. This is an advanced feature but one rule with
authoring systems is that, as an author gets familiar with the authoring system, he or she
will want to do some things that the system does not do as standard. The answer, if the
authoring system is basically suitable, is usually to find another way of doing them and
using a programming language, such as Macromedia Flash or HTML for web delivery, is
a common solution.

The productivity of the system. Many authoring systems are provided with more than one
level of use. This means that the novice or occasional author can use the system in a
simple fashion and follow a basic sequence dictated by the authoring system. More
experienced authors can access the system at a different level and use the features
much more flexibly but they are then more on their own with less hand-holding from the
authoring system. Another aspect of productivity is covered in the next paragraph on
performance of the system.

The performance of the system. This is largely dictated by the power and configuration of
the computer equipment used for development and presentation. Considering
development first, authoring systems tend to use quite a lot of computer power so it is
sensible to provide the development team with high performance systems.

The above is important, but having adequate performance when the training is run by
students is more so. The training must be tested by the authors on the minimum
configuration that trainees will use to see how it performs and take remedial action if
necessary.
Technologies

The Internet/intranet can be used in two ways. It can be used to download interactive
training to local computers so that it can be stored and delivered locally or it can be used
to deliver e-learning online.

The speed of transfer of data may have important implications for the overall
performance of the training and, therefore, the student's satisfaction with the overall
delivery method. This can be far more important than the performance of the PCs that
are used by the students to study the training.

The listing below covers a selection of popular authoring systems and e-book publishing
tools that are available commercially or free of charge today:
Adobe/Macromedia Authorware (http://www.adobe.com/products/authorware/)
Authorware is the leading visual authoring tool for creating rich-media e-learning applications
fordelivery on corporate networks, CD/DVD, and the Web. Develop accessible applications that
comply with learning management system (LMS) standards.
The Authorware (v.7) key feature list includes:






























Intuitive Authoting Tools
Common Macromedia User Interface
Intuitive Flowline
Microsoft PowerPoint Import
Built-In Interactivity
One-Button Publishing
Authoring Power
Knowledge Objects
Learning Management System (LMS) Knowledge Objects
Custom Buttons
Windows Controls
One-Button Publishing to LMS Systems
Rich Media Support
Enhanced Rich-Media Support
Macromedia Flash MX Support
Media Synchronization
MP3 Streaming Audio
DVD Playback
Anti-Aliased Text
Rich Text Editor
Apple Mac OS X Playback
Standards Support
Built-In Data Tracking
XML Import/Export
JavaScript Support
ActiveX Support
Learning Standards Support
SCORM Metadata Editor
Accessibility
Authorware Application Accessibility
Technologies
 Accessibility/Text-to-Speech Xtra
 Flexibility
 Powerful Navigation
 Full-Text Search and Retrieval
 External Media
 Media Management
 Enhanced Calculation Editor
 Alpha-Channel Support
 Versatile Delivery
 Extensibility
 User-Defined Script Functions
 Nonmodal Commands Added
 Fully Scriptable
 Xtra Extensions
 Extensible Commands Menu
Authorware is also available as part of the Macromedia eLearning Suite, which alsoincludes
Macromedia Flash and Dreamweaver.
Adobe/Macromedia Flash (http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/flashpro/)
Flash is the industry‘s most advanced authoring environment for creating interactive websites,
digital experiences and mobile content. With Flash, creative professionals design and author
interactive content rich with video, graphics, and animation for truly unique, engaging websites,
presentations or mobile content. A major product release for Macromedia, Flash has many brand
new features including: amazing graphic effects, integrated and stand-alone video encoding
complete with support for alpha transparency, high-quality text rendering with advanced antialiasing control, improved text tools, and a new video plug-in to export Flash Video (FLV) files
from professional video products.
The latest version of Flash Professional 8 includes a major focus on usability enhancements so
developers can work more efficiently.
Script Assist (formerly Normal Mode)
Normal Mode is back, only it‘s much better. Script Assist provides a visual user interface for
editing scripts that includes automatic syntax completion as well as descriptions for the
parameters of any given action.
Advanced library
With multiple files open, the library for each open file is consolidated into a single panel that acts
like all other panels in Flash—it stays where it's put. Navigate between open libraries more easily
using the new drop-down list at the top of the library to access any other open library.
Object drawing model
This van visualize shapes as objects by toggling a new object drawing mode to represent shapes
as objects, along the lines of vector drawing tools such as Macromedia FreeHand.
Improved panel management
Improved panel management optimizes workspace as the user sees fit. Group panels together in
tabbed-panel sets, ala Dreamweaver and Fireworks. Reduce on-screen clutter by grouping most
commonly-used panels together.
Stage pasteboard expansion
Technologies
For projects that require large graphics that extend far beyond the size of the stage in Flash, view
objects much further off-stage. To expand the size of the pasteboard, just drag an object close to
the edge and the pasteboard will automatically grow to fit.
Undo/redo options
Switch between "object-level undo" and "document-level undo."
Higher-quality video codec
Flash Professional 8 offers continued momentum to the rapidly expanding Flash video platform
and new functionality for mobile content developers. Flash Player 8 adds a new, far more
advanced video codec. This codec provides superior video quality that is competitive with today‘s
best video codecs at a much smaller file size.
Alpha channel support
Support for a real alpha channel at run-time. This revolutionary new capability provides the
unique ability to overlay video composited with a transparent or semi-transparent alpha channel
over other Flash content. Create dynamic presentations such as splashing water, smoke and fire
effects, as well as presenters shot in front of a blue screen.
Advanced video encoding options
The advanced video encoder, available within the Flash authoring tool, as a plugin to professional
video editing tools, or as a stand-alone tool, provides advanced encoding options that will allow
developers to optimize quality and file size of video content. The standalone video encoder also
includes batch-processing capabilities to encode multiple video files at once.
Video Encoder plug-in for professional video editing tools
Export video directly to Flash from leading professional video-editing and encoding tools such as
Avid Xpress/Media Composer and Apple Final Cut Pro.
Interactive mobile device emulator
Build content once and test it on a wide variety of devices using preset profiles for every mobile
device that supports Flash Lite. Configure the testing profile to include multiple devices. Filter the
supported device list by target content type to easily determine which handsets support screen
savers, wallpapers, in-browser content, stand-alone player, and so on. Reduce development time
and simplify planning for delivery.
Improved actions panel
By combining the new Script Assist feature with the new target language drop down in the actions
panel, it is now far simpler to use different versions of the ActionScript language. For
understanding the syntax used by Flash Lite 1.1 better, the new Script Assist feature will do most
of the work for you. These improvements add up to a far better development experience for
mobile content developers new to Flash Lite.
With the release of Flash Professional 8, interactive content designers can express their creativity
in incredible new ways.
Filters - Create more compelling designs with built-in filter effects like drop shadow, blur, glow,
bevel, gradient bevel, and color adjust. Filters are visual effects applied to MovieClips and text
fields and are natively supported and rendered in real time by Flash Player.
Blend modes
Going well beyond what other design tools offer, Flash Professional 8 offers run-time control over
blend modes, allowing graphical effects to be composited for fully dynamic user interactivity.
Technologies
FlashType
A revolutionary new font rendering engine that provides clear, highest-quality font rendering,
FlashType makes small fonts look amazingly clear and greatly improves readability. Choose from
several options for font rendering, each optimized for different use cases. Optimize font rendering
with the new custom anti-aliasing feature.
Bitmap caching
Supports unneeded re-rendering of vector objects by simply flagging an object as a bitmap. Even
though the object gets cached as a bitmap, the vector data is still maintained so, at any point, the
object can be converted back into a vector again.
Custom easing control
Easily, intuitively, and precisely control the velocity of animated objects through an intuitive graph
that provides independent control of position, rotation, scale, color, and filters.
Improved text tool
Resize a text field using new, improved text handles. Text fields can be resized by grabbing any
of the four handles.
Enhanced stroke properties
Select from a variety of cap and join types. Apply a gradient to a stroke as well as a fill. Render
stroke intersections better with stroke hinting.
Advanced gradient control
Tighter control over gradients such as changing the focal point of a radial gradient and selecting
from different overflow modes.
Adobe/Macromedia Dreamweaver (http://www.adobe.com/products/dreamweaver/)
Dreamweaver is one of the industry-leading web development tool, enabling users to efficiently
design, develop and maintain standards-based websites and applications. With Dreamweaver,
web developers go from start to finish, creating and maintaining basic websites to advanced
applications that support best practices and the latest technologies. Many features and optimized
workflows reduce the time required to complete common tasks. Integrate XML data with a
powerful drag and drop workflow. Zoom in to get control over design and stay focused on the
code with Code Collapse. Add Flash Video in five clicks of a mouse.
The latest version of Dreamweaver (v.8) provides unparalleled support for best practices and
industry standards.
Visual authoring with XML data
Get up to speed with XML using powerful, visual tools to integrate XML-based data, such as RSS
feeds into web pages using a simple drag and drop workflow. Jump to code view to customize the
transformation, using improved code hinting for XML and XSLT.
New, unified CSS panel
The new, unified CSS panel provides a one stop shop for learning, understanding, and working
with the CSS styles applied to pages in a visual way. All the CSS functionality is consolidated into
one panel set and enhanced to make working with CSS easier and more productive. The new
interface makes it easier to see the cascade of styles applied to a specific element and easily
identify where attributes are defined. A property grid allows for quick edits.
Technologies
CSS layout visualization
Apply visual aids at design time to outline CSS layout borders or color CSS layouts to reveal
complex nesting schemes and improve selection. Click on the CSS layout for valuable Tooltips,
such as ID and padding and margin and border settings, to better understand the elements that
are controlling the design.
Style rendering toolbar
View content the same way end-users will see it, no matter what the delivery mechanism, with
new support for CSS media types in Dreamweaver 8. Use the style rendering toolbar to toggle to
design view and see how it will look in print, on a handheld, or on a screen.
CSS rendering improvements
Match how complex CSS layouts will render in most browsers, with substantial improvements in
design view accuracy. Dreamweaver now fully supports advanced CSS techniques, such as
overflow, pseudo-elements, and form elements.
Accessibility: Support for WCAG/W3C priority 2 checkpoints
In addition to the integrated accessibility evaluation tool for Section 508 and WCAG Priority 1
checkpoints, Dreamweaver now supports both CSS and accessibility with an updated evaluation
tool that includes WCAG Priority 2 checkpoints.
Improved WebDAV
WebDAV in Dreamweaver 8 now supports digest authentication and SSL for secure file transfer
and offers improved connectivity with a wider array of servers.
Microsoft FrontPage (http://www.microsoft.com/office/frontpage/prodinfo/default.mspx)
Microsoft Office FrontPage is the Web pages and site creation and management application with
the tools, power, and features to help produce professional sites that are dynamic and interactive.
FrontPage empowers users with advances in three key areas:
1. Designing: New layout tools make it easier to design the site, giving you precise layout
control. Improved graphics support makes working with graphics from other applications much
easier.
2. Coding: Design tools may be used to generate better code, or expand code skills. Built-in
scripting tools may be used for interactive results. With professional coding tools, code can be
written faster, more efficiently, and with greater accuracy.
3. Extending: Rich interactive Web sites can be built using live data from a variety of sources.
Dynamic XML data-driven Web sites in a WYSWYG (what you see is what you get) environment
may be easily developed. Enhanced publishing features help uploading Web sites on line.
Microsoft Office FrontPage offers new features:
Enhanced design power to produce better-looking Web sites.
FrontPage provides a number of easy-to-use tools to create professional-looking Web sites to



Control the layout of your Web site quickly, easily and precisely.
Design with the graphics tools you prefer for best results.
Make sites more accessible
Technologies
Generate better code, faster.
FrontPage helps push coding capabilities to new heights with powerful coding tools.
With FrontPage, it is possible to:



Expand the power of HTML.
Create interactive sites with built-in scripting tools.
Code faster and more accurately with professional coding tools.
Extend the power of your Web site into dynamic new directions.


Choose from a range of publishing options.
Extend the power of your Web site to connect with people and information in new ways.
After nine years of being an award-winning Web authoring tool, FrontPage 2003 was
discontinued in late 2006.
Microsoft continues to serve the diverse needs of existing FrontPage customers with the
introduction of three brand-new application building and Web authoring tools using the latest
technologies,

Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer 2007 for the enterprise information workers,

Microsoft Expression Web Designer for the professional Web designer
Microsoft Expression Web Designer is a professional design tool to create sophisticated
standards-based Web sites that deliver compelling user experiences targeted at designers who
are building broad reach HTML Web sites.

Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 for the Web developer.
AceHTML (http://software.visicommedia.com/en/)
AceHTML is a highly effective tool that allows build and management pf professional Web sites
with ease, control, and efficiency. By balancing power and flexibility, AceHTML meets the
exacting needs of Web builders who want freedom and complete control over their Web sites.

Total control of the Web development project is possible, thanks to an impressive array of
design tools that provides extensive functionality and ease of use.

AceHTML‘s flexible interface is completely
convenience and a superior user experience.

With AceHTML, you‘ll master all standard Web coding languages, such as HTML,
JavaScript, CSS, ASP, and PHP.
customizable,
providing
maximum
This Web page design software offers you many productivity tools to make Web development
simpler than ever.
The AceHTML has a host of features, including:

Flexible and customizable user interface
Technologies







Coding support
Web development aid
Code reuse
Quality assurance
Productivity tools
HTML editing
Project management.
SumTotal Systems ToolBook (http://www.sumtotalsystems.com/)
ToolBook is a powerful e-learning authoring tool and de facto standard for creating computer
based training, web based training and software simulation content. ToolBook‘s ease-of-use and
flexibility enable you to quickly meet your content development needs. ToolBook creates web
based training, software application simulations, computer based training, and interactive elearning content. ToolBook includes features ranging from simple drag-and-drop authoring to
sophisticated automation features - all designed for you to get results fast. With ToolBook, users
can deliver high quality e-book content. ToolBook creates a wide range of e-learning applications,
from Regulatory Compliance Training, to Sales Force readiness, Software simulations, Quizzes,
Assessments and other forms of web based training.
The main product features include:

Familiar PowerPoint-like authoring environment

Getting Started guides and tutorials included with ToolBook

ToolBook includes wizards, templates, and a catalog of reusable objects that ensure high
authoring productivity as well as a consistent look and feel in your content

Automatic standards support: content can be published as HTML to any SCORM 1.2,
SCORM 2004 or AICC-compliant Learning Management System (LMS) without any
programming. ToolBook makes it easy to deploy web based training. You can also
publish to CD-ROM, the Internet, Intranet or LAN.

Easy integration of media. Drag and drop ToolBook's Universal Media Player into your
content to include video, sound or Flash animations.

ToolBook creates HTML and JavaScript for Web deployment, eliminating the need for a
plug-in.

Integrate media to create highly interactive e-learning content for high-fidelity software
simulations, soft skills training, quizzes, secure online compliance certifications, computer
based training and other forms of web based training.

Rapidly author and achieve your instructional design goals with customizable
assessment objects.

Optionally use the integrated automation capabilities with ToolBook's scripting to
eliminate repetitive work.
DeskTop Author (http://www.desktopauthor.com/)
Technologies
Desktop Author is electronic publishing software that allows the creation of 3D page turning
digital web books. It creates Digital Web Books - e-publications, e-books and e-magazines in
DNL (Dynamic HTML) file format. The free DNL Reader is needed to browse the e-books.
DeskTop Author features include:

The production of small yet attractive file size publications to display as stand alone or to
view inside a browser

Limitless pages with a single paste! Flow text through multiple pages and between text
boxes, to make even the lengthiest eBooks in minutes. Perfect for magazine publishing

Text box layout tool allows you to set up your page text layout in any way you like

Includes a Publish to Web and a built-in FTP upload

Make any shape book or pages for that extra impact

The All-in-one DRM (Digital Rights Management) and Payment Gateway - preset the
amount of free pages the end user is able to view - then set the DNL DRM sollution to
launch the DRM Payment Gateway to unlock the rest of the eBook, the eBook is
unlocked only on the PC the purchase is made. The activation is only valid on the PC the
purchase was made on.

You can create your own messages for emails sent from within the send mail feature.
This will allow you personalise the message others will read when your digital web book
spreads to new users.

Editable image function in DeskTop Author Version 4 gives you the ability to easily create
digital photo albums which users can insert images into.

Multi Media - embed and or stream Video and Flash, stream MP3.

Image Pop Up

The canvas includes Guide lines, exterior working canvas area, and pixel ruler.

Easy Quiz/Test/Forms and Survey creation with DeskTop Author's own amazing Eazy
Forms tool

Hundreds of pre-made templates - includes 500+ individual pages, 100 + buttons and
dividers and pre-made shaped books

Internal Image Editor and Image Manipulator


Cut and paste and Drag and Drop features, including an Image Browser.
WYSIWYG page creation and editing

Background setting feature.

Hotlink to pages, web sites, movies and sound, as well as email and even other files
Technologies

Set auto page turn for trade show or in-store presentations, allows for individual page
turn settings and individual page turn timing

Specify one of 6 page transitions - three 3D page turn modes, turn, wipe and slide

Digital Web Book file sizes are small, easily distributed by email, download or on
floppy/CD


Share your digital web books with friends, family, colleagues or customers with an
internal Send to Friend function or sell the e-books you create
Allow users to print pages or disable the print function

Password protection for Digital Web Books

Suitable for all Windows-based PC's.
Hyper Publish (http://www.hyperpublish.com/)
Hyper Publish is a powerful all-in-one authoring environment for creating stunning e-catalogs, ebrochures, CDs and Web sites.
Product main benefits are:

it is easy to create catalogs of your products and services, and also reference / parts
documentation. Descriptions, prices, pictures, attached files (e.g. PDF), built-in search
feature. Fully custom: can build from scratch or import from database / CSV, with
automatic categories, subcategories, thumbnail images (everything can be edited after
the import; infinite templates for the products pages)

it creates not just catalogs but self installing multimedia CD-ROMs with: full text search,
boolean search, keyword search on the CD; stunning personal and business Web sites

Web or CD, it's the same thing - you can publish the same document both to the Internet
and onto a CDROM, without any difficulty

shopping cart both on Web / CD. So your customers can fill-in an order from inside the
stuff (they can print, fax or email the order form)

fully visual, no coding, so you don't need to be a programmer

internal automatic Internet publishing (FTP), with auto detection of modified pages;
"HTML" fully compatible with all browsers (no different pages for Firefox / Netscape /
Opera and MS IE)

hundreds of functions: frames with drag & drop, mouse over intelligent images, audio,
video, header and footers, styles, advanced frameset management, slides, automatic
image gallery photo album, thumbnails generation, full screen capability, forms and much
more

you can manage a whole site / catalog as a single file (you don‘t need to continuously
load and save pages, as you act on a whole document, even for searches and revisions);

visual Pageville / PayPal shopping cart plugin for Credit Cards on Web;
Technologies

unlimited templates, you can mix "manual" and automatic pages, everything is fully
editable; a simple example is provided

features are important, but time is also important - HP's editing is fast: simultaneous
browsing and editing (you can browse links with a double click)

handy, you can manage large works without feeling lost: visual linking, with active
previews, even when you show separate windows and/or insert complex frame-to-frame
links

main functions very similar to standard Word Processor ones, reduces learning time

advanced functions available for experts: you can insert HTML, macro (custom
components) and so on

link explorer; complex object search functions

can link to any kind of file: PDF, DOC, AutoCAD, PowerPoint; MPEG, AVI; sounds and
video

supports third party plug-ins (such as 3D buttons for buttons; Gliftic for backgrounds;
Repligator for effects)

fast and smart, runs even on an old PC with 32MB RAM; Does not require Internet
Explorer; suitable for MS Windows 5 / 8 / ME / NT / 2000 / XP / XP SP2 / Vista.
EBooksWriter (http://www.ebookswriter.com/)
EBooksWriter isa quick, powerful all-in-one e-book authoring environment: to create, edit, pack
and protect e-books, e-catalogues, e-manuals and e-brochures.
The product main benefits include:

build compact self installing e-books with one click; no separate software required - your
e-books will be self-executable and launch instantaneously

free to redistribute unlimited copies of your e-book/e-brochure over the Internet and on
CD; i.e. no royalties

top-notch security features make it impossible to steal your intellectual property: you can
prohibit print or copy/grabbing; you can set an expiration date; you can password protect
all or part of the e-book with 128 bit security; you can assign infinite different passwords
for different users

one e-book, one source file. One click and it is immediately ready for distribution. All
visual, no code/HTML, no compilation, no external editors required

you can create an unlimited number of e-books

full-text search capability, even boolean search
Technologies

add music and video: AVI, WMA, MPEG, WMV, etc.; frames, text styles, popup windows,
rollover/mouse over sensitive images, visual linking: feature rich and easy to use

forms and shopping cart - so you can distribute your product catalog as e-book

may ask username/email to the end user and send them to you (by script or by email)

comprehensive online manual; easy to learn and easy to start;

plug-in capabilities (e.g. the 3D Buttons plug-in for quick creation of headings and
buttons)

automatic image gallery/photo album/thumbnails generation

"lock to PC" personal key protection with the CBProtect Virtual Vault service

does not require MS Internet Explorer or any other software installed (built-in browser:
your e-book works also if the end user PC is not properly configured)

little, quick and smart: runs on MS Windows 5, 8, ME, NT, 2000, XP and XP SP2;
requires at least an old Pentium I 100 Mhz with 16MB RAM.
eBook Publisher (http://www.ebooktechnologies.com/)
eBook Publisher allows publishers and third-party conversion houses to convert books,
periodicals and other documents into e-book format. The software runs on Windows and
Macintosh desktop systems and is capable of processing text, OEBPS, HTML and Microsoft
Word and PowerPoint files into device-specific e-book titles. Automated scripts allow for daily,
weekly or monthly download to e-book devices as soon as the data is available from the content
purveyor.
eBook Publisher works with Auto Publisher, the server-side portion of the e-book publishing tool,
performing pagination (for optimal device reading performance), compression and encryption
functions prior to delivering the title to the targeted device. Auto Publisher is also capable of
processing text, OEBPS, HTML and Microsoft Word files into device-specific e-book titles. This
latter capability is used for personal content whereby users can upload various source formats to
a Web server and subsequently download "their" personal titles for reading on their device(s).
eBook Gold (http://www.ebookgold.com/)

eBook Gold produces good quality final products as well as smaller file sizes.

The eBook Gold feature list includes:

Unlimited e-book creation

Attractive, professional design

Customizable e-book "labeling"

Personalizable icons

Different screen mode options
Technologies

Minimum e-book file size

Different files types. With eBook Gold you can add graphics, scripts, Flash, DHTML, XML
and even true type fonts to make your book come alive.

Make your e-books dynamic and interactive

Full HTML 4.0 support with plug-ins. You can include Flash files, Shockwave
presentations, Java Applets, sound files or any other plug-ins.

Complete customization

You can secure your book in many ways and prevent pirating

Customized per-page security

Full control over your e-book's presentation

Complete control over the finished product

Choice of home page and table of contents

Embedded tutorials and free updates.
KeeBook Creator (http://www.keeboo.com/enu/)
KeeBook Creator, the main application created by KeeBoo, is a software enabling to create, edit
and share ―multimedia Web books‖.
Originally named ―KeeBoo‖, KeeBook Creator was launched during PC-Expo (New York City) in
June 1. In May 2002, the KeeBook Creator software was segmented into 3 distinct editions
(Home, Pro and Education) to offer adapted features to users of various sectors. KeeBook
Creator won the ZDNET Award for 2 consecutive years, in 1 and 2000.
With KeeBook Creator, users can create and distribute their own Web books or multimedia
albums.
KeeBook Creator notably allows:

Creation of thematic Web books by inserting Web pages (or excerpts - clippings) or local
documents created with standard applications (video, audio, photos, office etc.),

annotation and enrichment of the albums

storage of the books in a virtual library,

documentary or contextual researches in books and library,

distribution and sharing of the Web books in a non-proprietary format (with no proprietary
application needed to view them), by e-mail, on a Web site or a CD-ROM.
eBook Maestro (http://www.ebookmaestro.com/)
Technologies
eBook Maestro is a versatile universal software package that compiles any types of digital
information products (such as e-books, Magazines, Albums, Galleries, Guides, Offline Sites,
Reports, Documentations, Training Courses, Educational Materials, Tests, Quizzes, Software
Wizards, etc.)
E-books compiled with eBook Maestro software support all character sets and can contain and
open any files: HTML Pages, Graphic Files, Flash Files, Java Scripts, VB Scripts, Style Sheets,
Sound Files, Video Files, etc.
The E-book interface is completely customizable. You can change any detail in the user interface,
including the navigation bar, search menu, program icon, etc.
The MS Internet Explorer (IE) rendering engine is used to visualize pages. It guarantees that
everything is displayed without distortions and supporting the features used in IE.
Activ E-Book Compiler (http://www.ebookcompiler.com/)
Activ E-Book Compiler is a turnkey system that any aspiring electronic publisher can use. Comes
with complete instructions and it is Royalty Free.
It works on computers with Windows 5, Windows 8, Windows NT4, Windows Me, Windows 2000
or Windows XP (requires Internet Explorer 4 or later)
The free version of Activ E-Book Compiler features include

An unlimited number of E-Books can be created

Easy Distribution: Each E-Book is a self-contained Windows program. You can distribute
them on any media you like, including by Internet download, by e-mail, floppy disk, CDROMs, ZIP disks.
Incredibly Easy to Use: Attractive modern Windows user interface with easy to use
buttons and menus. Makes creating E-Books a snap.


Complete Documentation: Straightforward documentation explaining every menu option every command - and every option in the program. The documentation even covers the
steps you should take before using the program. - like how to design HTML files that
compile into a high quality E-Book.

Compatibility: E-Books created using Activ E-Book use the exact same "engine" as
Internet Explorer. This means total compatiblility with the world's most popular web
browser including support for HTML, DHTML, images & animations, JPEG and PNG
graphics, JavaScript, VBScript, and most Internet Explorer plug-ins.

Internet Linking: Use standard HTML features to include links to relevant web sites in
your E-Book. When a user clicks on a link to a web site, the program even opens Internet
Explorer giving them a chance to connect if they're not already connected. ...And yes,
you can even link to your own web site to draw traffic!

Password Protection:
You can password protect your entire E-Book, or just protect selected pages and allow
your users to see a preview of part of the book before they get their password.
You can boost your e-magazine subscription rate by requesting readers sign-up before
you give them a password.
Technologies
You can customize the message shown when a user accesses a password protected
page.
You can even allocate up to 1,000 different passwords per E-Book - each user will
require a different one from this pool - to prevent password "sharing".

Powerful Testing Features: Test out how your E-Book would look and work with and
without the correct password (assuming you have one) - switch between the 2 modes at
any time with a click of the mouse. Compile or Run your E-Book in seconds for truly
Rapid Application Development.

Save your Projects: Unlike some other compilers you don't have to re-input all your
settings each time you want to create a new version of an E-Book. Simply save all your
settings - and continue later at any time you're ready.

HTML Protection: Right-mouse clicking is controlled by your choice of setting in your EBooks. You can disable it completely or allow access to a limited menu (which does not
include View Source). This helps protect your HTML source and stop thieves from easily
stealing your valuable page designs.

Branding: Every E-Book you create includes your name, your company name, your
copyright message, and even a link to your web site - and your e-mail address or autoresponder address if you want it!
(Various options in the compiler, may allow you to turn off visible display of most of this
info, or design your own page for it, if wanted).


Unique Serial Numbers: Every E-Book includes a unique serial number (we call this an
"ESBN" - it's a similar idea to "ISBNs" used for off-line books). This gives you yet another
way to keep track of, and manage distribution.

Viral Marketing: You can create and give away free E-Books, and allow others to do the
same. As word about your E-Book spreads, more and more people may distribute your
E-Book, and each one becomes a Self-Replicating Traffic Generator.
Technologies
Appendix 4: Third party software applications for the
Tablet PC
Although some third party Tablet PC applications have been developed there are not great
numbers available. Microsoft has recently improved the developer tools to encourage the creation
of more Tablet PC applications and allow developers to more easily incorporate pen input in their
programs. A number of additional programs for the Tablet PC (including drawing tools, games
and a pen-based calculator) are available for download from the Microsoft website.
Many Tablet PC applications are simply parts of existing XP software and do not always take full
advantage of the Tablet PC capabilities. However, some vendors have made good use of the
pen-input on Tablet PCs.
There are a variety of applications available which are either directly aimed at or particularly
suitable for education. Below are some examples of applications in various categories aimed at
the Tablet PC:
- Maths/science: eg, xThink Calculator, xThink MathJournal, JumpingMinds MathPractice
- Art/graphics: eg, Alias Sketchbook Pro, Ambient Design Artrage, Corel Grafigo 2, Fun Paint,
- Dictionaries: eg, Abletfactory
- Handwriting: eg, ABC Ink,
- Mind mapping: eg, Mindjet Mindmanager X5
- Forms: Several companies produce software for the creation of customised forms that can be
integrated with back-office systems eg, Active Ink Forms Developer.
This Study focuses on Windows software that has been enhanced or modified to support digital
ink, or is especially suitable for use on a highly mobile PC. The software comes from two main
sources - independent software developers (ISVs) who signed up early with Microsoft as Tablet
PC partners, and Microsoft itself (through the capabilities of the Tablet PC operating system).
This Study does not attempt to do a formal review of each of these; instead, the intent is to
present some ―educational‖ software that is available at the launch of the Tablet PC.
As the Tablet PC becomes an established Microsoft platform over the next several years, the
author expects to see hundreds of applications modified or developed that take advantage of the
Tablet PC's enhanced mobility and digital ink. The programs and applications covered in this
Study are just the beginning.
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat is best known for its ability to create PDF files from any document. However, it
also includes a set of tools for reviewing and commenting on documents while protecting the
integrity of the source. Multiple people can simultaneously exchange comments on a PDF
document over a network, using sticky notes with free text, a highlight pen, strikethrough and
underline tools, stamps, sound and graphic markups such as squares.
Traditionally this kind of collaborative review activity is done using paper copies of a document.
Reviewing electronic documents in their native file formats isn't practical because it requires all
the reviewers to have a copy of the authoring software on their computers. Using a PDF as the
review copy eliminates this problem, and doing the review on a computer eliminates the use of
paper. However, some of the Acrobat commenting tools (such as the "pencil tool") are not very
convenient to use with a mouse.
Technologies
Enter the Tablet PC. Adobe Acrobat's review and comment functions are a natural for use on the
Tablet PC. The pen allows "direct manipulation" (focusing your eyes and hand movements on the
same spot, rather than moving a mouse on the desk and watching the effect on the screen). The
Tablet PC's enhanced mobility and WiFi wireless connection make it possible to do collaborative
review almost anywhere.
Adobe Reader
Adobe's PDF is a well-known and popular format for reading documents on your computer
screen. PDF is easy to read and print and is an ideal format for documents on the web or for
reading on your desktop computer. The software to read PDF files is Adobe Reader and is
available free for Windows, Mac and Unix computers. Digital editions (e-books in PDF format) will
appear just like any PDF file, with high-fidelity display and rich graphics. You can also take
advantage of different display settings, such as landscape and portrait viewing, to enhance your
experience. For example, the Full Screen setting allows you to see only the digital edition with a
black background, which helps to eliminate other visual distractions. You can use the F8 and F
keys to hide the menu bar and toolbar. You can also use the navigation and view controls at the
bottom of the screen and the Bookmarks tab on the left. You can use Adobe Reader mark up
features to highlight text, search, and make notes in digital editions.
www.adobe.com
Abletfactory
abletDictionaryMgr is a complete Dictionary Management Tool for the Tablet PC. Features
include add/edit/delete words, merge MS Word Spellcheck words, merge Outlook Contacts
names, email addresses and complete backup/restore and transfer words to new or backup
machines. It includes Ink Tutor for character generation and testing. It is compatible with Special
Interest Dictionaries to increase handwriting recognition accuracy.
Special Interest Dictionaries (SPIDs) are the easiest way to increase the Handwriting
Recognition accuracy for Tablet users. The single most important improvement that can be made
to increase accuracy is to have additional words available for recognition. The AbletFactory has
assembled the best wordlists to supplement the Tablet‘s System Dictionary. By adding these
words to the Tablet, recognition accuracy is increased. Words are bundled by subject areas so
finding the best enhancement wordlist is easy to do. Words are added using one of the
Dictionary Management Tools. SPIDs are constantly being updated and added.
abletWordPak is a basic Dictionary Management Tool for adding/deleting/editing words for the
Tablet PC OS. It is easy to use with quick editing features. It is the best priced product for users
that have their own wordlists that they want to add to the Tablet PC dictionary.
abletWordMgr is an easy to use tool for adding, deleting and editing words to the Tablet OS
dictionary. This is the #1 way to improve handwriting recognition accuracy. abletWordMgr ships
with all available Special Interest Dictionaries (SPIDs) or you can use your own wordlists.
abletWordMgr saves time by adding thousands of words at one time, eliminating the need to
continually add words with the Tablet Input Panel. Handwriting tests conducted with physicians
have demonstrated an increase in recognition accuracy from 64% to 5% by using abletWordMgr
and the Medical SPID.
www.abletfactory.com
AcuSTUDIO. Turbocharge your PowerPoint slides, Excel, Word and graphics files effortlessly
with engaging, media-rich video and audio content, while preserving all embedded objects. Then
deliver it live or on-demand WITHOUT any production or IT staff support. New pen-enabled
Technologies
annotation capabilities include Write, Highlight, Erase, Whiteboard, Pointer and Insert text.
Information portability, accessibility and firewall friendliness simplifies the content creation, edit,
repurpose and delivery processes.
www.aculearn.com
Agilix GoBinder puts students in control of the learning process so they are prepared with the
right answers for quizzes, reports, classroom participation, lectures, tests, and more. With
GoBinder, students can organize classes and schedules, manage assignments and due dates,
take notes, annotate on lecture materials, search for any word in their GoBinder database and
share notes with their peers. GoBinder puts everything students need to succeed into a single
system, providing comprehensive organization and personalization.
www.agilix.com
Alias SketchBook Pro, the high quality painting and drawing tool for use with Tablet PC‘s and
digitized pen-tablets, has a fast, simple and natural interface that has the tactile feel of drawing
with a pencil and paper and all the benefits of a digital format. SketchBook Pro‘s artist friendly,
gesture-based user interface is easy enough for the casual user to master, yet has all the
features that experts demand.
www.alias.com
ArtRage is a painting package designed to provide a realistic and fun simulation of using paint on
a canvas, along with pens, pencils, crayons, and other tools. You can run ArtRage on a normal
Windows machine with a mouse, but it works particularly well if you have a graphics tablet. Even
better, running ArtRage on a Tablet PC takes advantage of the unique interaction of pen and
screen to produce a realistic painting feel.
www.ambientdesign.com
bCAD for Tablet PC is a complete 3D/2D design package for wide range of users – engineers,
architects, designers and students. It includes the specialized tools you need to develop
compelling designs using sketches, drawings, 3D models, illustrations, real-time visualization, flyby animation, software rendering, and rapid prototypes. With pen-enabled screen you draw and
design naturally on the display itself as you would do with a pen on paper or drawing board. You
may use your applications intuitively thanks to the optimal hand-eye-co-ordination and simulate
various conventional drawing techniques with the ergonomic Object Snap. bCAD for Tablet is
fully compatible with Windows XP Tablet PC edition and takes all its advantages and benefits.
www.propro.ru
Autodesk Architectural Studio is a conceptual design creation tool for architects and other
design professionals. It recreates the traditional design studio (where intuitive, direct-manipulation
tools such as pencils, markers and erasers are typically used) in a digital world for conceptual
design, sketching, modeling and presentation. Within an Architectural Studio workspace, a user
can integrate freehand sketches and conceptual models with precision drawings generated by
CAD design programs and other software. Autodesk also offers Design Site, a service that lets
Architectural Studio users collaborate and communicate with partners in an Internet-based, realtime environment that integrates sketches, CAD drawings, 3D models and renderings, photos,
Office documents and even animations.
Most current use of Architectural Studio is on a desktop with a Wacom digitizing tablet. With the
availability of the Tablet PC, an architect can work on-site without paper. For example, the design
of a new building is always done in the context of the site, which can include other buildings,
rivers, etc. Sketching on-site rather than working from photos can add substantial value to the
design process. Later in the process, once the building is under construction, the Tablet PC can
Technologies
again eliminate paper. Instead of using the traditional process of reducing, marking-up and faxing
drawings back and forth, the architect and contractor can communicate digitally using Tablet PCs.
While Architectural Studio has not been enhanced to support digital ink yet, Autodesk is working
on enhancing at least one of their GIS (Geographic Information Systems) products such as
Autodesk Map. This product, built on top of AutoCAD, gives engineers, planners, utility
managers, and technicians the ability to create, maintain and produce maps, integrate data from
many sources and formats, perform GIS analysis, and produce thematic maps. More details on
Autodesk's Tablet PC GIS plans were not available in time for this article. www.autodesk.com
Corel Grafigo (presumably named for "graphics on the go") is a new application written
specifically for the Tablet PC. It is intended to enhance a mobile knowledge worker's ability to
create, brainstorm, collaborate on ideas, take notes, and provide feedback on visuals while away
from the office. Grafigo delivers sketching and annotation tools, symbol libraries, shape
recognition and handwriting recognition in an entirely graphical user interface with almost no
drop-down menus. Grafigo can import raster or bitmapped images (JPG, TIF, BMP, etc.) and
uses an "onionskin" (transparent overlay) feature to allow annotation individually or in
collaboration over the Internet (using Microsoft's NetMeeting). Files can be saved in Scalable
Vector Graphics (SVG) file format, which can then be viewed by any application with support for
SVG - including Internet Explorer.
The application uses the Microsoft .NET framework, is written entirely in Microsoft C# ("C sharp"),
and was developed using Microsoft Visual Studio .NET. This allows the application to leverage
the full power of .NET, be customized, consume Web services, and provide enterprise-based
solutions. As such, Grafigo seems more like a demonstration platform for Microsoft development
tools and Corel's development skills as an ISV than a serious commercial application. Supporting
this impression are Corel's statements that their overall strategy is to "capture graphical
workflows of mobile knowledge workers", and that their future emphasis will be on "developing
specific tools for customers in key vertical markets."
www.corel.com
Colligo Personal is software for real-time, short-range, peer-to-peer interactions ("instant
networking") using WiFi or Bluetooth wireless hardware. It supports groups of up to 10 people.
Colligo's solution to the need to share files and information in ad-hoc meetings consists of two
fundamental components. The first is the ability to communicate wirelessly in real time, rather
than having to be funneled through a local access point or a back-end server on the Internet, or
(even worse) struggle with IrDA or pass floppies around. The second is the layering of application
services developed to run on top of the wireless platform, such as user-to-user file sharing, email,
chat and instant messaging, document synchronization, and other collaborative activities.
www.colligo.com
ESRI (formerly Environmental Systems Research Institute) is a company that's totally focused on
geographical information systems (GIS). Their flagship product, ArcGIS, consists of a scalable
family of applications that cover a wide range of GIS needs from the individual user to enterprisewide systems. This includes such functions as mapping, geocoding, 3D geographic data
visualization, spatial query, topographical analysis, geostatistical analysis, editing topologically
integrated features, feature-linked annotation, advanced spatial analysis, and street address
Technologies
matching and map display. ESRI's GIS technology is found in dozens of industries, ranging from
banking and insurance to forestry and surveying.
ESRI has enhanced their ArcMap product specifically for use on the Tablet PC by including
support for multiple digital ink overlays. When a map is displayed in ArcMap, an ink toolbar
appears. The toolbar includes tools for storing, highlighting, recognizing (with alternatives) and
erasing ink, along with other functions. The user can even create special ink shapes (such as
forest boundaries), define them as geographic features and store them in the database for later
re-use.
In a typical usage scenario, a utility worker goes out into the field with a Tablet PC containing a
map. The worker makes notes on the map using digital ink and then returns to the office. The ink,
tied geographically to the spatial information, is stored in the enterprise system. Since all of
ESRI's products share a common code base (using .NET), a consistent user experience, a
unified extension model, and a single development environment, anyone in the enterprise using
any ESRI application can make use of the worker's ink. ESRI also provides a downloadable ink
API module that can be bound into non-Tablet PC applications, allowing users on non-Tablet PC
versions of Windows to search for and view ink. www.esri.com
Groove is a decentralized collaboration platform. Unlike server-based collaboration software from
the past such as Lotus Notes, Groove is entirely peer-to-peer. Groove allows small groups of
people to create secure, interactive, shared workspaces. Each user's PC has a local copy of the
workspace. All content, activity and gestures made by any member of the group are immediately
duplicated on the other members' PCs. There is no "master copy" of the data in a shared
workspace; each member's copy is a peer in the network. Although it's not required, a server may
be included in the network to broker connections between offline members (who may never be
online at the same time), or between members separated by corporate firewalls.
Once invited into a Groove Workspace, you can work on a project, brainstorm, plan an event,
discuss issues, share drafts and proposals, coordinate schedules or just "get stuff done." The
Groove workspace incorporates tools to support all of these activities, including a calendar,
contact manager, threaded discussion manager, document review tools, real-time co-editing
tools, forms, meeting manager, notepad, outliner, picture viewer, bulletin board, project manager,
sketchpad and real-time co-web-browsing tool. Additional tools are available from third-party
developers, including tools for architectural drawing, CAD viewing, voting, co-reviewing digital
media, mind mapping (project management), CRM, bug tracking, Outlook email integration,
proposal management and other collaborative activities.
Groove's initial enhancement to support the Tablet PC is the addition of ink chat. Ink chat can be
used for simple wireless messaging in a meeting, or you can embed images and other objects in
the message, turning it into a kind of whiteboard messaging tool. There is also an existing
sketchpad tool in Groove; with the availability of the Tablet PC's pen, the tool becomes much
easier to use than with a mouse. Groove seems committed to the idea of digital ink, so future
versions of the Groove workspace are likely to include additional ink support.
www.groove.net
FranklinCovey is known world-wide for (among other things) their paper-based "FranklinCovey
TabletPlanner" personal productivity system. TabletPlanner is an implementation of the
FranklinCovey Planner system on a Tablet PC, designed to take maximum advantage of digital
Technologies
ink. TabletPlanner's positioning is that it "provides the ease, speed and convenience of planning
in your own handwriting, and the flexibility, indexing, storage and search capabilities of a mobile
notebook computer."
TabletPlanner includes extensive note-taking features, prioritized daily task management,
appointment scheduling, searching, synchronization with Microsoft Exchange, printing, document
annotation, gestures for ease of use, and a capability called "eBinder" that provides a storage
system for any kind of electronic documents - including web pages, Office documents, e-books,
meeting agendas, etc. One of the basic principles taught in FranklinCovey's time management
and productivity courses is the value of keeping everything in one place; eBinder is a "killer
feature" of TabletPlanner that does exactly that and provides a high degree of leverage.
One difference between a PDA and TabletPlanner is that it is much easier to get information into
and out of TabletPlanner. The Tablet PC's handwriting recognition is simply easier to use than
Graffiti, and documents from any other application running on the Tablet PC can be put into
eBinder by simply "printing" to TabletPlanner (like printing to a file). Actually, comparing
TabletPlanner to a PDA is a little unfair to the PDA. TabletPlanner is more like a combination of
Microsoft Journal for note-taking, all the Palm OS built-in applications for appointments and
contacts, all the methodology of the Franklin Planning system for structure, and a free-form
database such as AskSam (www.asksam.com) for document storage, all supported by the Tablet
PC's digital ink. It's quite something! The value proposition of the TabletPlanner is that it really
does help you deal with information overload. It allows you to feel fulfilled at the end of a day,
knowing that you've accomplished something.
Most Tablet PC buyers will have the opportunity to try TabletPlanner, since a 30-day trial version
is being bundled with many brands of Tablet PCs (including Acer, HP, Fujitsu, Toshiba,
PaceBlade and ViewSonic). You may think of the Franklin Planner as an "individual consumer"
type of product, given that FranklinCovey has more than 180 retail stores around the country and
sells more than 6 million copies of the Franklin Planner binder ever year. Actually, more than 50%
of those customers are in enterprise. In fact, FranklinCovey's clients include 0% of the Fortune
100 and more than 75% of the Fortune 500. In that context, the apparent eagerness of the OEMs
to bundle TabletPlanner with the mostly enterprise-oriented Tablet PC makes a lot of sense. www.franklincovey.com
Iteration Real-Time Platform
Iteration Software is addressing the brand-new area of real-time enterprise reporting and
information delivery. "Real-time" in this context means information delivered to a user within 2-10
seconds of an event or transaction. Real-time delivery of information has been used for more
than 10 years in the financial industry for streaming stock quotes, but there aren't yet any
enterprise reporting platforms that deliver what Iteration calls "active" (continuously changing)
enterprise information. Iteration believes they will be among the first providers of such a platform;
their first product shipped by the end of 2003.
At the back end, Iteration's server taps into data flows produced by existing enterprise information
systems such as SAP, PeopleSoft, Siebel, etc. "Tapping into" such data flows has only recently
been made possible by the emergence of firms focusing on the "enterprise application
integration" (EAI) market. These firms enable the exchange of information between enterprise
information systems by defining open standards for inter-application message interfaces and
formats; Iteration's server software simply "listens" for relevant messages.
Technologies
On the front end, Iteration offers "Active Viewer," a thin user interface (UI) for sharing real-time
information. This UI is supported by an administrative and architectural subsystem that allows
creating reports and display formats that meet users' specific needs.
This is a very different approach to meeting management information needs than the traditional
method of storing enterprise data in a data warehouse and running queries or batch reports
against the store overnight or at longer intervals. Intended for data that has significant time value,
Iteration's approach side-steps the data warehouse bottleneck and streams the data (typically in
summary and/or "alert/exception" forms) directly to the user. Interestingly, the data stream is
stored in a large RAM cache rather than written to disk - a direct result of the inherently transient
nature of real-time data.
Iteration sees the Tablet PC as an ideal delivery mechanism for a real-time data stream. The
enhanced mobility of wireless-equipped Tablet PCs enables Iteration's software to "find" the user
wherever he or she is located and deliver the real-time information. Iteration also offers an
enhanced version of their "Active Viewer" UI that includes ink annotation capability. Note,
however, that annotating an "active" data report is quite different than annotating a static
document such as PowerPoint presentation. Since the information data stream is real-time, the
digital ink isn't stored on disk anywhere. It exists only in time, overlaid on a particular instance of
a report in the RAM cache. When the report is updated or replaced minutes or hours later, the ink
disappears. The purpose of the ink is to help users collaborate on a shared active data report - in
that way, it functions similarly to an ink-based instant-messaging program.
www.iteration.com
KeyLogix ActiveDocs
ActiveDocs is a companion product to Word 2002/2003 that makes it easy to automate the
document-creation process. Customizing standard documents (e.g., proposals, tenders,
contracts, quotes, reports, etc.) and completing repetitive forms is an accepted part of business;
however, very often this kind of work is done by the mistake-prone "cut, paste, and Save As"
method in Word. Using Word templates can reduce mistakes and make the process faster, but
automating the template for efficient use is generally a job for programmers using macros and
VBA (Visual Basic for Applications).
Enter ActiveDocs, a set of tools that makes it simple to create an "intelligent" Word template,
specify form fields and values, and create an automated template that helps you create a new
document - all without programming. Once an initial template is created, it's marked up using
ActiveDocs authoring tools. When the template is used to create a new Word document,
ActiveDocs automatically displays a Document Wizard that prompts the user for responses. For
example, if a project manager creates a new contract from an appropriate Word template, Word
detects ActiveDocs functioning in the template and starts the Document Wizard. The wizard asks
the project manager a series of questions, including pre-defined options. Based on the project
manager's responses, ActiveDocs generates the contract. It puts the captured information in the
correct place and formats the final document.
Keylogix has built support for the Tablet PC into the ActiveDocs application in a very clever way.
In addition to normal ink recognition and translation into text, ink can also be used to annotate
graphics in ways that drive the application (note that this is a capability that goes well beyond the
Office Tablet Pack). This is best illustrated by an example. Suppose that the document being
created is a rental agreement. The customer name and rental details are entered in ink and
recognized, which triggers a database inquiry. Once the results of the inquiry are reviewed and
approved, a graphic of a fuel gauge is displayed. The graphic can be marked to indicate the level
Technologies
of fuel remaining after the rental. If the gauge is marked "full", a conditional rule is applied, adding
the "full tank" statement to the document. If a lower level is marked, the "vehicle needs refueling"
statement is added. In addition, the graphic of the marked fuel gauge is stored in the document.
www.activedocs.com
Parascript riteMail
RiteMail from Pen&Internet, a division of Parascript, is a tool for informal written communication.
It's a mobile, multi-platform, interactive "inkmail" program. RiteMail allows you to exchange
handwritten email messages in high-quality ink between handhelds, desktops, notebooks and
Tablet PCs (or any computer with a pen and digitizer). Regardless of the platform used by the
receiver, the ink email shows up exactly as you saw it on your machine. RiteMail wasn't designed
or even enhanced specifically for the Tablet PC, but it's a natural fit.
RiteMail eliminates the need for on-screen keyboards or handwriting recognition, provides true
language independence, and adds a personal touch to your emails and notes. RiteMail works
with Outlook, Outlook Express, Netscape Mail and Eudora, as well as web-based email systems
such as AOL Mail, Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and others. You can create or edit messages using a
variety of ink colors, tools and widths. (However, if you use a very thin ink width that you can see
clearly on the Tablet PC's high-resolution screen, it may not appear as clear or as dark if the
receiver has a lower-resolution screen.) If you include a drawing in your email, riteMail's built-in
riteShape feature can correct it for you, generating perfect circles, quadrangles, triangles, ovals,
lines, arrows and other shapes from your rough approximations.
www.ritemail.net
WebEx Meeting Service
WebEx is an interactive communications infrastructure company, providing "media tone"
(communications services) for real-time online meetings. The content of meetings (who was
there, what was discussed, results, action items, contributions, etc.) is often hard to capture;
WebEx's Meeting Center client software makes it easier. WebEx isn't a "collaboration company"
in the sense of Groove Networks; it simply provides tools for conducting efficient and productive
real-time meetings over the Internet. In addition to basic meeting facilitation, the WebEx client
allows sharing any Windows application (including Microsoft Journal). The shared application can
also be controlled remotely, which enhances the effectiveness of live demos and team meetings.
Video from a desktop camera or a VCR, DVD or camcorder can also be incorporated into a
meeting.
The WebEx Meeting Service client has been enhanced to support digital ink in several ways.
First, the client allows taking notes in digital ink during the meeting. The notes are currently
designated as a "private" function for each attendee, so they can't be shared. Next, you can use
handwriting recognition to enter chat text. Chat can be recorded during the meeting, which is an
advantage over instant messaging. Then, while you are discussing a document or giving a
presentation during a meeting, all of the Meeting Service client's normal annotation tools can be
used with the pen (pen, highlighter, oval, square, line, arrow, check mark and X-mark). Finally, in
the same context, you can use a "swipe" gesture to advance or back up a page.
www.webex.com
Zinio Reader
Zinio was founded to create, in partnership with magazine publishers and advertisers, the first
fully digital magazines. Focusing on e-magazines rather than e-books makes a lot of sense when
you consider that it eliminates all the issues associated with long-term media storage. A
magazine has value for a short time, and then it's gone. In addition, with a magazine, the format
Technologies
is a critical part of the publication, so accurate on-screen reproduction of the format has value. In
contrast, the format of an e-book isn't critical - a Charles Dickens book is the same whether it's in
8 point Times Roman or 14 point Gothic. People also read magazines differently than they read
books; a magazine read in "snacking" (random) style may be more suited to a computer than a
book read in "cover-to-cover" (linear) style.
Zinio's reader is all about the experience of reading a branded magazine, not about software.
That's why the first thing you see when you go to the Zinio website is 20 magazine covers and
not much else. The reader user interface has been highly refined to be intuitive and non-intrusive.
The reader is only part of the total Zinio system, however -- the other parts deal with creating
digital versions of magazines, delivering them to subscribers, and supporting all types of
circulation offers and research.
A magazine reader is a compelling enough Tablet PC application so that several of the Tablet PC
OEMs are pre-installing the reader on their hardware (this includes HP and Fujitsu). The visual
experience of reading a magazine on a Tablet PC with the Zinio reader has a surprisingly large
impact. A 3D animation of page-turning, easy zooming in and out, hyperlinks for the table of
contents and additional information, annotation, single-page and spread-page layouts,
highlighting and gestures for page turning make for a visually compelling experience. With 160
million adult magazine readers in the US, over 50% of who access and use the Internet, Zinio is
attacking a significant market.
The enhancements that Zinio made in the reader to support the Tablet PC include the following:
 Automatic switch to single-page view when the Tablet PC is in portrait mode
 Ink annotation, with the ability to forward marked-up magazines via email
 Highlighting with the pen
 Keyword search in ink
 Support of Tablet PC hardware buttons and gestures for page-turning.
www.zinio.com
A list of over 100 applications can be found in the Microsoft Tablet PC application catalogue:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/partners/software.mspx
or at http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windowsxp/tabletpc/software/thirdparty/default.mspx

Mobile Learning

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