Guidelines for eBook design

In this paper we intended to propose guidelines for novice designers, i.e., without prior experience with eBook design. The first step was a systematic literature review, which resulted in 1052 guidelines, which were iteratively analysed until reduced to a smaller amount. After that, 15 practicing designers evaluated the utility of these guidelines, and excluded the ones they considered not useful (to novice designers). In an effort to embed expert knowledge, we asked doctoral students to propose guidelines, which went through the same process of analysis and peer evaluation, and were added to the previous set, which resulted in 38 unique design guidelines. Finally, three doctoral students who also are practicing designers with experience in eBook design, commented each guideline and defined the final set. The result is a set of 13 guidelines.Neste artigo pretendemos propor diretrizes para designers iniciantes, ou seja, sem experiência anterior com o design de e-books. O primeiro passo foi uma revisão sistemática da literatura, que resultou em 1052 diretrizes, que foram analisadas iterativamente até serem reduzidas para uma quantidade menor. Depois disso, 15 designers experientes avaliaram a utilidade dessas diretrizes e excluíram as que consideraram não úteis (para designers iniciantes). Em um esforço para incorporar conhecimento especializado, pedimos a estudantes de doutorado para proporem diretrizes, que passaram pelo mesmo processo de análise e avaliação por pares, e foram adicionadas ao conjunto anterior, o que resultou em 38 diretrizes. Finalmente, três estudantes de doutorado que também são designers com experiência em design de eBooks, comentaram cada diretriz e definiram o conjunto final. O resultado é um conjunto de 13 diretrizes

Lecturers’ Opinions and Preferences: Printed Book or E-Book for Science Teaching

Even while printed books and electronic books frequently contain the same material, they differ greatly from one another and each format has its own benefits and drawbacks. This study's purpose is to acquire a thorough grasp of the opinions and preferences of the lecturers in employing book formats for science teaching. The findings of the study would assist other lecturers in thinking through and selecting implementation strategies for employing those two types of book formats. Then, this study identifies the advantages and disadvantages of digital versus print books as well as the reasons why lecturers favor one over the other through this research. This study used a qualitative phenomenological methodology. The stages of the research are selecting research informants, collecting the data and analysis to drawing conclusions. The instrument used in this study is in depth interview. Data collection was carried out through interviews with lecturers who have used both books’ formats. Based on the results of the study it was found that there were 35% lecturers who preferred to use printed books, 10% lecturers who preferred to uses e-books, and 55% lecturers who preferred to use both printed and e-books. They preferences were based on the situational of teaching and learning process.Even while printed books and electronic books frequently contain the same material, they differ greatly from one another and each format has its own benefits and drawbacks. This study's purpose is to acquire a thorough grasp of the opinions and preferences of the lecturers in employing book formats for science teaching. The findings of the study would assist other lecturers in thinking through and selecting implementation strategies for employing those two types of book formats. Then, this study identifies the advantages and disadvantages of digital versus print books as well as the reasons why lecturers favor one over the other through this research. This study used a qualitative phenomenological methodology. The stages of the research are selecting research informants, collecting the data and analysis to drawing conclusions. The instrument used in this study is in depth interview. Data collection was carried out through interviews with lecturers who have used both books’ formats. Based on the results of the study it was found that there were 35% lecturers who preferred to use printed books, 10% lecturers who preferred to uses e-books, and 55% lecturers who preferred to use both printed and e-books. They preferences were based on the situational of teaching and learning process

Book’s materiality: mapping and thematic visualization in the information science literature

Introduction: The book is a symbolic object or a “semiophore”, which denotes its condition of being “beyond information”, involving, in addition, materiality and institutionality. Objective: To map authors, works and themes related or tangent to the subject “book’s materiality” in the scope of information science. Methodology: A mapping of the thematic coverage was carried out in national and international databases, then, the texts identified were analyzed and visualized using Voyant Tools tool. Results: 100 documents that covered the period between 1996 and 2020 were analyzed, with the highest occurrence of publication of book’s materiality thematic in the years of 2016, 2017 and 2018. In terms of terminology, expressions that lead to the understanding of the book as a documentary and symbolic support that contains information, stand out, and can compose collections in institutions worried with social memory, as is the case of libraries. The journals that most publish articles on the subject were Encontros Bibli and Journal of Documentation, and the databases that index the most journals that address the topic were BRAPCI and Library and Information Science Abstracts. Conclusion: The book’s materiality theme establishes a bridge between the breadth of the “materiality” concept and a relationship between book and document. The book – when studied based on the multidimensionality of materiality, whether expressed in analog or digital environment – constitutes itself as a symbolic object in addition to being conceived as a mere source of information

eBooks and Print Books Can Have Different Affects on Literacy Comprehension

This study focused on answering the question of which literacy tool would promote literacy more, electronic books or print books. The new literacies theory implies that teachers implement technology into their classrooms so that students can navigate through the 21st century. This study was conducted to see if eBooks could help students reading comprehension skills improve. Six students were chosen to test reading retell comprehension after interacting with an eBook’s enhanced features. When testing students reading retell comprehension with print books, students read aloud for a pre-reading assessment. It was found that eBooks contain engaging reading features that help students improve reading comprehension. Multiple implications will help teachers improve their curriculum with the use of eBooks along with professional development

Exploring the Determinants of Digital Content Adoption By Academics: The Moderating Role of Environmental Concerns and Price Value

The study investigates the underlying motives facilitating users’ continuance intention for digital content in academic settings. Extending the expectation confirmation model of IS continuance (ECM-ISC), the study proposes a conceptual model by incorporating personal and technological antecedents of users’ continuance intention for digital content. In addition, users’ environmental concerns and price value are considered as potential moderators in the relationship between their satisfaction and continuance intention for digital content. An online survey was used to collect data from 311 digital content users of a large public university in Saudi Arabia. Structural equation modeling was used to test the relationships in the conceptual model. The results obtained from SmartPLS 3.2 confirm that compatibility, convenience, self-efficacy, and facilitating conditions are the predictors of confirmation and usefulness of digital content. The confirmation of expectations and perceived usefulness result in greater satisfaction with the digital content, which in turn leads to users’ continuance intention. In addition, the article provides empirical evidence for the impact of environmental concerns on the satisfaction–continuance intention relationship, thus opening a novel research debate. The study is expected to offer new insights both for academicians and managers of digital content

The Attitudes of EFL Students towards Extensive Reading Program in Digital Library in Private Primary School (A Case of Erbil)

Extensive Reading (ER) is described as an individual’s voluntary and unrestricted reading of huge amounts of material or long texts for the sake of general comprehension and pleasure from the content. Digital libraries offer rich content and ample digital aids that student may get benefit while reading independently. These aids can help, encourage, and motivate children because of the digital additions that traditional books lack. They may be able to make reading books more entertaining for children by using bright animations and introducing them to print and pictures in an enjoyable way. Accordingly, the present research aims to examine the attitudes of private primary schools’ students towards an extensive reading program in digital library. A qualitative research methodology was selected to reveal the perceptions and preferences of the students. The collected data analysed through thematic analysis. The research participants are 10 students from grade 5 and 6 in a private primary school. This study might be useful for instructors to see how students react extensive reading program in digital library and technological features embedded to it, as well as curriculum designers to think about the impact of digital libraries on students’ reading habit development

Brazil: When Did e-Books Become a Socioeconomic and Cultural Issue?

Crafted as part of an MSc in Library Science dissertation, this study meticulously unveils the intricate relationship between Brazil's socioeconomic and cultural landscape and the evolving preferences in reading habits. The narrative unfurls against a backdrop where physical books are perceived as financially elusive, especially for low-income individuals and students. Through a comprehensive mixed-method approach, the research illuminates how electronic books (e-Books) have emerged as indispensable allies across diverse socioeconomic strata. Delving into the local context, it accentuates the disparities in educational access and economic challenges faced by students, prompting a shift towards the affordability and accessibility of e-Books. This exploration contributes a distinctly Brazilian perspective to the global conversation on the intersection of culture, economics, and technology in shaping reading preferences. By scrutinizing the Brazilian experience, this study advocates for targeted initiatives and policies aimed at democratizing access to literary resources and fostering a digital reading culture tailored to the unique challenges of the nation

Clean Water Using Solar and Wind

The aim of Clean Water Using Solar and Wind is to make water professionals aware of the possibilities that solar photo-voltaic (PV) and wind offer to bring, not only clean energy but also clean water to remote and rural areas in Africa and developing Asia as well as in many peri-urban areas in the developing world. These areas are located outside the conventional electric grids and a grid connection is usually not economically feasible. The systems are scalable and can be designed to any size, from the household level to village and community levels. It also means that more capacity can be readily added when demand increases

Water Services Management and Governance

This book focuses on water services, including water supply and wastewater services and deals with the connections between these. It covers water supply mainly in urban communities, sanitation and pollution control and water resources and their linkages to water services. This book is divided in to four key sections relating to governance frameworks, technology and socio-ecological interactions, government and governance, and long terms policies. The chapters analyse the complexity of the water services sector based on a historical analysis of developments within the sector. The underlying conviction is that only by understanding past trends, processes and developments can the current situation in the water services be understood. Only through this understanding can policies for sustainable water services in the future be formulated. The four key sections relate to governance frameworks, technology and socio-ecological interactions, government and governance, and long terms policies