1. What’s in a Name? Are We Really Talking About Books?
Electronic Books
What’s in a Name?
Are We Really Talking About Books?

2. Characteristics of a traditional book
* A physical object
* Used by one person at a time
* Requires no assisting technology
* Linear presentation
* Text and static illustration
* Published commercially
* Purchased or borrowed
* Preserved in a library
* Used independently outside the classroom

3. Characteristics of an Electronic Book
* A digital file
* Used by many individuals at one time
* Requires multiple technologies
* Linear and matrix organization
* Multimedia content with text and graphics
* Published commercially and privately
* Licensed
* Preservation undetermined
* Used interactively in the classroom and at distance

4. Digital File Requires reliable storage Needs network access
Requires access rights security
Must be preserved
If altered, requires preservation of the previous version
Needs persistent format standards for ubiquitous access

5. Used by Many Individuals at One Time
Rights for multiple concurrent use
Rights for individuals without location restrictions
Timeframe access
Persistence access

6. Requires Multiple Technologies
A network to access the content service
A computer to download the content
A viewer to make the content portable
A printer to transform the content
An Internet connection to maximize and utilize the content

7. Linear and Matrix Organization
Links within the electronic book
Links to external resources (other ebooks, websites)
Enhanced illustrations
Embedded multimedia files
Assessment tools
Interactive communications (with authors, instructors)

8. Multimedia Content With Text and Graphics
Animations, simulations
Digital video
Adaptive views (text enhancement, audio)
Links to multimedia outside the book
Multimedia as extractable learning objects

9. Published Commercially and Privately
Commercial publication of print and electronic from a single for-profit publisher
Collections with aggregators with fluctuating rights
Inexpensive self-publishing tools

10. Licensed Rights to access are time sensitive
Files remain with the publisher
Content can be time stamped with access rights that expire

11. Preservation Undetermined
Formats not yet standardized
Require display display devices that age
Preservation responsibilities not defined
File content stays with the for-profit publisher

12. Used Interactively in the Classroom and at Distance
Available via the campus network
Easily selected and isolated components (learning objects)
A vehicle for assessment and communications
Integral to class assignments
Linked to additional resources
Capable of customization and annotation

13. University Areas of Concern
Libraries
Bookstores
Network capacity
Security – Access (rights compliance)
Course Packs
Class presentation content
Distance education
Online courses
Faculty orientation