May 1 event highlights electronic textbook tips and challenges

Illustration by Megan Mathews, ITS Instructional Services

What if bulging student backpacks were replaced by a single tablet device? What if students got feedback and encouragement from an algorithm? What if your next textbook wasn’t a textbook at all but a blend of digital content from many sources? If current trends in textbook publishing continue, these possibilities may become the new reality.

Information Technology Services (ITS) is hosting an event to discuss awareness and issues surrounding the growing use of eTextbooks and the emerging uses of digital course content on the University of Iowa campus.

“Uncharted Waters: Piloting Etextbooks and the Challenges of Digital Course Content Adoption” will be held Thursday, May 1, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in 2520D University Capitol Centre, and will include a 30-minute presentation and 30-minute panel discussion covering findings from an ongoing series of pilots and topics, including:

• Student and faculty use of etext on the UI campus
• Explore challenges of etext adoption for faculty and students
• Tips for faculty and instructional designers for improved etext adoption

To learn more, visit the website and register.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, contact Megan Mathews in advance at 319-335-6141 or at megan-mathews@uiowa.edu