From CUNY Academic Commons

CUNY E-Reader Pilot Projects, Studies 

  • Library: Baruch
    • “Evaluating the Use of Kindles for Course Textbooks and Disseminating Course Material”
    • Contacts: Mike Waldman & Kannan Mohan
    • Date: 2009
    • Device/Model: Amazon Kindle
    • Project description: Used with a CIS systems analysis class; specific textbook available for the Kindle; ebooks from Books24x7 and library catalog; also used with a Green IT class; qualitative data via semi-structured interviews; post-class voluntary interviews conducted.
    • Findings: Students reported a mostly positive experience; main issue was the accessibility problems of the Kindle (DOJ letters to schools like Reed College have been a problem with Kindle projects).
    • For more info: Baruch Teaching and Technology Conference March 2010

  • Library: John Jay
    • Contacts: Maria Kiriakova, Karen Okamoto, Mark Zubarev, Gretchen Gross
    • Date: 2009
    • Device/Model: Sony E-Reader, PRS-500 & PRS-700
    • Project description: Device evaluation study; Design: the project was designed so that we would have small groups of 6-8 students for 15-minute sessions to let them manipulate the e-readers and answer a one-page questionnaire.
    • Findings: 
    • For more info: Computers in Libraries, 30.2 (March 2010)

  • Library: LaGuardia Community College
    • Contacts: Ann Matsuuchi, Scott White, Dianne Conyers
    • Date: 2010-2011 (ongoing)
    • Device/Model: Sony E-Reader, PRS-600
    • Project description: Semester-long classroom study using the Sony Reader for course content delivery; Human services classes; course readings provided on devices; online surveys adminstered at end of class.
    • Findings: At the end of the Fall 2010 semester, device did not meet initial hopes and expectations.
    • For more info: will be provided at the conclusion of study

E-Reader studies and pilot projects, outside of CUNY

  • Fairleigh Dickinson University – “E-Book Reader Pilot Program at FDU”
    • Contacts: Denise O’Shea, Systems Librarian
    • Date: 2009
    • Device/Model: Amazon Kindle DX, Sony E-Reader PRS-600 and PRS-700, iPod Touch
    • Project description: Comparison of devices
    • Findings:
      • Kindle – DX used in pilot, 3500 books can be use, some students reported that they thought it was too bulky; some possibility of previewing chapters; PDFs don’t appear well on Kindles – this is one of the reasons that Columbia dropped ebook reader plans
      • Sony Reader Touch -no wireless or apps with model used, 350 title limit, can print notes; licensing is much more clear with Sony (5 downloads per licence)
      • iPod Touch; Kindle app is free, wireless, multifunction device, color display (mostly just book covers), small screen
    • For more info: “E-Book Reader Pilot Program at FDU”

  • Kindle DX Pilot Project: Arizona State University, Case Western, Pace University, Princeton, Reed, University of Washington, 
    • Contacts: Pace – Dr. Jim Stenerson, jstenerson@pace.edu
    • Date: Fall 2009
    • Device/Model: Amazon Kindle DX
    • Project description: Institutions were selected by Amazon to participate in their Kindle DX pilot project. At each school, 40 to 60 students were given the device to use instead of textbooks in their courses.
    • Findings: Legal problems due to accessibility issues with the Kindle; student dissatisfaction reported in the press. 
    • For more info: University of Washington

  • Northwest Missouri State University – “A Campus-Wide E-Textbook Initiative”
    • Contacts: Jon T. Rickman, Roger Von Holzen, Paul G. Klute, and Teri Tobin
    • Date: Spring 2009
    • Device/Model: Sony Reader PRS-505, laptops
    • Project description: In-depth comparative study of e-textbooks used on different platforms/devices;
    • Findings: E-textbooks can cost up to 50 percent less than standard textbooks while providing the foundation for integration of multiple learning resources into a single delivery system; also potential for enhancing student learning, but full replacement of physical textbooks with e-textbooks will require further improvements with both publisher content and better hardware.
    • For more info: Reed College, EDUCAUSE Quarterly, 32.2 (2009)

  • Pratt Institute – “Kindle usage among LIS students: an exploratory study”
    • Contacts: Maria Cristina Pattuelli
    • Date: 2008
    • Device/Model: Amazon Kindle DX
    • Project description: A small-scale exploratory study on portable e-book readers was conducted during November and December 2008 with the aim of gathering information about the uses of, reactions to and expectations for the Kindle from library and information science (LIS) graduate students.
    • Findings: Very briefly describes positive and negative student feedback; The initial findings have prompted the design of a more detailed studyaimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the effects of portable e-book readers on the reading practices of students as well as on library service applications.
    • For more info: Rabina, Debbie L. & Maria Cristina Pattuelli. “Kindle Usage Among LIS Students: An Exploratory Study.” JCDL’09, June 15–19, 2009, Austin, Texas, USA. doi:10.1145/1555400.1555501

  • Reed College – “Reed College Kindle DX Project”
    • Contacts: Trina Marmarelli, Instructional Technologist & Martin Ringle, Chief Technology Officer
    • Date: Fall 2008
    • Device/Model: Amazon Kindle DX
    • Project description: The goals of the project are to: assess the overall prospects of e-book technology for curricular use; to identify specific impacts (both positive and negative) of e-book technology on teaching and learning activities, and to identify features of the Kindle DX whose modification (or addition) would improve its usability for curricular purposes.
    • Findings:“In closing, we may note that while students and faculty in Reed’s Kindle study were unanimous in reporting that the Kindle DX –– in its current incarnation –– was unable to meet their academic needs, many felt that once technical and other issues have been addressed, eReaders will play a significant, possibly a transformative, role in higher education.”
    • For more info: Reed College, Amazon Kindle DX Pilot Project Overview

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