What is eLearning?

eLearning is simply “electronic learning”, this in most cases is learners using desktop computers, laptops, tablets and in some cases smart phones to learn about a specific subject, be it through eBooks, articles on the internet, apps or any other media.

Parents

It's almost always best to communicate with the school on which device would best suit their eLearning environment. Your options are likely to be tablet or laptop. Now while there are benefits for both cases, a laptop is bound to give your child the most educational value. Laptops are more durable than tablets, tend to have longer battery lives and are easier to capture data on, e.g. make notes etc. It also prepares learners with an interface that they are surely to use in the workplace.

You will also afford your child the opportunity to experiment with programming, which is something that cannot really be done on a tablet. Additional features like double page view and having multiple books open could also be beneficial which are hard to navigate on a tablet.

The two options you have in this category are generally MacBook (Apple) and Windows Notebooks (various hardware vendors). MacBooks are expensive compared to their Windows counterparts. We also recommend staying away from celeron laptops, they are too slow to support many software packages.

If you have to buy a tablet however, get a cover for it, make sure it has a memory card slot and get a sd card to put into that slot. Consider insuring the device and explain to your child the importance of looking after their property.

Teachers

Simple integration

Various schools have varying levels of equipment and implementation. However you don't need an elaborate set up to get started in eLearning, you can get started with a laptop and a projector. You will be able to project videos and images to your class to explain subject matter in a more engaging way than a textbook alone can.

Many of the Shuter & Shooter ebooks have been enhanced with animations, videos and interactions. These types of enhancements and additional resources make your job as a teacher so much easier as you do not have to try and find acceptable content to show your class.

Connectivity

Connectivity is a problem in many classrooms. Not all classrooms are connected and some are not connected all of the time. Make sure yonce your content has been downloaded that it doesn't require an internet connection to be read.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

With many schools not having a budget to provide students with equipment, many opt for the bring your own device. Now while this is a very easy way of not having to deal with the technical difficulty, you are faced with parents buying a range of diverse devices and those devices are running different platforms eg: Windows, iOS, Android etc. You will now need an eReader that caters for a mixed environment and can run on all these platforms. Our preferred eReader (eduReader) provides applications on all the platforms.

Enhance teaching

When you use software like the eduReader you can also add in your own media and customise your book to your learning method. The software allows many other features to help you enhance your teaching experience. Check out the eduReader webpage for more information about it.

It's also important to note whilst there are other platforms on which to find our products, many of these platforms don't cater for effective media management and that our ebooks are best experienced on the eduReader platform.

Students

With the popularity of tablets, it's only natural that you would want to get one. However, if you can afford to get a laptop and your schools eLearning supports that, it would be in your favour to opt for this option. You have an easier, more familiar interface to work with. You are preparing yourself for a real work environment (computers are used over tablets in the workplace). You can program and develop your technical skills on a laptop, which is something you can not really do on a tablet. You also have the luxury of double page view and multiple windows which tablets won't give you.

Booksellers

We have made it easy for booksellers to purchase book vouchers that anybody can redeem using the eduReader, this enables you as a bookseller to provide your client with an ebook that they didn't have to buy using a webportal. However they will still need to be connected to the internet to download the application and the book.

Device Overview

You should find out more information regarding the schools eLearning environment and which devices they advise before making your purchase.

Not all devices are created equally and you really need to consider your eLearning needs before just buying any device.