Ultimate e-Book for e-Learning

Ultimate e-Book for e-Learning

Ultimate e-Book for e-Learning
ART/094CP
20100701 - 20120630
20981

Dr Shen-chang Chao
There will be six deliverables in this project. They are listed as follows: * Hardware reference design of the next generation e-Book This hardware reference design would be based on an MID reference platform from prior projects, but with a more powerful processor. It is also equipped with sensor components, WiFi/3G connection, and most of the MID’s peripherals. * Android-based Interactive Teaching and Learning Platform The software platform for the e-Book device is based on the Android application framework. An Interactive Teaching and Learning Platform is developed on the device such that other customized teaching and learning applications can be built. The platform consists of commonly used modules in e-Learning systems, with an integrated interaction framework to offer enhanced user experience. * Intelligent e-Book Display Controller The intelligent e-Book display controller is a regular LCD panel equipped with LED back-lighting, sensors for the surrounding and reading status, as well as a software controller that automatically adjust the display for eye-comfortable reading. * DRM-enabled e-Book reader This e-Book reader is a mandatory application for the device, built on top of the Interactive Teaching and Learning Platform. The e-Reader will support most commonly used standard formats as well as an upcoming format meant for textbooks. It is also enabled by a DRM solution as well as content delivery method. * Forming of an e-Book for e-Learning alliance In this deliverable, an industrial alliance will be formed, in the form of an e-Book of e-Learning Special Interest Group (EESIG) under ASTRI’s Digital Living Consortium. The mission of EESIG is to lead the efforts of specifying the standards related to e-Book for e-Learning. During the project period, the group will release at least two versions o fthe standard. The initial version will cover the existing features that the publishers need in e-Textbooks, while the second version will incorporate many ingredients of teaching and learning, particularly assessments. * Patent applications At least four patents will be filed in this project to protect the intellectual properties. Potential areas include the e-Learning interaction model design and the intelligent e-Book display.

Going into a new decade, e-Learning is a global trend that many developed countries have already incorporated it into their education systems. Coupled with the Hong Kong SAR government’s e-Learning initiatives, it is imperative for ASTRI to get its footprint in this area and address the technical challenges that come along. In this project, ASTRI will deliver the next generation e-Book technology that would include textbook reading/multimedia viewing, teaching and learning all rolled into an e-Book device. Another innovation would be an intelligent display system that would offer certain characteristics of e-Ink but at the cost of regular LCD display. Furthermore, ASTRI will lead the efforts of deriving the standards for textbook in electronic form such that e-Learning contents can be accessed on various equipment. There will be long-lasting impacts from this project. The school system in Hong Kong will be escorted into the age of mobile e-Learning, with all 800K+ students the potential beneficiaries. There is also the potential to lower textbook costs for the students but enable new business models for the publishers. Eventually, ASTRI will position itself as a driving force of e-Learning in Hong Kong with the opportunity to enter the massive China market.