E-book based Learning in times of Pandemic

Abstract

As a necessary preventive measure against the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), many educational institutions across the globe are changing the style of traditional teaching-learning interactions from classrooms to online modes in a very short period. Data gathered from an online survey conducted with participants (educators and researchers, n=57) from 19 different countries, found that digital divide, uncertainty regarding student's participation in the online activities, and the increase in effort of the teachers to make the rapid transition to a new online mode of teaching and learning are some of the common challenges during this period. We propose how BookRoll, an eBook-based and learning analytics enhanced system has a low floor and high ceiling to continue interactive learning activities during this period. This proposal has the following advantages: It takes lower bandwidth to distribute learning materials than video-based learning activities; teachers can directly use their previously created content with the students and provide easily trackable in-content formative evaluations (specific reflective questions or annotation-based activities).