E-book and tablet programme for UWI Mona Medical students

Author: Andrea Braham
Title: Medical Students Saving Big through eBooks
Source: Jamaica Information Service
Date published: Wednesday, 14 November 2012
URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads/32280

Abstract:

The article  reports on a programme bringing e-books and tablet devices to medical students. This e-books programme is said to deliver to approximately 350 medical students all their required text books.

The article reports on a speech delivered by Acting Dean in the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Professor Horace Fletcher, explaining the programme. Prof. Fletcher reports that the book programme involves students paying a fee to access 18 books at the cost of one physical book from the UWI bookshop.
Also reported is the Deputy Principal at the UWI, Prof. Archibald McDaniel, stating that the initiative to begin the tablet programme emerged from the issue of the Medical Faculty increasing its student enrollment and using technology to enhance the learning experience. Prof. McDaniel adds that lecturers and associate lecturers will also receive the tablet device, SmartTab, to utilise as teaching aids.

Plans are mentioned to do the same with primary and high schools and even persons with disabilities (primarily the visually impaired). Minister for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson  reports that the Government is looking to provide tablets for primary schools. Mentioned is made that supplying computers for the Government's current e-learning programme cost US$1, 200 per computer and lasts on average three years. Robinson reports that the tablet programme would cost lest.


Excerpt:

"Students in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of the West Indies (UWI) can now access electronic medical texts at a fraction of the cost for the printed material, saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. 

The move has been facilitated through partnership between the Mona campus and local technology company, JL Mobile, makers of the SmartTab.  

For a one-time fee of US$200, the students will receive the tablet and have access to all their required texts for an additional US$200 per year. The one-time charge covers a seven-month warranty and technical support for the duration of the course."

First Jamaican public secondary school to get e-book platforms

Author: By Chris Patterson, Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Reporter
Title: New e-library Programme to boost Learning at Jamaica College
Date published: Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Source: Jamaica Information Service (JIS)
URL: http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/100-education/30045-new-e-library-programme-to-boost-learning-at-jamaica-college

Abstract:
The article reports on the launch of EBSCO e-library platform for the Jamaican public secondary school, Jamaica College. The Executive Member, Jamaica College Old Boys’ Association, Stephen Dawkins, describes some of the features of the platform.

Endorsement by the Minister of Education, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites is also reported. Thwaites also admonishes the students about the type of learners that Jamaica needs.

Statements on the integration of technology into learning are also reported from the Vice Principal for the Lower School,  Rohan Wong, and Public Relations Manager at FLOW, Jeanette Lewis. The contributors towards the platform's acquisition are identified, namely the Jamaica College Old Boys Association, and FLOW, as well as other institutions in the island which use EBSCO e-book platforms including the University of the West Indies (UWI), and private schools,  such as the American International School of Kingston (AISK).

Also, a brief background and history is also provided of the school.


Excerpt:

With the click of a button, students and teachers at one of the country's oldest secondary institutions, Jamaica College (JC), in Kingston, will have access to hundreds of digital books, photographs, and recordings through their e-library programme.

This means that students will now have the option of visiting the school’s library or using the virtual platform of the Elton B Stephens Company (EBSCO) e-library, which was launched on March 9.

Catering to user needs and preferences at every level of research,  the system can be used to easily move from the catalogue to the particular book, then to a particular chapter.

Jamaica College is the first and only public secondary school in the country to have implemented the EBSCO e-library platform.

UWI Press launches e-books for Kindle readers

Author: The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
Title: The UWI Press launches five e-books for Kindle customers
Date:  FEBRUARY 1, 2012
Source: The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago Campus News
URL: http://sta.uwi.edu/news/releases/release.asp?id=907


Abstract:

This news release from the University of the West Indies Press highlights one of the main Caribbean scholarly book publisher launching e-books for Kindle readers. Background information on the publisher is also provided and the titles that will be available in e-book format are announced. In addition, the publisher's goal of publishing more than 60 more titles in e-book format is also stated.


Excerpt:

January 2012 marked a new beginning for the UWI Press in the global book industry as it launches five e-books for its Kindle customers.

According to Linda Speth, the Director of the UWI Press: “Our goal is to provide superb Caribbean scholarship in a variety of formats.  During the next year, we will make more than 60 books available in electronic forms for a variety of tablets, readers and devices.  Our customers want a choice in how they gain access to our content and these and other initiatives will allow our customers greater access to and usability of our peer-reviewed books.”

The five e-books being launched are Cascade by Barbara Lalla, Inna di Dance Hall: Popular Culture and the Politics of Identity in Jamaica by Donna P. Hope, In Miserable Slavery: Thomas Thistlewood in Jamaica, 1750-86 by Douglas Hall,Jamaican Folk Medicine: A Source of Healing by Arvilla Payne-Jackson and Mervyn Alleyne and Abandoning Dead Metaphors: The Caribbean Phase of Derek Walcott’s Poetry by the late Patricia Ismond.

National Library Service of Barbados seeking to 'book' the unborn

Author: BY CARLOS ATWELL
Title: Booking unborn
Date Published: TUE, APRIL 12, 2011 - 12:02 AM
Source: Barbados Nation News
URL: http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/booking-unborn

Abstract:
Article reports on the National Library Service of Barbados's strategic direction, their strengths and gaps. The article notes that the library was, despite the growth of e-readers, still popular with children, adults and senior citizens. Nevertheless, the article also reports that library personnel are embarking on a strategy of promoting reading from the “baby stage” in order to get children accustomed to hearing a voice reading from as early as pregnancy. Disclosure is made of a team at the Sir Winston Scott Polyclinic speaking to pregnant mothers, introducing the library service's Leap Into Reading Programme for children from one to five years old.

Mention is also made of the acquisitions of  e-books by the libray, where the Director Annette Smith indicates that the Library Service had began the development of a collection of e-books to keep relevant with new technology. The view is however expressed that new sources like the Kindle and e-books are still incapable of competing with reading in the library or even reading the printed book.

Appeal is also made for donations in acquiring new books as well as volunteers to read to children.The Director also expresses the view that the library needs a bus to provide extended services to various communities during school summer holidays.

Mention is also made of the US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Brent Hardt presenting a list of books to the library as part of the National Library Week celebration in the United States.


Excerpt:

The National Library Service is not daunted by technology like the Kindle, but it is taking the fight for literacy to another level.

The service is seeking to reach Barbadians even before birth by promoting reading to unborn children through interacting with expectant mums at the polyclinics.

Yesterday, after a donation of 22 Notable Books by the United States Embassy, acting senior librarian at the Bridgetown branch, Grace Haynes, explained that although the library was still a popular place for children, adults and even senior citizens, library personnel felt the need to promote reading from the “baby stage”.