|
This page contains information about the development of an electronic textbook framework underway in the Bradley Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech.
VTEXT is an e-textbook add-in for Microsoft OneNote that:
- replaces paper textbooks
- enhancing students' learning practices
- improves readability
- annotation
- search
- exploration
- collaboration
- just in time multimedia & simulation
The addin operates on any device that will run OneNote but is optimized for use with devices that allow electronic ink.
In the classroom students can:
- take notes directly on the e-textbook
- insert pages and even chapters for taking her/his own notes from lectures or other sources.
By using a convertible laptop or mobile slate/pad/surface device, a student can easily switch between using touch, stylus, or the keyboard for taking notes, annotating text, tagging significant information, and other typical pedagogical practices.
The framework allows the student to use built-in audio and video recording, to view multimedia materials, to run embedded simulations, and to collaborate with other students or instructors.
To view a movie showing the addin in action please see http://filebox.ece.vt.edu/~jgtront/etextbook/introtoVTEXT.mp4
To download a beta copy of the framework software click on: (beta not yet ready)
For further information contact:
Dr. Joseph G. Tront - jgtront ATT vt.edu
John O. Cristy - jcristy ATT vt.edu
Our recent papers:
"The New E-Textbook: Flipping the Page to a New Paradigm"
http://www.asee.org/public/conferences/8/papers/4468/view
Developing a Plug-In Tool to Make OneNote an E-Textbook" http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=06229817
New Stuff:
The Bluetooth scanner app allows students take a picture from their cell phone and transfer it directly into their VTEXT book or into OneNote pages. We expect students to insert notes written on whiteboards (or lord forbid, blackboards) directly into their notes by snapping pictures and transfering automatically.
This work was supported through the generosity of W.S."Pete" White, VT Class of 1948, through his endowment of the W.S. "Pete" White Chair for Innovation in Engineering Education. Mr. White, an electrical engineering alumnus, is a past Chair and CEO of American Electric Power and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Professor Joseph Tront of the electrical and computer engineering department held this chair from 2010 to 2012.
Return to Joe Tront's webpage
| 
