It is wonderful to see how technology is expanding in developing countries with the onset of GSM services, smartphones, laptops, desktops and now Tablet PCs and e Readers. The growing awareness of Information Technology in education has made Students and academicians to utilize computers for studies and research.
However we are still seeing lots of textbooks and lecture “hand outs” in our classrooms. Even in advanced countries most students still spend lots on printed material which is disturbing. In developing countries where students cannot afford to purchase all their materials, this is worst off and has affected the quality of students in terms of skills acquisition.
The time has come for eBooks in Africa to take a positive place in institutions of learning. Students should have access to eBooks just as they have access to search engines online or social media sites.
The video clip in this write-up illustrates how primary or elementary schools students have access to up to 300 books on their e reader which is the size of some libraries. Students with lots of information within their reach can transform their lives.
Ebooks in Africa – The Time has Come – Video
For this to succeed, authors and academicians have to first of all embrace eBooks and e-readers. Authors and academicians in general should look into how they can publish their content electronically so that students can purchase them and study. An eBook awareness drive needs to start from the authors and school authorities as well as eBook publishers.
According to Matt Ogbulafor of Apad Canada Inc.
If an author has a manuscript in Microsoft Word, he or she has over 80% of the requirements for an eBook version. Most authors publishes two versions of their books – the textbook version and the ebook version and can make more revenue from International downloads.
Click here to see a hard copy (paperback) and soft-copy (eBook) of a book.
Once academicians publish eBooks, students will in turn purchase and download them onto their e-readers, tablet computers or smartphones at a much cheaper cost.
It is time to get students more engaged into reading and studying. Imagine a student with an e reader with 1000 eBooks. It is just like having an entire library within the reach of one person. Students can then read and gain knowledge much faster using ebooks.
In summary, let us use what we currently have to improve ourselves. Let students use their computers to learn. Ebooks in Africa, if made more available, is clearly the way for the future.
