eBook Publication for Training

By Joel Zarley

One of the hottest topics in personal technology right now is eBooks and eReaders. But, how can this technology apply to workplace training? Training groups have long published user guides and training manuals, but now eBooks can change the way we design and distribute these materials. This book explores the different formats of eBooks; covers the workflow of publishing eBooks using low-cost tools; and explores how the most popular eReaders can be leveraged for training material in your organization.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joel Zarley
• Release date: May 13, 2011
• ISBN: 9780982652336

Joel Zarley

I've wanted to be a writer since crafting my first work of fiction in second grade. Titled "Susie and the Bunnies" it was a direct rip-off of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" that I had seen the previous Summer. But, even though "inspired" by the work of others, it showed me the great power of how you could create people, places and events by doing little more than just imagining them and writing them down. It took 35 years from that first short story to the publication of my first book.My first novel, "Chasing the Light" at its most basic level is intended to be a fun, adventurous "beach" or "airplane" book; the historical mystery/treasure hunt genre of which I've always been fond. But, on another level, I hope it strikes a chord of the importance of faith and hope and the belief that the universe unfolds as it does for a reason; and that everything will be ok. As it says in the book, "sometimes , all any of us need is just to feel that everything will be ok."I have spent the majority of my adult career in workplace learning and performance (more commonly known as corporate training and development) specializing in learning technologies. My experience includes managing training projects for businesses ranging from small start-ups to large international corporations. My experience writing and publishing my novel caused me think about how the eBook format (and eReader devices) could be used in organizations for publishing training content. This led to my second book, "eBook Publication for Training".I reside in Columbus, OH with my partner of sixteen years. I'm currently working on a second novel that will continue the treasure hunting adventures of Gabriel Patrick.My website is http://www.purplepalmmedia.com

Book preview

eBook Publication for Training

Joel S. Zarley

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2011 Purple Palm Media. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher. For information on getting permission for reprints and excerpts, contact [e-mail].

Notice of Liability: The information in this book is distributed on an As Is basis, without warranty. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of the book, neither the author nor Purple Palm Media shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained in this book, or by the computer software and hardware products described in it.

Trademarks: Many of the designations used by manufacturers, sellers, and publishers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks or trade names, and are the property of their respective owners. All product names and services identified throughout this book are used in editorial fashion only and for the benefit of the trademark owner with no intention of infringement of the trademark. No such use, or the use of any trade name, is intended to convey endorsement or other affiliation with this book or its author and publisher.

Contents

Introduction: Why this Book?

Chapter 1: What is an eBook?

The Advantages of eBooks in Learning

Disadvantages of eBooks

Chapter 2: The Hardware: eReaders

Displays: E Ink vs. LCD

Connectivity: How do Readers Talk?

Formats: What do they Read?

The eReader Platforms

Chapter 3: The Software-eBook Formats

The Text Document Formats

Mark-Up Language Formats

Portable Document Format

eBook Formats (EPUB & Mobi)

Chapter 4: Anatomy of an EPUB

Overview of the EPUB Format

Mechanics of the EPUB

Chapter 5: Producing an eBook-Workflow

Workflow Overview

Chapter 6: Creating the Content

Creating Content: The Basics

Working with Various Tools

Chapter 7: Formatting the eBook

Tools for Formatting

Document Formatting Guidelines

Saving the Formatted File

Chapter 8: Publishing the eBook

Overview of the Publication Process

Creating the eBook Cover

Converting to EPUB

Layout & Format the Book

Testing the Finished Work

Chapter 9: Distributing the eBook

eBook Management Software

Manual File Management

Retail Publication

Chapter 10: The Last Word

Summary

Contact Information

Introduction

Why this Book?

Why should a learning professional know about eBook technology? As an instructional designer, you have a lot more in common with authors and publishers than you may realize.

The More Things Change…

I became a trainer (and later, an instructional designer) in a corporate environment in 1989. It was with a small start-up telecommunications company that was a subsidiary of a larger hotel chain. (This was back in the early days of long distance deregulation when nearly everyone was launching their own telephone company.)

My initial responsibility in this role was to train new long distance operators in a two week classroom program. Like most new trainers, I grew into the role organically. I started as a call center operator; was promoted to shift supervisor; then finally became the call center’s trainer. Like a lot of people in this situation, I more fell into training than it being any sort of career plan. However, either by luck or by fate, I had found my professional calling.

In the early days of my training career, the technology available for developing learning materials was somewhat limited. I can recall doing screen prints of our call center software; photocopying them onto transparency sheets; then coloring them in with markers to emulate the color user screens. Then, I would use the resulting transparency mock-up of our screens on an overhead projector to teach new operators how to use the software. (Not only was this long before the days of screen cam software, it was also before most people had color printers available to them.)

As the years went on, the companies I worked for changed, and the technology available to trainers progressed at a rapid pace. I started developing eLearning (then known as CBT courses) in the late 1990s, eventually moving into web-based training, rapid development tools, and eventually online performance support systems.

So, that brings us to the next quickly evolving learning technology—eBooks.

The Past and Future of eBooks

The concept of electronic books has been around for quite some time. Arguably