Abstract:

This paper presents an early report into the adoption of mindtap, a personal learning experience product provided by a commercial publisher and its integration into interact, a sakai-based learning management system in Charles Sturt University, Australia. Mindtap also allows the integration of additional cloud based resources into the learning system. It combines the use of e-books, a plethora of publisher resources and other learning tools provided by the text publisher. The tool was used in a cohort of 470 students in a first semester, first year information technology undergraduate subject in both on campus and distance education mode. This paper outlines the theory of use underpinning this trial of a large cohort of students and records student comments and experiences. The paper outlines how the system was presented and used effectively and also includes suggestions for improvement. It also gives a provision of insight into the integrative use of such a tool in the teaching-learning space and possible future direction for the integration of such a commercial product in a university environment.

Keywords:

Mindtap, personal learning experience, learning management system.