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In the past four years it\u2019s become increasingly common for part or all of a university student\u2019s learning to happen online. This transition to digital learning platforms has highlighted the\u00a0digital divide within educational contexts<\/a>.<\/p>\n In poorer, less resourced and connected countries like South Africa, this divide is not merely a matter of who has access to digital devices and who doesn\u2019t. It\u2019s also about whether students are digitally literate. This is about more than merely navigating digital devices and platforms. It\u2019s also about being able to think and evaluate information critically and to creatively use technology in problem-solving.<\/p>\n Universities and other educational institutions need to urgently integrate digital literacy training into their curricula. Students need to become familiar with the technical aspects of digital tools and develop the mindset to use these tools for learning, research and innovation.<\/p>\n So, how can this be done? My\u00a0PhD in engineering education research<\/a>\u00a0centred on how novice engineering students at a South African university of technology use e-textbooks to develop digital literacy skills. My findings suggest that e-textbooks could make engineering education more inclusive and engaging. Students found the e-textbooks\u2019 features helpful for grasping complex engineering concepts. This, in turn, enhanced their conceptual understanding.<\/p>\n This suggests it\u2019s a good idea to integrate e-textbooks into engineering education in South Africa. It\u2019s not enough to focus on the technological aspects, though. There must also be a concerted effort to address the socio-economic and educational barriers that students face.<\/p>\n E-textbooks are becoming an increasingly integral part<\/a>\u00a0of university education around the world. These digital resources conveniently give students access to learning materials from any location at any time. They are also cheaper than paper textbooks.<\/p>\n E-textbooks are interactive, with embedded multimedia elements and quizzes. This caters to diverse learning styles, making study sessions more engaging and effective. The ease of updating digital content also ensures that students have the latest information. That\u2019s a big advantage in rapidly evolving fields such as engineering.<\/p>\n Unlike traditional textbooks, e-textbooks can include interactive elements that encourage students to work with their peers.<\/p>\nWhat the study found<\/strong><\/h4>\n