Thursday 5 April 2012

School Textbook RIP - the iTextbook is here

The rise of the iPad and Android Tablets means that, for the first time, we have a realistic alternative to the School Textbook. These devices are light, portable and multifunctional – they are going to transform education in the next five years. The launch of Apple’s iTextbook project in January this year, has demonstrated what textbooks will be like. The iTextbook takes eBooks to a new level. They not only contain text and pictures, but they include interactive elements such as dynamic graphics, and embedded video material. The student can highlight the text and add their own notes, which can be collated and viewed separately.

Furthermore, with Apps such as Book Creator, it is now possible for anyone to produce a highly attractive interactive textbook. In other words, Apple are about to do for education publishing industry what they did for the music business ten years ago. Within five years teachers around the country will be able to sell (or at least distribute) home-produced iTextbooks through the App Store. This is going to transform secondary education - not to mention that it will save a lot of pupil back-ache!

If you don't believe me, watch this . . . .



If you're got loads of time, here's the full keynote:

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