This January, Apple held a special Educational Event to announce new products and services specific to the K-20 educational market. One of the most blogged about new services announced at this event was the new version iBooks because of the inclusion of textbooks.
According to Apple:
A Multi-Touch textbook on iPad is a gorgeous, full-screen experience full of interactive diagrams, photos, and videos. No longer limited to static pictures to illustrate the text, now students can dive into an image with interactive captions, rotate a 3D object, or have the answer spring to life in a chapter review. They can flip through a book by simply sliding a finger along the bottom of the screen. Highlighting text, taking notes, searching for content, and finding definitions in the glossary are just as easy.Apple iBook Textbooks also include automated study card features, and simple easy tap for highlighting and note-taking.
Criticism
Not all educational technology specialists are rejoicing Apple's foray into etextbooks, however. Many are skeptical of the locked-down business model only available on the iPad, as well as the $14.99 per year price tag on the textbooks themselves. For more, read Audrey Watters blog post, "Apple and the Digital Textbook Counter-Revolution" on Hack Education.
If you want to judge for yourself, come to the library and take a look at the free version of E.O. Wilson's Life on Earth in iBooks.
About App of the Week
These reviews will cover apps that are available on one of the two iPads available for reservation in the Upper School.
Image Source: Apple.com
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