Essential Questions: How might we see iBooks transform the etextbook market? Might the “i” in iBooks mean individualized books?
In this show, Mark and David discuss the possibilities and implications of Apple's new textbook intiative for teachers and schools. There have been a number of articles and commentaries posted about the project, some of which can be found here:
- Macworld podcast that overviews the announcement, along with some great links -Discussing Apple's education event
- Fraser Speirs on Macworld offers a quick overview and commentary on the three aspects of the Apple announcement - Apple's announcements further iPad revolution in education
- Serenity Caldwell from Macworld provides a nice hands on with iBooks Author, the tool to create iBooks for the iPad - Hands on: iBooks Author effortless to use, but iPad only
- Apple and the Digital Textbook Counter-Revolution by Audrey Watters at The Digital Reader
- David's insightful post on Lessons Learned - iBooks and One's Personal Learning System
- Interesting critique from Matt Burns at TechCrunch - iPads and digital textbooks do not belong in classrooms yet
- MacBreak Weekly podcast: The iBook discussion starts at 25 minute mark.
- Tom Ashbrook's On Point radio show: eTextbooks
Links referenced in the show:
- Kno - etextbook service and app
- ExploreLearning - powerful math and science interactives for the classroom
- Valley of the Shadow - digital archive focusing on two communities in the Civil War
Links of the Week:
David - Teacher librarian Elizabeth Lockwood designed an excellent multimedia project to teach her students about the Caldecott Medal and to teach them many ICL skills - http://acdsipad.blogspot.com/2012/01/mock-caldecott-learning-project.html
Therese Mageau’s “Make It Stop!” editorial in the latest The Journal pointing out the onslaught of attacks by the mainstream press against educational technology. Very clear points. I find that in many cases the reporters don’t have a background in education let alone educational technology so they don’t understand the needed professional development processes and leadership to make the money spent on technology make a difference in learning. Even tech leaders like Leo Leporte of the TWIT network misreport when they talk about educational technology.
Mark - Scholastic provies a great way for kids to post, share and consume book reviews by kids for kids - Share What You're Reading