Comments on: Why textbooks of the future are not books

By: Graham Ruttan

Graham Ruttan — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:50:53 +0000

To download, or just free to download the app itself to your device?

By: Graham Ruttan

Graham Ruttan — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:48:07 +0000

If I had textbooks like this many subjects I hated and avoided would have been much more accessible. I can’t wait to try this out with my own textbooks. The post says that the app is free, but is that free for teachers designing their texts, free for students to downl

By: Graham Ruttan

Graham Ruttan — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:38:37 +0000

This is amazing. I agree that I would have fond many subjects more

By: Brandon Bills

Brandon Bills — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:08:32 +0000

Personally, I cannot use an iPad as a book.

I’m 21 years old, a senior in college, and although I identify with a generation that is typically associated with an acceptance of technology, I feel that I narrowly missed this boat.

In my opinion, the iPad is more valuable as an entertainment device than as an education tool. If a generation was raised with this type of tool, I can see how it could be a valuable learning device, but for someone who has been reading non-backlit textbooks, I find it incredibly difficult to focus and read on an iPad.

By: Maria Singson

Maria Singson — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:55:53 +0000

The kids (and parents) will adapt, future generations will have less back problems from years of carrying an overstuffed backpack, attention deficit disorder may have to be re-defined. Educational and brain teaser programs will flourish. So, a new equilibrium will be set. Bring it on.

By: ronald

ronald — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:54:57 +0000

I wonder who is educating the educator to become a content creator without leading/teaching shallow “facts” accumulators. Or what drives learning[1]?

1. Good or Bad: Surprises Drive Learning in Same Neural Circuits
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111207000755.htm

By: pneconomics

pneconomics — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:47:35 +0000

You would be surprised how careful these 9 and 10 year olds are with the tech equipment. The school is in their second year, they started with iTouch and upgraded to iPads and no accidents, lost devices or idle meanderings.

By: Travis Henning

Travis Henning — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:33:22 +0000

I don’t totally disagree, but kids, especially today already have all kinds of ways to distract themselves. Whether its a smartphone game, texting, IM’ing, Facebook’ing, etc. So its the same problem, whether the book is sitting on the floor or its on their iPad. What I see as a bigger problem is for kids who’s parents can’t afford an iPad and those schools that don’t supply them with enrollment. Also the durability aspect. I about choked when I saw that slide. Books are significantly more durable and longer lasting than an iPad. Try having the iPad fall out of your locker or back pack a couple of times.

By: pneconomics

pneconomics — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:29:35 +0000

My son, a 4th grader, attends an elementary school in Danville, Ca and the students are issued an iPad loaded with education apps. He has a portal to log into to get assignments and participate in a classroom blog. He takes practice test on an app that keeps his score and registers his work so the teacher can sign his tasks off.

Basically, the kids walk around from class to class with iPads in hand doing their course work, bring it home and do their homework, submit their quizzes and get ready for the next day.

By: John Cuthbertson

John Cuthbertson — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:03:57 +0000

The reason this won’t work is because of the iPad itself. Hand a kid (or most adults) something that can connect to the web, play games, check email, IM, listen to music, etc and good luck getting them to study. A modified “school-pad” would be needed, and Apple doesn’t allow for modifications.

That being said, I can’t believe we are not already at the point of electronic books for schools.