Many articles have been written recently on the growing popularity of iPads as textbooks. Some of the hype is due to a recent announcement made by Apple. On Thursday, Apple announced that they are going to reinvent the textbook, but with all new ideas comes new concerns.
Pros
-The new ipad app allows for student to download their textbooks right onto their ipad. Eliminating the need to carry around heavy textbooks.
- Creation tools are allowing for the development of interactive textbooks. Giving students a new way to absorb subject information.
- Lower cost books. By being able to purchase your books electronically you can save hundreds of dollars.
Cons
- Some are concerned that inteactive tools are only a distraction for students and question the value.
- How do you provide iPads to all students? According to the U.S. Census there are 57 million students enrolled in school between the ages of 5 and 19.
- will the quality of the textbooks offered remain the same?
Although their are many opinions on the topic and a continual debate on the pro’s and con’s, it is an interesting idea for those in the education field. The digital classroom may be about to change.
I hope we’ll all be paperless soon. Better for us and better for the environment.