Apple launches e-textbook tools with new iBooks

The iBook Author program allows educators and authors to create their own e-textbooks. Apple aims to drive the use of electronic textbooks in the classroom by making it easier for publishers to create interactive titles. The company has announced a range of new tools and services which it claims will “reinvent the textbook”.

Louise Robinson, president of the Girls’ Schools Association, said e-textbooks could bring education to life “in a way we’ve not had before”.

“Having movies and videos embedded; being able to search; look up a glossary; write your own notes and then going to exam questions… just tying it all together on one device is a magical experience I think for the the children.” However, she warned that UK schools were still some way from being able to fully utilise such technologies.

“It’s a huge challenge, it really is,” she told the BBC.
“Most schools don’t have wireless, and we have not as yet got to the point where every child has the ability to buy such a device.
“We currently have school systems where we take books from one year to another – whereas now we’ll have to have a licence for each book for each child.”

She added that keeping students disciplined while using devices offering the internet and games as well as textbooks could be hard work for teachers.

Read the full articles in The Guardian and BBC News

See also Apple rumours – E-textbook development will lead to ‘bring your own device to school’ says school leader

← Back to list