Apple rumours - E-textbook development will lead to 'bring your own device to school' says school leader

It won’t be long until classrooms experience the same BYOD – bring your own device – phenomenon that is already prevalent in the workplace, if the rumours about tomorrow’s Apple announcement are true, says the president of the Girls’ Schools Association.

Schools will allow ‘BYOD2S’

Commenting on speculations that Apple will tomorrow (Jan 19 2012) announce technology developments to enable easy publication of highly interactive e-books specifically for the education environment, GSA president Louise Robinson said:

“If the rumours are correct, there’ll be a rush of publishers converting their wares and a clamour to provide the materials. The consumerisation of technology will create a groundswell of devices available to school age children who will naturally want to do everything from their own device – their class work, research, homework, diary and so on. Schools will soon be following businesses in allowing BYOD2S (bring your own device to school). Instead of buying set textbooks, they’ll be licensing the purchase.”

Mrs Robinson, who is also head of Merchant Taylors Girls’ School and a computer science graduate, went on to welcome the anticipated software developments:

“I’m hoping that what Apple announces will bring the widespread availability of e-textbooks with highly advanced interactivity. That will be a real benefit to both pupils and teachers. We would see complete media integration from one single document which will directly feed into children’s sense of enquiry and analysis and help them to develop skills in précis and forming their own conclusions.

“For example, students reading Jane Eyre would see not only the text, but also all the footnotes, contextual information and video links to media extracts which would ensure a valid learning experience for all. Just think – in geography, the topic of volcanos would be transformed from static images and text in a book to an interactive ‘walk-through- a-volcano’ experience with video and media-links. There could also be links to sample exam questions, specimen answers, examiners’ comments and test yourself questions.”

Girls’ Schools Association schools are watching the developments at Apple with interest. At Bolton School Junior Girls in the north west, 10 year old Thea Simpson and her classmates already enjoy reading ‘augmented reality’ story books. The books are real enough and sit on the library shelves like any other, but they encompass technology which enables the girls to see 3D pirates walk the plank, hold fairies in the palm of their hand and watch ‘real’ dinosaurs step out of the pages.

Thea says:
“I really enjoyed using the augmented reality books. When you held the book or a special card up to the webcam, the book came to life on the screen – it was truly amazing! When you held the card, a fairy appeared, pirates attacked you and you could even drive a boat or dodge rainstorms and sharks or islands! When you held the cannonball up, it could check your targeting skills from the other ship, which was excellent.

“We also had monsters and by simply picking and moving the great white shark card from side to side in front of the webcam, a gigantic great white shark came right up to you. It scared the life out of me and my friends. It was a fun and exciting way to read.”

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