Comments on: What Apple Is Wading Into: A Snapshot Of The K-12 Textbook Business http://paidcontent.org/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/ The economics of digital content Fri, 24 May 2013 23:44:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Marc Billow http://paidcontent.org/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87230 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:32:31 +0000 http://paidcontent.wp.gostage.it/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87230 It was made a point at the announcement that books were not to be more expensive that 14 or 15 dollars and they receive automatic free updates.

]]> By: Marc Billow http://paidcontent.org/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87229 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:28:16 +0000 http://paidcontent.wp.gostage.it/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87229 You are missing the huge potential this kind of technology allows for. There is nothing interesting, unless you find the content enthralling, about a static textbook. Yet, what if you can incorporate videos, games, interactivity, etc. to keep the student interested and by proxy keep them learning. Two years ago my school board approved a plan to put SMART Boards in every classroom, it was a major investment but for the teacher’s that embraced it their student’s averages increased a considerable amount.

The current generation, myself included, has grown up around this kind of evolution and we have always embraced it fully. If it can make the classroom a more interactive and productive environment than why should we stop it? 

]]> By: @ronmartinez http://paidcontent.org/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87228 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:10:06 +0000 http://paidcontent.wp.gostage.it/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87228 You can read standard ePub and PDF files in iBooks. No restrictions or lock-in to a proprietary Apple format.

]]> By: Jeff http://paidcontent.org/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87227 Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:39:04 +0000 http://paidcontent.wp.gostage.it/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87227 Anyone (besides Apple) consider that using the iPad locks the format of the books into an Apple proprietary format? Can’t use any other format, especially PDF. Use a Kindle. Less expensive and they work great. Also, who buys the books? The school district? The student/family? Will the books be less expensive or with the publishers charge the bound version price, thereby reaping way higher profits?

]]> By: Shampoovta http://paidcontent.org/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87226 Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:14:09 +0000 http://paidcontent.wp.gostage.it/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87226 Well said. The kids are not dim they know we go cheap on education.

]]> By: Pointebasic http://paidcontent.org/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87225 Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:31:58 +0000 http://paidcontent.wp.gostage.it/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87225 James,

I hope those books are impervious to liquids and the pages can’t be ripped out!

Haven’t used an iPad much, have you? Weren’t not talking mid 90′s Windows ME here. They seem to be pretty reliable and can be used while in a protective case.

By the time most kids are using text books, many are already carrying a cellphone, an iPod, and have a computer or iPad at home. It’s not without risks, but give kids some credit, they know how to take care of stuff they really care about.

Maybe we should just sticks to chalkboards and chalk and the teachers lecturing from memory on each subject.

]]> By: Stanley Hoffman http://paidcontent.org/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87224 Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:26:49 +0000 http://paidcontent.wp.gostage.it/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87224 I think of the Texas Board of Education’s rewrite of the United States history, will this new platform allow for specific rewrites to suit the current political mood of the individual state, school district, school, instructor, parent or charter school?  The hardware will not be problem, cheap bullet proof tablets have been made and distributed to developing nations. The old book-poor district problem may take a turn for the better.

]]> By: james marshamelski http://paidcontent.org/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87223 Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:09:12 +0000 http://paidcontent.wp.gostage.it/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87223 I sure hope those ipads are cast iron with unbreakable screens.  I am picturing teachers running around the room from desk to desk trying to figure out why the book won’t pull up.  It’s just not a good idea in my opinion.  Stick with real books and real computers and leave the toys for playtime.

]]> By: Pointebasic http://paidcontent.org/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87222 Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:12:23 +0000 http://paidcontent.wp.gostage.it/2012/01/21/419-the-abcs-and-123s-of-apple-and-the-k-12-textbook-market/#comment-87222 Does any one one know how an “all iPad eTextbooks” type program would be accomplished? Would an iPad be tied directly to each student and the school would buy new ebooks as that student worked their way through each grade? Or could you tie an iPad to a grade level and load it with, for instance all the books needed for a fourth grader. The iPad would “stay” in fourth grade and the student would move on to fifth grade where they would get a “fifth grade” iPad loaded with all the books for fifth grade. Thus the school would not be re-purchasing books every year.

Obviously this second option wouldn’t work so well at the higher grade levels where students don’t all take the same classes in the same grade level.

Cheers – Pointebasic

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