iBooks!Texts of the future?

iBooks are eBooks available on iPads (and iPhones)

iPads are:

• popular and affordable personal computing devices

• Highly visual in nature

• Marketed to schools

Features of iBooks

• Easy to download from App Store

• Easy to manipulate

• Key-word-searchable

Text may be highlighted, and notes may be embedded.

Dictionary available by touch

Dictionary definitions are available by touch.

There is a potential for a high level of interactivity.

Potential Uses in Education:

• Textbooks

• Reading for pleasure

• New projects: Student-made books • (using iBooks Author)

• Teacher-made books

• Highly engaging tool that may spark student interest

• Interactivity may make it easier for students to engage with the text independent of the teacher.

• Large numbers of images• Embedded videos• Interactive activities• Note-taking and dictionary features

Advantages of iBooks:

Current Limitations:• Limited availability of textbooks at this time

• Highly interactive texts have large files, consuming considerable iPad memory

• Expensive and cannot be resold after use

• Flexible functions of iPad may provide distractions

Potential Developments:

• Teachers may begin to write their own iBooks, using iBook Author– Issues of reliability and copyright?

• iBooks may exist in cloud– Requires wireless internet needed to read– “Purchase” may really be a lease

• iBooks may redefine the concept of “book”