An iPad for every student?
January 20, 2012
Apple computers has announced that it is partnering with three American textbook companies to sell low-cost, interactive digital books to be read on iPads
Apple announces partnership with textbook companies
From The Canadian Press, Michael Oliveira, January 20, 2012:
At a news conference in New York on Thursday, Apple announced it’s partnered with three major textbook companies to launch a new section in its iBooks store dedicated to educational material. Most textbooks will be priced at US$14.99 or less, Apple said, which is far cheaper than what schools and students are used to paying — especially for the thick, heavy tomes used for teaching in high school, colleges and universities.
Apple also claims the “dynamic, engaging and truly interactive” digital textbooks will open up new possibilities for learning.
“We’re seeing that as students are starting to be introduced to iPads (for) learning some really remarkable things are happening,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, who noted that 1.5 million iPads are already being used in education settings.
“We’re on the cusp of something really great.”
To read the full article, click here.
People For Education Viewpoint:
It is vital that schools continue to innovate and that we use all that technology has to offer to engage students more completely, to give them access to greater knowledge and to teach them well. BUT…we cannot assume that all students coming to school can afford things like iPads, so it is important when we’re thinking about introducing new technology into the classroom that we think first, before anything else, about how we’re going to ensure that all kids have equitable access to it. And technology is not a magic bullet that will suddenly make everything work better. Technology is a tool, but not the whole answer. Much of education still comes down to teaching and content, to engaging students and building strong relationships that allow the exchange of knowledge and understanding.