So What About Those Textbooks on the iPads?

Last week, Apple conducted one of their infamous events in which they talked about a new concept. If you know anything about Apple, you will know that they are famous for product launches and announcements. They almost take on a life of themselves! Many parents, who are casual followers of Apple technology have asked questions about what these new developments mean for Brainerd Baptist School. I have asked Director of I.T. Bradley Chambers to write about this. Below are his thoughts about what is happening in this new area of textbooks.

Textbooks and the Ipad
By Bradley Chambers

Back in September, Mr. Corcoran asked me to write a guest post about iPads. In that post, I talked about the coming revolution in digital textbooks and I've been proven right. Last week, Apple announced some new initiatives aimed at improving this process.

1. iBooks Author

iBooks Author is a new digital textbook publishing application designed for allowing teachers to create their own textbooks. It's designed to easily allow teachers to get their self created content into a digital textbook. It allows teachers to create interactive diagrams, insert videos, and add quizzes. It's a drag and drop interface, so its very easy for even a non-technical personal to quickly jump and and start building a great textbook (beautiful templates are included). This application could be used by Brainerd Baptist School to create out own textbooks around the F&F program or anything else that is BBS specific.

2. Textbooks from Major Publishers

Apple also announced that the major textbook publishers have signed up to sell textbooks for $14.99 on the iBookstore (the iPad's bookstore). This is obviously a great price (compared to the $50 per book we currently pay). You've got to figure in the cost of the iPad in with the savings as well, though. There are some other logistical issues that schools must still figure out (relating to the iTunes Account that the book is sold to). These books were created with the afore mentioned iBooks Author. The selection is bare right now, but it is expected to grow to include a lot more books.

You can watch the video here

As we look to continue further integrate the iPad into our teaching, we will continue to look at the above solutions as ways to enhance what we do best, which is teaching. As I begin planning what our next lease from Apple looks like, the iPad plays a much larger role.

Feel free to email me if you have questions about this exciting new development. I always enjoy talking technology with our families!