The recent presentation by Apple top managers of a new type of textbooks for the iPad has generated unprecedented interest in the educational community. Several new products from Yabloko were presented at this event. First of all, it should be noted a special application that allows you to independently create e-books in a new format. Also, iTunse U and the iBooks book reader itself have been updated.
Electronic textbooks as savings for students
Apple specialists a year ago became interested in increasing the number of students who actively used iPads. Their number reached one and a half million people. The popularity of tablet PCs among people who study in universities and schools is understandable. For example, the starting price of a textbook in American universities starts at thirty dollars and can go up to two hundred.
Thus, with the help of a tablet, young people can save decent amounts of money on their own education. And the interactivity of such educational books that attracts everyone is many times more effective than any gray text on nondescript paper.
After the creation of the first "book" application for the iBux program, Apple employees did not stand still. Every year the e-books created by these people became more dynamic and interesting for students. First, there were audio comments for some of the articles. Then came interactive maps with built-in animation. And finally - video as part of books.
Book format
Apple has offered its iBooks Author app as the main book creator. It allows not only writers and scientists to create electronic versions of their textbooks, but for every inhabitant of the planet the ability to create their own books in a matter of minutes has now become a reality.
EPUB version 3 is used as the main format for e-books. At the same time, it is possible to add interactive elements based on java script and special SVG graphics. IBooks Author is completely free. Its creators offered the authors of e-books only one restriction - the maximum allowable price of one book should not exceed fifteen US dollars. Also, do not forget that all books created within the "iBooks Author" application must be sold exclusively through the iBookStore. No third-party textbook sellers are allowed. Even selling through the authors' personal portals.
What are they, innovative books
Some textbooks in the new format are available for download right now in iBuxtor. From the inside, they very little resemble the old books that most citizens used to study at school or university. It is a mixture of common tutorials, videos, and reference materials. For example, a school math textbook looks more like an expensive moving picture magazine than a standardized paper book.
During the selection of text or part of a chapter, special cards are automatically created to memorize new material. Thus, it is much easier for students to control their own learning process and prepare their memory for entrance exams. Based on the maximum cost of the new book format, many economists say that self-study will now become much more accessible to students around the world.
