Publisher Touts 20-Point Boost in Student Performance with Textbooks for iPad

[doobs22]

new reality for text books

Everyone is free to set the price for their book as they wish, I don't see how Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) can think they'll be able to compete in the new iPad textbook environment if they price their book(s) at $59.99. I hope that $14.99 becomes the new standard price -- publishers will be aided by selling more new books every semester because schools won't be keeping books that have been used for years by prior classes/students.

 

[uknowimright]

How does being used to immediate gratification translate into posting on a forum?... I've not heard of people who can't use google either. Even my 80 year old grand mother who can barely use her computer at all is capable of using Google. It's as instant-gratificationy as instant-gratification gets.

we need to get you the Reading Comprehension iBook ASAP

 

[foodog]

Indeed. If someone is faced with a physical book that's required for school, they will definitely put the iPad down... On the other hand, if that book is offered in a digital form, they'll likely pick the iPad back up again.

But what if that iPad is on fire....

 

[DESNOS]

Personally, I think you're blindsided by the potential upsides, to the point where you don't seem to be able to understand the detriments of this approach.

See what I did there...

I give up. I'm not going to go in a round-about argument with you. Either you see the benefits of this or you don't. I understand your point of view, but your concerns are very small and very short-sighted. You can't think of how the world could operate were it to change in any fundamental way. This is he same viewpoint of many who couldn't understand how anyone would ever find a use for an iPad, or an iPhone, or an iPod, etc. Each of those devices had clear benefits when they were introduced, but people like you couldn't see them. All you could see were the downsides.

we need to get you the Reading Comprehension iBook ASAP

No, I read that right. Of all my weaknesses, reading comprehension is not one of them.

 

[Scottama]

This is an absolutely diabolical "study". No details whatsoever, no stats at all, no indication of whether or not the results were statistically significant, no offering of other explanations (e.g. given the social dynamics of being the one class being picked to use iPads, any extra attention given to the class due to interest in the study). Were there other subjects tested? Other schools? Did they just pick out the most impressive result?

Of course, none of this is of any surprise whatsoever given that the "study" is essentially just an advert.

 

[Eidorian]

For those thinking there is only a positive side to this technology based learning let me share some real world experiences.

We live in a world (now) with incredible access to information - yet people still can't use google or a search function (ie - on this site) to find information. Instead - they are so used to immediate gratification/etc that they post a new thread or ask questions which are easily answered via google.

It used to be going to the library and looking up periodicals. Photocopying. Writing by hand notes/etc to write a report was labor intensive.

Now students of all ages (I have several friends who are teachers) complaining about having to even copy/paste information from various online sources.

It's quite sad how the English language is fractured because of sites like Facebook and Twitter. People spell Pls instead of please. Not just online anymore - but on papers. And so on.

Am I being "doom and gloom" - perhaps. But my point is - that as great as technology is - it doesn't always advance intellect. On some levels it cripples it. Or at least alters it in ways that aren't 100 percent improvements.

I think interactive books are a FANTASTIC idea as a learning tool. Not exclusively as one.

I share the same sentiment. Instant gratification over doing work for ones own gain and growth. I see claims on how children and teens are better with technology than the somewhat older generation but I have not encountered as such. Sure they can text and use Facebook but it ends there. Even in my peer group its saddening.

Also, coming to the realization that average is well average. I honestly do not feel that exceptional but "average" people say I am.

 

[Gasu E.]

Until this becomes old, boring and the norm.

This does seem like a classic Hawthorne effect.

 

[Rot'nApple]

I always dislike studies like this because I feel bad for the kids that get stuck in the "stupid" group.

You are assuming it is the students who were stupid.

I have had some teachers... Woo Hoo...!!!
/
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[foodog]

Everyone is free to set the price for their book as they wish, I don't see how Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) can think they'll be able to compete in the new iPad textbook environment if they price their book(s) at $59.99. I hope that $14.99 becomes the new standard price -- publishers will be aided by selling more new books every semester because schools won't be keeping books that have been used for years by prior classes/students.

Its exciting possibility if this takes off. Schools win with up to date books, publishers win by selling more books, with less production cost, students win by having a more engaging learning experience.

Now if Apple can create something that makes all parents care about their kids education.

 

[samcraig]

How does being used to immediate gratification translate into posting on a forum?... I've not heard of people who can't use google either. Even my 80 year old grand mother who can barely use her computer at all is capable of using Google. It's as instant-gratificationy as instant-gratification gets.

Exactly. Yet people are too lazy to use it. It's not a question of not knowing how. It's being too lazy to do even THAT. You really do have reading comprehension issues or maybe English isn't your first language.

we need to get you the Reading Comprehension iBook ASAP

Indeed.

I give up. I'm not going to go in a round-about argument with you. Either you see the benefits of this or you don't. I understand your point of view, but your concerns are very small and very short-sighted. You can't think of how the world could operate were it to change in any fundamental way. This is he same viewpoint of many who couldn't understand how anyone would ever find a use for an iPad, or an iPhone, or an iPod, etc. Each of those devices had clear benefits when they were introduced, but people like you couldn't see them. All you could see were the downsides.



No, I read that right. Of all my weaknesses, reading comprehension is not one of them.

People like me? You have no idea who I am or how I viewed the iPad, iPhone, etc.

You assume WAY too much. Good luck. And thanks for bringing in about 7 new strawman arguments/discussion points over your last few posts. Mazel Tov!

 

[Gasu E.]

And the majority of plays, novels, technical papers, etc will remain as texts. Not interactive.

I could definitely see an interactive version of Moby Dick. Sea chanties. Animated whale. That sort of thing.

I was kidding on that one, but seriously-- you can't see plays being interactive? My goodness, it seems to me that students typically have a broken experience in being restricted to merely reading the plays, rather than seeing it performed as the author intended. That's been going on up until now solely due to costs and the limits of technology. You actually believe that limitation has been a good thing?

 

[BornAgainMac]

From yesterday, you will always see people dispute the value of it and use the same old hard copy text books. The same kind of people fought from leaving the DOS prompt, having broadband in the home and used a 56K modem, indoor plumbing, moving Mac OS X from Windows XP, electricity vs candles for light, automobile vs a horse. Change is difficult for some.

 

[samcraig]

I could definitely see an interactive version of Moby Dick. Sea chanties. Animated whale. That sort of thing.

I was kidding on that one, but seriously-- you can't see plays being interactive? My goodness, it seems to me that students typically have a broken experience in being restricted to merely reading the plays, rather than seeing it performed as the author intended. That's been going on up until now solely due to costs and the limits of technology. You actually believe that limitation has been a good thing?

Well first of all - when it comes to performed works - you're dealing with a lot more than literary rights. Even if the literature is in the public domain. Performance of plays within books would be a costly endeavor.

And I think there's value to both. I think there is value to reading the text as written and making your own interpretations as to the intent of the characters, etc. The second it's performed for you - you are "stuck" with how that performer interpreted the work - or that director did. It's biased.

I loved READING plays and THEN seeing them performed. Live. Which is another "argument" as well. Because given the option - I would rather see students go to an actual theater as opposed to seeing works performed live vs on TV, their iPads, etc.

 

[G4DP]

As a way of plagiarising other peoples work, this is great. Apple have made cheating 'magical'.

 

[jclardy]

While this is impressive, I wonder how long the effect would last.

The kids getting to use the iPads would obviously be excited to do so making them consequently more interested in the content displayed on them.

In a couple years though if iPad's were the norm like textbooks I think the rate would drop again, as the new technology excitement is gone. I am not saying there would be no increase, but not as dramatic as this.

Having the visual elements in iBooks textbooks will obviously help visual and possibly hands-on style learners. The main issue for schools would be the cost of the iPad's in the first place. But maybe Apple will sell the iPad 2 as an education model for ~$250 when the next iPad comes out. I doubt it, but they did keep the Macbook around for education, so we'll see.

 

[jayfehr]

Personally, I think you're blindsided by the potential upsides, to the point where you don't seem to be able to understand the detriments of this approach.

See what I did there...

There is one thing you are completely ignoring though. Accessability. No current textbooks can read the text to the deaf, of zoom in on text/images for the visually impaired. Even with a one-to-one copy of the textbook to the new iBooks format benefits abound.

 

[samcraig]

There is one thing you are completely ignoring though. Accessability. No current textbooks can read the text to the deaf, of zoom in on text/images for the visually impaired. Even with a one-to-one copy of the textbook to the new iBooks format benefits abound.

Strawman argument (towards me). I didn't ignore anything. I didn't suggest there were no upsides. Or that there weren't many upsides.

 

[charlituna]

I disagree. I think the "Attention Deficit" problem will go away for many, less-driven individuals who just can't stay interested in a book.

It's not always about drive. Some teachers are quick to label a kid as ADHD when the child isn't. He's bored. Why? Because the teacher is boring or he already understands the material or he's not the type who learns best by sitting and listening.

My brother was a kid like that. The teachers wanted him medicated etc but our parents refused. They took him to a counselor who just asked why he didn't sit still etc in class and he said he was bored listening to baby stuff. He was tested and scored way above class for reading and math. Our parents had him skipped a grade and put in the GT classes and no more 'ADHD'. There are likely a lot more kids like him but the teachers don't catch the signals.

 

[Shrink]

Let's start to burn regular books!

I afraid I'll be marked as lacking a sense of humor, but those of us old enough to know well of a time when that horror occurred en masse, that's not funny.

I'm sure that you meant no harm, but book burning meant the destruction of thought and ideas in the 30's and 40's in Germany, and at other times throughout history.

Again, my apologies for being humorless about this.

 

[dethmaShine]

I have a little doubt. Are these textbooks only for the US?

I stay in the UK and I don't see any textbooks category in the iBookstore. Any comments?

 

[Ries]

So buy cheaper android tablets, cut out apples 30% and buy directly from the publishers... everyone saves money!

 

[guzhogi]

I could definitely see an interactive version of Moby Dick. Sea chanties. Animated whale. That sort of thing.

I was kidding on that one, but seriously-- you can't see plays being interactive? My goodness, it seems to me that students typically have a broken experience in being restricted to merely reading the plays, rather than seeing it performed as the author intended. That's been going on up until now solely due to costs and the limits of technology. You actually believe that limitation has been a good thing?

Why did I just think of the holodeck on Star Trek? Oh wait, isn't that going to be in iBooks 3?

 

[owensd]

You're still missing my point. Not every book (textbook or otherwise) will be brought to life with an iBook. Some textbooks will remain textbooks - just maybe be electronic. No bells and whistles. And the majority of plays, novels, technical papers, etc will remain as texts. Not interactive. So again - my point is that it's all fine and dandy - to a point. But it can become a problem when children are raised expecting a level of interactivity and then are faced with literature which does not conform to their preconceived and experiential "norm."

I'm sorry - if you fail to see this after me explaining it (twice) - then I can't make it clearer.

Even books like this can be interactive. Think about plays, many times in class kids will need to perform the play or read the lines aloud. An "interactive" play book could dim the lines of the other characters or otherwise emphasize the lines you should read aloud.

Another feature is contextual linking to historical events or other sources about the topics.

Don't limit your thinking in that "interactive" only means pictures and movies.

 

[SPUY767]

Its been proven time and time again that a lab environment that is more interactive than mere text books and lectures is a far more effective learning environment. It would only stand to reason that bringing the interactivity of a lab to the iPad would increase absorption and retention of course material.

 

[samcraig]

Even books like this can be interactive. Think about plays, many times in class kids will need to perform the play or read the lines aloud. An "interactive" play book could dim the lines of the other characters or otherwise emphasize the lines you should read aloud.

Another feature is contextual linking to historical events or other sources about the topics.

Don't limit your thinking in that "interactive" only means pictures and movies.

Read my post above re: interpretations of plays. And also - please don't tell me what I am and am not limiting my thinking to. I wasn't limiting my thinking to pictures and movies just because that's what I happened to comment on.