I tried to follow this announcement through the web today and I noticed a few things I would like to comment on as an educational technologist.
1. It did not impress me (iBooks). Looked like gorgeous Apple design on 'CDROM' type educational software we used to have in the old days.
2. I liked the glossary and notes/annotations that turned into summary cards for learning.
3. Interactive features are added using Keynote(?)
or
4. You need to know 'HTM5' and Javascript to do interactive stuff (this is not GarageBand for eLearning as someone told me it would be).
5. The way iBooks Textbooks are now part of iTunes U does add a lot to iTunes U. Now it can disrupt LMS (Learning Management Systems) vendors as well.
6. I still love eInk.
Then some worries.
7. What happened to epub and similar standards?
8. Is this new format a lovely zip file we can extract and inspect?
9. Is it possible to read iBooks on other devices/platforms?
10. Am I allowed to share my iBooks with friends and relatives?
11. Will my grandchildren be able to read my iBooks in 50 years time?
1. It did not impress me (iBooks). Looked like gorgeous Apple design on 'CDROM' type educational software we used to have in the old days.
2. I liked the glossary and notes/annotations that turned into summary cards for learning.
3. Interactive features are added using Keynote(?)
or
4. You need to know 'HTM5' and Javascript to do interactive stuff (this is not GarageBand for eLearning as someone told me it would be).
5. The way iBooks Textbooks are now part of iTunes U does add a lot to iTunes U. Now it can disrupt LMS (Learning Management Systems) vendors as well.
6. I still love eInk.
Then some worries.
7. What happened to epub and similar standards?
8. Is this new format a lovely zip file we can extract and inspect?
9. Is it possible to read iBooks on other devices/platforms?
10. Am I allowed to share my iBooks with friends and relatives?
11. Will my grandchildren be able to read my iBooks in 50 years time?