Will Apple's "Textbooks" Be the Answer?

Everyone knows there’s confusion when it comes to eTexts. So perhaps Apple’s new (January 2012) offerings, which have been both applauded and criticized, will help to move us forward to answers related to the current eText dilemma. Most of the criticism centers around the fact that students will need iPads to use the books and teachers will need them to author their own. The bottom line, however, is that Apple has stepped ahead with its iBook Author desktop app, the expansion of iTunes University and an updated iBooks app. Brad Wheeler, vice president of information technology at Indiana University says, “Apple is credibly seeking to apply its platform and transform the textbook business starting with K-12....” According to Apple, the offering includes the ability to use and/or create beautiful full-screen books containing media and interactives, video, fast navigation, highlighting and note-taking, search, definitions, lesson reviews and study cards.  Sounds good to me.