Textbooks on the iPad- Is it really a game changer?

Apple has announced that it is now taking the leap into textbooks. They have integrated textbooks into the iPad with the release of iBooks 2. Apple claims that this will fundamentally change the way students learn and the way teachers teach, but before anything like this can happen there are several hurdles to overcome. Unfortunately, Apple being Apple has put some unnecessary walls in place to make the adoption of electronic textbooks using iBooks more difficult than necessary.

For one thing, the cost is going to play a key factor. Even though Apple claims that the textbook cost could be as low as $15 annually, this neglects to include the cost of the iPad into the equation. Currently in K-12, textbooks are often used for several years spreading out the current cost of a textbook throughout its years of usage.  It may work better for higher education or private schools where the cost could be thrown into the cost of tuition, or the students could be expected to pay for the device for their own personal usage.

There is also the cost of the hardware needed to take advantage of iBooks. The cheapest iPad is $499, and that doesn't include any accessories like a case to protect the device. The typical lifespan of one of these devices is expected to be about 2 years. This could be either diminished or extended based on the usage of the device. So in a best case scenario, a public school would most likely have to spend about $500 per device per student every two years.

Needless to say, this would be a very costly endeavor for a public school to implement. Potentially, a school could apply for a grant to cover the initial cost of the devices, but after they are purchased, there is still the problem of maintaining them. When looking at all of these factors, it begins to become obvious that this would be difficult to sustain.

Apple to Make a "Big" Education Announcement in the "Big Apple"

On January 19, Apple is planning on making an education announcement. There are rumors that Apple will attempt to gain a foothold on the textbook publishing industry. Apparently, this was one of the goals that Steve Jobs had prior to his passing.

There have been several other tablet manufacturers that have made attempts into that market with lackluster appeal. The Kno Tablet which has transitioned to an app available on Apple's App Store, or the failed Entourage Edge. With the wide adoption of the iPad by many educational institutions, will the iPad accomplish what others have not been able to?

Of course, this is all speculation. On January 19, we'll have a better idea of what their plans are for education.