iPad IPads for Seniors--need advice

[Mugmugwhey]

I am seeking your advice on best e-reading strategies for seniors. I would like to include a section on e-books for the "iPads for Seniors" course I will be giving in January 2012.

Our library offers e-books in several formats along with the OverDrive Media Console. A strategy might be to suggest using OverDrive and iBooks.

1. To borrow, browse the library for a book or periodical. Checkout and read using Overdrive.
2. To buy, use iBooks and purchase from iTunes.

3. To transfer books to iPad, use Calibre to convert books to ePub if necessary, move to iTunes, then sync and use iBooks to read on iPad

I'm considering leaving number 3 out of general discussion because it's too geeky and saving it as the answer to someone who has an existing ebook library.

Am I missing any important resources or easier methods?

Thanks for your help.

[susan_cassidy]

I would make sure to mention that other ereader apps exist besides iBooks. That limits you to the iBooks store for current books, pretty much, and that is limiting. I prefer the Kindle app, or you could use one of several other apps for ePubs. The ePub apps may or may not require the use of Adobe Adept DRM on the pc, though. I don't use those, so I'm not sure.

[dgillette.rm]

I agree with Susan that ereader apps other than iBooks should be mentioned.

In answer to your question, I think you should also mention that you are not limited to books from any book store or library and that methods exist to get those books to the iPad. If this sparks enough interest, spend more time on it. If there is less interest, meet those people after class.

[JSWolf]

Please don't teach anyone how to buy eBooks using iBooks. It's just wrong.

Teach them to buy ePub and use BlueFire to read them.

[david_e]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Please don't teach anyone how to buy eBooks using iBooks. It's just wrong.

How is it wrong?

[david_e]

I think your original plan makes the most sense.

I would ask if they had an existing or previous reader device or library at the time of sign-up or registration. This gives you a better idea of how to proceed.

Teach them how to use their iPad with Overdrive and the iBook store first. This is the most simple as they can browse and borrow from their library, and browse / buy right from the iBook store right there on their iPads.

If you have students who have other devices you can add a discussion about syncing up their existing books with the apps that are available to them.

A discussion about the many, many different sites that offer ebooks might be a good idea as it provides a segue into discussing format and how different formats will or won't work on their iPads. You then have an opportunity to mention the ability of changing formats but not necessarily going into the step by step details. You can include that in notes / handouts and make yourself available for questions for people who do wish to know about it or who may need it.

Good luck with your class and however you choose to proceed.

[Mugmugwhey]

Thank you, susan_, dgillete., JSW, and david_. Very helpful.

After hearing your ideas, I will likely start by asking which e-readers they have used (if any) then ask if anyone has downloaded iBooks and bought any books from the iTunes store. Then I'll ask about other e-reader tablets they may have heard of -- mention the Kindle and Nook software readers for iPad. (Nook reader's reviews haven't been very good).

Then we'll cover free content: iTunes free media, iTunes U, Public library's ebooks/OverDrive, and ePubs free sources that can be read with almost any reader.

david_, I'd be interested in knowing which ePub sources you like best!

I'll mention Kindle and BlueFire readers because susan_ and JSW like them.

Is ITunes the only reader that supports seamless download of media to the iPad without the user having to be too aware of iTunes?

Does anyone have experience with Stanza?

Thanks for your help!

[kjk]

Originally Posted by Mugmugwhey

Is ITunes the only reader that supports seamless download of media to the iPad without the user having to be too aware of iTunes?

iBooks provides seamless downloads/reading of books completely within the iBooks app itself, without even opening iTunes-or even needing a computer.

The Kindle and Nook apps need to access the Safari browser to get to the online stores, but once there, provide seamless downloading/reading of books within the apps, also without bothering with iTunes or needing a computer.

[MickeyC]

I have a ton of ePub books on my laptop. What is the best way to get them on an iPad and read them? Most books are bought from Sony or Kobo but I have a lot of non DRM classics.

Thanks

[Shopaholic]

Shouldn't you know the subject matter of what you're going to be teaching others before you commit to teaching them? It sounds like you don't and you've committed to teach people then come here asking what & how.

Doesn't make any sense to me. Not to mention a lack of credibility.

[david_e]

Originally Posted by cassidym

I have a ton of ePub books on my laptop. What is the best way to get them on an iPad and read them? Most books are bought from Sony or Kobo but I have a lot of non DRM classics.

Thanks

All you have to do is open iTunes, click on File, select Add to Library, and then you will be able to select your non-DRM'ed epub files. These will get added to the Books category in your iTunes media list. Next time you sync your iPad with iTunes your books should sync to iBooks. If they don't then you may have to change your sync settings.

Hope this helps.

[david_e]

Originally Posted by Shopaholic

Shouldn't you know the subject matter of what you're going to be teaching others before you commit to teaching them? It sounds like you don't and you've committed to teach people then come here asking what & how.

Doesn't make any sense to me. Not to mention a lack of credibility.

So?

Someone has asked for help, received the advice they were seeking, and politely thanked everyone for their suggestions.

The fact that you feel the need to make negative comments and question motives in a thread that has been resolved is really more of a statement about you, isn't it? And not a very good one...

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by kjk

iBooks provides seamless downloads/reading of books completely within the iBooks app itself, without even opening iTunes-or even needing a computer.

The Kindle and Nook apps need to access the Safari browser to get to the online stores, but once there, provide seamless downloading/reading of books within the apps, also without bothering with iTunes or needing a computer.

I'd say Kindle (Amazon DRM), Nook (B&N DRM ePub) and Kobo (ADEPT DRM ePub) should be discussed as possible alternatives to iBooks. For all three, you need to purchase books via web browser (Safari on iPad, etc) but after that, getting the purchased ebooks into the apps is easy (automatic or via tapping refresh icon).

At the very least, the class should be made aware that ebooks bought via iBooks are only readable on Apple devices.

[Shopaholic]

Originally Posted by david_e

So?

Someone has asked for help, received the advice they were seeking, and politely thanked everyone for their suggestions.

The fact that you feel the need to make negative comments and question motives in a thread that has been resolved is really more of a statement about you, isn't it? And not a very good one...

I don't particularly like the idea of being 'taught' by someone who doesn't know what they're teaching. Nor do I enjoy paying for something when the someone doing the teaching doesn't know the information they're supposed to be teaching.

Been there. Done that!

I've paid for courses given at community centres only to meet someone unqualified to make any sort of presentation on the subject matter being presented. OP's question screamed to me that that's exactly what they were doing. So, yes, I'm going to voice that opinion.

If someone wants to teach something to others, that's wonderful. But that someone should know the subject matter BEFORE they offer to teach it not after they've been contracted and presumably paid, to do so. That's my beef and it's a legit one too.

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by Shopaholic

I've paid for courses given at community centres only to meet someone unqualified to make any sort of presentation on the subject matter being presented. OP's question screamed to me that that's exactly what they were doing. So, yes, I'm going to voice that opinion.

If someone wants to teach something to others, that's wonderful. But that someone should know the subject matter BEFORE they offer to teach it not after they've been contracted and presumably paid, to do so. That's my beef and it's a legit one too.

From the first post, it appears that the iPad for Seniors lecture is more of a general overview of which ebook reading is only a small part of. Just because the OP isn't very familiar with various reading applications and types of DRM (which really complicates the subject) doesn't mean they're not qualified to give the lecture. As it is, you already run the risk that mentioning the various DRM formats might be information overload.

Another thing, plenty of library lectures like this is volunteer work.