WSJ: Textbook Firms Ink E-Deals for iPad

kjk · 02-02-2010, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Major textbook publishers have struck deals with software company ScrollMotion Inc. to adapt their textbooks for the electronic page, as the industry embraces a hope that digital devices such as Apple Inc.'s iPad will transform the classroom.

The publishers are tapping the know-how of ScrollMotion Inc. to develop textbook applications and test-prep and study guides for the iPad.

"People have been talking about the impact of technology on education for 25 years. It feels like it is really going to happen in 2010," said Rik Kranenburg, group president of higher education for the education unit of McGraw-Hill Cos.

kjk · 02-02-2010, 10:18 PM

I'm sure most people know this already, but Wall Street Journal stories are often behind a pay wall. But, for some reason, they allow Google to show the entire story. So, for the example link above, you may see just a summary of the story. But if you put " Textbook Firms Ink E-Deals For iPad " into Google, you will get a link that has the full text of the story. More details are here.

nikkie · 02-03-2010, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjk

I'm sure most people know this already, but Wall Street Journal stories are often behind a pay wall. But, for some reason, they allow Google to show the entire story. So, for the example link above, you may see just a summary of the story. But if you put " Textbook Firms Ink E-Deals For iPad " into Google, you will get a link that has the full text of the story. More details are here.

It's because Google said they wouldn't index them if the indexes didn't lead to content. They didn't want to provide hits to a website that weren't going to actually answer the user's query. Same reason expertexchange has the answers to the questions at the veeeeery bottom of the page.

Bremen Cole · 02-03-2010, 07:17 AM

It's about time! It just makes sense to have ebook technology for students.

Need to change an entry in the textbook? The publisher just sends a quick update, and all users of that textbook are current.

I would hope this would create a new pricing model for textbooks. One price (cheaper than now) to "borrow" the book for a time frame of say the semester it is to be used, with a week or two padding on both sides of that time. Another option (current prices) for the book to be owned by the student and accessible for years.

ficbot · 02-03-2010, 07:21 AM

My one e-textbook experience so far was very disappointing. I am wary of stories like this one...

02-03-2010, 07:17 AM	#4
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	It's about time! It just makes sense to have ebook technology for students. Need to change an entry in the textbook? The publisher just sends a quick update, and all users of that textbook are current. I would hope this would create a new pricing model for textbooks. One price (cheaper than now) to "borrow" the book for a time frame of say the semester it is to be used, with a week or two padding on both sides of that time. Another option (current prices) for the book to be owned by the student and accessible for years. Last edited by Bremen Cole; 02-03-2010 at 07:21 AM.

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02-02-2010, 10:18 PM	#2
kjk . Posts: 3,408 Karma: 5647231 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: never enough	I'm sure most people know this already, but Wall Street Journal stories are often behind a pay wall. But, for some reason, they allow Google to show the entire story. So, for the example link above, you may see just a summary of the story. But if you put " Textbook Firms Ink E-Deals For iPad " into Google, you will get a link that has the full text of the story. More details are here.

02-03-2010, 07:21 AM	#5
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	My one e-textbook experience so far was very disappointing. I am wary of stories like this one...