Recently, I read a couple of news stories about Apple promoting its iPads for use in replacing traditional textbooks. All I can ask, is what is taking so long?

Young kids actually have their health put at risk by carrying loads of heavy textbooks. How much easier to carry one iPad or other media tablet that can hold not only textbooks, but reference books and other documents. Of course, the students can also use their iPad to take notes and draw pictures, so no need to carry notebooks or drawing pads, lessening the kids’ burden even further. The only people that wouldn’t like that would be chiropractors who might lose out on future patients. 

IPad-based textbooks can offer so much more to students than just static text and graphics. The textbooks can offer sound, and can let students interact with the materials. Keeping the textbooks updated will be easier, and students can just sync up with iTunes U to get their materials updated. 

Of course, it will take effort and expense to get the textbooks into the new format. It will cost something to store and distribute them electronically. Overall though, costs should be reduced. Textbook publishers won’t have the expenses associated with printing books, and shipping costs can be eliminated. Schools won’t need to order, store and manage hardcopy books. Each student can get a fresh electronic copy, with no distracting notes or scribbles from previous students. 

IPad textbooks should also reduce instances of students forgetting their materials. With only one item to remember, students can bring all their textbooks and notebooks with them to all their classes.

Of course, even with these many advantages, iPads for textbooks may be out of reach for many students, and sadly, it may the the students and school districts that could benefit most that may be least likely to be able to afford them.