iBook

During my four years at UT, I was never presented with the opportunity to use an iBook textbook for a course.  I was under the impression that iBooks were simply text with no other capabilities.  After using the iBook for this course, I learned that the iPad gives the reader the ability to highlight text, make notes, and even take quizzes.  These iBooks allow readers to be interactive with the text by watching videos and receiving instant feedback for quizzes.  These videos were some of the most helpful aspects of the TPTE iBook for me.  While working on my ActivInspire flip chart, I often looked to the iBook for help, especially when suing the magic eraser tool.  The book provided very clear descriptions of what the different tools were, as well as the ways to use these tools in your presentation.  In addition, having the textbook on a small, light iPad made it much easier to bring with me and use at all times.   If these chapters were given to me in textbook form, I would be less likely to bring it with me to class while working on this flip chart. 

One aspect of the iBook that I did not like was simply the fact that it had to be read from an iPad.  I do not have an iPad, and it would have been nice to have the opportunity to download this book onto my Mac instead of the iPad. 

Even though this iBook was very convenient and user friendly, I will continue to use printed textbooks.  I am a hands-on, visual learner, and I benefit more from highlighting and taking notes in a paper book.