Anyone who listens to podcasts at work knows how much they help pass the time. I myself subscribe to 11 different podcasts with genres ranging from news/politics, to comedy, and pop culture. Lately I was looking for a new technology/nerdy podcast I could listen to to help spark some new thoughts as I design and layout book covers. Last week I discovered archived presentations from TED Conferences are on iTunes. (I know I am probably behind on the times on this one.)
The TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Conference is a yearly conference where CEO’s, scientists, engineer, and (most importantly) designers. I joke of course. One archived podcast in particular caught my attention.
Next generation’s digital e-Book? Take the time, watch the video, and please share your thoughts?
Two major points crossed my mind as I watched this video.
1) This is simply amazing. As an educational tool, I can see this helping the students of today immensely. Today’s generation of kids are exposed to vast amounts of technology at an early age. Between gaming systems, computers, and seven-year-olds with smart phones (that will be a rant for another day), today’s kids absorb information in a totally different way. The technology developed by Push Pop Press can help kids connect and understand the subject in a manner they are used to from other aspect of their life.
2) The type of graphic design work that this new technology will create is very exciting. Every book created could have a different interactive experience from the one another. Imagine math class with an interactive tool that is part text book, part calculator, and a way to submit your homework. This means less paper waste, no heavy textbooks to lug around, and no more using the excuse “my dog ate my homework” (unless the dog ate your iPad).
As much as it pains me to say this–because I still prefer a printed book over an e-book–there is great potential to improving the learning experience for students with the use of this new technology that Mike Matas presented. Today’s students are different than the types of students even from when I was in high school, which was about 6 years ago. We must learn to adapt our methods of education to improve students’ futures, and this e-book is a step in the right direction.
For more information on Mike Matas and this technology, visit www.pushpoppress.com