Friday, January 20, 2012

This article talks about the new education developments from Apple; iBooks 2, iBooks Author, and iTunes U. iBooks 2 is the new version of the electronic bookstore, where students can download textbooks. iBooks Author is a Mac program that can be used to create textbooks, and iTunes U can be used by teachers to create curriculums and share material with students.
Apple is transforming the classroom environment; textbooks on iBooks 2 from original publishing partners cost $15 less, cheaper than print books which can cost up to $100. Once the digital textbooks are bought, there is no longer any need for students to lug around heavy backpacks, as all that they need to succeed can all be held within their hands.
For many teenagers, electronics are wants, not needs. One doesn't need an iPad or an iPhone to continue down the path of education and eventually success, a need.
People need an education, it is necessary for advancement in peoples lives. Apple has managed to incorporate the full academic experience, a need, into their electronic devices, wants. Apples' technology helps students absorb and understand knowledge more easily, as all the information needed is in one place, and can be handled very differently electronically than on a physical book. Apple has used their product, a want, as a spark for advancement in education, a need.
On the flip side, Apple has used the need of education to increase the value of the want, their product. Ultimately, they want to sell their products. If the Apple products are the best for one's education, they will be bought, therefore using the need to further the want.

2 comments:

Darcy said...

Your analysis of Apple's educational movement is very interesting. I find Apple's conjoining of student's wants and needs highly innovative and clever. Eventually, I believe electronic education will completely wipe out the need for text books and notes. Once the traditional style of teaching becomes archaic, Apple will profit off students even more than they already do.

Smith said...

I watched the marketing video for the release of the iBooks 2. Apple is a master of creating the demand/desire for their products, and I agree they do a great job of combining wants and needs. However, you need an iPad to purchase and use this iBooks. I look at this as “first world problems”. How does this help impoverished countries? Where students view education as a privilege and have the barest of educational essentials like a chalkboard and chalk? Is Apple doing some sort of donation or philanthropic program?