Interactive e-books

It is the first day of school and what is the most familiar sight? Kids with huge loads on their back. One would have thought someone would have noticed a commercial opportunity there – no, not bigger bags. Maybe, the time has arrived.

ScrollMotion, the iPhone application developer has announced the launch of a new kids' e-book reader for the device that will encourage picture books that will "integrate text, audio and pictures in an organic and fun manner that is interactive for parents and kids, with buttons and interactions especially designed for small fingers".

So, what do Malaysian parents/teachers want? Buku kerja, of course. Now imagine a programme that will allow one to develop lots and lots of interactive (and downloadable) e-Bukukerja for a laptop or a desktop. There would be the problem with pirates, of course. But attractive pricing should solve that. Tuition teachers will love the stuff.

One of the eBooks adopted by ScrollMotion is the Curious George's Dictionary based on the popular book series by Margret and HA Rey. Most of the application's content is from the print book. The dictionary, which has more than 600 entries and illustrations, is enhanced with audio -- letters and words are pronounced aloud -- and is searchable by letter. The Curious George's Dictionary is more than an e-book: a bit like a game, and a bit like an educational tool.

But that sounds like a lot of educational games that have been around since the Apple 11e. What is required is a simple tool that will allow your average tuition teacher to whip up a set of questions and answers in a couple of minutes. The resource could be made available over the internet even.

Any programmer out there? Or, is someone already doing this?

Publisher's Weekly