Publisher Touts 20-Point Boost in Student Performance with Textbooks for iPad
http://www.macrumors.com/2012/01/20/publisher-touts-20-point-boost-in-student-performance-with-textbooks-for-ipad/

In an attempt to assess the effect of iPad textbooks on student performance, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) performed a year-long pilot program using an iPad version of the company’s Algebra 1 textbook for middle school students. The study, conducted at Amelia Earhart Middle School in Riverside, California, saw 78% students taking the course using the iPad textbook rank as “Proficient” or “Advanced” in the subject, compared to only 58% of students using the traditional print textbook.

(via Instapaper)

Sent from my 20 point grade increasing iPad

Stock Talk: Why Apple’s textbook announcement matters
http://www.imore.com/2012/01/20/stock-talk-apples-textbook-announcement-matters/

If Apple can create an amazing reason for every school-aged child to have an iPad for school books, those kids will quickly start using the devices for everything else. Getting kids hooked on Apple is great for long term shareholders.

(via Instapaper)

Sent from my iPad

$100k In Digital Book Profits In 3 Weeks | No Publisher Needed
http://www.nopublisherneeded.com/100k-in-digital-book-profits-in-3-weeks/

One hundred grand. That’s how much I’ve made on Amazon in the last three weeks.

This is just for my self-pubbed Kindle titles. It doesn’t include Shaken and Stirred, which were published by Amazon’s imprints. It doesn’t include any of my legacy sales, print or ebook. It doesn’t include audiobook sales. It doesn’t include sales from other platforms.

This is from my self-pubbed books. The ones the Big 6 rejected.

Are you smelling what the ROCK is cooking....

iBooks Author: Publishing and distribution FAQ
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5071

Can I distribute works created with iBooks Author as part of a product or service that charges a subscription-based fee?

Books created with iBooks Author may not be sold as part of a subscription-based product or service. iBooks Author books must be distributed free of charge or made available for sale via the iBookstore.

(via Instapaper)

Sent from my iPad

Cool device of the day

Nike+ Fuelband gives iPhone users 24-hour workout and exercise data

http://www.imore.com/2012/01/19/nike-fuelband-iphone-users-24hour-workout-exercise-data/

Nike has announced the Nike+ Fuelband which gives iPhone users in-depth information on their daily physical activity. With development assistance from the likes of Lance Armstrong, Kevin Durant and Carmelita Jeter, the Nike+ Fuelband is able to keep track of your daily physical goals using a built-in accelerometer. The user sets a daily goal in the morning, and Fuelband tracks time, steps, burned calories and more.

(via Instapaper)

Sent from my iPad

Reflections on Apple's Education Event
http://www.macsparky.com/blog/2012/1/19/reflections-on-apples-education-event.html

Every time I spend any time with iTunes U content, I kick myself for not consuming more of it. Why in the hell am I watching mindless TV with free lectures available from some of the smartest people in the world? I think this new app is a way to make this accessible to even more users. (A lot of people are intimidated by the all that has become iTunes.)

(via Instapaper)

Sent from my iPad

Reflections on Apple's Education Event
http://www.macsparky.com/blog/2012/1/19/reflections-on-apples-education-event.html

I just spent several hours playing with iBook Author’s media tools inserting movies, keynote animations, and interactive pictures into my new secret project and it ruined me. There is no turning back. As an author and a reader, I will never look at a static page e-book the same. While for some types of books, like novels, words on a page are fine, for a lot of books the failure to include media just became inexcusable. I can’t imagine going back.

(via Instapaper)

Sent from my iPad

Created using Skitch by Evernote.

Sent from my iPad

Facebook Insights

Facebook have really changed their insights stats and what they mean.

This is a must read (Thanks @ed for the heads up!)

New Facebook Insights Stats – must watch