Your college education in a convenient package
The word over at Crunchgear is that Barnes & Noble are attempting to make a splash in the educational market in a big way.
They have created a new software called NOOKstudy which they hope will become the ultimate information organization tool for all college students.
Here’s what we currently know about “NOOKstudy” (I can’t get over the naming)…
It will be a free piece of software available for PC and Mac.
It will allow you to download and organize eTextbooks, and keep your notes, syllabuses, and class materials all in one convenient application. Plus, you will be able to look at multiple different content all at the same time. And while viewing the content, you will be able to make annotations, highlight text, and tag items, which can all be saved for searching through later on.
BN has stated that this product is a result of working together with students and professors in several schools around the country. They’re weren’t looking to just create any old software, but a real tool that students can really use and benefit from.
Obviously, the NOOKstudy will be integrated heavily with their eBookstore, which they are claiming offers over 1 million ebooks and eTextbooks. Books are expected to be discounted from their notoriously expensive paper-counterparts (and why the hell not, right?)
So when can we expect the NOOKstudy? It’s set to arrive sometime around fall 2010, just in time for the new semester.
Right off the bat, I can see certain advantages with having such a system.
The first would be no more sore back and shoulders from dragging around ridiculously heavy hardcover textbooks. I mean, have you seen the size and weight of textbooks recently? For the love of…
Another would be significantly lower prices for digital textbooks versus hardcover textbooks. We all know how ridiculously expensive textbooks have become over the last few years so this may be a great alternative to traditional textbooks. And if the system proves popular, may encourage more publishers to offer digital versions of textbooks. No word yet on exactly how much eTextbooks would go for but they did state that students should expect “up to 40% savings off new textbooks.” Personally, I’d like to see closer to 65% savings, but 40% isn’t bad.
I do have my doubts about how much technology can really help students learn more effectively. I’ve been a student myself. Still am one. And I know that the key to learning anything, is not having fancier tools. It’s having the discipline to actually open the book and apply it. You cannot fix that with better software.
Some of our nations brightest minds started with nothing but a pencil, some paper, and a few key books, thoroughly digested. Who knows… These new tools could actually end up distracting us more than helping. It’s not clear. Sometimes it’s better to keep things simple and have just the basics. More options could prove to be distracting.
Consider the drop in productivity we’ve experienced with the invention of things like cell phones, email, youtube, and instant messaging. They can be useful, but not if we use them all at the same time and don’t know where to draw the line. Recent studies have even shown that multitasking is actually hurting our focus more than smoking marujuana. So, as with anything that claims to revolutionize the way we do something that’s been done since forever… I’ll remain a bit skeptical for now.
Let’s see when it comes out.
What about you guys? Tell me what you think below.
