Its no secret that I believe touch and gestural-based input will be a big part of the way that the computing we’ve known and used to begin the information revolution over the last 20 years transforms into everyware, ubiquitous computing. Whatever side of the preferred digital platform you sit on, you have to admit that the direction market leader Apple (now the world’s largest mobile device company) is taking is away from traditional desktop and even notebook devices towards direct, touch based interfaces will inspire others to follow. One example is the new mobile version of office suite iWork – a traditional, graphics heavy desktop software that now has a new, simplified, finger-friendly interface. How will other desktop-class programs look on such a device, and more importantly, how does learning benefit when you can remove much of the ‘spend time working out the software’ from the equation?

By bringing the convenience of iTunes and App store access to books, the new iBook store also has the potential to do for a currently non-digital medium what has occurred for music, video and apps over the last decade – namely bring it into the digital age, democratise sharing and creation, all while including the direct interaction with our media that we are used to (ie. flipping digital pages by touch).

Will follow the development of devices like the iPad and what they mean for learning with great interest. Question – how practical is a tablet in a school environment? We’ll find out in 60-90 days!