It just makes sense!
Common Sense Kids began as an exercise in persuasive writing. Following Apple’s Education Event in January 2012, a group of 4th grade students at Jackson Elementary in Atlanta, GA were given an assignment to discuss and present their take on the use of digital textbook technology in the classroom.
Their persuasive arguments were so well-received that it resulted in the decision to capture and deliver their message through video. TINT was brought on to produce the short film, working hand-in-hand with their teacher from prep to post. Needless to say, the students were amazing, and it was an absolute blast and honor to help bring their vision to life.
This is the film:
[tentblogger-vimeo 42523214]
I think most would agree that digital textbooks are the way of the future, but the BIG question is:
How do we get there?
To learn more about Common Sense Kids, visit their website.
Eric J says
Great commercial for Apple, that said i think they should have focused more on cost savings (not at all in the video) and improved education opportunities (covered a little).
Eric Dye says
True. In Italy, you have to pay for your kids school books. I could have purchased an iPad for each of my kids for what I spent on only one year of text books. Cost savings is huge.
Eric J says
And then a lifeproof case so they don’t destroy the thing 😉
Jonathan Ober says
I don’t have a case on mine and my 2 and 4 year olds do just fine. I may get a Zaggfolio for the typing faster aspect, which I would recommend if those students are doing a lot of typing.
Eric Dye says
Seriously! And then maybe keep it in a soft sided case when you’re not using it. #double
Jonathan Ober says
I can help get us there… I am a graphic/website designer and I have worked on two ibooks, simple photo journalism pieces, but I am getting there. If anyone that stumbles upon this wants help in creating an iPad ibook, let me know!
In my community, a lower class primarily black/hispanic neighborhood it’s going to be tough to get this switch to happen, but I have already seen the usage of laptops and iPads in some of the local upper/middle class schools where parents can easily help fund their students books and educational needs.
Also there needs to be a quicker adoption of iBooks Author by bigger publishing houses, which right now try to balance between current printed book needs/trends and the digital publishing.
Eric Dye says
True.
Peter Saddington says
should have focused on tablets… not just ipads. limits accessibility.
Eric J says
This was an apple commercial though.
Jonathan Ober says
iPads are like iPods to kids…it’s the only name they know because of their popularity and their ease of use. No one says let’s listen to music on my Zune…
Eric Dye says
LOL!
Eric Dye says
But they’re so shinny 😉
Kevin says
Great feedback guys. All valid points. Sadly, 2 shots (of many) that ended up on the cutting room floor were A) a scene that mentions the cost benefit, as paper textbooks have to be replaced every 5 years, and B) a scene that specifically states that the iPads can be encased to offer protection from accidents. There were several reasons for their cut, pacing being one of them, but we felt those 2 particular points were starting to get a little too granular for the purpose of the video. The iPads are already seen in cases throughout the video, and the idea of the cost savings is hinted at in the scene where the gigantic stack of textbooks is replaced by a single iPad.
One scene that I wish we could have kept was one where we addressed the WEIGHT of these books. In many cases, these kids’ backpacks were over half as large as they are! But that particular footage wasn’t as strong and we didn’t have time to reshoot it (Summer comes and kids split!), and it is the reason we open the video with shots of bulky backpacks as kids enter the classroom. To Pete’s point, we did consider addressing tablets in general in the beginning, but it was decided that a focus on iPads specifically was a stronger video, and beyond that, the project was designed to coincide with the Apple Education Even that launched back in January. Common Sense Kids was originally scheduled to be produced in March, but red tape and legal factors pushed it to May. But regardless of the delay, we have heard from C-level execs at Apple, as well as McGraw-Hill, including Terry McGraw himself. The feedback has been positive to say the least. This video is only the beginning.