Today’s generation is information-communication-oriented. Their dexterity in the use and application of varied computer programs is a stimulus that compelled educational publishers to offer them the world in handy iPad tablets — world history, literature, mathematics, science, entertainment, yes millions of information, on everything under the sun.
Little did the founder of Vibal Publishing House Inc., which opened 60 years ago, know that far from becoming the leading educational publishing house in the country, it would be the first in the industry to go into e-textbook publishing. And that it would forge a partnership with yet another giant — Microsoft, the biggest global software provider, to further the advancement of digital educational endeavors.
Vibal’s flagship product is the e-textbook developed under the “Future of Learning” initiative. E-textbooks are digital counterparts of the printed textbooks developed by Vibal, but feature innovations beyond print such as rich multimedia content, embedded knowledge base, among other supplementary additions that aim to enhance the reading and learning experience of students. Lessons for Grade I to VI and high school freshmen to seniors prepared by Vibal are contained in the tablet; there’s no need for students to lug around voluminous textbooks; with the e-textbook revolution, the journey to what Education Secretary Armin Luistro calls “a bookless society” has already begun.
At a recent Microsoft Education summit held in Makati City, Vibal Group of Companies Chair Esther A. Vibal and John Bessey, Microsoft Philippines managing director, officially launched the partnership before educators from different schools, colleges and universities around the country.
“In almost 60 years as one of the premier players in the educational publishing industry, Vibal Publishing has always been committed to providing quality education for every Filipino,” said Mrs. Vibal. “While we have long been a partner of the Department of Education in trying to realize this noble dream, it is only today that we are joining hands with a global giant such as Microsoft, and it goes without saying that we have high hopes and expectations for such a partnership.”
Vibal e-textbooks are currently available for iOS and Android platforms. Through the partnership with Microsoft, Vibal will be making its e-textbooks compatible to the Windows OS and for desktop platforms as well. Engaging digital content is expected to be loaded on Windows desktops and tablets with the year, to address the growing demand for more effective learning.
A goal is to make available e-digital learning in the public schools. With e-textbooks and the implementation of the K-12 educational system, we are almost sure of the new and future generations of students becoming globally competitive. Read more……