This means Waugh ?...*

When I started teaching, in 1988, GCSEs had recently been brought in, followed three years later by the 'brown' National Curriculum with its hundreds of attainment targets.
At the time of these changes, a geography teacher named David Waugh teamed up with other colleagues, notably Tony Bushell, to write a series of books which took these targets and turned them into double page spreads. They were colourful and engaging books, with some activities that were accessible to most, and they sold in their hundreds of thousands, if not millions. I used them, and the GCSE versions regularly for the next 15 years.

Go into most geography departments and you'll see these books, or later editions and additions to the series in use, along with the photocopiable sheets that were added to the series, and activities to offer stretch and support.

Later today, Apple are expected to announce tools that will enable individuals to self-publish much more easily, and create a book in the same way as Garageband allows a novice to create music...

If this means that teachers are more able to produce their own e-books, that could potentially challenge the traditional publishers. This may be an interesting time, especially as we move towards further curriculum change, and tie this in with teacher professional development and the growing use of social media to collaborate on projects.
I floated an idea on Twiitter last night as to whether there were colleagues who would like to collaborate on a book in this way, and had an encouraging response.

We'll see what happens about 3pm today....

* = this assumes several things - first that Apple aren't announcing something else instead.... and second that this is how you pronounce David's name... apologies in advance if both of those assumptions are wrong...


UPDATE


OK, so the announcement wasn't quite as earth-shattering as expected, there are limits to the formats and availability, and tie-ins with certain publishing firms seem to be well underway...


And David's name is pronounced 'woff' apparently....
Apart from that...