MaraMedia Publishing, a South African organisation born out of a need for more comprehensive and innovative education solutions in local schools, has launched a range of Interactive Digital Manuals for Grades 7, 8 and 9 using Adobe’s Digital Publishing Suite (DPS), which is now available in the Adobe Creative Cloud.
Developed to convert students from passive to active learners, the manuals make use of tablet devices to present educational material in a more engaging format.
Significantly the digital manuals, which were compiled in keeping with the internationally recognised Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), allow students to immerse themselves in image galleries, three dimensional graphics and pop-up windows.
According to MaraMedia creative director, Marion Smith, various Adobe Creative Suite applications, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, were essential to the realisation of this project.
“Being able to use the Adobe suite of products has allowed us to concentrate on the visual delivery of the content. By thinking out the box and pushing the boundaries with the existing interactive tools at our disposal within DPS, we have managed to develop a textbook that speaks to today’s generation.
“Growing up in this technological world is exciting and we have been able to give these students a product that speaks their language and makes learning ‘fun’.
“The creative team working with DPS all came from a “traditional” design background. After having received training it was challenging to change this traditional design mind-set and master this technology. But once accomplished – this method of designing and delivering content has become addictive. The combination of creativity and this technology has allowed us to deliver a world-class product of which we are all very proud”.
Additional visual elements such as diagrams, illustrations and interactive functionality are also incorporated into each manual, giving students an opportunity to dynamically absorb information.
The MaraMedia Interactive Digital Manual library includes a wide range of educational disciplines such as mathematics, creative arts, technology, English, social sciences, economics and management sciences. Each manual is designed for use in both offline and online environments.
“The opportunity to aid the fruition of a project of this nature is certainly a significant step for Adobe,” says Grant O’Connor, Adobe regional manager for sub-Saharan Africa and Israel.
“Education is the lifeblood of sustainable development. For this reason, Adobe is delighted that our technology helped MaraMedia Publishing in the creation of its Interactive Digital Manual offering. We look forward to working closely with them in the future to continue contributing to improved educational processes for our youth.
“Thanks to the superb books teaching has become fun again. This is the first time I have come across people who approach English along the same lines that we do. The images and interactivity are amazing,” says Gail Penny, head of Academics at St George’s Preparatory School in Port Elizabeth.
MaraMedia Publishing intends to release interactive manuals for Grades 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12 by 2015, and is currently negotiating an international licensing agreement.
Developed to convert students from passive to active learners, the manuals make use of tablet devices to present educational material in a more engaging format.
Significantly the digital manuals, which were compiled in keeping with the internationally recognised Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), allow students to immerse themselves in image galleries, three dimensional graphics and pop-up windows.
According to MaraMedia creative director, Marion Smith, various Adobe Creative Suite applications, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, were essential to the realisation of this project.
“Being able to use the Adobe suite of products has allowed us to concentrate on the visual delivery of the content. By thinking out the box and pushing the boundaries with the existing interactive tools at our disposal within DPS, we have managed to develop a textbook that speaks to today’s generation.
“Growing up in this technological world is exciting and we have been able to give these students a product that speaks their language and makes learning ‘fun’.
“The creative team working with DPS all came from a “traditional” design background. After having received training it was challenging to change this traditional design mind-set and master this technology. But once accomplished – this method of designing and delivering content has become addictive. The combination of creativity and this technology has allowed us to deliver a world-class product of which we are all very proud”.
Additional visual elements such as diagrams, illustrations and interactive functionality are also incorporated into each manual, giving students an opportunity to dynamically absorb information.
The MaraMedia Interactive Digital Manual library includes a wide range of educational disciplines such as mathematics, creative arts, technology, English, social sciences, economics and management sciences. Each manual is designed for use in both offline and online environments.
“The opportunity to aid the fruition of a project of this nature is certainly a significant step for Adobe,” says Grant O’Connor, Adobe regional manager for sub-Saharan Africa and Israel.
“Education is the lifeblood of sustainable development. For this reason, Adobe is delighted that our technology helped MaraMedia Publishing in the creation of its Interactive Digital Manual offering. We look forward to working closely with them in the future to continue contributing to improved educational processes for our youth.
“Thanks to the superb books teaching has become fun again. This is the first time I have come across people who approach English along the same lines that we do. The images and interactivity are amazing,” says Gail Penny, head of Academics at St George’s Preparatory School in Port Elizabeth.
MaraMedia Publishing intends to release interactive manuals for Grades 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12 by 2015, and is currently negotiating an international licensing agreement.
