Apple has always been committed to education. Its multimedia technology is ideal for schools, colleges, and universities. Across the UK, teachers and lecturers use Macs to introduce IT infrastructures that enhance creative learning techniques. Their pupils and students meanwhile take advantage of Macs to improve the way they manage and submit their work.

Macs

iMacs are a clutter-free answer to the computer needs of most educational establishments. An iMac doesn’t take up as much space as a desktop PC, and has a screen three or four students can comfortably view at once.

MacBooks are perfect computers for individual learning. Apart from anything, they’re robust, a much-needed feature for any piece of educational equipment; and like iMacs, they have what is now generally regarded as the best available operating system, Mac OS X.

As well as Mac OS X, all Macs come with a comprehensive suite of multimedia software as standard. It’s also possible to buy and run Microsoft Office for Macs. This can help students who are more familiar with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

In addition, Macs have wireless technology. This means that schools can easily set up networks without too many trailing cables. MacBooks can also keep performing for up to six hours on one battery charge, so there’s no need for students to hunt for an electric socket every time they change rooms during the course of a school day.

Apple 1 to 1 Learning

Apple runs a number of initiatives to help students learn, research, and communicate. One of these is Apple 1 to 1 Learning.

Children grow up expecting technology to be a major part of their lives. In fact, research into educational methods demonstrates that children learn more effectively when they have appropriate technology to hand.

Apple 1 to 1 Learning takes this premise and develops it by proposing a way of providing the technology with the support of teachers and education authorities. The Apple 1 to 1 Learning programme gives every student and teacher access to a MacBook laptop, all of which connect wirelessly to a server. Apple also arranges certified installation, training, and service.

Apple Mobile Classroom

The Apple Mobile Classroom consists of a mobile cart, a set of MacBooks, a wireless AirPort Extreme base station, Apple Remote Desktop, an Apple mini-DVI to VGA adaptor, and an ethernet cable.

The purpose of the Apple Mobile Classroom is to replace the need for a dedicated computer lab. Instead, a teacher can move the Apple Mobile Classroom from room to room as required.

The cart holds the MacBooks in individual, secure compartments. Once the cart is in a room, students remove the MacBooks while the teacher connects to the Internet or network using the ethernet cable. The students can then access the network wirelessly from each MacBook.

Apple Mobile Classrooms come in three sizes for up to 16, 20, or 32 MacBooks. There’s also a guide written by professional educators to help teachers set up the Mobile Classroom and use it to its full potential.

Higher Education

Apple has further initiatives designed specifically for higher education. iTunes U, for example, is for college and university lecturers. They can use iTunes U to promote video and audio presentations, lectures, and debates to students via Macs and iPods.

For filmmakers, Apple’s BOOM! project teaches multimedia computing skills to those aged 16 to 25. These skills can lead directly to volunteer and vocational work.

Architecture students can obtain a 3D design programme, ArchiCAD 12, free of charge. Apple has ArchiCAD 12 available to download.

European young scientists can obtain grants for Macs and software to assist technological research. To do so, they must apply to the Apple Research & Technology Support (ARTS) programme.

iPods and podcasting

Macs can lie at the heart of the technology that supports education. The world’s best-selling portable digital media player – the iPod – can also play a large role.

iPods can play podcasts of lectures, language lessons, and even lists of assignments. These don’t have to be limited to audio, either. Images and video for the iPod classic, nano, and touch can supplement the spoken word.

To create a podcast, teachers and lecturers can employ the iLife software that comes with every Mac. iLife enables them to combine words, pictures, film, music, and sound effects. Once the podcast is complete, a teacher can publish it on the Internet using iWeb (also included with every Mac), send it to iTunes, or publish a weblog using an Apple Podcasting Server. Students then use these sources to download the podcast to iPods or Macs. When they’ve finished listening and watching, they can even reply by making their own podcasts.

Teachers can also take advantage of the iPod’s popularity, and create quizzes. By customising iQuiz, the iPod trivia game, they can produce quiz questions based on their particular subjects.

The Apple Store for Education

To make the features of Macs even more attractive, Apple has special UK education deals. Students and teaching staff can save money on the standard prices of Apple computers and software, and obtain three year parts and labour warranties.

In other words, students and educators can buy Apple products with complete confidence. They can have the best possible prices plus comprehensive Mac guarantees. They can also purchase peripherals for Macs at specially reduced rates.

Apple gives both students and teachers an edge

There are now many examples where Macs are providing a valuable learning experience in every aspect of teaching. Macs are helping children with learning difficulties, adults with literacy problems, and failing schools with poor exam results.

Macs offer distinct advantages in the world of twenty-first century education.