Apple eNews for Education: May 2007


	Apple has updated its entire MacBook product line with faster Intel Core 2 Duo processors, 1GB of memory, and larger hard drives. Just one-inch thin, MacBook features built-in 802.11n wireless networking. It also includes a built-in iSight video camera for on-the-go video conferencing, a MagSafe Power Adapter that safely disconnects under strain, and iLife ’06, Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications.


	Apple and Modest Mouse are giving you the chance to make the video for their new single “Missed The Boat.” They’ve shot performance footage from multiple camera angles, that you can download before you, and your class, turn into a video director. Winners receive a Sony HD Video camera, an iMac, or a video iPod. But hurry — submissions must be in by May 22.


	“KidCast: Learning and Teaching with Podcasting,” is hosted by Dan Schmit, author and instructional technology specialist with the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. This free podcast serves a dual purpose by delivering how-to tips for podcasting and advice on how to connect podcasting to the curriculum. Included are examples of both student and professional development podcasts.
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This month’s featured product in the Apple Digital Learning Series is “VitalSource Library for Language Arts” from VitalSource Technology. This portable library includes such classic works as “A Tale of Two Cities,” “Little Women,” “Moby Dick,” “Macbeth.” and “Leaves of Grass.” It also includes reference essentials such as the American Heritage® Dictionary and the American Heritage® Thesaurus. Users can browse and search for material, make online notes, and link notes directly to pages in these works of fiction.

Time is running out for this special Apple Mobile Learning Lab offer. Purchase any qualifying mobile lab by June 26th and receive a free Digital Media Creation Kit, valued at $999. This kit is the ideal companion to the iLife digital authoring tools included on every new Mac and comes with two video and two digital cameras, an MIDI keyboard, and instructional and resource materials.

The iPod is perfect for learning on-the-go. “Teaching with iPod and iTunes” at the Apple Learning Interchange offers you an ever-growing collection of lesson plans, created by educators like you. You can learn how to use music to teach math. Or find out how one class charted the progress of the notorious Cherokee “Trail of Tears.” No matter what the subject, you’ll find something to inspire and intrigue.

Apple eNews for Education
May 2007
Volume 6, Issue 5

We hope you enjoyed reading this month’s issue of Apple eNews for Education. We’ll be back next month with more exciting news about Apple and the valuable role it’s playing in education.

Apple eNews for Education is a free, monthly email publication.

Event dates are subject to change. Some products, programs, or promotions are not available outside the U.S. Visit your local Apple site or call your local authorized Apple reseller for more information. Prices are estimated retail prices and are listed in U.S. dollars. Product specifications are subject to change.

This summer, Apple Professional Development will offer six courses for educators interested in gaining new skills and bringing the latest technology into the classroom. Whether you’re a teacher, a curriculum specialist, or a technology coordinator, these two- or four-day courses will give you hands-on experience and provide you with a host of inspiring ideas to use in the new school year.

If you’re new to the Mac, “Getting Started: Teaching and Learning with Technology” delivers the fundamentals of working with Mac OS X and the iLife and iWork suites of digital authoring tools. Do you teach students with special needs? Check out “Special Education for Auditory and Visual Learners,” which also focuses on using iLife and iWork and explores the unique accessibility features of Mac OS X.

Know the basics and want to get more creative? Two courses, “Podcasting for Teaching and Learning” and “Moviemaking for Teaching and Learning,” show you how easy it is to develop exciting multimedia content with your class. Each course offers plenty of hands-on experience and inspiration for enhancing your lesson plans.

The final two courses, “Secondary Math: An Exploration of Technology Solutions” and “Secondary Science: An Exploration of Technology Solutions,” provide an introduction to educator-recommended and researched-based software applications that can help students develop a deeper understanding of mathematical and scientific concepts.

Wondering what to do with all that electronic equipment gathering dust in that over-crowded storeroom? For a limited time, Apple will dispose of electronic waste (from any manufacturer) in an environmentally responsible way. Oh yes, and it’s free.

If you register before June 30, your educational institution can recycle all of its end-of-life assets in an environmentally responsible manner at no cost to you and with no purchase required. You can make room for new equipment and know that your old computers have been disposed of properly.

In addition, Apple removes all asset tags and other identifying marks and grinds all hard drives into confetti-sized pieces, so you can rest assured, knowing that your data is secure throughout the process. Plus there are no shipping costs because Apple comes to you to pick up your unwanted equipment.

What is the capital of Nigeria? What is Romeo’s last name? Whether you’re teaching geography or literature, math or biology, iQuiz, from Aspyr Media lets you create custom quizzes based upon your curriculum. Your students can then download these quizzes onto their iPods for some on-the-go learning.

You can craft individual quizzes or create a whole trivia pack; or visit the Apple Learning Interchange for trivia packs created by others (or share yours with them). iQuiz lets you design true or false or multiple-choice tests, customize the look of your quizzes, and even write the messages that students see when they get the right — or wrong — answer.

iQuiz was designed specifically for the iPod. It’s free, fast, and fun. And it just might make your students actually want to do their homework.

The High School Language Arts solution from the Apple Digital Learning Series gives students the analytical reading and writing skills they need to succeed in the future. From the basics of word analysis and reading comprehension to more advanced studies in literary response and writing strategies, these educator-recommended tools address a variety of needs.

“ClassTools: English” contains tutorials and activities covering an extensive array of topics — from writing and grammar essentials to critical reading and effective writing to studies of American and English literature. Additional literature studies are provided in “VitalSource Library for Language Arts,” a digital collection of classic novels, short stories, drama, and poetry.

To enhance writing skills, there’s “Get a Clue” designed to enhance vocabulary and “WriteToLearn,” which provides students with immediate feedback to improve their writing. These tools are just the stuff for getting your students ready for writing those college application essays.