Apple held what they called a "Special Event" on March 27, 2018. From Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago, Illinois. The key highlights they had from this event included:
Out of all these announcements, the features that most excited me as an educator were the single sign-on and the Apple Pencil support. As an educator I feel allowing the use of the Pencil on the cheaper iPads was a smart move as there are so many creative apps out there that students can use for note taking and creating. (www.apple.com/education/products/) With the single sign-on as an elementary teacher this would alleviate a lot of headaches trying to help a younger child get signed on to see their work in whatever service they would use. I currently work for a Google Apps for Education District, so my students are very comfortable with the idea of signing into their Google accounts. The idea of using that feature on an iPad would help open up the use of a single iPad in the classroom. This would also help districts who are strapped for cash make an argument for a small amount of iPads for classrooms as all their students could use the same iPad. Now you may ask why I didn't mention Apple's new Schoolwork app as one of my highlights. Having used Apple Classroom in the past I personally felt it wasn't a "fully-baked" app to begin with. Not enough of my classroom resources could be connected with the app for it be useful. If Apple could figure out a way to integrate more teaching resources (Pearson's eBook resources) into their apps I think that would help them compete more with Google Classroom. I still have hope though... Resources: yohann.com/blog/best-drawing-apps-apple-pencil/ https://www.apple.com/apple-events/march-2018/
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iOS 9.3 is approaching fast! Apple is promising many changes and additions that on paper look like great additions especially for educators around the world. But, are these additions too "late to the party"?
Some of the education additions include for the first time the ability to have multiple users on one iPad at a time (all other tablets available allow this feature not just to educators), the ability to create classes (think Google Classroom), allow students to access their created content presumably through iCloud Drive and the integrated Apple Classroom App (again, think Google Classroom), and allow students to pick up where they left off on another device (once again, think...you get the picture). All are great features, but my real personal question is: Why not sooner Apple? I have been a firm believer that since Apple's iconic "mastermind" Steve Jobs died Apple has lost some of it's "luster". To me Apple has changed from "Innovator" to "Follower." It took Apple nearly 2 years since Google Classroom's conception (debuted August 12, 2014) to enter into the ring of paperless classrooms. I don't want this article to come off as "bashing" Apple in anyway (I'm currently typing this blog post up on my iMac), but I just don't know how much of an impact Apple will have with these new features. Google just seems to find a way to "WOW" me when it comes to education integration while Apple leaves me thinking "Is that it?" Google gives educators unlimited storage space on their Google Drive feature to use with their Classroom app while Apple still gives you 5 gigabytes free before you have to start paying. I can assure Apple that after having taught for five years now I have more than 5 gigabytes of created materials on my computer. Google has also spent the past two years since the inception of Google Classroom incorporating other useful web applications into it's classroom app such as YouTube or even the ability to embed tests and quizzes. Apple has yet to reveal how much integration it's classroom app will have with other apps other than presumably it's own iCloud Drive features (but I again comeback to the 5 gigabytes limit). Make sure to check back in a few months after iOS 9.3 officially releases for my full review. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below! Do you think Apple will make any lasting mark in the education world with these new features? For now checkout this video for other features coming to iOS 9.3 from the awesome guys at TechnoBuffalo. |
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AuthorBenjamin's educational experiences include teaching both 3rd and 4th grades all around the state of Iowa. His commitment to students has led to various local and state awards and honors such as being named the 2014 Iowa Technology Educator of the Year and authoring a section of a chapter in Dr. Todd Whittaker's book Start. Right. Now.: Teach and Lead for Excellence on maximizing student potential. |