Communications of the ACM
Illinois Institute of Technology to Provide Apple Ipads to ndergraduates
IIT expects students' iPad devices will be used for educational purposes in and out of the classroom.
Credit: Apple
Illinois Institute of Technology will provide all incoming, first-year undergraduate students with Apple iPads as part of an initiative to integrate new technologies into the classroom and foster educational innovation among faculty and students.
Educational applications for iPad, such as eBooks, Blackboard Mobile Learn, and iTunes University will empower IIT students with engaging tools that will enhance their educational experience. IIT students and faculty will also develop new applications that will increase classroom interactivity and collaboration.
IIT is at the forefront of a new age of technology innovation in a variety of ways. In the past year, the university introduced some of the nation's first courses devoted to the development of mobile applications. The university also recently opened a new 13,000 square foot facility called the Idea Shop located in IIT's University Technology Park. The Idea Shop includes space for scientific computing and visualization, engineering graphics, mobile app development, team-based idea generation and communication, and a state-of-the-art machine shop filled with rapid-prototyping equipment.
"University education is much different today as compared to even ten years ago," says IIT Provost Alan Cramb. "Students live in a world where technology is seamlessly integrated into virtually every aspect of their lives, where information and collaboration are available anywhere, anytime. IIT is committed to providing students with the tools and support to thrive in a constantly evolving technological landscape."
Beyond the use of iPad devices for educational purposes in and out of the classroom, IIT will release a university app for iPhone/iPods and iPads that provides students and visitors with access to news, events, maps, course listings, and more. The application will also enable the university to push emergency alerts directly to iPod/iPhone/iPad devices, enhancing the existing emergency alert capability through SMS text email, and voice messages.
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