The event started out with that video, along with a reference to the the new National Technology Plan released in the US.
That was followed by a reference to the blended learning environment as a multi-device environment. One step further than I think most schools would be. This definition of “Blended Learning” assumes that everyone has tech, but now the tech is different (mobile), as opposed to a have and have not world, which would still be our current reality.
They present Bootcamp as a strategy for school boards unwilling to “Go Mac”: Waterloo runs dual boot labs running Mac hardware with both Windows and Mac available on separate partitions of the drive. From an IT standpoint this type of image can be deployed as one.
Another alternative is Virtual Machines: Parallels, VMware, or VirtualBox. All of these assume that you have Apple hardware.
Podcast Producer running on Mac OS X Server looks like a fantastic way to make podcasting software available to students, although again precludes the PC boards. A quick google search reveals this Sharepoint alternative
Now showing a school where every classroom has a wiki. This gives stakeholders (teachers, parents, admin) a window into the diversity of learning taking place in the classroom, and in the board. This aligns with my hopes for a Learning Commons platform, only utilizing Blogs instead of Wikis as the publishing platform.
From there: iOS4 (the operating system utilized on iPods, iPhones, and iPads). A new addition to the iOS is ePub support in ibooks. This file format seems to make a lot of sense if we were to embark on a e-library platform. The format is quite powerful, allowing for video and audio players to be built/embed directly in the text. APP ALERT: Printopia allows airprint to iOS (currently native printing on the platform is limited to a small handful of HP printers).
NERD ALERT
The new iOS Supports:
Exchange server 2010
ssl VPN support
Multiple Exchange accounts.
Enhanced Data protection
Mobile Device Management
Wireless in-house app distribution
An Enterprise Development Account allows for inhouse deployment of inhouse-created apps.
Other Apps worth investigating:
iPad vSphere Management App
Parallels mobile App
App Store Volume Purchase Program is not yet available in Canada; but the US model would allow for App Codes to be supplied to the end user of the app (board/school/dept buys a number of licenses that are then unlocked with a serial number.)
iTunes: Enterprise Controls: through the iPhone Configuration Utility allows for a number of different controls. Basically allows for the ability to “disable” access and purchasing functionality. The Config Utility is a free tool.
One last note concerning resources: Apply for an Apple Learning Experience Kit: ALEKits. Your proposal must link to curriculum. A successful proposal would result in a kit appearing at your classroom step with tools that you could investigate (for a month I believe) within the learning environment.
Notable Link:
Online Videos
Apple Tech Series
Tune-in Webinars
Apple Training and Certification
Apple Distinguished Educators get together and put curriculum content together and share on the Apple for Education site.