RaduTyrsina
News Team
iPads have slowly started making a name from themselves in the educational sector. Universities and schools are flocking to acquire the Apple tablet, which has been proved to be enhancing pupils’ abilities to learn. So, the Australian University of Western Sydney announced it was going to join the iPad band wagon next year.
The University holds six campuses which are spread across the West side of Sydney - the heart of the working-class district as opposed to the more classy suburbs. Thus, the University might not be amongst the top choices in the country, from students’ perspectives. Universities such as Sydney Uni, Macquarie Uni and the University of New South Wales hold a greater tradition with students and enjoy better reputation.
That doesn’t mean that the University of Western Sydney does not hold hopes of ranking higher in students’ choice. The school will thus begin distributing 11,000 iPads to every new student that decides to come and study there. Also, the academic staff will receive the same gifts. The program aims to support learning and teaching innovations across the curriculum.
UWS Pro Vice-Chancellor of Education, Kerri-Lee Krause, commented on the decision:
"Mobile technologies will be a key part of this strategy. We want to support our academic staff to make the most of iPads and custom-designed apps in class so that, even in the largest lecture theatre, students have access to just-for-me, just-in-time interactive learning experiences."
Professor Krause stated that the program present students with an alternative and a more engaging method of learning. Apple has extended its educational app offer outside borders of the US unto to Australia, so it’s no wonder the university made a move into this direction.
Source: AppleInsider
