StFX partners with Apple Canada

The next generation of StFX teachers will be well prepared for using Apple technology in the classroom, thanks to a nearly $100,000 partnership between Apple Canada and StFX through its Faculty of Education and the Technology Support Group (TSG).

Thanks in part to its existing relationship with the TSG, Apple Canada has selected StFX as one of three universities across Canada – the other two are UBC and the OISE-University of Toronto – to participate in this national pilot project.

Apple will provide the faculties of education at each university with equipment and professional development training. At StFX, this means two mobile laptop labs, 40 laptops, and 15 days of professional development.

“We’re pretty excited about it, the real opportunity is that it’s not just equipment, it’s also professional development,” says Rob Proctor, manager of service and support with the TSG. He says technology experts from Apple will be on campus over the coming months to demonstrate ways to use the equipment in the classroom. Mr. Proctor says StFX’s relationship with Apple started over two years ago when chief technology officer Duncan Macpherson approached the company to have StFX officially support and bring Apple technology to campus. “This partnership came because of that relationship,” Mr. Proctor says.

L-r, Colton White and James Stewart, Apple campus reps for StFX, Rob Policicchio, Apple Canada instruction technologist specialist, Faculty of Education Dean Dr. Jeff Orr, Karen Ritcey, Apple marketing manager, Andrew Foran, chair of StFX’s B.Ed program, and Rob Proctor, manager of service and support with TSG. 

Mr. Proctor says as part of the relationship, they also want to bring in local school boards to see how Apple supports teaching and learning in the classroom.

“Apple’s primary market is education. By helping the Faculty of Education, they are preparing the next generation of teachers and master’s students to try to increase their comfort level in laptops and in Apple instruction.” 

Dean of Education Dr. Jeff Orr says they are very excited about the possibilities the partnership opens, for faculty, pre-service teachers, and teachers and staff in schools.

“This straddles the two worlds of the university and school board worlds which we live in. As we get better at using Apple technology, the pedagogy spills both ways in what goes on in schools and universities. We see the possibilities to invite campus to experience professional development opportunities associated with laptops.”

This project helps us support educators as they learn how to use such technological features as voice, video and drag and drop icons. With the ease of rolling the laptops into a classroom on one cart “this shows a very convenient way to integrate laptops into a classroom without people having to own one,” Dr. Orr says.