The case for Apple in the classroom

Digital technology has been changing the way students learn and how educators teach in the classroom drastically over the last decade. New tools, interactive textbooks, apps and content make for endless learning possibilities.

Tech giant Apple believes that technology has the power to transform the classroom. "It can pave new ways of thinking. New ways of sparking ideas," it says in a blog post – Apple and Education.

"We've been proud to work alongside educators and students to re-invent what it means to teach and learn. And together we're doing things we never thought possible.

Apple offers complete solutions that streamline the management and distribution of an institution's devices. The iPad and Mac are easy to set up and manage, opening up a world of resources that enable teachers to engage with their students.

The Mac computer has been in classrooms since 1984. "With Mac in the classroom, students have access to a wide range of applications that can help keep the classroom productive," Apple says. The Mac App Store is packed with education apps that help students learn and create, including Pages where students can create reports, Numbers for tables, graphs and data, and Keynote that can be utilised by both teachers and students.

The increased popularity of the iPad has seen tablets become a staple in the learning environment. Tablets are included on many stationary lists and they have become a vital tool for teaching in classrooms.

"There's a reason both teachers and students love the iPad," Apple says. "It enables endless opportunities to create hands-on, customisable learning experiences.

There are over 75,00 apps just for education available on the iPad. This includes interactive books on basically every subject, speeches, virtual tours and videos from experts and institutions around the world.

"Everyone learns differently," Apple explains. "With just a few taps, you can customise your student's iPad with materials that fit their level and learning style.

"The wide range of content across subjects and grades also makes it easy to tailor iPad for students at a variety of learning levels. With iPad, you can teach all your students the same lesson — in different ways.

"The breadth of content available from iTunes and the App Store can transform learning and build deep understanding in classrooms," Apple says.

More information on Apple and Education can be found here.