[Oz-teachers] Apple really is changing the way we use computers

[Bruce Fuda]

Hi all,
 
Apple have timed the release of their new iMac with the '08 versions of
their iLife and iWork suites, as well as making some significant upgrades to
their .Mac service. With Leopard (their next version of OS X) due out in
October, I know what I'm going to be asking for when Christmas comes around.
 
If you've got about an hour and a half, and reasonable bandwidth, I'd
recommend checking out the video at this link:
 
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/keynote/
 
It's a recording of their "Special Event" - the release of the iMac - and
what Steve demonstrates is mind-blowing. Whilst the new iMac is sleek and
sexy, the really amazing thing to watch is how simple and powerful the new
iLife suite is. After watching this video, I can guarantee that you'll be
asking the same question I have for a couple of years now - why is it that
there is still so much anti-Mac feeling in the general community, and more
relevant to us, in schools?
 
We either spend $$$$ on buying proprietary applications for our Windows
systems, or spend hours and hours looking for open-source solutions that
cost us nothing but get us to our end result eventually, when if you buy a
Mac everything we're looking for comes in the box. The ease with which
digital media can be manipulated in this new version of iLife really is
phenomenal, and the amount of quality work you could get kids to produce in
the limited time we have (and this is especially relevant in a high school
context) is a real eye-opener when you consider how long you can spend in
computer labs while kids do video editing or audio manipulation assignments.
 
I'd be interested to hear whether other people agree that the potential for
these products in a school context is amazing.
 
Bruce Fuda
Classroom Teacher
Stromlo High School
Canberra, ACT Australia
 
-- 
Bruce Fuda
Bruce.Fuda at canberra.net.au
 
 
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