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Augmented Reality, page 4
SPECIAL ISSUE: ACU Connected Summit
Friday, February 25, 2011
Vol. 99, No. 39
1 section, 10 pages
CONNECTED SUMMIT
Connected Summit to discuss technology which began three years ago, invites innovators in education, Editor In Chief industry and policy from across Hundreds of mobile learning en- the country and around the globe thusiasts are making their way to engage in discussion about the to Abilene this weekend to at- future of mobile technology in tend ACU’s Connected Summit, education. This year, the summit called, “Turning the Page: The will take place Feb. 28-March 1. “It’s a gathering of educators, Next Chapter for Education.” The two-day conference, policy makers and corporations
Linda Bailey
coming together to explore how mobility is interacting with education and specific thinking about how the future of books and educational learning materials plays out in a mobily connected world,” said George Saltsman, executive director of the Adams Center.
Download our iPad App Keep up with ACU’s Connected Summit by downloading our free Optimist iPad App from the iTunes store. Several students and professors worked together to design an easy access and user-friendly way to read the paper. The ACU Optimist for iPad was the first student-produced college newspaper with its own iPad app.
see SUMMIT page 8
CONNECTED SUMMIT
National figure to share vision Christianna Lewis Senior Reporter
Karen Cator, U.S. Department of Education director of educational technology, will visit ACU to share her vision for A merica’s educat iona l reform Cator at the Connected Summit. Cator works to create the best learning environments for this generation of students, according to her biography on the U.S. government website. Before working for the Department of Education, Cator directed Apple’s leadership and advocacy in education, including efforts in policy and technology research. Cator said in an e-mail that she hopes to show summit attendees that the opportunity to learn can be powered by existing and emerging technologies. Right now the U.S. educational system probably fails more than half of the students it serves, Cator said at a Learning Without Frontiers conference last
JOZIE SANDS // Online Editor
The AT&T Learning Studio’s Red Carpet Premiere gave guests a sneak peak of the studio and a chance to win prizes in a raffle.
Students see sneak peak of studio Christina Burch Page 2 Editor
After months of construction to the third floor of the library, the AT&T Learning Studio is almost ready to open - after a few sneak peeks from faculty and students. The Red Carpet Premiere Thursday showcased various spaces and functions of the AT&T Learning Studio, which celebrates its official opening at a 2:15 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday. Tim Newman, sophomore information technology major from Ulysses, Kan., said he was excited to attend the special preview. “I wanted to see all the possibilities that
would come out of the space,” Newman said. “And, aesthetically, it’s just beautiful.” Patrick Luberus, freshman information technology major from Manhattan, Kan., said he also really enjoyed the environment. “I think that because it was built specifically for student collaboration, I’ll get work done and still have fun.” Clint Jones, freshman biology major from Fort Worth, won a 320 GB hard drive at the event. “I’ll be up here mostly for online web learning,” Jones said. “And I might just come up to hang out.” contact Burch at
quick facts Main features of the new AT&T Learning Studio include: n High-end iMac computers supporting software for Web development, design and media creation. n Main media lab with small group rooms and several studio rooms. n High-quality audio and video equipment for recording podcasts or practicing speeches and interviews. n Media specialists on-hand to answer all student and faculty questions. n Opportunity for students and faculty to check out audio and video equipment for personal use, in addition to campus projects.
clb10b@acu.edu
see NATION page 5
CONNECTED SUMMIT
COBA students integrate iPads into classroom school and college students across the country. Managing Editor Kotyk, senior information Christiana Kotyk is among systems major from Flower the 4,000 undergraduate Mound, said it’s not a sharp students at Abilene Chris- pain but a dull one. “It gradually intensifies tian University who trek across the West Texas cam- the longer I carry my books pus everyday for classes. around,” Kotyk said. But the era of bulky Her 10-minute walk to class is weighed down by a back- books and achy backs may pack stuffed to its breaking be coming to an end, and point with bulky textbooks some ACU faculty members – a burden that pains high are testing the alternatives.
Jeff Craig
students register attendance on their iPads, integrating the new technology from the beginning of class. Shepherd said he believes his class is cuttingedge and on the fast track to the future of education. “I think the iPad is going to revolutionize the publishing industry,” Shepherd said. “It makes economic sense and DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer see COURSE page 5
website
inside connected summit Steve Wozniak, the inventor of the personal computer and co-founder of Apple, will speak to students and faculty Monday night. page 4
Students in Dr. Ian Shepherd’s microeconomics class, including Kotyk, tested the viability of a digital textbook on Apple’s sleek new iPad, a tablet computer that weighs only 25 ounces and measures 9 ½ inches high, 7 ½ inches wide and ¼-inch thick. Shepherd, associate professor of management sciences at ACU, called his class to order by having his
news The Kinsman injured backstage before Saturday night’s Sing Song performance is awaiting jaw surgery. page 8
Students use iPads in Ian Shepherd’s microeconomics class.
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