Return Of The iPad

Today I got an expected email about the return of the iPad Air:

In case the image doesn’t load, we have been asked to return the iPad so they can be given to new students this September.

A lot of mixed emotions went through my mind while reading the email. Firstly, it is really sad to give it back because I’ve become really attached to it and secondly, I can’t believe 2 years have just gone by so quickly!

We were given iPads in an effort to transform learning. Do they succeed? You’ll have to read my ‘end of semester 2’ post to find out!

It’s been an amazing journey and I can’t wait to tell you what’s next for My iPad Diary in a few week’s time.

Irfan

 

Visit to Apple Regent Street

On Friday 31st March, lucky Digital Ambassadors (including myself!) were invited to take part at an event at Apple Regent Street (yes, it’s no longer officially called “Apple Store”). Although Apple have done this before, this was the first time Westminster collaborated with them.

In case you didn’t know, the redesigned store has been visioned by Jony Ive, who designs nearly all of Apples latest devices, including iOS. We also got to see a room very little people get to see; the new board room!

The day lasted 3 hours and was packed with talks by Apple members of staff including Creatives who talked about Apple awareness. A video at the start talked about how iPad is enabling people to get things done from anywhere – including the top of a mountain where there may or may not be 4G…

After a lengthy talk about how to help people through effective questioning, we were shown how to use iMovie, Slide-over, the Camera app, and Keynote. This was a really useful section of the event as I picked up some new skills.

They explained how these tools can be used together to create content. I had never used the ‘instant alpha’ feature in Keynote before, and I suggest you try it out too – it eliminates colours in an image to make them transparent. I know I will be using it more often!

We were then tasked to create our own presentations on a topic of our choice, related to our course.

After presentations, we were given a store tour which included lots of interesting facts such as:

• Apple moved the pillars on the top floors of the store to be in line with the ones at the bottom floor of the store – the attention to detail
• Apple Regent Street was the first Apple Store in Europe
• It was also the largest store in Europe
• The walls are covered in marble and use Jony Ive’s idea for the design of the stair bannisters.

An amazing day with lots of information taken away, including new skills picked up by tutors, who are already using their newly learned skills. One tutor has experimented (successfully) with Keynote Live in the lecture:

Irfan