Innovative Technology in Schools celebrated by Apple

Apple has just launched a new article series which highlights very deserving teachers and students who use innovative technology at school.

First up, we have Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts (APA) in California, who host an annual student-created show called “Playlist” as part of the Music, Media and Entertainment Technology (MMET) program at the Academy. MMET is the brainchild of Apple Distinguished Educator alum Jamie Knight and Apple Distinguished Educator Michael Simmons, along with Huntington Beach APA.

To help in the creation of the show, students use Apple computers and iPads and software such as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro X, and learn how to do so as part of their curriculum. Students also have access to a recording studio and a Yamaha CL5 digital mixer for controlling sound levels in the theatre.

Jamie Knight says:

“We don’t just focus on the technology, it’s that performing arts experience that gives them leadership skills, confidence, team work, all of those soft skills that businesses want. You have to perform to get that, and then when you marry that with the technology and you give the kids the ability to have a real recording studio to work with, they’re going to be the next Steven Spielberg, or the next Paul McCartney.”

You can read all about it, and keep up with how Apple technology is being used in other Schools across the country, here, in Apple’s Newsroom. 

Best Apple Laptop for school? 2018 Version

So you have some extra cash burning a hole in your pocket, eh? Fancy some new Apple gear? It’s an investment in your future, you know, your grades would suffer if you didn’t  buy something shiny and new, right?

If that’s the case, or if you just really want a new laptop, Here are you options:

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch, 128GB, 256GB –

The cheapest: even without any discounts you can get the MacBook Air from $999. If you pay a little more, you can get twice the storage space with a 256GB SSD.

On the flip side, the display is the only Apple laptop that is not Retina, and is also the least powerful model.

BUT it does have the longest battery life, at 12 hours (two hours longer than other models). It is also the only model that has older hardware such as an SD card for photographers and familiar USB sockets.

If you’re a student or working in education then Apple is selling the Air from $849.

Apple 12 inch MacBook 256GB

The lightest of the lot, and super slim, even though  the screen is only an inch smaller than the 13″ MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

Retina display! Yay! Can increase storage to 512GB with a 256GB SSD. Double Yay! Has a force-touch trackpad. Yay?

Fast, but likely not heavy packing enough for video editing or gaming.

Starting at $1299 for regular folk, if you’re in education or a college student, you can get this baby for… $1249.

2018 MacBook Pro 

This big mama is at the pricier end of the Apple tree, and both heavier and thicker than either the MacBook or the MacBook Air. It has a beautiful retina display and is the fasted, most recently updated, and most powerful Apple laptop you can get right now.

If this sounds like your cup of expensive tea, you also have a couple of secondary options to decide on.

Firstly, you can get either the 13-inch or the 15-inch. Then, you have to decide if you want the base model  Then, you have to decide if you want the base model or if you want the Touch bar and touch ID.

The Touch Bar shows features and options of your software super clearly, and the Touch ID brings the iPhone-style way of unlocking and of paying in online stores.

Adding Touch ID and Touch Bar adds $500 to the price but that also means a better screen: it’s the same Retina display but with True Tone which adjust display color and brightness to fit your surroundings. Fancy.

Something additional to consider, is that only the Touch Bar models of the MacBook Pro are capable of being expanded to have 32GB RAM and 4TB of SSD.

You can get the Macbook Pro for-

13-Inch – From $1299 ( or $1249 with education pricing)

13-Inch with Touch Bar and Touch ID – from $1799 (or $1699 with education pricing)

15-Inch with Touch Bar and Touch ID – From $2399 (or $2249 with education pricing)

Similar to last year, if you are a (verified) college student, a parent purchasing on behalf of higher-education students, or faculty/staff at either a higher-education or K-12 institution, you can get a free or discounted pair of Beats headphones with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad Pro, and 20% off AppleCare.

This offer will be available until Sept. 25.

Happy shopping!

Are you an educator at a school that has a 1:1 iPad Program?

Many schools across the country are now participating in a number of different edutech programs, most commonly a 1:1 program with laptops, iPads or ChromeBooks.

In fact, a (now three-year old) report by the education nonprofit Project Tomorrow found that one-third of all high school students were using wireless devices provided by their school districts.

In the past, providing a rounded education meant providing students with up to date and thorough text books, excellent teaching staff, and a safe and happy place to learn. Now, this also means providing them with up to date technology. In 10 years…. personal AI tutors? Let’s hope they’re subsidized.

Many schools are in the fortunate position to be able to provide iPads to their students, while many others have their students participate in a ‘BYOD’  – Bring Your Own Device – system, whereby the parents and families of the students provide the device under the school’s direction.

These very admirable and, at this stage necessary edutech initiatives aim to have as many children as possible excel in tech immersive learning so that they can excel in a world where tech is everywhere – teaching them how to create, use, and consume technology responsibly and effectively .

This is excellent. 

However, we recognize that at this stage these devices are not (yet) indestructible nor are they lasting, particularly in a school environment. Additionally, with technology improving at the current rate, the opportunity to provide a child with an upgraded device is one that comes around very regularly.

It’s also one we wouldn’t want to deny for too long for any child.

That’s why we provide a fast, economical and stress-free solution for 1:1 Initiative educators. We deal with old or broken tech so that you don’t have to.

Upgrading? Leaving devices in drawers until something better comes up? Thats us! Trying to sell surplus devices piece by piece? Let us deal with it.

We buy broken, cracked and used devices from schools, universities and businesses across America, providing a valuable, stress free transaction that includes free shipping.

If you’re an educator at a school that has a 1:1 iPad program, we encourage you to contact us at BulkSales@iPhoneAntidote.com, via our online chat at www.iPhoneAntidote.com, or on (888) 333 0635.