Several years ago, Anderson University committed to becoming a leader in the use of mobile technology to transform the teaching and learning experience, seeing the massive potential offered by mobile devices. Now, with the Mobile Learning Initiative fully entering a mature phase, Anderson has been recognized for the second consecutive time as an Apple Distinguished School for 2017-2018.
The distinction is a rare one and it is extremely rare for a university to gain the distinction a second time. Fewer than 200 of the roughly 140,000 schools (K-12 through University and graduate school) in the U.S. have gained the distinction since it was created four years ago, and only a small fraction of those are universities.
The transformation is apparent all over campus, whether it is in a biochemistry class where students can take real time photographs of molecules and analyze and manipulate them in 3D on an iPad or in The South Carolina School of the Arts where art students can instantly access the world’s greatest paintings or review art techniques online while they are painting.
In a Thursday celebration on campus, AU gave special recognition to the sciences and Dr. Dorota Abramovitch in particular for creating advanced learning opportunities for students using mobile technology. Abramovitch received a $2,500 prize to further develop technology in her classes.
The Mobile Learning Initiative has revolutionized the teaching and learning experience on the Anderson campus. In 2013, Anderson created the South Carolina Center of Excellence for Mobile Learning through a grant awarded from the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and funded by the Education Improvement Act. The Center for Mobile Learning serves as a statewide leader for training and professional development through its work with teacher preparation programs, K12 schools, and teachers.