The death of Apple founder Steve Jobs three months ago gave pause for reflection on his life and contributions to technology, education and culture. His name and the Apple brand have been synonymous with technological innovation for over 30 years. Who can forget the excitement of the trek to the Micro Center Computer store on Lane Avenue in 1984 to purchase the new Apple IIc complete with a dual floppy disk drive and top of the line dot matrix printer. The price tag for this powerhouse was $1700.00 as I recall and compared to the IIe models which were starting to populate classrooms was one of the most powerful personal computers available with a whopping 128k of memory. Although a gift for my wife I must admit that little machine cranked out a lot of papers for grad school and a lot of reports for work and the occasional late night or afternoon game of Space Quarks.
Steve Jobs contribution to education has been immense over the past three decades as the Apple computer regardless of the version has provided a superior platform for student learning and better preparation for life in the workplace of the 21stCentury. From the Apple II to the IPad and everything in between Apple has left its mark in the classroom and the culture of our Nation and the World. When I think of how these Apple devices have changed our classrooms of today I shudder to think of what the classroom will look like 10 years from now.
Remember when the Apple was first used in the classroom it made many teachers feel fearful that the little white box sitting on the desk would take their place in the educational process rendering the job of the teacher null and void. Today we see that played out in online and digital classes that help small districts provide their students with courses that could never be offered due to limited financial resources. Despite the fact that these courses are offered on-line there is still the need for “the teacher”. The courses offered online don’t just magically appear in a course catalog: a teacher developed the course and a teacher delivers the course which reminds me that education has and will continue to be a human endeavor.
After Steve Jobs passing the eulogies and remembrances of his life were not so much focused on the things that he invented as they were about the person he was and the relationships that he built along the way. The school experience is much the same. When I think back to my school days I don’t remember the books, magazines or lessons (no computers, too old) but I do remember the relationships with the teachers, coaches and friends. Students don’t forge relationships with computers and Steve Jobs will be famous for a long time to come for his Apple Computer but Jonathan Ive, Senior Vice President of Apple Computer said it best of his friend and colleague when asked about his closest and most loyal friend, talked of Jobs habit of bouncing ideas off him; “some of which were really dopey but others which took the air from the room and left us both completely silent.” A computer can’t do that! Have a great 2012!
