Technology behind the MacBook program

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The Apple MacBooks at Oklahoma Christian provide several unique technological options that enhance the university's mobile learning goals and allow it to better meet the educational needs of the students.

Ease of Use

Apple's legendary ease of use is important in an educational setting. Users spend less time tweaking and frustrated and more time being productive.

Compatibility

The MacBooks can run Microsoft's Office suite on either platform: Office 2007 under Vista and Office 2008 on the Macintosh side. The two versions of Office are produce cross-platform files, so that a student using one operating system can send a file to another student or faculty member and know that the files will be usable. Users will still have access to the same file-storage portions of the network as well as access to the university's many printers and wireless network.

Multiple Operating Systems

Bootcamp

The MacBooks, with their Intel processors are capable of running multiple operating systems under Apple's Boot Camp software. The MacBooks contain BootPicker a software product that lets the user choose to boot up in either Apple's Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) or Windows Vista. The laptops also come with Parallels Desktop installed, which allows users to run Windows Vista within the Mac operating system, so users can run Windows applications alongside Macintosh applications for the best of both worlds.

iTunes U

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The MacBook program also integrates Apple's iTunes U. This integrates with Apple's iTunes software to deliver video or audio files to users. Oklahoma Christian students will be able to subscribe to class-specific RSS feeds that update students automatically whenever new media is added for their course. Media files will also be available to users off-campus, allowing churches and individuals to access Oklahoma Christian's media.

Oklahoma Christian's iTunes U site will be live in the summer of 2008.

iLife Software

The MacBook laptops include Apple's iLife software suite (website). These applications allow users to create various media. With iWeb, users can create classy webpages for courses or personal use. iMovie is an easy way to create and work with digital video. iPhoto allows the collection and editing of thousands of digital photos. GarageBand lets the user easily create music with different instruments and sound effects. iDVD allows students to burn DVDs from their laptop. The built-in iSight cameras allow for online collaboration with faculty or other students from anywhere with a network connection.

Laptop Specifications

The white MacBooks for this program are well equipped for mobile learning:

iPhone v iPod touch

Each student will receive either an iPhone or an iPod touch. These two devices are very similar. For more information, click on the iPod/iPhone tab above.

Laptop Protection

To protect the laptops, new students will get their choice of an attractive Applesac carrying case (details).