LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for the 2021-2024 term for its continuous innovation in learning, teaching, and school environment.
Apple Distinguished Schools are recognized as some of the most innovative schools in the world. UK is part of a growing group of schools across the nation recognized as centers of leadership and educational excellence, demonstrating Apple’s vision of exemplary learning environments that use Apple products to inspire creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.
“Apple’s Distinguished School designation represents a recognition of UK’s commitment to thinking creatively about the challenges of today’s classrooms and equipping students with the tools they need for academic success and meaningful learning,” said UK Associate Provost of Teaching Learning and Academic Innovation Kathi Kern.
As Kentucky’s flagship institution, UK is dedicated to exploring how technology can facilitate learning, teaching, and research to improve the lives of its students and the Commonwealth.
Part of the university’s Smart Campus Initiative strategy, an initiative aimed at improving learning, graduation rates, and leveling the technological playing field, UK provides all incoming undergraduate students with an iPad Air, keyboard, and Apple Pencil. This initiative has not only improved the quality of learning for students but also enabled the university to adapt when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
Additionally, UK wants the faculty to have the tools to match their expertise as educators and the ability to integrate the use of technology across campus in a strategic and coordinated way. Widespread availability of iPad devices allows instructors to create active and engaging opportunities for authentic and meaningful learning.
To support instructors as they develop new ways to utilize iPad devices for instruction, UK’s Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT) leads an annual Teaching Innovation Institute (TII).
During the three-year designation, Apple Distinguished Schools openly share their successes with other educators by publishing their stories and collaborating with Apple education teams to host school visits. At these events, school leaders share their vision for their programs and educators showcase their best practices for using Apple products and content to create powerful teaching and learning experiences.
A testament to the university’s commitment to becoming one of the country’s most innovative campuses, this designation and the opportunities afforded with it will allow UK to focus on expanding its efforts in teaching creatively with Apple technology and provide endless possibilities for UK and the entire state of Kentucky.
For more information on the university’s Smart Campus Initiative, click here.
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