As a strong believer in advancing education techniques and standards, Apple created the Apple Distinguished Schools (ADS) programme to highlight centres of excellence and innovation at every level of education.
Achieving an ADS accreditation is no easy task. In fact, no whole university in the UK has held the coveted accreditation. Teesside University set out ambitious plans through its Future Facing Learning strategy to change this.
With support and guidance from XMA, Teesside was able to deploy over 6,000 iPads to lecturers, along with a training plan to develop its staff into accredited Apple Teachers through weekly remote learning sessions, made essential by Covid restrictions.
This new status recognises Teesside University as one of the world’s most innovative institutions when it comes to the implementation of Apple learning technology.
As an Apple Authorised Education Specialist, XMA was ideally placed to support Teesside’s ambition. XMA has also assisted education establishments at all levels of education, including St John Paul Primary School and Castlemilk High in Glasgow, St Cyres School in Penarth and Tynecastle High School in Edinburgh.
“Our students challenged us to think differently,” says Professor Mark Simpson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching)
“Teesside University students are innovative, ambitious, creative and entrepreneurial. They break the mould.”
The university’s Future Facing Learning Strategy aims to deliver a differentiated educational experience that is truly forward looking, rather than fitting pre-defined expectations around teaching and learning.
Teesside University sought to better enable students and educators to work together as peers, remove geographical barriers and improve accessibility.
The investment in Apple technology “takes learning out of the classroom and makes it part of everyday life.”
“By placing technology at the heart of the learning model, we have been able to transform the way we teach and the way our students learn.
“Teaching staff are encouraged to experiment and to try new approaches. Apple technology has empowered teaching staff to think differently.” Says Professor Mark Simpson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching).
The technology now allows Teesside University students to access learning resources and content whenever and wherever it suits them, which has proved invaluable as the education world at large has embraced hybrid learning.
During the implementation of this technology platform, Teesside University staff discovered that the devices need to become integral to all aspects of the institution, not just the classroom, and that appropriate training and skill-building across the university must be a focus.
Because of this, the university is developing digital solutions for wider collaboration and remote working, as well as for student support and wellbeing services.
“We feel that Future Facing Learning is having a transformative impact at Teesside and we’re keen to share this and see others learn from our experience.
“Hopefully [this status] will help others easily identify Teesside as a beacon of best practice and a critical friend in supporting others to devise digitally driven transformation.”
XMA are a supplier of Apple technology and services through the HEPCW National Framework Agreement. The framework agreement is built around the supply of products using Apple Native Operating Systems, Associated Accessories and Services.
