MDCC Welcomes Apple Representatives for Faculty Training on Upscaling Teaching and Learning

MOORHEAD, MS (Aug. 20, 2024) - Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC) was excited to host two representatives from Apple's Higher Education division on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. This visit marked a significant step forward in MDCC's commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into the classroom as part of its ongoing Digital Initiative.

The visit included two 45-minute sessions titled "Upscaling Teaching and Learning with Apple," attended by 45 MDCC faculty and instructional staff members. These sessions focused on enhancing current teaching practices by utilizing Apple's suite of educational tools, including the Apple Pencil and other native apps designed to meet the diverse needs of students in both physical and virtual classrooms.

In addition to the training sessions, the Apple representatives offered personalized one-on-one consultations in the Tech Zone. A total of 17 faculty and staff members took advantage of this opportunity, receiving tailored assistance and answers to their specific questions about iPad usage in the classroom.

Earlier in the day, during MDCC's full-time faculty meeting, 109 faculty members were introduced to the capabilities and potential of integrating iPads into their teaching environments. This preview served as an introduction to the more detailed sessions and consultations that followed.

This visit was part of the MDCC Digital Initiative, a college-wide effort to equip faculty and staff with the tools and knowledge necessary to incorporate technology into the educational experience. The initiative is spearheaded by Jason Zuehlke, Instructional Technology Coordinator, with support from Interim President and Vice President of Instruction Teresa Webster.

Reflecting on the visit, Zuehlke said, "Working with the Digital Initiative Task Force has been a pleasure for me as I can share my passion for technology with others. One of the top concerns with rolling out 'new' technology is the need for training and understanding of what it can do for us. Apple has been a great partner in this process, providing us with ample resources along our journey. This visit was just one example of Apple's commitment to its focus on education. I look forward to continuing to guide and support the MDCC Digital Initiative to help provide the faculty and future students of MDCC with an equitable and affordable education experience."

Teresa Webster also shared her enthusiasm, stating, "Learning about the Apple 1:1 Initiative and how instructors can make learning interactive has been extremely enlightening. The goal is to eventually have an iPad in each student's hands for a truly engaging experience. However, for the time being, our instructors already have iPads that can be utilized to bring this experience to the classroom using the tips that have been gleaned from our capable Apple representatives during the week. It's an exciting time to be in the classroom with this kind of technology now available!"

MDCC is proud to be at the forefront of integrating technology in education and looks forward to future collaborations that will continue to enrich the learning experience for both faculty and students.