Roger Fingas
Apple chief Tim Cook made a brief appearance on ABC's Good Morning America on Monday, discussing the company's participation in the White House's ConnectED educational program.
Cook talked about the program in a pre-recorded segment with show host Robin Roberts. The interview was set in an Alabama elementary school, and intercut with scenes of teachers and students using iPads to learn about the reconstruction period after the American Civil War, including shooting a mock newscast.
Apple announced a $100 million contribution to ConnectED last fall, involving grants to 114 schools in 29 states. At each school students have been given iPads, while teachers and administrators are getting both MacBooks and iPads. Each classroom has been assigned an Apple TV.
Cook did not reveal anything fundamentally new during the interview, but commented on things like Apple's attempts to bolster racial diversity, and how children are often surrounded by digital technology at home but step into an "analog" world when they come to school, leaving them disengaged.
The ultimate goal of ConnectED is to link 99 percent of American students to high-speed Internet access by 2018. The Federal Communications Commission is working in tandem with a number of private corporations on the effort, some other parties including Microsoft, Sprint, and Verizon.
Notably, ABC is owned by Disney, which has close ties with Apple. Disney CEO Bob Iger is on the Apple board of directors, and late Apple CEO Steve Jobs was Disney's largest individual shareholder thanks to Disney's acquisition of Pixar.
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
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18 Comments
Hmm...according to the 9to5Mac story I read yesterday it sounded like Apple was going to be introducing a new education program. Apparently that isn't the case?
The technology is not the issue, its the entire education system and process. This is like putting a supercharger on a Chevette; you've only made it worse. Now, Apple can't change the process and I'm sure the PR is nice, but this isn't going to fix anything. Especially if they keep working with garbage like Pearson.
[quote name="TheWhiteFalcon" url="/t/187841/apple-ceo-tim-cook-talks-connected-education-program-on-good-morning-america#post_2765079"]The technology is not the issue, its the entire education system and process. This is like putting a supercharger on a Chevette; you've only made it worse. Now, Apple can't change the process and I'm sure the PR is nice, but this isn't going to fix anything. Especially if they keep working with garbage like Pearson.[/quote] I'd rather Tim got some distance between him, Apple and this White House administration. In the unlikely event Trump becomes the next president, there will be scowls on every face at Apple. They need to look a little closer at their political tunnel vision. Stick to your business and stay away from the politics.
Apple should stay away from Education, because people should be home schooled only.
Ayn Rand Akbar!!!
/s
[quote name="SpamSandwich" url="/t/187841/apple-ceo-tim-cook-talks-connected-education-program-on-good-morning-america#post_2765085"] I'd rather Tim got some distance between him, Apple and this White House administration. In the unlikely event Trump becomes the next president, there will be scowls on every face at Apple. They need to look a little closer at their political tunnel vision. Stick to your business and stay away from the politics.[/quote] Agreed. Expect Cook gave Lisa Jackson even more power over political affairs at Apple. It will be interesting to see what tact Apple takes if a republican wins the White House in 2016.