ALL new students who enrol at the University of Western Sydney in 2013 will receive an iPad,as part of a massive rollout announced today.
The university said in a statement it would distribute 11,000 iPads to each new student and all academic staff in 2013"to support learning and teaching innovations across the curriculum and in informal learning environments".
"With digital technology revolutionising how we connect and interact with the world,university study should be no different,"said Professor Kerri-Lee Krause,the university's pro vice-chancellor(Education).
Education is emerging as a major sales battleground for tablet computers,with both Apple and Samsung targeting the market.Apple has been heavily promoting its iBooks Author software for creating digital text books and other curriculum material.
Professor Krause said the iPad initiative was one part of a comprehensive curriculum renewal strategy at UWS,which included implementing more flexible study options for students and a blended learning model for all UWS degrees from 2013 and beyond.
"Over the next couple of years UWS will challenge some of the traditional lecture-style presentations by including more of the interactive learning that students value so much,"she said.
"Mobile technologies will be a key part of this strategy.We want to support our academic staff to make the most of iPads and custom-designed apps in class so that,even in the largest lecture theatre,students have access to just-for-me,just-in-time interactive learning experiences."
"Our students tell us they want more flexible ways to learn.
"They have paid work and family commitments,yet they value the support offered by a campus-based experience.
"To increase flexible access to'learning on the go',our students will be able to learn using more online and web-streamed material while at the same time benefiting from'flipped'approaches to traditional university teaching that emphasise interactive and collaborative face-to-face learning."
The university has six campuses geographically spread across Greater Western Sydney but offers free wireless internet to students.
It said its iPad initiative would ensures that all new students could connect with the University via Wi-Fi at any time of day.
