Switching to Mac and iPad
Better teaching and learning.
2 devices per student Teachers use Mac and iPad
Each student uses an iPad
Over 3,500 students
With over 230 teachers and 3,500 students, Brisbane State High School is one of the largest public high schools in Australia and has a strong academic record.
This state high school is committed to inclusion and providing learning opportunities for all students. School leaders understand the critical role teachers play in maximizing the potential of every student, and they see technology as a tool to help students and teachers succeed.
Building on the success of their school-wide one-to-one iPad program in 2020, the school further expanded on this initiative by allowing educators to choose between Mac or Windows PCs. The Mac preference was so strong that the leadership team decided to switch all faculty and staff devices to the latest MacBooks, creating an integrated teaching and learning ecosystem to support the school’s iPad program.
“The versatility, compatibility and reliability of Mac and iPad give our teachers the best tools possible, and together they enable our teachers to do their best work,” said Vice Principal Emily Simons.
For example, physics teacher Luen Tobar knows that his students are challenged in his subject and every minute counts. When he walks into his classroom each day, he opens his Mac and has all his files right at his fingertips, starting the lesson smoothly and engaging his students. And with all-day battery life, he can teach all his lessons on his Mac throughout the day without having to stop to charge because the power runs out. “Having technology seamlessly available to help with learning has helped me work more efficiently and achieve better results as a teacher,” says Tobar.
English teacher Mike Edwards uses a Mac to multitask and be more productive. Along with juggling a varied schedule and administrative tasks, he also designs and creates dynamic lessons using PowerPoint. In the classroom, he teaches with an iPad Pro connected to an Apple TV via AirPlay, so he can move around the room to reach students one-on-one and let them share their ideas using their own iPads and apps.
Modern history teacher Paul Kennard says he was quite nervous when he first switched from a Windows PC to a Mac. After that, he started with the basics with the support and professional learning provided by the school, first learning the calendar, and then gradually learning how to use new apps at his own pace. “Now I’ve found a way of working that suits me, and I’m realizing the effectiveness of using a Mac. It’s also very convenient that all my files are on OneDrive and I can switch between my Mac and iPad depending on the task,” Kennard recalls.
Brisbane High School’s case study clearly shows how the combination of Mac and iPad can support teachers in everything from daily administrative tasks to creating engaging lessons. The school believes that providing its teachers with the best technology is an investment in their people and a sign of respect for the job. As a result, teachers are better able to support the achievement of all students, and more than 90 percent of the school’s students are accepted into their first-choice tertiary institution – one of the best in Australia.
“My Mac and iPad help me do my job more efficiently. Together they save me time and allow me to spend more time with my students, so I can do what I do best as a teacher.”
Luen Tobar, Physics Teacher, Brisbane High School
