By Jennifer Smola and Mary Edwards, The Columbus Dispatch, and staff reports
COLUMBUS – Ohio State University announced Wednesday that it will work with Apple in the tech company’s most-aggressive collaboration with any university to date.
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Ohio State’s new Digital Flagship University initiative will place an iPad in the hands of every incoming undergraduate student beginning next school year and includes the creation of an iOS design laboratory for the university and members of the community. It also will establish increased opportunities for students to learn coding skills and mobile app development.
Excited to announce @OhioState’s Digital Flagship University initiative. Collaboration with @Apple combines resources and talents of an international tech leader and one of the world’s most comprehensive public universities. Learn more: https://t.co/T8EUGamz2J pic.twitter.com/xCpVxCKAHL
— Michael V. Drake (@UCPrezDrake) October 4, 2017
Ohio State has already been designated an Apple Distinguished School, which means it demonstrates Apple’s vision for learning with technology. More than 400 K-12 schools and universities around the world have earned that designation.
But the Digital Flagship University program announced Wednesday is unlike any other collaboration the tech giant has established.
“We think this is really going be a partnership that gives us opportunities to do things that are special, and (to do so) in close collaboration with truly one of the most innovative companies in the world is something that we see as an advantage,” said Ohio State President Michael V. Drake.
The planned iOS design lab will offer technological training to students, faculty, staff and members of the broader community interested in developing apps in Swift, Apple’s programming language used to create apps in the App Store. iOS is the operating system used for Apple devices.
“This unique program will give students access to the incredible learning tools on iPad, as well as Apple’s new coding curriculum that teaches critical skills for jobs in some of the country’s fastest-growing sectors,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook.
The iOS design lab will open in a temporary space in 2018, moving to a permanent location in 2019. Students will begin training in Swift coding in spring semester 2018.
iPads are already in use at the university, including the School of Music where the OSU Marching Band has used them to teach the band’s nationally recognized formations. Since 2013, iPads have been supplied to medical students at the Wexner Medical Center.