I’ve started a thread for this topic to provide a place for forum members to post information and share knowledge about Macs in schools. Education is one of Apple’s most important markets. Technology-related events in the education market and Apple’s ability to adapt to these events can have a significant impact on Apple’s sales and earnings.

Forum member hledgard in a different thread inquired about the status of the purchase of iBooks by the Maine Department of Education. According to information on the Apple education Web site, a contract to purchase the iBooks has been signed.

Concern have been expressed by some parties in the state that the purchase of iBooks for the schools at the same time the state faces an overall budget shortfall is inappropriate. Others have expressed concern about how students will use the laptops. Although critics of the purchase have been quite vocal, I don’t believe the purchase will be derailed by their concerns.

Thanks, DT.

Nice thread.

What does “DawnTreader” mean?

Dr. L

just read the Apple Ed site.

Spot on, and THANKS!

ZDNet has a “Talkback” guest columnist with an interesting article “How schools are tricked into buying PCs” I’m giving the MacCentral link because the ZDNet site’s talkback section is still messed up.

http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/0202/11.better.php

On 2002-02-11 18:41, hledgard wrote:
Thanks, DT.

Nice thread.

What does “DawnTreader” mean?

Dr. L

Thanks for the compliment

Who else wants to know what DawnTreader means?

hledgard, check your PMs for the answer. I’ll post it to the thread if more people want to know.

DT

Gah! You uncultured kiddies that don’t read fine British writing. </hint>

Aphelion, that’s a pretty worrying link, mostly because of the sheer amount of budget-fiddling that appears to be going on in his (Shier’s) view.  Ick.

On 2002-02-13 00:50, DawnTreader wrote:
Who else wants to know what DawnTreader means?

Me! Me! Me!

Ack!

*is dying to tell*

*resists said urge*

On 2002-02-13 11:40, Raena wrote:
Ack!

*is dying to tell*

*resists said urge*

I see our forum has been visited by Raena, TMO’s official Tasmanian Devil. Raena is not only a dear friend, she’s also been a co-worker for over 2 years. Some suggest she may be the closest thing I have to an alter ego

Happy Valentine’s Day, Raena! Please come back to the forum early and often

For the educators among our forum members, I ‘m posting a link the Apple Learning Interchange. This site (IMHO) provides wonderful ideas and resources for curriculum development and daily lesson plans.

  Apple Learning Interchange

Here’s a positive update on the purchase of iBooks in Maine. It appears that school districts are enthusiastically supporting the plan Attribution: MacSurfer

  Maine Today.com

Apple has chosen to adopt a policy that prohibits its financial auditors from doing non-financial consulting work. Hype aside, this announcement should be welcomed by shareholders, employees, customers and others who have a vested interest in Apple’s financial well-being. Apple execs have stated one of the reasons for the company’s large cash position is to squelch the concerns of education buyers about Apple’s continued viability as a going concern. Legacy financial and market share issues continue to plague Apple with more risk-averse customers.

Apple’s large cash position and its conservative approach to the work performed by its auditors should provide large customers with an added sense of security about Apple, its future and its operations.

  Apple Press Release Info

I recommend educators interested in following Apple’s financial and school-related events should visit the Macs in Schools and PowerSchool threads in the Apple Finance Board forum from time to time.

DT

On 2002-02-13 07:43, Wilby wrote:

On 2002-02-13 00:50, DawnTreader wrote:
Who else wants to know what DawnTreader means?

Me! Me! Me!

Gosh, there’s been a lot of interest as to the genesis on my TMO screen name

In response to the inquiries I’ve chosen to drop the veil of pseudo-anonymity. I like the DawnTreader moniker, but I prefer to be referenced by my first name, especially in a forum environment where we invite all readers to be active, to be open and to be forthright with regard to the information and viewpoints we share with one another.

My name is Robert Paul Leitao. I am a professional educator in the field of technology and a former entertainment industry finance executive.

The name DawnTreader comes from my favorite book in the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. I discovered the series when searching for quality books for my kids. When they were very young, I began the practice of reading to them at night. I’m a single parent who shares custody so finding quality books for “ quality time” was a priority for me.

Of all the books I’ve read to my kids over the years, the books in the Narnia series are the most memorable. My favorite in the series is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The imagery is breathtaking and fondness for the book has stayed with me, hence the screen name.

I’ve been a Mac user since ’86 and an Internet writer about the Mac since ’96. I enjoy what I do and I appreciate the opportunity to co-moderate the TMO Apple Finance Board Forum.

You may call me Robert or DawnTreader, even DT. I just hope never to be called disingenuous or dishonest about any of the information or viewpoints that I share with our readers

I’d like to thank everyone who reads and posts in TMO forums for helping to make our work a success.

Sincerely,

Robert (a/k/a DawnTreader, DT)

PS – Bryan and Raena, thanks for the encouragement!

An article featured on MaineToday.com provides readers with an update on the Maine iBook story.

  Schools unpacking the laptops

Despite vocal opposition to the purchase of iBooks and the plan for a statewide rollout of the laptops, it appears that implementation is proceeding as scheduled. As an educator who works in the field of technology, I’m impressed by the way state officials are addressing critical concerns while working hard to bring technology into the classroom. 

Now with all those iBooks here, perhaps we’ll get an Apple Store at the Maine Mall? It’s inconvenient to take a 2 hour trip both ways to see the Cambridgeside store in Boston.