Launched in May 2017, "Today At Apple" is a series of hands-on programs and classes focusing on dozens of topics. Taking place in all 495 Apple Stores worldwide, the sessions discuss subjects ranging from beatmaking to photo-editing, coding, and design.
How it's changing our views on technology
Technology is often viewed as a barricade, a divisive means of preventing real, stimulating conversation. It has been said to hinder conversation between parents and children, distract friends from genuine communication with each other, and create a disconnect between teachers and students.
But picture this:
With our kids:
It's Saturday evening at 5 p.m. Mom and Dad are off work for the weekend, looking for something fun and interactive to do with their kids. FOR FREE. They head to West Town Mall in Knoxville to participate in Kids Hour: Creating Music With GarageBand.
The kids get to learn a new skill, have a blast creating their own sounds, all while Mom and Dad get the satisfaction of quality family time and watching their kids partake in something new and interesting.
With our friends or spouses:
It's Sunday afternoon. You and your girlfriends are tired of the same old boring outings. So, after your Sunday brunch and mimosa sesh, you head to the Apple Store, where you decide to participate in a FREE Sketch Walk. You'll take a healthy walk and learn the basic skills of observing, sketching, and bringing what you see to life using technology.
You get quality time with your squad, some solid exercise, and a new skill.
For our students:
You're familiar with the old expression "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!" right? Students today are enthralled by technology. It can often lead to classroom distractions for students and frustration for teachers.
It's Teacher Tuesday and finally, after a long day of trying to keep kids engaged and attentive, you grab your fellow teachers and head to, you guessed it, the Apple Store. you're learning about recording videos, text overlays, and using graphics and filters to create genuinely interesting content that keeps your kids involved and entertained, while still presenting valuable content. You leave the session ready to conquer the rest of the week.
And that's how you win at #TeacherLife.
So What's It All About?
We don't have to despise technology. We just have to use it in a way that is beneficial and educational. Our kids are going to be presidents, CEO's, entrepreneurs, teachers, doctors. At the risk of sounding cheesy, they are the future, and technology is the future. We have to start being okay with it and showing our kids how to use technology as an advantage, not a disadvantage.
Technology shouldn't be a pacifier, it shouldn't be a reward, and it shouldn't be an all-day activity. It should be structured, monitored, and beneficial.
BUT. Technology should have a place in the lives of our children, and ourselves. So get involved. Take your kids to a Today At Apple Session, or go with your friends. Learn a new skill using technology. I can guarantee that you'll come out having learned something new, and shared an experience over technology. It doesn't have to be a barrier. Let it be common ground.
