Ann Arbor, MI—September 19, 2005— The University of Michigan School of Dentistry and Apple Computer have entered into a partnership that is designed to provide dental students with access to education-related content virtually anywhere, any time.The venture may be the first of its kind with any professional school in the nation.The program was officially launched today during a program at the School of Dentistry.

Using a special iTunes Music Store interface from Apple Computer, students will use their Macs or PCs to download classroom lectures, transfer the information onto an iPod or an MP3 player, and then listen to the lectures in their apartments, walking around on campus, or even while jogging or working out.Access is for students with valid University of Michigan names and passwords.Future collaboration with Apple may result in new study aids, such as videos, photos, and other educational material, being added to the School of Dentistry's iTunes Store.

A Major Shift
Dr. Lynn Johnson, the School's director of Dental Informatics, said the approach taken by the School in collaboration with Apple Computer is a major shift in how technology is used to support and enhance student learning.

The learning issue was raised last year by Jared Van Ittersum, now a second-year dental student, who wanted to reinforce what he learned in the classroom by listening to recordings of classroom lectures as his schedule allowed.He collaborated with a staff member in the School's Office of Dental Informatics, Trek Glowacki, to see what could be done to help him and hundreds of other dental students.

Celebrating the launch of a partnership between the School of Dentistry and Apple Computer on Sept. 19 were Dr. Lynn Johnson (left), the School's director of Dental Informatics; John Couch, vice president of education for Apple Computer; and Dean Peter Polverini. A special poster for the event was designed by the School's graphic artist, Chris Jung.

During the past year, Van Ittersum and Glowacki conducted three pilot studies with as many as 60 dental students to ask for their ideas and feedback.The overwhelming majority of students said they preferred listening to audio recordings of classroom lectures using their iPods or other portable listening devices.Students said the portable devices gave them maximum flexibility that allowed them to listen to lectures at their convenience and regardless of location.

However, Johnson emphasized that listening to classroom lectures does not replace going to class."Being physically present in the classroom is the starting point, the foundation," she said."Listening to the lectures on the iPod allows you to build on that foundation."

"The Michigan Difference"
Johnson said the initiative "is another example of 'The Michigan Difference' in three important respects."

The first is the approach that was taken."Until now, one would take a new technology and see how it can be used to enhance teaching and learning," she said."We reversed that.We started with a learning challenge and then researched various options until we arrived at a solution that uses new technology."

The second major difference, Johnson noted, is that the initiative was driven from the bottom-up, not the top-down."Students started the project, supported it, and showed faculty and staff its potential.To have as many as 60 students involved in a pilot study and giving constant feedback during the past year, given their class schedules, is absolutely incredible," she said."It clearly demonstrates they knew there was a need and that they would take an active role in coming up with a solution that would benefit them and other students throughout the School."

Finally, the third difference is that the project involved not only collaboration among dental school students, faculty, and staff, it also involved the University's Information Technology Central Services unit."As we worked with ITCS and kept them posted on our progress, we also discussed how this approach might be used elsewhere throughout the University of Michigan," Johnson said.

James Hilton, U-M associate provost for academic, information, and instructional technology, said, "The School of Dentistry has always strived to provide our students with the best education possible.That includes the latest technology and resources.Apple Computer," he continued, "has developed an innovative and powerful resource for the School, and I look forward to seeing how it will expand teaching and learning."

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The University of Michigan School of Dentistry's partnership with Apple Computer extends beyond the classroom.

Apple is offering students, faculty, staff, and alumni discounted prices on its desktop and laptop computers, iPods, and other products.To take advantage of the discounted prices on Apple products, individuals will have to visit the School's Web site, www.dent.umich.edu.At this site, they will click a special link that will take them to Apple's Web site where they can then place an order using a valid credit card.

Apple will gift two percent of the proceeds of the sales to the U-M School of Dentistry Learning Technologies Fund that will be used to develop educational technology at the School.

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation's leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care, and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the School to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia, and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu.