Apple rolls out coding initiative donating devices to 114 US schools
Apple has launched its “Everyone Can Code” initiative, donating iPad and Mac devices to over 114 US schools. The programme provides a computer science curriculum to help children learn how to code using Apple’s proprietary coding language, Swift. Apple is donating an iPad and Mac to over 4,500 teachers, iPads to over 50,000 students and delivering one Apple TV to each classroom in the 114 schools. The schools are part of the ConnectED initiative led by the White House and supported by Apple, which pledged $100m to the cause.

Computer Science

Apple Launches Everyone Can Code Initiative and Apple Teacher Program

The Everyone Can Code initiative will use Apple's Swift Playgrounds app at more than 100 schools this fall. Source: Swift Playgrounds.

While the internet was buzzing over the launch of the iPhone 7 and Apple Watch 2 earlier this week, educators may be interested in another announcement from Apple CEO Tim Cook on computer science education. Cook said that Apple is donating an iPad and Mac to more than 4,500 teachers, iPads to more than 50,000 students and doling out an Apple TV to every classroom in its 114 ConnectED schools. The company also launched a new program for teachers to learn digital literacy on Apple products.

The technology hand-outs are part of the Everyone Can Code initiative, a newly launched program that provides computer science curriculum to help kids learn how to code. The initiative fulfills a promise that Apple made when it joined the White House-led ConnectED initiative and pledged $100 million “of teaching and learning solutions” to 114 schools in underserved areas across the country.

The Everyone Can Code initiative will employ Apple’s own coding language Swift and leverage the Swift Playgrounds app that was released in June. Cook said that more than 100 schools will learn Swift this fall.

In line with the message that everyone can code, Apple debuted the Apple Teacher program to help teachers build skills and stay inspired. Educators can sign up for the program to receive product tips, real stories, educational apps and other materials. According to the program website, teachers can complete quizzes and receive “an official Apple Teacher logo.”

To learn more about Everyone Can Code and the Apple Teacher, visit the Apple Education site.