Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow Celebrates 10th Anniversary By Releasing
Report Summarizing its Research on the Impact of Technology on Learning

President Clinton and Education leaders Call Project and its Findings
Significant as Project Enters Second Decade

CUPERTINO, California-October 2, 1995--Apple Computer, Inc., today marked
the 10th anniversary of its Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow (ACOT) research
project with the release of a report summarizing its key findings and the
announcement of plans for the project's second decade. The ACOT project is
an examination of what happens when teachers and students are given
routine access to technology. Referenced in a speech last month by
President Bill Clinton, the ACOT project is one of the longest, on going
educational studies of its kind.

The ACOT study has revealed several key findings, including:

* Technology acts as a catalyst for fundamental change in the way students
learn and teachers teach; 

* Technology revolutionizes the traditional educational methods practiced
by so many of our teachers today

* Students become re-energized and much more excited about learning,
resulting in significantly improved grades-while drop-out and absenteeism
rates decrease dramatically; 

* Students actually interact and collaborate more when using technology,
debunking the myth that technology might isolate children and teachers. 

"We found that students using technology to master basic skills perform
better on standardized tests. We also found that students write more
because the keyboard is easier to use than pencils or pens for students as
young as 2nd and 3rd grader. For high school students in the program, we
watched dropout rates fall from 30% to 0%; absenteeism fell from 8% to 4%;
and college attendance dramatically jumped from an expected 30% rate to
90%," said David Dwyer, Apple distinguished scientist and manager of
learning technologies. "But what's really important is that positive
results like these allow us to change the conversation. We can now focus
on teaching and learning and finding better we! s to prepare children for
success in the 21st century workplace." 

Since its inception in 1985, the ACOT project and its findings have become
an important resource for educational experts and leaders including Linda
G. Roberts, Director of the Office of Educational Technology, U.S.
Department of Education, "For more than a decade, researchers,
practitioners and technology developers have been able to work together to
increase our understanding of what can happen in classrooms when powerful
technology and effective instruction are joined. The lessons learned
provide a rich foundation of experience and knowledge to guide current
investments in technology at the local, state and national level." 

ACOT: The Second Decade

To coincide with the release of the ACOT findings, Apple is launching ACOT
2000. This, the second phase of ACOT, will include expanding the project
internationally and focusing on the important task of staff development.
The second phase began on August 30 with the opening of the Portal School
in Cupertino, California a new ACOT school based on the first decade's
findings.

ACOT is affiliated with researchers from leading universities and
institutions, and has published more than 21 reports about how teaching
and learning change in classrooms where children and teachers use
technology routinely. The primary ACOT sites are currently in California,
Tennessee, and Ohio. Other participating ACOT sites have included schools
in New York, Vermont, Kentucky, Washington! Oregon, Texas, Arizona, and
Minnesota. 

Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized pioneer and innovator in the information
industry, creates powerful solutions based on easy to use personal
computers, servers, peripherals, software, online services, and personal
digital assistants. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple
(NASDAQ:AAPL) develops, manufactures, licenses and markets products,
technologies and services for the business, education, consumer,
scientific & engineering and government markets in over 140 countries. 

NOTE TO EDITORS: 

* To order the ACOT report, call StartingLine at 1-800-825-2145. The title
of the ACOT report is "Changing the Conversation About Teaching, Learning
and Technology: A Report On Ten Years of ACOT Research." The part number
is L01567A. To order the report electronically, see ACOT's Web site at the
following address: http//www.atg.apple.com/acot/index.html

Customer Information Contact: If you are considering the purchase of an
Apple product and would like to have product information faxed to you,
please call 1-800-462-4396 in the U.S. or (415) 598-4329 in Canada. If you
do not have a fax machine or would like to locate an Apple authorized
reseller near you, please call 1-800-538-9696. Customers outside the U.S.
should contact their local Apple representatives for information. 

Apple's home page on the World Wide Web: http://www.apple.com/

Apple Computer Inc
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
408-996-1010
 
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