Press Releases

For Immediate Release

Contact: Ann McGuire

Director of Communications

amcguire@cia.edu

216.421.7417

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland Institute of Art’s Digital Canvas Initiative has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program for 2013-2015 for its integration of iPad technology into the curriculum of the college’s first-year Foundation program.

The Apple Distinguished Program designation is reserved for programs that meet criteria for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence, and demonstrate a clear vision of exemplary learning environments.

CIA President Grafton J. Nunes said the Apple designation is a reflection of the fresh thinking that went into the Digital Canvas effort. “CIA faculty members have brought creativity and innovative thinking to the integration of the iPad into the curriculum and their efforts are paying great dividends for students, who are more engaged than ever in their learning.”

Through this initiative, introduced in the fall semester of 2011, CIA provides an iPad to each incoming freshman for use throughout the curriculum to access the web, read e-textbooks, record, photograph, film and sketch the world around them.

Because of its portability and power, the intuitive nature of its operating system, and its multiple functionalities, the device turned out to be an ideal tool for CIA’s freshmen charette courses, allowing students to dive into complex assignments and make remarkable progress quickly.

“I use the iPad a lot in the charette class,” said Assistant Professor Jimmy Kuehnle. “Students collect observations in the field and use the iPad to record sound and video and take photographs, and then edit and organize that content in a presentable way, all in an afternoon class,” he said. “The iPad is really good for that entire iterative process. Every day we have a capsule of the creative process from beginning to end.”

About CIA

Founded in 1882, the Cleveland Institute of Art is an accredited, independent college of art and design offering 15 majors in studio art, digital art, craft disciplines, and design. CIA extends its programming to the public through gallery exhibitions; lectures; a robust continuing education program; and the Cinematheque, a year-round art and independent film program. CIA’s public programming is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. For more information visit cia.edu.

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