{"id":339258,"date":"2017-04-26T00:33:39","date_gmt":"2017-04-25T16:33:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/techcrunch.com\/?p=1481155"},"modified":"2017-04-26T00:33:39","modified_gmt":"2017-04-25T16:33:39","slug":"apple-to-launch-new-educational-sessions-at-stores-including-advanced-courses-performances-labs-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/people.utm.my\/asmawisham\/apple-to-launch-new-educational-sessions-at-stores-including-advanced-courses-performances-labs-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple to launch new educational sessions at stores, including advanced courses, performances, labs & more"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Apple announced<\/a> this morning a new initiative aimed at\u00a0offering an expanded and more in-depth series of programs and training sessions in its stores, under the branding \u201cToday at Apple.\u201d The company is adding dozens of educational sessions starting next month to all 495 stores worldwide, which will go beyond teaching users the basics of using Apple hardware and software, to\u00a0also focus on advanced techniques, and, in some markets, even hearing from artists, photographers and musicians directly.<\/p>\n

The larger goal with \u201cToday at Apple,\u201d is to broaden educational access, and make it more community-based \u2013 something\u00a0Apple\u2019s senior vice president of Retail,\u00a0Angela Ahrendts, referenced in today\u2019s announcement of the news, referring to Apple stores as \u201cmodern-day town squares.\u201d<\/p>\n

Where before, many of Apple\u2019s sessions were focused on simply learning how to use its apps and devices, the expanded\u00a0lineup of now over 60 programs will delve into other, more advanced topics aimed\u00a0at attracting creatives and youth to the stores, with specific focuses on things like art, design, music, and photography.<\/p>\n

While entry-level programs will continue to be offered, there will now be expanded \u201cHow To\u201d sessions that cover an array of topics. For example, photographers could learn about shooting photos, organizing, and\u00a0editing them.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Above: Photo Walk<\/em><\/p>\n

Apple is also taking its sessions out of the stores and into the wider world with things like \u201cPhoto Walks\u201d and \u201cSketch Walks.\u201d\u00a0These programs were previously piloted at Apple Union Square and Apple Williamsburg, but are now available in all markets.<\/p>\n

Aimed at more experienced photographers, the Photo Walks will have a staff members, now called \u201cCreative Pros,\u201d leading a group outside the store to learn to help students learn how to take great photos with their devices.<\/p>\n

These courses get\u00a0deeper into various techniques \u2013 like learning about light and shadow, how to take portraits, how to capture photos of architecture, how to take action videos, or, more generally, how to tell a story with a photo.<\/p>\n

The Sketch Walks, similarly, will have students leaving the building, but will instead focus on artistic techniques, like watercolor drawings, how to use brushes, how to do observational drawings, and more.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Apple is also expanding its lineup of programming aimed at children. While it previously offered summer programs like Apple Camp and on-demand sessions called Field Trips (which are booked by teachers), it will now host a weekly Kids Hour which is meant to bring parents and kids together. These sessions will include a variety of kid-friendly subjects, like creating music in GarageBand, making movies in iMovie, or coding Sphero robots, for example.<\/p>\n

A program for educators, called Teacher Tuesdays, will also become available next month, which will give teachers ideas about how they can use Apple technology in the classroom for things like coding in Apple\u2019s programming language Swift.<\/p>\n

Swift training classes will also now be available in all stores, Apple says.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Above: Kids Hour with Sphero robots\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Plus, there are new programs aimed at connecting business owners with entrepreneurs, called Business Circuits. And there are different types of classes being offered, beyond the typical, curriculum-based \u201chow to\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

For example, a new session called \u201cStudio Hours\u201d will combine 90-minute courses\u00a0on subjects like art, design, documents and presentations, but also allows customers\u00a0to bring in their own work to the class where they can then get help from the experts, or collaborate with and learn from their fellow students.<\/p>\n

In select stores, \u201cPerspectives and Performances\u201d sessions will feature notable\u00a0artists, musicians and photographers who will speak to the audience about their creative process, and in some cases, perform live.<\/p>\n

Similarly, Photo and Music Labs will be available in select stores, and will bring in photographers and musicians to teach classes on techniques and tools, rather than Apple staff.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Above: Live Art session with Adrian Johnson<\/em><\/p>\n

Though Apple\u2019s release didn\u2019t say which stores would be the first to bring in the outside creatives to teach classes and host sessions, we understand the initial list of stores offering these types of sessions\u00a0includes Apple Union Square, Apple Williamsburg, Apple SoHo, Apple Regent Street (London), and Apple Dubai Mall, which is just now opening.<\/p>\n

Apple will expand this to additional stores in the months ahead, after the late May\u00a0launch of \u201cToday at Apple.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Above: \u201cArt of Beatmaking\u201d Session with RZA<\/em><\/p>\n

The sessions themselves will be held either at the tables or in a modular seating area found in Apple\u2019s\u00a0new stores.<\/p>\n

They will also now feature a \u201cForum Display,\u201d which Apple describes as a mobile screen created\u00a0by Apple\u2019s design team. We understand that by \u201cmobile,\u201d Apple doesn\u2019t really mean portable \u2013 it\u2019s not a giant iPad, that is \u2013 but rather, is a display meant to replace the TV sets used today in order to offer a more consistent experience across stores. The display doesn\u2019t leave the store, and is not a touchscreen.<\/p>\n

Most of the sessions (except those hosted by area artists) will be taught by Apple staff called \u201cCreative Pros.\u201d Apple isn\u2019t necessarily hiring a significant number of new staff to fill these roles \u2013 as much of the hiring on this front has already taken place, given Apple\u2019s current lineup of training programs. However, Creative Pros will focus on a specific area they\u2019re versed in \u2013 like photography, music, or art and design.<\/p>\n

As before, customers can sign up for the free classes via the Apple Store App or website. Attendance will be limited based on the session type.<\/p>\n

The expanded lineup of classes will be introduced in late\u00a0May.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"\" Apple announced this morning a new initiative aimed at\u00a0offering an expanded and more in-depth series of programs and training sessions in its stores, under the branding “Today at Apple.” The company is adding dozens of educational sessions starting next month to all 495 stores worldwide, which will go beyond teaching users the basics of using Apple hardware and software,… Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

\n<\/img><\/a> <\/img><\/a> <\/img><\/a> <\/img><\/a> <\/img><\/a> <\/img><\/a>\n<\/div>\n

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