Teaching with Mac Series - Part 1 Getting Started with the Basics

Welcome to the first post in this series supporting educators in using Mac for teaching. In this video, I’ll step through ways teachers can get started and build confidence with using Mac in the classroom.

When I first switched to using a Mac more than ten years ago, the learning curve seemed daunting. By participating in a series of Apple Professional Learning sessions, I slowly built up my skills and unlocked the ways Mac can support teacher productivity and creativity. At first, I focused on a few key applications like Keynote, GarageBand, and Photo Booth and then developed my skills in iMovie, Pages, and Numbers.

Now, as an Apple Professional Learning Specialist, I support educators to build their skills and confidence with Apple technology. This tutorial video aims to help teachers new to using Mac become familiar with key features for organising their work, sharing resources, and increasing their productivity.

At the end, I’ve also added a Challenge activity where you can practice integrating a range of skills you’ve learned. For those ready for even more, keep watching until the end for a ‘Pro Tip’.

The video is a full-length, professional learning resource designed to be paused, rewound, and re-watched. To help you navigate the resource, here’s a guide with timestamps and key topics covered.

Comments and Discussion:

If you are new to using Mac, what ‘aha’ feature have you discovered?

If you are an experienced Mac user, how do you use your Mac to increase your productivity and deliver powerful teaching resources to students?

Leave a comment below!

Resources:

Complete your Apple Teacher Mac Foundation Badges here.

Find 30 Activities for Kids here.

Find Coding for Early Learners here.

Download the Keynote Template here. Please download and duplicate the Keynote file to use. 

(Please note that some sections have been paused or made quicker for training purposes. National Geographic Kids used with permission, photographs courtesy of Stephen Corcoran, Music from Clips)