Art Education – Using the Latest Operating Systems

By Amber UriosteECOMP 7100 - ClassComputer Structure - Final

We will explore the options for both Windows and Apple applications and software to see who is making the most strides in meeting the current trends for enhancing Art Education.

Software Differences Simplified

Macintosh Windows Because Macs use Intel processors, they can run Windows. The main difference between a PC and a Mac is the Operating System: the piece of software that runs other pieces of software (e.g. Windows, Linux). The Mac OS is not as widely supported as Windows, but Macs are generally better for editing audio and video, and that sort of thing, because that is generally what their software is designed for.

PCs, on the other hand, are more business oriented machines, although they make up about 90% of all computers. They are much more widely supported by software, and are better for video games. They are pretty much guaranteed to be able to work with almost anything, whereas that claim can be harder for a Mac.

The Latest User Interface SoftwareLeopard OS X.5 – Apple

What does the X.5 stand for in for in the new Leopard Operating System?

Windows Vista – Windows

Answer: OS X.5 (Leopard) will also feature "Boot Camp," which will allow users of new Apple computers built around Intel-processors to run Windows on their Macs.

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/best-buy/1650-microsoft-vista-user-interface-video.htm

Can a Windows computer run Apple Software?

Answer: No not yet, but you can put a Vista OS on a Mac. It has been said that Vista will run faster than on a PC.

How do the they Compare?

By Ryan Block Leopard Vista Comments / notes

RED AREAS MEANS – NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

AccessibilityIntegrated Braille input / output, voice synthesis, high contrast interface, etc.

Voice synthesis, high contrast interface, etc.

Fancy file browsing Cover Flow, Quick Look Preview pane, extra large icon view

Find windows Exposé Flip 3D

Indexed search † Spotlight Instant Search, Search Folders

Shell / window environment † Aqua ("Illuminous" / unified) Aero ("Glass")

Tablet and touch screen No Yes

We know Apple has Ink, but that doesn't exactly make your Mac a tablet computer

Virtual desktops Spaces No

By Ryan Block Leopard Vista Comments / notes

Backup Time MachineBackup and Restore Center, ShadowCopy, Previous Versions

Whereas Time Machine may be easier to use than Windows Backup and Restore Center, Vista does feature all the same (if not more) backup features

Browser † Safari 3 Internet Explorer 7 Personal Preference

Calendar iCal Windows Calendar

CollaborationScreen sharing from Finder or iChat Windows Meeting Space

This one's hard to call; Apple has better ease of use, but Windows Meeting Space is more powerful -- so both win

Contacts Address Book Windows Contacts

Email ‡ Mail.app Windows Mail

File manager Upgraded Finder Upgraded ExplorerThe new finder is great, no doubt, but it lacks the raw power of Explorer

Faxing and scanningCUPS + location aware printing Windows Fax and Scan

It's arguable that Windows may have more powerful printing capabilities, but OS X is far better at printer plug-and-play

What does Apple Offer?

Built in Features to iMacs

• All Macs provide iMovie and iDVD, which are movie editing and DVD authoring programs, respectively. These applications come standard, and are made and designed by Apple, for Apple hardware, thus guaranteeing compatibility and reliability. Furthermore, all Macs provide GarageBand and iPhoto, for song composing/authoring/editing, which could also make for good school projects.

What is in it for Teachers?

• Built-in features/free software Teachers will like Mac's built-in calendar scheduler, address book and great sticky notes and note pad program (that even has a spell checker). If you have a pop mail e-mail server, Mac also comes with a very nice e-mail management program. If you want to stick with your Hotmail account, Microsoft also does Messenger for Mac.

APPLE TRAINING SERIES SOFTWARE FOR TEACHERS• Express a Feeling: Create a photo-essay slideshow, add sound, and publish it on the web

• Make a Factual Case: Track data in a spreadsheet, organize it into charts, then deliver it as a Keynote presentation

• Make a Persuasive Case: Research an issue, develop an argument, and create a PSA in iMovie and burn it to DVD

• Solve a Problem: Reconcile income and expenses in a household budget and chart financial scenarios

• Tell a Story: Document the personal history of a community leader in a short, sophisticated movie

What does Apple Offer Teachers for Online Help?

Apple education solutions seamlessly integrate today’s digital tools for creating, accessing, and distributing media-rich content. The following resources are available to teachers Online:

K-12 , Higher Education, Students, Information Technology , Profile videos, iTunes U and Mobile Learning, Teachers Communities.

iLife iWork Mac OS X Final Cut Studio Aperture Final Cut Express Logic Express Logic Pro

http://www.apple.com/education/

What Strides Has Windows Made for Educators?

Microsoft Education Homepage:• Microsoft has created products to enable educators,

students, and administrators to achieve more efficiency and improve service levels – without increasing budgets. Take a look at the site to see what it offers; On this site you will find: Events, Case studies, Programs, Product Center .

Microsoft Education Product and Technology Tutorials:• Learn how to use and integrate Microsoft software in

the classroom with in-depth, step-by-step tutorial guides for students, teachers, and staff.

• Tutorials have been developed for a variety of Microsoft Office, Windows, the Microsoft Office Outlook messaging and collaboration client, Windows Server 2008, and Microsoft Exchange products and technologies. Also see their special guides just for educators.

Windows Vista: Tips and TricksOn Demand

An overview of helpful new features in the Windows Vista operating system and how they can be used in education. Topics covered are the user-friendly user interface (UI), the new collaboration features, creating engaging presentations, and the enhanced experience of using Windows Internet Explorer 7 with Windows Vista.

http://www.microsoft.com/education/teachers/bettertogether.aspx

The Benefits to Windows Vista?• One of the most valuable improvements schools

have found using Vista was its helpful Group Policy features. With more granular control policies, it is easier to set Power Management, allowing the district to save energy by not having computers at full power when they are not being used. Other enhancements include control over the use and installation of removable media. Vista gives the IT staff the ability to control the use of USB drives, DVDs and CDs. The OS Group Policy also put its Internet Protocol Security inside its firewall, protecting server-to-server communications. Managing an array of printers is easier in Vista,

• too; administrators can configure printers through Active Directory.

1. Product Tutorials

2. Lesson Plans

3. How-to Articles

4. Solutions & Services

5. Product Center

6. Partners in Learning

7. Educational Programs

8. World Wide Community

9. Newsletters

10. Info. for students & Administrators

Answers to Quiz 1. A. The keyboard, mouse, menus of a computer system. The user interface allows the user to communicate with the operating

system.

2. C. MAC OS X.5 (Leopard)

3. C. Window Vista

4. False

5. False

6. C. Apple

7. Corel Draw Suite X4, Adobe Products InDesign®, Photoshop® CS4, Dreamweaver® CS4, Flash® CS4 Professional, Fireworks®CS4,

Acrobat® 9 Pro, Media Player, QuarkXpress, Sherston's Albert's Paintbox, I Can Animate from Kudlian Soft, Crick Software's Clicker

Paint, Dazzle 03, Indigo Art Tablet.

8. The Chroma Key, Final Cut, Apple Aperture, iMovie, iDVD, garage Band, iLife, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, Quicktime, iWork, Final Cut

Studio, Aperture, Logic Express, Logic Pro, Corel Draw Suite X4, Adobe Products InDesign®, Photoshop® CS4, Dreamweaver® CS4,

Flash® CS4 Professional, Fireworks®CS4, Acrobat® 9 Pro, Media Player, QuarkXpress.

Conclusion

It appears that both Operating Systems are compatible with what

art teachers do and need to accomplish. Even though personal

preference is the determining factor, evidence shows that Apple offers teachers more options overall in

several of the categories.

Resources

•http://www.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/index.html

•http://www.apple.com/education/profiles/putnam/

•http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/153366/leopard_one_year_later_5_os_lessons_learned.html

•http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci534379,00.html?offer=os

•http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=55283

•http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/27/leopard-vs-vista-feature-chart-showdown/

•http://www.microsoft.com/education/teachers/bettertogether.aspx

•http://www.edtechmag.com/k12/issues/november-december-2008/the-benefits-of-windows-vista.html