Dr. Lynn Johnson, director of Dental Informatics and Information Technology and professor at the School of Dentistry, is among 10 people nationwide selected to receive a new award from Apple Computer.
The Apple Award for Innovation in Science recognizes a select and distinguished group of people in academia who have developed new ways to use technology that enhance education and research. The award also offers opportunities for recipients to publicly promote their ideas and insights about those novel uses of technologies.
Johnson received the award for her pioneering efforts that led to the School of Dentistry and Apple entering into a partnership in September 2005 that allows students at the dental school to listen to classroom lectures on their iPods or other portable listening devices virtually anywhere and at any time. The venture, the first of its kind with any professional school in the U.S., marked a major shift in how technology is used to support and enhance learning.
Dental, dental hygiene and graduate students at the School of Dentistry use their valid U-M names and passwords to log on to a special Web site, “Learning via iTunesU,” to locate and download the lectures. They can then listen at their convenience in their apartments, automobiles, while walking on campus or even working out. Since course lectures have been available for downloading, School of Dentistry students have been to the Web site approximately 30,000 times to download and listen to lectures.
In a story about the initiative that appeared in the spring and summer 2006 issue of the School of Dentistry’s alumni magazine, DentalUM, Johnson said the School’s collaboration with Apple has led to many benefits. “In technology, we have more visibility, not just across the University, but also in the field of dental education,” she said. “The University is now launching a campuswide application of what we are doing with the iPods in dental education. It’s gratifying to know U-M intends to share the campus-wide iPod application with over 45 other colleges and universities across the country.”
Sheri Schultz, Apple account executive who worked extensively with Johnson as the iPod initiative at the dental school was evolving, was enthusiastic about Johnson’s recognition. “iTunesU wouldn’t have taken off the way it did at the University of Michigan without the support and efforts of Lynn Johnson.”
Each year Apple will select 10 scientists for their innovative use of Apple technology in science, research and education. Recipients of the award will receive a pass to Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference; up to eight one-on-one development support consultations with Apple engineers, without charge; a chance to participate in the annual meeting of Apple’s Science Innovators; and have the opportunity to take part in the annual “Communities” meeting at the Apple campus in Cupertino, Calif.
Johnson, who arrived at the School of Dentistry in June 2002, earned a doctorate in instructional design and technology in 1993 from the University of Iowa.
