The Optimist, Abilene Christian University's student newspaper in Abilene, Texas, became the first student newspaper to publish on the iPad.
After ACU's student media staff declared its goal 70 days ago, a team of student journalists, designers and programmers worked with the university's Mobile Media Task Force to develop a new digital publication platform. The ACU's converged media newsroom is the project leader center location.
ACU's Kenneth Pybus, assistant professor of journalism and faculty adviser of The Optimist said that they had a nine-week window to set goals, prioritize and implement vision, and they accomplished. Pybus also said that he was pleased with the programming and graphic design students' level of enthusiasm.
The Optimist has a long track record of innovation. Publication of The Optimist through iPhone (News - Alert) and iPod Touch began in 2007; updated application adoption occurred in 2008; and currently, delivery of The Optimist on the iPad.
After a decade of considering what it means to read, write, publish, teach and learn in the new digital age, ACU launched a mobile learning initiative in 2008. The initiative creates opportunities for students and faculty to experiment with new social forms, informational and media access on next-generation digital platforms. The school will have a minimum of 60 iPads on campus for the fall semester in 2010, with eight dedicated to The Optimist staff.
The Optimist is a publication of the JMC Network, the student news operation of Abilene Christian University. The JMC Network encourages reader response through letters to the editor and online story comments. The JMC Network comprises print, broadcast and online products.
In 2009, Forbes magazine rated ACU in the top seven percent of colleges and universities in the USA. For more information, visit www.acuoptimist.com and www.acu.edu/connected.
Carolyn John is a Contributor to TMCnet. To read more of her articles, please columnist page.Edited by Alice Straight