Today, AT&T* and Abilene Christian University announced the opening of the AT&T Learning Studio, a curricular laboratory designed to support experimentation with media by students and faculty. The center of innovation utilizes both traditional and mobile settings that will engage students with resources that are relevant to their fields of study.

Learning tools in the studio include recording booths for the capturing of podcasts and interviews, editing bays for audio and video creation, media screening spaces and a production studio with high-definition recording capabilities. Students got a sneak preview of the new studio at a Hollywood-themed, grand opening event on Thursday, Feb. 24. A video of students using the new learning tools during the student event is available.

The AT&T Learning Studio is one of three interrelated initiatives in a $1.8 million, three-year contribution that AT&T awarded to ACU last year to support the expansion of the university’s mobile learning initiative. The opening of the studio is being held in conjunction with ACU’s annual Connected Summit, a conference combining educators and technology specialists to further education. The Connected Summit will feature more than 70 break-out sessions to teach participants about current and future trends in mobile technology and education. 

“When a university successfully incorporates mobile technology into the learning experience, students reap the benefits both while at school and in their future workplace,” said Xavier Williams, senior vice president, Public Sector and Healthcare at AT&T. “AT&T is dedicated to advancing mobile learning to surpass physical borders and truly engage students, and ACU is doing exactly that.”

ACU’s pioneering efforts in mobile learning reflect the innovative progress in education that AT&T supports. Mobile broadband is transforming education, and the result is a more engaged and enjoyable learning experience for students and educators. Teaching and learning can now take place not just in the classroom, but virtually anywhere.

Learn more about ACU’s mobile learning initiative through a new video case study: Transforming the Classroom with Mobile Technology.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About ACU's Mobile Learning Initiative, Connected
In a world of search engines, social networking, and mobile computers, students have access to more information than one could process in a lifetime. In 2008, Abilene Christian University launched a mobile-learning initiative, Connected, which trains students to not merely consume these vast amounts of information, but to assess information, synthesize thoughts, generate new ideas, and contribute meaningfully to conversations of global importance. The university also hosts live and online conferences for educators and administrators to engage in dialogue, research and idea-sharing. ACU was named one of “America's Best Colleges” by U.S. News and World Report in its 2011 edition. In 2010, Forbes rated ACU in the top seven percent of colleges and universities in its “America’s Best Colleges” rankings. It enrolls 4,700 students, generally from 50 states and territories, and 42 nations. For more information visit http://www.acu.edu/connected.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse^® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE^® magazine.

About Philanthropy at AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2009, more than $155 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.

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