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Archives for February 2011

Connected Summit features 77 presentations

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Hundreds of mobile learning enthusiasts are making their way to Abilene this weekend to attend ACU's Connected Summit, called, "Turning the Page: The Next Chapter for Education." The two-day conference, which began three years ago, invites innovators in education, industry and policy from across the country and around the globe to engage in ... [Read More…]

Cornerstone creates new outlook

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Last Friday, the Optimist ran an editorial about the Fall 2010 Cornerstone class, declaring that it "failed colossally." Clearly it did not  "succeed spectacularly" - but neither was it the abysmal failure so described. Rather, it was a bold first step for this University, using a method and scale of teaching that was new to ACU: Spotlight ... [Read More…]

ACU integrates the iPad into the classroom

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Christiana Kotyk is among the 4,000 undergraduate students at Abilene Christian University who trek across the West Texas campus everyday for classes. Her 10-minute walk to class is weighed down by a backpack stuffed to its breaking point with bulky textbooks – a burden that pains high school and college students across the country. Kotyk, ... [Read More…]

Colleges, high schools adapt iPads for classrooms

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In high school and college classrooms across the nation, teachers and students are putting mobile learning devices to use in the educational process. Multiple colleges and universities, including ACU, Seton Hill University and Long Island University, and have issued some form of mobile learning device to students. The trend is even catching on ... [Read More…]

Three ways to save big on food

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Most college students are faced with a daily battle of epic proportions -  their empty wallets wage war on their empty stomachs. Students often engage in a daily scavenger hunt for whatever nuts in berries they can get their paws on, or at least afford. Fortunately, many eateries near campus offer special discounts - the perfect remedy for the ... [Read More…]

Hungry, Mother releases EP on vinyl

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One of Abilene's latest local bands, Hungry, Mother, releases their first EP this week. Rather than burning its music onto blank CDs, the band decided to have its album pressed into vinyl. Hardin Simmons student Walker Lyle is the founding member of Hungry, Mother and said it was a collaborative decision to put the EP on vinyl. "We wanted to ... [Read More…]

Injured Kinsman awaits surgery

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A member of the Gamma Sigma Phi Sing Song act, who was injured before Saturday's show, remains in the hospital after doctors had to halt surgery due to swelling in his jaw. Doctors at Hendrick Medical Center began to operate on Jason Rasco's jaw Monday, but his face began to swell and doctors discovered an infection. Rasco, junior criminal science ... [Read More…]

It’s Thai time!

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Since moving from its hole-in-the-wall Treadaway location to 3309 S. 1st St. several years ago, Ann Thai Kitchen gained an 's and an a far more posh restaurant atmosphere. Visitors will appreciate its clean and sophisticated Asian décor, complete with a portrait of the Thai king gracing the establishment; yet all the while, the restaurant ... [Read More…]

Dixie Pig-Out

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Stepping into the Dixie Pig is like stepping back in time to the 1950's. A time where diners acted like today's fast food restaurants and waitresses knew your name and your order without asking. The historic Abilene restaurant, nicknamed by regulars as "the Pig," opened in 1931 with significant structural renovations made in 1941 and 1948, giving ... [Read More…]

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