Lesson: The Wizard of Apple

A. Picture Discussion (Picture not provided)

Look at the picture and ask and answer the questions.

1. What do you see?
2. Are you familiar with this logo?
3. What does this logo stand for?
4. Which company uses this logo for its products?
5. Do you know the logo of any Bangladeshi product?
6. Do you like it? Why/Why not?

(Note: Please refer to the picture provided with your original lesson materials.)

B. Reading

The Legacy of Steve Jobs

Steven Paul Jobs (February 24, 1955 - October 5, 2011), more popularly known as Steve Jobs, was the co-founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Apple Inc. He was a pioneer of the personal computer revolution and famous for his career in electronics, particularly computers and consumer devices. This success was achieved through the marketing of Apple computers.

(Picture: Steve Jobs posing with an Apple computer)

In 1985, Jobs left Apple after losing a power struggle with the company’s board of directors. He then founded NeXT, a computer platform development company specializing in higher education and business markets. However, Apple failed to develop any new operating systems during Jobs's absence. Jobs returned to Apple as an advisor and took control of the company as interim CEO.

By 1998, Jobs brought Apple back to profitability from the brink of bankruptcy. He supervised the development of the iMac, iTunes, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. These devices are so simple and user-friendly that even a child can operate them.

He oversaw the development of Apple Stores, iTunes Stores, and the App Store, too. The success of these products and services generated steady financial returns for several years and propelled Apple to become the world’s most valuable publicly traded company in 2011. This success is regarded as one of the greatest turnarounds in business history.

Steve Jobs has been highly acclaimed as a visionary leader. He changed people’s perspectives toward computers and how they are used, consume personal media, and communicate. The iPod, iPhone, iPad, and iBooks have become extremely popular. Jobs recognized the need for Wi-Fi (wireless internet connection) in laptops. He made Wi-Fi a standard feature of every laptop and many other devices worldwide, making his dream of “being anywhere anytime” a reality.

Jobs also co-founded and served as the chief executive of Pixar Animation Studios. He became a member of the board of directors of The Walt Disney Company in 2006 when Disney acquired Pixar.

C. True/False

Indicate whether the statements are true or false. If false, provide the correct information.

1. Jobs spent his entire career working for Apple.
2. He became famous because he knew how to market computers and keep customers happy.
3. He became the chairman of The Walt Disney Company.
4. Jobs left Apple in 2001.
5. Jobs was a visionary.

D. Comprehension

Read the text in Section B again and answer the following questions:

1. Describe Jobs’s successful career.
2. What does “power struggle” mean?
3. How did Jobs bring Apple back to profitability?
4. Why was he called a visionary?
5. Why did Jobs feel that a Wi-Fi connection was needed in laptops?

E. Pair Work

Write a dialogue about Steve Jobs’s contributions to ICT and then perform a role play.