XanEdu (http://www.xanedu.com), a provider of CoursePacks and custom textbooks, has partnered with New York University Stern School of Business to conduct its first program-wide test of iPads this fall. Instructors will use the XanEdu CoursePack Management System to publish materials that students will then be able to access on iPads.

Last month XanEdu announced its iPad CoursePack publishing program as part of the company's strategic technology plan. XanEdu's iPad app feature set will be driven by input from hundreds of students participating in XanEdu's fall 2010 class tests. Features include digital note taking, collaboration tools and integration into learning management systems on campus. Students will be asked to provide feedback through usage logs, surveys and focus groups.  

As part of its commitment to leveraging technology to enhance the learning environment, NYU Stern's IT group was seeking new models that support its mission, says Kim Corfman, Vice Dean for MBA Programs. A recent survey conducted by the program revealed that roughly half of students use an iPad or iPhone, which made this new effort a strategic choice.