All the ways iOS 9.3 will impact school iPad rollouts

Apple’s latest overhaul will impact one-to-one and shared device rollouts

In March, Apple upgraded the iPad and iPhone operating system to iOS 9.3 (quickly followed by iOS 9.3.1, which tweaked a few bugs). The lead up to the release caught the eye of the K-12 community, which had been waiting for a few tweaks of their own that would help it better manage both shared and one-to-one iPad implementations. It’s only been a couple of weeks since the new operating system hit prime time, but the feedback is already coming in—and it’s largely positive.

New features in iOS 9.3, for example, make it easier for IT to set up and manage devices via a new managed home screen layout. This feature allows administrators to deploy iPads configured for students, and to select which applications will appear on their device home screens. It might be most useful in shared environments, where more than one student is using a device—but where not all of the apps are relevant for all of those users. Schools can also locate and recover stolen or lost devices via ongoing location tracking that doesn’t compromise student privacy.

Expanded capabilities…Read More

Here’s how to design an iPad program

Designing an iPad initiative with goals in mind will help steer your district toward success

iPad-initiativeAs educators and school leaders would likely agree, any technology initiative begins not with an iPad or a laptop, but with teaching and learning goals.

But once school leaders have identified those goals, created a plan, and moved to implementation, what are some of the keys to success?

David Mahaley, head of school for the Franklin Academy’s high school program and a teacher at the school, outlined a number of steps and considerations that are essential to a successful mobile deployment.…Read More