General query - how do you use your iPads?

[MK-2]

Just a general query, so not after technical explanations.

For those of you using ipads in schools, how and what are you using them for?

We've been asked to investigate possibilities of tablets being used and since I know quite a few of you have had large banks delivered was curious how they are being put to use.

What apps are loaded? what functions are they fulfilling?

 

[tommej]

I'd like to tag two more questions onto your thread, sorry!

 

How are you storing them? How are you docking/updating?

[Hightower]

We use an app called 'door wedge'. It's really handy, just place the iPad down between the bottom of the door and the floor, and it will amazingly keep the door open for you.

[MK-2]

I'd like to tag two more questions onto your thread, sorry!

 

How are you storing them? How are you docking/updating?

 

well at the moment we aren't looking to have very many so storage isn't a problem for us, most likely just in a locked room and out the way. again as we would only be looking at a few for now, updating isn't an issue (yet) but i'd still be interested in how larger numbers do it

 

We use an app called 'door wedge'. It's really handy, just place the iPad down between the bottom of the door and the floor, and it will amazingly keep the door open for you.

 

i've just checked on my "sarcastic f***er" app and it says theres a 75% chance you aren't being serious

[Hightower]

well at the moment we aren't looking to have very many so storage isn't a problem for us, most likely just in a locked room and out the way. again as we would only be looking at a few for now, updating isn't an issue (yet) but i'd still be interested in how larger numbers do it

 

 

 

i've just checked on my "sarcastic f***er" app and it says theres a 75% chance you aren't being serious

 

See, now if you had the same app on Android you'd notice it would come back with a result of 90%, therefore being much more accurate.

 

Sorry for taking this off-topic

[MK-2]

I'll try and drag this back on topic

 

At the moment we're looking at a couple in the library as instant research tools. Come in, research on the internet quickly then go sort of thing. They can also view our library catalogue system so the kids can use it to see if books are out. thats the library uses

 

alternatively we're thinking that for open days/tours of the school we could have a sort of kiosk app which has general info on the school on an intranet page, and perhaps the prospectus on pdf for parents to flick through. also it can stream the school marketing movie for parents to watch.

 

we're also looking at it being used for notices. we have xibo at the mo on one screen but thinking perhaps one of these as another kiosk type app that kids can go to, read certain notices and go.

 

those are our ideas so far, what do others do?

[Domino]

like this..

 

http://mybirdie.ca/files/ipad.jpg

 

:-p

[Hightower]

like this..

 

http://mybirdie.ca/files/ipad.jpg

 

:-p

 

Well that's a lie - there's no tattoo's on your arms, and out of all the times I've seen you you've never wore long sleeves. I'm not buying for a second that that's you in the photo!

[Domino]

Well that's a lie - there's no tattoo's on your arms, and out of all the times I've seen you you've never wore long sleeves. I'm not buying for a second that that's you in the photo!

 

I never said it was!

 

I said "I use it like this"

 

[mdrabble]

Back to the matter in hand.... I would be interested in know how other schools use them too. Other than emails, internet and possible remote desktop - what else could they be used for?

[gslapp]

I'd also really be interested in any classroom uses that folk are making of iPads or other slate devices.

 

Personally, I'm a bit sceptical of slates as a "catch-all" device. Very much for consuming rather than creating. Do kids really get that much more with a slate PC rather than a netbook or a laptop?

[MK-2]

I'd also really be interested in any classroom uses that folk are making of iPads or other slate devices.

 

Personally, I'm a bit sceptical of slates as a "catch-all" device. Very much for consuming rather than creating. Do kids really get that much more with a slate PC rather than a netbook or a laptop?

 

exactly, if we can't find any uses for them we wont get them, but if someone can come up with an idea that we could implement here i'd be more than willing to test it out

[Abaddon]

Between the departments here, 8 pages of apps have been requested. They are used every day, almost every other period (on average). We have 28 in an UnoCart-32, which we use to charge and sync them all, via a MacBook which is in IT Support. So far they've made numerous videos etc and taken pictures to attach to their work. Languages use several apps, history make extensive use of Google Earth to identify battle sites etc, English use several different literary apps (mostly Shakespeare) with both spoken and annotated apps... I'm sure there are more, but I've been a bit busy recently!

[atfnet]

Hi Adaddon,

 

I know its a big ask but any chance you could post the names of the apps you are using ? maybe take screen shots if thats easier.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Andy

[Abaddon]

No worries - I'll try and get it up tomorrow..

[MK-2]

No worries - I'll try and get it up tomorrow..

 

I'd be interested too, thanks for that

 

One other use we have come up with is for presentations in the hall. as the pc running powerpoint is at the back of the hall, any presenter must turn to face the screen to see the next slide has come up. if you load impero console on an ipad, you can remotely view the pc screen, see the presentation in real time and place the ipad on a podium where it cant be seen. so you can stay facing the audience and know with confidence that the slides are advancing

[gslapp]

Between the departments here, 8 pages of apps have been requested. They are used every day, almost every other period (on average). We have 28 in an UnoCart-32, which we use to charge and sync them all, via a MacBook which is in IT Support. So far they've made numerous videos etc and taken pictures to attach to their work. Languages use several apps, history make extensive use of Google Earth to identify battle sites etc, English use several different literary apps (mostly Shakespeare) with both spoken and annotated apps... I'm sure there are more, but I've been a bit busy recently!

 

Are these apps free apps from the iTunes store or paid apps? If paid, how are you dealing with purchasing multiple copies of the software?

 

Maybe I'm just getting cynical in my old age, but are any of these apps "better" than anything you can run on a PC/laptop/netbook? Do the iPads supplement your convential computers or are they "instead of"?

 

How about integrating with your current IT systems?

 

Sorry...! Lots of questions..!

 

I'm still struggling to see the value of slates in the classroom.

[Abaddon]

Right - apologies for the delay - there are screenshots of the app list here:

https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=c784d4cedc3c3e6b&page=play&resid=C784D4CEDC3C3E6B!1732

 

Hopefully that'll work...

 

It's a mixture of apps - some free, some paid for.

 

We are still looking at proper integration with the rest of the network, but the intranet works fine with the associated resources in MS Office format. We are currently using YouTube for clips, with unlisted links so only we can see them. Will probably sort out something else for this though, for better control and access. For other things, there is the Citrix portal, but it isn't ideal for a lot of tasks - although it works quite well, it's obviously better suited for a device with a proper keyboard and mouse...

 

They are in addition to the classroom PC's. It's a bit of a beta test, and classes have been taken outside and used the video/photo functions for some things, and made short videos etc etc.. The portability is obviously great for that.

Edited October 12, 2011 by Abaddon