Setting Up Your iPad(s) for Success in the Classroom

If you are new to the iPad, then setting up one or more for use by students can be a daunting task.  The iPad is clearly a window into the entire world...and with that comes amazing benefits, and other things that should likely be left outside of the classroom.  Here's how I set up a set of iPads in my own classroom to ensure that students were set up for success.

The Settings app the comes on your iPad is easily one of the simplest ways to make quick, customizable adjustments to your iPad.  From hiding un-needed Apps, to blocking R-rated video- this App alone has most of the answers.  Adjusting your iPad's settings and adding restrictions should be the very last step to finalizing your set-up, so I will get into the nitty-gritty later on! 

Start by naming each iPad.  This will help you keep track of each device and the data it holds.  To name your devices, enter the Settings App and click on the left hand folder "General".  At the top, open the "About" tab.  You can be as simple or as extravagant as you want with this! I went the simple route and used my last name and numbers to identify each iPad.  If you lean towards the more creative side you might instead choose to name each iPad after something related to your content area.  As a science teacher I could name each iPad after a famous scientist: Einstein, Newton... you get the point!  Your students will always appreciate some creative flare.

Make each iPad accessible to other devices by setting up its own personal email.  Any of the free email platforms will provide dozens of free email addresses.  Keep things consistent by making the email addresses similar to the iPad's name.  E-mail can be useful in the classroom for a variety of reasons.  I use it to have students submit work, and also to deliver links and other material.  Recently I created a ShowMe presentation and had it directly sent to each iPad using it's email.  Email can connect each iPad to an unlimited amount of other devices and apps.  Add your own name and email into each iPad's Contacts app- making it even easier for students to deliver info back to you via email. 

There are a multitude of must-have apps I would highly suggest adding to your collection immediately.  DropBox, iBooks, and iTunes U are 3 of them, for obvious reasons. I would also recommend getting a QR Code reader.  There are dozens of free apps available through the App Store, but I would highly suggest the $1.99 model- QRafter.  QR codes have an infinite number of uses in the classroom- so investing in one that is easy to use is important!  Your school likely has an Apple iTunes purchase account set up through your district.  Ask your principal how to use your school's account to purchase apps for your classroom.

Once you have downloaded a variety of apps, organize them on the Home screen by creating "buckets".  Buckets allow you to group 2 or more similar apps, helping to keep your Home Screen clean and organized.  To create a bucket, "grab" one app by holding your finger on it until it starts to shake.  Drag it over a second app and the bucket will appear.  Name the bucket, or keep the one your iPad suggests; then freeze the screen again by clicking the Home button. 

Creating buckets not only keeps your Home Screen organized- it can also inconspicuously hide Apps you might not want attention drawn to during class time.  Uninstalling and reinstalling can take alot of time- so sometimes moving a popular app to an unpopular bucket can prevent students from being side tracked. 

When you are satisfied with the Apps you have (for now), open the Settings App to finalize your iPad set up.  Again, find the General tab, but this time look for "Restrictions". 

Click "Enable Restrictions" at the top and immediately it will prompt you for a 4 number pin.  I use the same number for all iPads but change them all up every couple months or so.  From here you can customize the restrictions on your iPads.  Turning off Installing Apps and Deleting Apps is a must.  This will remove the App Store from your Home Screen- and prevents students from buying Apps on the registered iTunes account.  The camera can also be a huge distraction during day to day class time use and I tend to hide it unless we are using QR codes or completing a special assignment.  You can also use restrictions to censor music and videos, including YouTube (another student favorite).  Customize your setting based on your needs- and feel free to change it up as necessary!  I adapt my settings to the lesson at hand quite often! 

Last but not least, protect your iPads by purchasing a security app like GadgetTrak.  Apps like this one will let you register multiple devices that can easily be tracked if they get lost or stolen.  GadgetTrak will even take a photograph of the perpetrator and allow you to submit police reports.  If you are worried about theft (and you probably should be!), it's better safe than sorry. GadgetTrak is a steal for only $4.99 and offers a variety of features. 

Experiment with the settings of your iPad(s) and adjust them as necessary to meet the needs of your classroom!  Most of an iPad's functions- including the ones that can cause distractions to students- can be used in a productive, highly engaging and upper level thinking kind of way.  Have fun!