Virtual Learning Network

Hi Sasha

I agree with Innes about to take a workshop for teachers - yes I know it is Saturday! and I will use as part of my workshop my iPad 1!!!!!

The life cycle of Apple products is much longer  than other brands!

A friend brought an Android device on special and was told before he left the shop it could not be upgraded!!

Stuart

Hi Jamie

iOS 9.3 will not solve all your problems some - but it adds to the solution - you will still need a MDM Meraki probably will not do as goods job as say LightSpeed will

Read what Apple have posted here

http://www.apple.com/nz/education/preview/

Many of these features are similar to what Casper offered!

Note big implications here for the configuration of future iPads that schools will buy!

Hi

I do not have a solution to the discussion but to mention one more factor - look what is coming! The Beta iOS9.3 has the most amazing Education / Classroom tools and the biggest education upgrade since the iPad itself. As I go around schools and offer advice and help steer schools around the "potholes" and talking to people in the know Meraki will have some issues with the next upgrade (It will probably iOS10) and the MDM that best work with the new iOS will probably not be Meraki - there are others out there that will work well and not cost too much - I think schools are seeing issues with the "free Lunch" type MDM's

Apple play their cards closer to their chest than anyone - but keep an eye on companies they have purchased - Expect to see some big announcements in the future about iPad management in school!!

Hi Sheryl

There is an App - isn't there always!!

Called Printer Pro (there is a Lite version to try too)

https://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/printer-pro-print-documents/id393313223?mt=8

could be worth a try 

Stuart

Hi Allanah - Be great to know if there is a way to improve AirDrop!

I am really puzzled why it is random in the results

An example is:

Thanks - Stuart

Hi

Apple is in the process of making this simpler - checkout this link

so if the configuration / management  can wait it may pay to!

The normally Apple saying "It just works" does not always apply to this issue of iPad Management

http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/03/06/apples-ipad-in-education-program-getting-overhauls-to-fix-deployment-obstacles---report

Stuart

The type Innes mentioned is the way to go but being a magnetic lens clip - probably the case would need to be off. Many other lens attachments are built for specific models of iPhones or iPads as they are based on thickness - again if in a case will not work!! I have come across a great solution that uses a clip to attach there by fits - iPad2  iPad3 iPad air, iPhone 3-4-5-6 even with the case on (A thicker protective foam case maybe the exception!)

While on our tour of Exemplar Californian iPads schools last April happened to be on Fishermans Wharf San Francisco and brought this Kit for $40 - Will look out for another one on the 2015 tour!

http://www.amazon.com/Camkix-Universal-Cell-Phone-Camera/dp/B00CSJ50HY

Of the 3 lenses the Macro is the one I use most

Wide angle I use the Pano mode instead

Fisheye - distorts so I do not go there

Here is a link to one on fishpond at $15

http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Electronics/MokingtopTM-New-Universal-Clip-3in1-Fish-eye-Macro-Wide-Angle-Camera-Lens-for-All-phones/9999273341909

Off out to get a laser pointer lens and make my own to see how that compares!

Hi I would like to build on what Allanah has stated. . .

Flash was never designed for Tablets (Most Tablets do not run Flash) Adobe who makes Flash will not support it on Tablets!

Flash is a bit like the Dinosaur just prior to extinction - it will not be around for much longer. By the end of next year up to 80% of Web bowsing will be from a Tablet (iPad) and if you want your web site to be around you are now in the process of converting across from Flash to the alternatives (HTML5) that is iPad (Tablet) compatible

So would not spend too much time finding a solution for a temporary problem! - that will be fixed by most web sites themselves.

Let's start a list of schools worth visiting in relation to effective use of iPads in education,

I will start this off by adding a school that is a long way from NZ but staff are visiting New Zealand this month.

One of the most innovative iPad schools I have visited is Monte Vista Christian School (Monterey Bay, USA). 1000 Students 1000 iPads. Monte Vista was the first adopter of iPads in the classroom. They have had a 1:1 iPad programme running since 2011 and provide some valuable form of PLD for others to benefit from. Full details for their NZ visit can be found in this calendar event.

In light of schools sharing effective practice, do anyone know of any other NZ schools, willing to share effective practice around teaching and learning through iPads? Maybe we could start a list below.

The case you get must work! - That is when it is dropped it will protect it - as it is not if it is dropped but when it is dropped.

I often demo my case (Done over 300x) by bouncing it off the ceiling to hit the floor! I ask others there if I can test their case so far from audiences cumulating over 2000 teachers not one has offered their case and iPad to test!

Over 700 of these cases have been placed in schools - not one report of damage due to the case failing!

At $40 for the iPad case $33 for the mini 

Schools need to make a decision on a case that works not just it is at a price point

Contact me via email for more info!