Unpacking the iPads

Just spent the morning getting the iPads organized.  All thirty are now labelled and sitting in the shiny new cart with the computer expert downloading our long list of apps.  My TLLP partner Sue and I stood back admiring how fancy the whole setup looked and then simultaneously sighed at the realization that we are now responsible for turning those awesome new toys into educational powerhouses....thankfully we still have a lot of summer left to figure out how to transform our courses into ipad-friendly formats.  

We purchased ipad cases that seem to work well and offer some level of protection.  We also purchased the ipad screen protectors...we aren't huge fans.  They are difficult to apply and even after several minutes of tinkering there are still air bubbles we can't get rid of (even using the credit-card-like device that was included with the protectors and is supposed to smooth out the bubbles...not so much).  The protectors take away from the look of the screen and after trying with 3 or 4 ipads, we abandoned the process for now.  If we can get refunds, we will return them and take our chances without the protectors.

We used a label-maker to apply labels to each ipad and the storage cart has numbered slots that will help with the organization aspect.  Each student will be assigned a specific number for the duration of the semester and is responsible for the care and condition of that ipad.

Our cart now holds 30 ipads, the macbook pro, a BENQ projector and the apple tv.  We also have an external storage for backup that will be stored separately from the cart.  The cart has 2 padlocks - one secures the ipads and the other comes with a cable and bracket that allows the entire cart to be padlocked to the wall. We will be adding a set of computer speakers to the cart as well to have a completely mobile presentation unit.  Our computer tech recommended purchasing the iworks (pages, keynote, numbers) or microsoft suite of software (powerpoint, word, excel) for the macbook so that it can be used as more than an ipad configuration centre...will see if our application budget allows for that addition.

Now the challenging part...designing the courses with the ipad in mind and making sure the use of the devices is authentic and has a meaningful impact on student learning.