Category Archives: iPads

Essentials, iPads, Student, Students

Updating your iPad OS

Notes and Tips about updating your iPad:

You’ll see an indication that there is a System Update in the Settings App.
Go to Settings –> General–>Software Update.

If you are able to update, then do so – but PLUG IT IN FIRST. It will take anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours.

If you see a message about not having enough room, then you’ll have to clear out some data:

  1. Open the Photos App. Delete anything you don’t want. Be ruthless! THEN, click ALBUMS, open up the “Recently Deleted” album, Click SELECT [on the top right], then DELETE ALL [top left]
  2. Open up the Drive App. Click the menu icon – top left. Click “On Device“. For each file listed, click the Info button, find the slider “Keep on Device”, and turn it OFF.
  3. iMovie – delete projects.
  4. Garageband – delete songs.
  5. Toontastic – delete projects there.
  6. Swipe out of all active apps, and reboot the iPad. [Hold down the power button until the “Slide to Turn Off” gizmo pops up onscreen.]
  7. Delete email accounts in Settings –> Mail. [a bit drastic, this one. You shouldn’t lose any emails or attachments.]

After each step, switch back to the settings app to see if there is enough room. If you are still at a loss, see Mr. Rule or Mrs. Brown in the ARC for additional suggestions.

Once you’ve made room, then update.

 

AFTER UPDATING:

You will see several screens – but not all of the ones listed below. What screens you see will change depending on which OS you started with, and which OS you ended with.

Update 1
The first screen you’ll see – “Hello” is several different languages. Swipe to the Right to continue.
Update 2
Click Continue already!
Update 3
Next you will enter your iCloud password. IF YOU CANNOT REMEMBR IT, click “Skip This Step”.
Update 4
30-some screens of legalese. Agree to it. You have to, or you can’t use the iPad.
Update 5
YES, use Find My iPad
Update 6
For now, DO NOT upgrade. There is very little reason to, is a bit of a hassle, and takes a while.
Update 7
Up to you – but I suggest that you do set one.
Update 8
Get Started already!

 

iPads, Make Tech Easier, Student, Students

Sending a Keynote file to your teacher

“Why” explained below. First, “How”:

You’ve created a Keynote presentation, and need to get it to your teacher in a way that can be viewed on their laptop [which does NOT have Keynote installed]. Here is how to make sure your presentation can be viewed [and thus graded!]. Click any picture below to see a bigger version.

  1. On your iPad, open up the presentation.
  2. Click the “Share” icon – square with arrow coming out of it.
    14
  3. If you want to email the file, see #4 below.
    If you want to upload a PDF or Powerpoint file to Drive from your keynote presentation, see #5 below.
  4. Select “Send a Copy”
    15B

    1. Pick a file format – PDF or PowerPoint. Ask your Teacher if you don’t know which to use.
    2. Select “Mail”.14B                        Fill out the email, and send it.
  5. Select “Open in Another App”
    15

    1. Pick a file format – PDF or PowerPoint. Ask your Teacher if you don’t know which to use.
    2. Select “Open in Drive”.
      16
    3. Drive will open, and ask “Would you like to upload filename.pptx to My Drive?”
    4. YES, you do!17
    5. After the file has uploaded you can email it, share it with your teacher, view it online, etc.

 

 

What’s this all about? [Some details]

The principle here is dealing with file formats. In this case the students are creating files that the teacher needs to read, but that app is not available for the teacher’s computer [Keynote is a Mac only app, and most MDS teachers have Windows machines].

So how do you deal with the situation where you are creating in one app and need to open it in another?

Here’s your
One Word Explanation:
EXPORT

Find a file format that both sides of the equation can use. Export the file from your app, and the recipient can open it in the app of their choice.

Some file types that commonly transfer nicely include

  • Word processing: rtf, doc, docx
  • Graphics: jpg, png
  • Spreadsheet: csv, xls
  • Video: trickier, because it involves not only the “container” [mp4, mov, avi, wmv, m4a] but also the “codec” [how the video was prepared]. Export the same file a few different ways and see which one works.
  • Text & Graphics: PDF

In the list above, you are walked through the steps of taking a keynote presentation on an iPad, exporting it as either a PDF or PPTX [Powerpoint] file, then uploading it to Drive. The teacher can then open the file up in a PDF reader or Powerpoint.

Faculty, Faculty/Staff, iPads, Student, Students

iPad keyboards

Here are two reviews of ipad keyboards that have received a favorable writeup. Unfortunately they are on the expensive side – unless you can find one on sale.

Logitech Keys-to-Go

Zaggkeys Flex

The Apple Bluetooth keyboard works very well but is pricey [we have two available for use in the library].

The iPad guy uses a Mathias One keyboard, and is impressed with it [but it is NOT battery powered, and requires a USB power source. On the other hand, it can also be used with a laptop/desktop.] On the OTHER other hand, it’s only $29 from MacSales.