Helping you get more work done on your iPad with less aggravation
- 9th grade iPads - NO HOME BUTTON! -
The new 9th grade iPads are the 10th generation, which means they have no home button. While I realize this is old news for some, for others it is a
- 9th Grade: the [second] iPad Handout for 2024 -
You have a decision to make on HOW you will go about getting your data transferred from your old iPad to the new one.
Soon you will fill out a
- Stretch out your iPad Battery -
Here are 8 tips for stretching out your iPad battery life.
Use Dark Mode
Check Battery usage per app
Turn on Low Power Mode
Disable
- Tired of Tapping? Use an External Keyboard on Your iPhone and Unlock Tons of Keyboard Shortcuts -
Original source article is at
- THE GREAT 2024 IPAD TURNIN -
iPads, as usual, must be turned in before you may receive your grades. Details on dates, what to turn in, policies, etc. are
- Make **SURE** your notes are backing up from Notability to Drive -
Following these instructions means you can access your Notability notes using any internet-connected device than can read PDF
- Notability and Google Drive - the 2023 edition -
It is CRITICAL that you have your Notability notes backing up to Drive, AND in the correct format. This lets you retrieve your Notes using ANY
- BEFORE switching to a Managed AppleID -
We are [slowly] migrating to using managed AppleIDs. BEFORE you switch away from your old one:
Fire up Notability
Switch to
- MY NOTABILITY FILES DISAPPEARED! -
If you were switching to a Managed AppleID, and forgot [or didn't know to] turn OFF the iCloud Sync in Notability..... then all of your Notes just
- iPad OS 17: what's new, and should you update? -
Updating is OPTIONAL at this point. MDS Tech has not tested the new OS just yet, but we anticipate there will be only a few issues since we have
- iMovie to Schoology -
Here's how to get an iMovie project submitted to Schoology
Click on your project [NOT "Edit"]
Click the "Share" Icon
Select Schoology as
- Make sure your iPad is ready -
Make sure you got all of these tasks completed on your iPad - believe me, it will save you some hassles down the road!
ONE: Connected to the
- THE GREAT 2023 IPAD TURNIN: SENIORS TAKING AP EXAMS -
These instructions are only for SENIORS who ARE or have taken their AP exams.
iPads, as usual, must be turned in before you may graduate, get
- The GREAT 2023 IPAD TURNIN -
iPads, as usual, must be turned in before you may receive your grades. Details on dates, what to turn in, policies, etc. are below.
NEW THIS
- The Great 2023 iPad Turnin: SENIORS -
These instructions are for SENIORS only.
iPads, as usual, must be turned in before you may graduate, get transcripts, and all that necessary
- Shared iPads: Saving Notability files and emailing them -
On the Middle School Shared iPads, you cannot use the Mail app. So how do you email your teacher?
Here's how - open this
- Tired of seeing Cupertino's weather on your iPad? -
Here's how to change the Weather Widget on your ipad from Cupertino to something a LITTLE closer to home.
The Weather Widget on an
- iPad is Disabled - what to do -
What to do if your ipad is Disabled
Why this happens: You typed in your passcode too many times
How to fix it: Bring your ipad to the iPad
- Busted iPad? Here's what to do -
What to do if your iPad looks like this
First:Make sure your Notability notes are backed up to Drive.
Notability --> Gear icon [bottom left]
- Schoology: Logging in, Submitting Assignments, Drive and Schoology -
By the way, it is pronounced "cchool-ogy", not "schoo-ah-logy"
Logging in
Select "Log into your School". DO NOT select "Login with Schoology"
- Get Ready for the Great 2022 iPad Turnin -
Early Turnin - Upper School:
Wed - Fri May 11 - 13, probably in DS1. This is ONLY for those who want to turn in the iPads early, AND do not
- iPad: What's that "Other" thing taking up so much space? -
Much of this information is taken from https://www.macworld.com/article/232651/iphone-other-storage-what-is-it-and-how-do-you-delete-it.html
If
- Cool Stuff in Notability -
Drawing doughnuts? Record Audio? Scan Documents? Convert handwriting into text? [well, maybe not the Computer Curmudgeon's handwriting....] Read
- Aleks --> what to do when it doesn't work on your iPad -
When Aleks refuses to work, here are some things to check.
FIRST
Aleks provides a “check your setup” screen to help in checking these
- UPDATE YOUR IPAD -
As of January 27, 2022, Apple released an update to IOS 15 that plugs a major security hole. Update your iPad at home. TONIGHT. It is **that**
- iPads and Printing -
If you are having trouble printing on your iPad - AND other students **can** print - here are some things to check:
Step One:
Correct
- Powerschool vs Powerschool Learning apps -
**THIS** is the app to use to access the MDS LMS
There are two powerschool apps on your ipad: Powerschool Learning, used to access the LMS, and
- iPad Turnin Mon May 10 - Fri May 14 -
The Bullet-point details:
When: Monday May 10 through Friday May 14, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.Where: THE ARC [no where else]Who: The student turns in
- SENIORS:iPad Turnin Details -
BEFORE YOU TURN IT IN:
Components required: iPad, Apple certified iPad block, cable, case/screeniPad MUST have at least a 20% charge
If the
- HOW TO: Get an assignment from PS LMS to Notability on your iPad -
... and then email it to your teacher.
Find and tap on the PS (PowerSchool app)
PowerSchool should load and log you into your
- Dark iPad Apps? Here's what to do -
If you have one or several iPad apps that are "dark", still installing, and/or giving you a message saying you need to purchase the app from the app
- Meet, LMS, Mail, Drive without your iPad apps -
Even if your iPad apps are "dark" or missing - or your iPad is broken - you can still access the LMS, use Google Meet, access Google Drive, and
- 2022 iPad Handout -
--> This is a link to the Setup Slideshow. <--
Step One
Get on the network [Settings --> WiFi]
Choose MDS-Student. MDS*****,
- iPads and Styluses -
One of the attractions of using the iPads is the ability to handwrite on the screen. This is especially useful in Notability [which can convert your
- Making sure you can connect: Google Meet -
With Google Meet there is an option to use a Shortcut. This stays the same from session to session and makes it easy for everyone to get into the
- AP Students: LockDown Browser -
Dr. Franklin will be coordinating the details on taking your AP exam. This article will discuss the software you will need to take the exam.
Note
- What to do if your iPad needs to be repaired -
These are the things MDS Tech does to prepare your iPad for replacement. During this eLearning season, the process needs to change.
Make sure you
- iMovie: Do you know how? -
First, some advice:
LANDSCAPE ORIENTATION - over 90% of the time you should be shooting in Landscape orientation [a.k.a. SIDEWAYS]. The ONLY
- iPad Tips and Tricks -
Gestures, Split View, and More make the iPad even more useful.
Most of this information covers IOS 13 - so if you have not updated, GET IT DONE
- Get better at using your iPad [and save time] -
As one article says, 'It's important to learn the ways you can navigate in the OS with as little friction as possible".... in other words, get your
- Aleks and iPads: The Fall 2019 edition -
IOS 13 and Aleks have made some changes. If you are unable to get your Aleks work done on your iPad, try switching the version that your iPad is
- Notability: You won't believe what you can do -
Since it is our primary go-to app for getting stuff done on your iPad, it is REALLY worth your time to learn it well.
First, some pointers from
- iPad: Easy Fixes to several problems -
When your iPad is wonky, the first things to do [before asking for help!] is:
1: Do the ipad reboot dance.
- Notability, iCloud, Docs gone, Google Drive -
Friday 2:00 pm update: Waiting on tech support to get back to me.Friday 2:30: Our issue has reached the front of the line and someone is looking at
- iPad: The "Standard Apps List" -
The list of iPad apps that all middle school students should have on their iPads:
Catholic New American Bible RE, CheckersChess - Learn Chess
- Notability: Backup to Drive, Retrieve from Drive -
Backing up Notability to Drive
Make SURE your Notability files are backing up to Google Drive
First, Open Notability.
2. On the screen
- iPads, Styli, and such -
There are three basic types of styli available for use with iPads - but which ones can be used depends on what model iPad you have [each class has a
- The Great 2019 iPad Turnin -
Seniors are up first
Here are all the details you need:
WHAT to turn in
iPad in its caseCharger cable [even if damaged]Charger
- The Great 2019 iPad Turnin: Seniors -
Seniors are up first
Here are all the details you need:
WHAT to turn in
iPad in its caseCharger cable [even if damaged]Charger
- iPad Battery Checkout -
Recharge your iPad on the go
If you are tired of being stressed out because you forgot to charge your iPad last night like you were supposed to -
- Notability and iCloud - The newest versions of Notability automatically stash your Notes in iCloud - which is nice UNTIL something goes awry.
THE SYMPTOM:
Notability is as
- IOS 12 and missing iBooks - If you have upgraded your iPad to IOS 12, and now your iBooks are missing, try these fixes [taken from a variety of locations across the web}:
- Sadlier Connect problems - If you are one of the "lucky" students who have a Sadlier assignment not loading on your iPad, please help out MDS Tech - try the things listed
- Read books on your iPad [for fun, not for class] - If you'd like to "check out" ebooks on your iPad, there are TWO ways:
The MackinVia app already on your iPad. CLICK HERE for instructions on setting
- iPad cables and Chargers --> BEWARE OF EL CHEAPO - While it is possible to find "bargains" on eBay or at your local convenience store - DON'T use them with your iPad [or any other Apple product, for
- iPad Cables and Chargers --> LEAVE THEM HOME! - We've seen a number of students walking around campus with their iPad cables and chargers.
LEAVE THEM AT HOME!
Why?
You are responsible for
- If you have not turned in your iPad yet - We are on a Summer Schedule - the hours are 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Monday through Thursday.
Bring the iPad to the Front Office in Sheridan Hall -
- The Great 2018 iPad Turnin -
Here are the dates when you will turn in your iPads.
READ THIS ENTIRE ENTRY FOR ALL THE DETAILS!
WHEN
MIDDLE SCHOOL:
You will turn your iPad
- The Great 2018 iPad Turnin: Seniors - SENIORS
Here are the dates when you will turn in your iPads.
READ THIS ENTIRE ENTRY FOR ALL THE DETAILS!
WHEN
FIRST POSSIBLE DATE:
- iPads: Turn Two-Factor Authentication OFF - Some students have turned what is called Two-Factor Authentication on inside their iCloud account.
For most of your digital devices, this is a
- Don't FRY your iPad! - MDS tech has seen three iPads that have been electrically fried, resulting in a need for replacement [and a bill sent out].
According to tech
- My iPad can't.....[problems] - Some basic things to check when your iPad is misbehaving - weird problems like email not downloading, or not being able to download Moodle docs into
- Black iPad Apps - what to do - If you have apps on your ipad that are "black" or "grayed out" or just "won't work", here are some things to try:
First, make sure you have a
- iPad out of room - Here's how to tell how much storage you have used on your iPad, and how to tell what is using it up:
To see how much storage you have already
- IOS 11 is here...but wait! - IOS11 is here - but hang on a second before you update your school iPad.
Here are some things to think about:
Not everyone can update.
- AppleID - Are you signed in? - If you are NOT signed in to your iCloud/AppleID account, then Find My iPad will NOT work. This might not seem like a big deal now, but will be when
- iPad apps not installing? - Sometimes when app are installing while you are at school, then you go home, then come back to school the next day, the app install process
- iPad App Portal - New to the ipads this year is the App Portal, a place where students can download a selection of apps to their iPad.
No - not just any apps in the
- My iPad is in the wrong time zone! - If your iPad clock is a few hours off [it thinks it's still in California...], here's how to bring it to Eastern time:
Settings-->Privacy
- iPad Setup details - What buttons to push to get your iPad setup:
1) Get on the Network
• Find the Settings app
• Click Wi-Fi
• Select the network MDS-Student
• A
- Keynote - TONS of new features - Keynote had a huge update posted after school got out for the summer. The article below has a full listing of the new features, which includes some
- The Great iPad Turnin: Middle School - READ THIS ENTIRE ENTRY FOR ALL THE DETAILS:
WHEN
The last two days of school [Monday-Tuesday May 22,23]
THE ABSOLUTE LAST DAY
TO TURN IN YOUR
- The Great 2017 iPad Turnin: Underclassmen -
Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors:
Here are the dates when you will turn in your iPads.
READ THIS ENTIRE ENTRY FOR ALL THE
- The Great 2017 iPad Turnin: Info for Seniors -
Seniors, here are the dates when you will turn in your iPads. READ THIS ENTIRE ENTRY FOR ALL THE DETAILS:
WHEN
FIRST POSSIBLE DATE: Wednesday,
- IOS 10 - make the home button friendly again - NOTE: this is only applicable to those who have Air2 iPads AND have setup your fingerprints to open up your iPad.
If you miss just resting your
- The Great 2017 iPad Turnin is Coming! - Seniors:
Starting April 26th.
Upper School:
Starting May 17.
Middle School:
Starting May 22.
WATCH
THE TECH SITE
FOR
- The Great 2017 iPad Turnin: Fast Approaching - The Great
IS COMING
For upper school, the first possible day is the day your exam exemptions are announced.
For Seniors, that is Wednesday
- Dark Apps - Can't get my typing done - help! - Sometimes when MDS Tech pushes out app updates on the iPads it takes a while for everything to get updated.
The first things you need to do:
- Is your iPad data backed up? MAKE SURE before disaster strikes. - We've had several students lately who have lost data because they had not correctly setup their backups - and then their iPads were either damaged or
- DON'T BUY FAKE iPAD CHARGERS! - Genuine Apple Charger on the left. Look closely at the Counterfeit one on the right - several
- Find my iPad - PDF version - Click here to get a pdf with detailed instructions
on using Find My iPad: Lost iPad
- "Black" ipad apps - "Doing the Dance" - If you have an app that STAYS black [which means the iPad has made room for it, but has NOT downloaded and installed it], then MDS Tech might ask you
- Before turning in your busted iPad - things to do - If the iPad Guy has asked you to swap out your iPad, here is a list of things you need to do on your OLD iPad before turning it in.
If you can't -
- Move Pix/Vids from Drive to iPad - Sometimes you need to move a picture or video that you've stashed in Drive, so you can use in on your iPad [in iMovie, for example].
Here's
- Want Garageband or Numbers on your iPad? - Before you send that email to The iPad Guy telling him that you'd like to have either of these apps, make certain you have enough space on your
- iCloud - how to setup your account - The MUST list:
you MUST use your MDS email address
you MUST use your Moodle password [or if your moodle password is missing a number, add
- Save Your Data! [what to do after your iPad gets wiped] - Here's what you need to MAKE SURE gets setup after your iPad gets wiped - or better yet, BEFORE something happens to your iPad.
The Short List
- My iPad isn't working - no email, no printing, no web surfing - Problem: If your iPad all of a sudden stops working oncampus, it is most likely because your subscription to the network has expired.
It MUST be
- Notability Not Working - If Notability seems to start up when you click the icon, and then it disappears:
Step One - Clear the Decks:
Swipe out of all your running apps
- iPads: Clear Cache and Cookies in Web Browser - Here's how to clear the Cache and Cookies on your iPad web browsers.
For Safari:
Settings –> Safari
Click the “Clear Cookies and Data”
- 2016 iPad Apps for Middle School - Here's the list of iPad apps that should be on your iPads. It will probably change as we go through the school year.
SOME grades will have
- Get files FROM Drive TO Notability - Normally you set Notability to automatically backup your docs to Drive. Sometimes you need to reverse that process - pull some material from Drive
- Getting ready for the First Official iPad Hospital Day - Tuesday 8/23/16 we will be holding the
First Official Upper School
iPad Hospital Day.
At a designated time [AND NOT BEFORE!] you can drop off
- Missing iPad Apps - If you still haven't seen your apps appear, here are some things to check.
Is your iPad up-to-date?
Settings --> General --> Software
- iPad - the time is wrong! - Here's how to fix it if the time on your iPad is off by several hours:
Settings --> General --> Date and Time
If "Set Automatically" is
- iPad Apps List - August 2016 - Here is the starting iPad apps list on student iPads. This WILL change as we progress during the semester, and it does NOT contain any class-specific
- The Great 2016 iPad Turnin is here! - Details about turning in your iPad, including dates.
NOTE: Your iPad MUST be powered on to turn it in. If it is dead we will NOT accept it.
You
- Are my iPad files being backed up? - Here's how to make sure your Notability files and Pix/Videos are backed up.
Notability
Open Google Drive. Look for for the folder
- Textilus and TurnItIn: Here's How - Here is how to get a document you've created in Textilus on your iPad to the TurnItIn account.
PREREQUISITE: You MUST be logged into your Drive
- IOS 9 Battery - get more day out of your iPad! - Here are some tips to make your iPad battery last longer - and make it easier to keep track of your battery.
THE BEST TIP IS
PLUG THE THING IN AT
- IPAD UNAVAILABLE - so I don't have to do my homework, right? -
"My iPad isn't working"
"Mr. Rule has my iPad so I don't have to do my homework"
"I tried to send my homework and it didn't work so I don't
- No connection to Wi-Fi - Access Denied -
If your subscription to the
- Find my iPad - how to use - If you have lost or misplaced your iPad, here's how to use "Find my iPad" to figure out where it is.
This only works if
you have correctly
- iPad: FindmyiPad, Privacy settings - There are several privacy settings that MUST be set on your school iPad - and several that are your call, but that the iPad guy recommends [unless
- Kindle App - how to use -
Here is some info from the web
on using the Kindle app.
To download titles your device must be connected to a wireless or
- iPad not working? Can't get on the Web? - If your iPad
can't get on the web
can't access your eText
can't fetch email
....or do anything else that required network access to the
- Aleks - iPads - won't load - If ALEKS won't load on your iPad [but it does on other's iPads], then you should clear out your web cache. Click any graphic below to see a larger
- iPad Setup - 6th grade - Fall 2015 - Gestures
Swipe
Octopus Squish
3-finger swipe
2 finger Zoom
Buttons
Power
Home
Once = home screen
Twice = All
- iPad Turnin - quick notes - WHEN?
Check THE PREVIOUS POST. It has all the details.
WHERE?
Turn in your iPad to the ARC. There's a table there.
WHAT?
Turn in
- The Great 2015 iPad Turnin - Before reading the below, go bone up on some
Quantum Physics* and Schenkerian Analysis**.
Ready?
FIRST, pick your group below.
THEN read
- Setting up the Meraki MDM app - Here are some vague directions for getting the Meraki MDM app setup. This is best done at school, on campus - it's easier for some technical reasons
- Setting up your AppleID and Find my iPad - If you never setup Find my iPad or iCloud or your AppleID, here's a vague outline on how to proceed.
Check your Moodle password. Does it have a
- Improve your Battery Life - This applies to iPads as well as iPhones. Taken from THIS ARTICLE over at ZDnet, here are a whole slew of ways to stretch your iPad battery. At the
- My iPad is busted. What do I do? -
If your iPad is PHYSICALLY damaged
- VRP 7 iPad app - record/edit/export audio -
SFX = "Sound Effects"
LISTEN - REAL closely. Close your eyes to see if that's a sound you can use.
Close vs Far - Putting mic close to the
- Can I print from my iPad? - Click for the bigger version
Anywhere on campus, you can call up the print menu [look for the "export" icon - a rectangle with an arrow coming OUT
- 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 -->
- 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
- 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
- Submit Assignments into Moodle AWAY FROM YOUR iPAD! - Let's assume for a moment that you have tried to submit a Google Drive file into a Moodle assignment using your iPad - and it doesn't work.
Let's
- Notability issue - Out of Storage - Think of your ipad as a filing cabinet with a limited amount of storage. If you fill up your filing cabinet, then nothing more can be stashed there
- iBook not downloading? - If your purchased iBook is not downloading, here are a couple of things to doublecheck:
Make sure you are indeed on the network. Try going to an
- Moodle <--> Drive errors [Cannot submit an assignment] - If you are getting arcane technical errors when trying to submit an assignment
using your iPad
in Moodle
from Google Drive
[things
- Adding sound to iPad iMovie - Let's say you are working on an iMovie and want to add some music or audio that is NOT builtin. Here are some options:
Setup your personal iTunes
- Saving time in IOS8 Mail - Techrepublic.com published an article on using Mail and iMessage in IOS8 that you might find useful.
CLICK HERE to read it
THe tips covered
- After your iPad was wiped out.... - [January 2017 update]
Sometimes your iPad has to be wiped clean of all your data....here is a list of everything you need to make sure everything
- "There's not enough room to update to 8" -
Check other apps that might be taking up room.
Music - delete it all.
Photo Stream - turn it off. That takes up room.
Google apps - Docs,
- IOS 8 - YES you can update! - After some [NON-thorough] testing, it looks like OS 8 will work OK on our setups here at MDS.
Here are the "gotchas":
You MUST have 5.9 gigs
- Kindle App - setup - Students - you will be receiving [if you haven't already received it!] an email with your kindle account information.
Here is how to setup
- iPad: Make your battery's charge last longer - Want to make your battery last longer in your iPad [or iphone, for that matter]?
Turn off as many Notifications as you can
Decrease the
- iPad Setup: August 2014 edition - Here are the concise instructions for getting the first part of your iPad setup.
Click here -->iPad handout 2014
if you'd like the PDF version
- The Great iPad TurnIn Event: 2014 edition [Middle School] - We'll be taking your iPads up on MONDAY, MAY19 during the school day.
This is a LONG message - please read ALL of it!
Here's the
- iPad Keyboards and Styluses - As we approach One-to-One status, several have asked the iPad guy about picking up keyboards and styluses for use with their iPads next
- iPad Questions part 3: Apps, Control Center, Notification Center, Spotlight - Another video describing basic iPad stuff, such as
Switching between apps
Seeing all the apps that are currently active
Closing an
- iPad Questions part 2: Get your Apps Organized - How to move your apps around and get them organized. How to put them in folders on screen, plus a few other tips.
[youtube
- iPad questions, Part 1 - Answering many questions people have about basics on their iPad. This video [click here for the direct youtube link] covers:
Buttons
Turning it
- Photon Web Browser - Tips - Photon is an iPad web browser that allows you to access website that use Flash. The biggest thing to remember is that anything Flash will NOT run
- Photon EDU Setup - Photon EDU is a flash-enabled web browser we'll be using - but before you can use it, there is some setup you have to do.
1. Start up Photon
- iPad notes - 12/18/13 - The announcement video that didn't quite playback well. Has a couple of tips and notes on taking care of your iPad.
CLICK HERE to watch on youtube
- ePub texts - how to read - You might run across an ePub book. How do you read it?
[NOTE: We haven't had a chance to test out these on our machines, so your mileage may vary.
- iPads - printing at home - YES, you can print from your ipad at home, but you must have a wireless network active at the house, and your ipad must be connected to it.
1.
If
- iPad Backups- how and why - Scroll all the way down to fetch a PDF version of this info.
CLICK HERE for an update about Notability.
At the risk of stating the obvious, you
- Oh, no! My iPad is in Recovery mode! - Your iPad is in "Recovery Mode" when the screen looks like this:
Things NOT to do:
Do NOT attach it to iTunes
Do NOT try to restore it
- iPad Camera Roll to your Teacher [Dept iPad Set] - Say you have a Department iPad set, the students have produced some media [pictures or videos] and you need to fetch a copy. Here's how:
On the
- iPad movies and pictures to Google Drive - A quick note on how to get movies and pictures from your iPad to your Google Drive.
1. Fire up Google Drive
2. Click the UPLOAD icon [a plus
- MS iPad Setup - 201 - The 11-minute youtube video is at
http://youtu.be/t6AZiNiV2a4
1. From the "Hello" screen
Swipe to start
YES - enable Location
It
- iPad setup - Middle School - CLICK HERE for the video version [You can ignore a lot of the stuff before the "Use you iPad" part.]
HERE is the Google Doc version
The text
- How to get the school contact list on your iPad - When sending an email, it's handy to have an email address popup as you're typing. That's normally what happens when you have someone in your
- Easy Photo Presenting - Photography Class - Photography Class - Easy Presentations
Two Methods
Google Drive
Easy
No editing or control over order
Photoshop - export to