Students

Helping you get more work done on your iPad with less aggravation


  • 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 - 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

  • 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

Notes, Tips, Hints, & Answers