Tag Archives: ipad

Essentials, iPads, Student

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 handwriting into text, unless you are the MDS Tech Director with exceptionally abysmal handwriting. Your mileage may vary.]

See https://support.gingerlabs.com/hc/en-us/articles/360013361351-New-in-3-0-for-Mac-Handwriting-Recognition#:~:text=Drag%20a%20rectangle%20around%20the%20handwriting%20you%20want,to%20copy%20the%20text%20to%20your%20Mac%27s%20clipboard. for details on how to do that.

As of Fall 2020 iPads for the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades can use the Apple Pencil, Logitech Crayon, or other styluses. 12th grade iPads and Middle School iPads can use other styluses – there is a rough list below looking at some of the options.

Please note that styli are NOT provided by the school.

The Apple Pencil
Logitech Crayon

There are a few general categories of styluses available:

  • Apple Pencil – More expensive, but works VERY well.
  • Logitech Crayon – less expensive than the Apple Pencil. Has some different features that make it an intriguing choice.
  • Bluetooth attached – these require a pairing process, which usually works quite well. The quality level can vary a lot, as does the price.
  • “Capacitive” styluses – these work on all the iPads on campus, but there is a great variety in pricing and quality. Generally these have a “smushy rubbery” tip, though some have a “harder” tip.
    Some people love them, others can’t stand them.
  • There are also some with a small round disc at the end of the stylus.
  • You will see references to “active” styli – generally that means there are some electronics involved [bluetooth] and charging a battery.
A quick web search for “iPad Stylus” gives many options and prices.

Some general advice:

  • There is a wide variant on what is acceptable to the person using the stylus.
  • If you [or your student] is prone to lose things, but really wants or needs a stylus, the best advice is to use a cheaper one.
  • The Apple Pencil is arguably the superior choice, especially is using it for long stretches of time – but at $100 or more losing it is quite painful.
  • The Logitech Crayon, which is in the $60 range, is less painful if lost. It also works very well, and has some advantages over the Apple Pencil [for example, the shape means in will not roll off the desk.}
iPads, Student

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 take care of these things, if your iPad is operational:

1) Confirm that Notability files are being backed up – in Notability, click the gear icon, bottom left. Select Autobackup, and make sure there’s a checkmark beside Google Drive.if there isn’t check it, login, and let the backups commence.

2) Fire up Google Photos. Make sure your photos and videos are backing up to Drive. Click the “hamburger menu” – the three horizontal lines at the top right.

3) if you have anything else that you’d like to keep – Textilus documents, iMovies, etc – find a way to stash them somewhere. You could send them to Drive, or email them to yourself. Each app has it’s own solution.

Then contact MDS Tech to arrange a time to meet in the ARC. We are working partly on campus and partly from home.

Note that the standard policies apply here – there is a $100 charge for the repairs [which usually cost much more than that]. The business office will send an invoice in due course.


iPads

Basic iPad Advice

Here are some things to check and some things to do to prevent some headaches with your iPad:

Reboot

Do the iPad reboot dance – DON’T just shut it down, you MUST swipe out of all your running apps. THEN shut it down, wait 20 seconds, crank it back up again.

Clear it out

You always need to leave some working room on your device. Running out of space causes quite a few really weird symptoms. CLICK HERE for details on how to check and what to do.

Update your OS

If you have an operating system update pending, that it taking up room on your iPad, AND often the system update fixes bugs and adds new features. PLUG IN YOUR IPAD and the open up Settings –> General –> System Update, and install it.