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For more information please contact: Chris Carter
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Sandringham School new iPads in Art Forres Primary School: iPod Holywell Primary School: iPad Holdbrook Primary School: iPod Touch
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	What is the iPod Touch?	Use in Schools	iPads
	iPod Touch & iPad
Updated Apps	Device Management & Other Considerations	Further Information

What is the iPod Touch?

Far beyond an MP3 player, which is how the iPod began, the ‘Touch’ is a powerful handheld computer with many different functions. It runs the same operating system as the iPhone, though it has no telephone functionality. With the iPod Touch you can:

• Run ‘Apps’ (programs.) There are around 300,000 apps in the Apple App Store and around 1/3 of these are free. See the section on apps below.
• Access the Internet, email etc.
• Take photos with the digital camera (4th generation only.)
• Capture video with the HD video camera (4th generation only.)
• Record sound (4th generation has built-in microphone, previous versions need plug-in microphone.)
• Watch high quality video.
• Listen to high quality sound recording.

The iPod should not be seen as a replacement for a desktop or laptop computer, but as a highly functional, mobile tool for teaching and learning.

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Use in Schools

Any handheld device, when used effectively on a one-to-one basis, provides an opportunity for independent and personalised learning. A number of schools around the county are using iPod Touch devices in the classroom, mainly at primary level. Because of the wide range of apps available, there is a wide range of potential uses, eg:

• ‘Brain training’ type games being used on a daily basis with the aim of improving mental maths skills.
• Internet access for research (eg: mobile versions of Britannica, Wikipedia etc.)
• Note taking when out of the classroom.
• Specific educational apps for spelling, maths etc.
• Drawing and animation apps.
• Watching video / listening to educational podcasts.
• Taking photographs and videos, and editing them.
• Voice recording for revision, inclusion. Make podcasts etc.
• Word games and puzzles.
• Revision apps.
• Read an ebook.
• Use certain games for inspiration for creative writing, eg Epic Citadel.
• Learn the keys of a piano with a virtual keyboard.
• Use as a classroom voting system.
• Micro blogging.
• Calendar.
• Create tools such as picture book makers.
• Calculator, stopwatch, countdown timers and other tools.
• Download an atlas, use as a pedometer, predict the weather, Google Earth etc.

A number of schools in Hertfordshire have sets of iPod Touch devices which are being used effectively in different areas of the curriculum. See case studies.

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Apps

Important information about iPod/iPad App licencing new

Please note that it is now NOT the case that schools can legally purchase an app just once and sync it to all the devices they own, if those devices are going to be used by more than one person. The Volume Licencing system for iPod / iPad apps has yet to be introduced into the UK (it exists in the USA) so there is currently no easy way to manage multiple app purchases from a single iTunes account, but it is hoped that this system will be introduced soon. This does not, of course, apply to free apps which may be downloaded to one iTunes account and synced to multiple devices (providing the terms and conditions of the individual app permit this.)

Information about how you can set up iTunes accounts without a credit card can be found here:

• http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2534

An “App” is a program that runs on the iPod Touch (or other device.) They are downloadable from the Apple App Store, either directly to the device or to a computer running iTunes, from where the app can be copied over to the devices.

Many apps are free and prices for paid-for apps start at 59p. There are hundreds of thousands of apps available and around 27,000 of these are categorised under education.

Finding suitable apps can be difficult simply because there are so many to choose from. There are some useful independent sites on the web that review and suggest useful apps for education use (see additional information below.)

Screenshot from ‘Bee Spelled’	Screenshot from ‘Explore Maths’	Screenshot from ‘Mental Maths’

Here are some free apps you might want to consider to get started. Please read our disclaimer.

• Explore Times Tables: Practice and test times tables. Ideal for KS2.
• Mental Maths Lite: Correctly answer arithmetic questions to reveal a picture.
• Google Earth: Mobile version of the popular virtual globe and map program.
• Wikipedia: Direct access to the wikipedia website through this mobile app.
• Story Kit: Create your own e-storybooks by entering text, drawing and using photos.
• Bubble Up Free: Add speech bubbles to photos. Try it in MFL or PSHE.
• Stanza: eBook reader with access to 50,000 free classics.
• Mini Piano: Use this one octave keyboard to teach the musical notes.
• Evernote: Create text, photo and audio notes, sync them with a computer and much more.

If you know any apps that are excellent for education, please contact Chris Carter to let him know! Please include details of how you use it in your school. Thank you.

Email:chris.carter@hertscc.gov.uk

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Device Management & Other Considerations

In order to successfully implement iPods into school use you will need to consider the following.

• Wifi
  If you want to access the internet etc. with your ipods you will need a robust wireless system in place capable of supporting the number of devices you have concurrently. A professional wireless survey is advised.
• Charging
  Off the shelf, ipods come with a USB cable with which you can charge the individual device from a computer. If you have multiple devices you will need a solution to charge them all at once. One such example is a ‘Parasync’ which can charge up to 20 ipods at once, and connect to a computer for device management. (See further information.)
• Syncing
  Apps can be downloaded to a computer running the iTunes program, and then synced to the ipod. The same goes for videos and other media you may wish to put on the devices. Connecting up your ipods one by one to sync with iTunes will be time consuming so a device, such as the parasync, that allows you to connect all your devices at once will make this much easier.
• eSafety
  Devices connected through the school wifi will receive filtered internet access in the same way your other computers do. However, be aware that many social networking and communication apps are available, and it may be possible, for example, to upload photos and videos to the internet from the device. There are a limited range of security options preventing access to the internet, deleting apps, explicit content and more.
• Collecting work
  Depending on what sort of work the children have been doing, collecting it all in from each and marking it can be a challenge. Sometimes the work must be emailed directly from the device to a designated email address.
• Networking
  Be aware that the iPods will not by default be able to access shared drives on your network etc.
• Advertising
  Be aware that free apps are often supported by adverts within the app.
• Headphones
  You can turn the sound off on the ipod but in many apps the sound is useful. Therefore you might need personal headphones or ear-buds for each learner. Keep these in labelled bags so they don’t get mixed up.
• Security
  Consider how you will store and mark the devices.

For further technical information about the ipods, see further information below.

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IPads

The iPad is similar to the iPod in many ways but is significantly larger and has higher technical specifications and longer battery life. Much of the information on this page can also be applied to the iPad. Its 9.7” (diagonal) touch screen lends itself to use by younger hands, and its use has been effective in some foundation stage settings. It also makes the use of video more effective and is a better size for reading ebooks. Please see our case study on iPad use at Holywell School.

• holywell case study

Many apps are specifically designed for the larger screens of the iPad and will not run on the iPod. Apps designed for the iPod will generally run on the iPad, but the graphics may not appear as good when blown up to the larger screen size.

Much of the device management and other considerations stated above for the iPod Touch also apply to the iPad. These devices charge from the mains (chargers are provided with the device.)

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Further Information

For more detailed information about device management and technical facts, download our information sheet here.

• Acrobat pdf, 1133kb/4 pages, 08/06/2011, ipod_touch_info_sheetv2.pdf

Apple’s UK iPod Touch website:

• www.apple.com/uk/ipodtouch

Toucan Computing

Apple resellers for education (including the Parasync)

•  www.toucancomputing.co.uk

Technical specifications:

• www.apple.com/ipodtouch/specs.html

Tony Vincent’s app list and iPod Touch bookmarks:

• www.delicious.com/tonyvincent/applist+ipodtouch

Learning in Hand

• iPods http://learninginhand.com/ipodtouch

Twitter

Follow the #edapp hashtag for tweets related to educations apps.

Teaching News article on iPods:

• Teaching News: iPhone and iPod apps for schools

Apple UK’s iPad Website

• http://www.apple.com/uk/ipad

Technical Specifications

• http://www.apple.com/uk/ipad/specs

Tony Vincent’s Learning in Hand iPad page

• http://www.learninginhand.com/ipad

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