Have You Got it COVERED?

There are literally hundreds of different iPad cover styles and colours and to a certain extent, the choice should be yours to make, with your child. If you are prepared to wait some weeks for delivery, eBay shops will save you money. Just note any delivery fees and take those into account when selecting a cover.

Some of the options include:

• Stands

Being able to safely prop up your iPad to view a video, without leaning over the screen or holding the device up with both hands can be very useful. Some stands also offer a lower level prop, which enables more ergonomic use of the onscreen keyboard. Look for both options.

The ability to prop the iPad at different levels is very handy

• Keyboards

These seem like a good idea but they make the cover very bulky and unwieldy if you simply want to use the camera. Unless an occupational therapist has advised that your child avoid the onscreen keyboard, it's best to avoid covers with built-in keyboards. While they're at primary school, students don't often type large volumes of text on the iPads. If you do want to give them access to a keyboard, you may be better off purchasing a separate bluetooth keyboard that you keep at home. This will provide a full-sized, tactile keyboard that doesn't have to stay attached to the iPad. Please note this is not a requirement for the program. For the great majority of students, the onscreen keyboard is adequate.

A case with a built-in keyboard can be bulky and unwieldy.

• Screen protectors

The cover should have a flap which covers the screen while the iPad is being transported. Some "tough" covers protect the screen with transparent plastic. This can become scratched and because it does not adhere to the iPad screen, it can inhibit the function of the fixed screen. We have found that as long as the corners of the iPad are adequately protected, and the flap closed when not in use, the tough "gorilla glass" screen is very scratch resistant. Avoiding a plastic screen protector will give you the best experience with the touch screen as its sensitivity is not inhibited.

A flap that closes over the screen will help prevent cracking or shattering on impact.

• Stylus

Access to a stylus is not necessary for the 1 to 1 program. To borrow the words of Steve Jobs, "God gave us ten!" These items may make drawing, writing onscreen or extremely precise use of certain apps easier for some students but they're very easy to misplace so should probably stay at home, unless they can attach to the cover in some way.

A stylus is not be necessary for school use.

• Corner protection

Please choose a cover that offers good protection of the corners of the iPad.  If the iPad is dropped, the corners are the most vulnerable part of the screen and any cracks or breakages will most likely originate here.

The corners need extra protection from impact damage.

• Camera Access

The cover needs to fit snugly. This will make it less likely that the precious iPad may slip out of the cover when in use. Also, make sure you purchase the correct cover for your particular iPad model (e.g. the iPad Air is slightly thinner and narrow than previous models). If the iPad can move around inside the case, it is likely the camera lens may be obscured. This can make use of the camera extremely frustrating. Check the holes/openings for the camera (mic and speakers). They need to offer a sufficient margin for each feature. For example, part of the camera lens may be obscured by the thick edge of the iPad cover, causing a shadow or blur at the edge of each photo.

Whatever cover you choose, the iPad AND cover should be clearly labelled with the student's name. This will allow quick return if the iPad is left lying around the classroom.

Ensure the case does not restrict the iPad camera lenses.

The sheer variety of iPad cases on the market today should ensure that every child will find one to reflect their own personality and help them to instantly recognise their own iPad in the classroom. 

Parents, please remember that you don't have to spend much for an adequate iPad case. All the cases we use for school devices cost between $10 and $20 each on eBay.