Parents, if you will have more than one child in Years 4, 5 or 6 next year, you may be able to save on school apps via Apple's new iOS feature, "Family Sharing".
What is Family Sharing?
With Family Sharing, you nominate one Apple ID account-holder as "head" of the household. This Apple ID account-holder invites up to 6 family members to share apps owned by the "head" account. The "head" Apple ID must be owned by an adult but as all our parents effectively own and manage their children's school Apple IDs, there seems to be no reason why you can't nominate your eldest child's school Apple ID as "head". Apparently, all you need to do is turn on Family Sharing on each device. You can read more information about Family Sharing on the Apple website.
Does each of my children still need their own Apple ID?
Absolutely! Their Apple ID will link to their iCloud space and allow them to keep their iCloud documents, messages, photos and videos separate from other family account users.
Can I get my App Levy refunded?
If you choose to set up Family Sharing, you may request (from the school) a refund of the $40 app levy you have paid on the 2015 booklist. App levies will be refunded as credit on your school fee account. To apply for an App Levy refund you must email Maria and Anne BEFORE app redemption codes are distributed to students.
Maria: mmead[insert 'at' sign here]bne.catholic.edu.au
Anne: amkelly[insert 'at' sign here]bne.catholic.edu.au
Will the school be 'out of pocket' if I do?
The school has already purchased the paid app codes required for our 2015 iPad students. Once app redemption codes are redeemed they cannot be refunded or transferred to a different Apple ID. However, if you let us know that you won't need the app codes for second and/or subsequent children in the program BEFORE we email them out, we can hold these codes back until they're needed for the following year's group. They will not expire.
Is there a catch?
The catch is, several apps are new on the "Paid Apps" list this year so you will need to purchase those yourself at full price. Cost details and links below. The apps listed below are required in addition to the paid apps required (and purchased by the school) in previous years.
Unfortunately, you have an 'all or nothing' choice. Administrative processes are laborious and we are not able to have families pick and choose which app codes are needed for each child from the list. The school can only access Volume Purchasing discounts when purchasing 20 or more licenses in one transaction. So, you have the following two options:
NEW "Paid" apps for 2015
What is Family Sharing?
With Family Sharing, you nominate one Apple ID account-holder as "head" of the household. This Apple ID account-holder invites up to 6 family members to share apps owned by the "head" account. The "head" Apple ID must be owned by an adult but as all our parents effectively own and manage their children's school Apple IDs, there seems to be no reason why you can't nominate your eldest child's school Apple ID as "head". Apparently, all you need to do is turn on Family Sharing on each device. You can read more information about Family Sharing on the Apple website.
Does each of my children still need their own Apple ID?
Absolutely! Their Apple ID will link to their iCloud space and allow them to keep their iCloud documents, messages, photos and videos separate from other family account users.
Can I get my App Levy refunded?
If you choose to set up Family Sharing, you may request (from the school) a refund of the $40 app levy you have paid on the 2015 booklist. App levies will be refunded as credit on your school fee account. To apply for an App Levy refund you must email Maria and Anne BEFORE app redemption codes are distributed to students.
Maria: mmead[insert 'at' sign here]bne.catholic.edu.au
Anne: amkelly[insert 'at' sign here]bne.catholic.edu.au
Will the school be 'out of pocket' if I do?
The school has already purchased the paid app codes required for our 2015 iPad students. Once app redemption codes are redeemed they cannot be refunded or transferred to a different Apple ID. However, if you let us know that you won't need the app codes for second and/or subsequent children in the program BEFORE we email them out, we can hold these codes back until they're needed for the following year's group. They will not expire.
Is there a catch?
The catch is, several apps are new on the "Paid Apps" list this year so you will need to purchase those yourself at full price. Cost details and links below. The apps listed below are required in addition to the paid apps required (and purchased by the school) in previous years.
Unfortunately, you have an 'all or nothing' choice. Administrative processes are laborious and we are not able to have families pick and choose which app codes are needed for each child from the list. The school can only access Volume Purchasing discounts when purchasing 20 or more licenses in one transaction. So, you have the following two options:
A) Set up Family Sharing, ask to have your $40 app levy refunded for subsequent children in the program, and purchase the additional apps (in the list below) at full price for the "head" Apple ID account.
OR
B) Leave the arrangement as is and have all required paid app codes emailed by the school as planned.
NEW "Paid" apps for 2015
- 30 Hands Pro - currently $7.49
- Scan - currently $2.49
- Protractor Tool - currently $1.29
- Calculator (7th Gear) - currently $1.29
- Spelling Notebook - currently $1.29
- Sock Puppets Complete - currently $4.99
So if you only have one child in 4 5 6 this doesn't apply to you? Is that correct? Why do they have to pay$1.29 for a calculator surely there are free calculator apps?
ReplyDeleteAnyone can benefit from Family Sharing if there is more than one person in that family with an Apple ID. Apps owned by one member can be shared by up to six family members. I suggest you read more about it at the Apple website or call in to an Apple Store to have it explained and demonstrated.
ReplyDeleteSaving the $40 app levy however, does not apply unless you have more than one child in the school iPad program.
The classroom teachers choose apps based on their features and we always try to avoid excessive in-app purchases and advertising. Many of the free calculator apps we have trialled have scrolling banner ads which can be very distracting for young learners. Teachers put a great deal of time and thought into selecting versatile apps which support all learning areas of the curriculum across the senior primary years.
This year, due to reductions in prices of some of the other paid apps we use, the decision was made to use a paid calculator app. The one that was selected features a scribble pad and handwriting recognition so that students can write their equations rather than hit numeric keys on a keypad. The functions of this app are better suited to natural ways of working than any free ones we have seen.
Hi.
ReplyDeleteWith one child using the ipad in grade 4 this year and paying the $40 Levy do we have to purchase additional apps or is everything they need supplied in the Levy? When do the school plan to send out app codes so we can pre load the apps?
No there will be no need to purchase additional apps. Everything the students require for the THREE year program is included in the levy.
ReplyDeleteRedemption codes will be emailed to students within the first few weeks. We have to wait for all families to finalise levies and to ascertain exact numbers of students. It's also quite a time-consuming process with 5 classes of students to induct this year. We won't be wasting class time however - the free apps will keep the students quite busy in the interim. The list of free apps required is on the Documents page of this blog. You can download these at any time.
If anyone needs further information about Family Sharing, for subsequent children entering the program, I came across a relevant article here: http://techgirlsavvy.com/2014/12/26/ishare-with-family/
ReplyDeleteJust a reminder though, if you choose to follow the instructions on this web page, that you do not need to create an Apple ID for your child as described. Your child's Apple ID must be created beforehand, using their school email address.