Getting Our Heads in the Cloud

The floppy disc era is ancient history, at least in technological terms.
CDs and DVDs have been on the way out for years.
USB sticks were only ever designed for short term transportation of files, as they can so easily fail (and they don't take kindly to passing through the wash in someone's pocket!).
Hard disk drives can only ever be in one location at a time. If they are lost or damaged, so is all your data.
But fear not, "Cloud" storage options are coming to our rescue...

 

What is this "Cloud" thing anyway?

"The Cloud" is really just another metaphor for the world wide web - the huge network of computers and servers around the world that are connected via the internet. Many companies such as Google, Adobe, Amazon and Apple run huge server "farms", housed in enormous warehouses all over the world. They can use their global network of computers and servers to store and process information. By sharing resources they can (supposedly) optimise performance and ensure that important data is safely "backed up" and always accessible as it's not sorted in only one location.

Why bother with "Cloud Storage"?

Anyone who relies on digitally stored files will probably have a sad story to tell of precious photos lost on failed hard drives or hours of work down the drain due to hardware malfunction, loss or theft.

When we sync files to an online storage facility, we can be confident that we can retrieve an up to date copy of our data whenever and wherever we need it. Online services such as Google Drive or Adobe Creative Suite allow users to access and use data from multiple devices and locations

It's important that we help our students to begin good file management habits from the moment they begin to rely on a digital device for their learning. They need to be aware of where their files (photos, documents and projects) are stored and which of their files should be safely backed up.

What happens to my apps and other stored data if something happens to my iPad?

Many of our 1 to 1 students have already been "saved by the Cloud" when their iPads have "died", locked up due to a forgotten passcode, or required a total reset (erase) for some other reason. We should never rely on storing important files in only one place (such as the iPad).

You won't have to worry about your iPad apps. Once an app is purchased or installed under an Apple ID, it will always be associated with that Apple ID. Even if the app is deleted from the iPad, it can be downloaded again at no extra charge (on up to 5 personal devices). But what about your child's photos and other school work? How safe are these files if the iPad is compromised?

Here's the drum on our recommended Cloud storage options, and how to configure the iPad to maximise your free alternatives:

1. Google Drive
Brisbane Catholic Education provides all students at St Catherine's with a modified Google Drive account linked to their BCE mail account. Please note that students will NOT have access to YouTube or Google+ as these are social media tools and therefore not for use by under 13s, but they will be able to use Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Maps and (drum roll please...) they have access to a massive 30GB of cloud storage. (That's double what their teachers get!) Google Drive is where students can store their important school projects and assessment items, and where they can go to access materials provided by their teachers.

An example of a class Google Drive folder. Documents can be uploaded here by teachers and accessible to all students. Students can create their own folders and store their own work. They can choose to make files visible to all students in their class, or only to their teacher.

There's no need for you to do anything with Google Drive just yet. Classroom teachers will work with students to familiarise them with Google Drive in the first few weeks of Year 4. We'll also show them how to upload precious photos and files, and how to use the Docs, Sheets and Slides apps to create files, share and collaborate on projects.

2. My Photo Stream 
Turning on My Photo Stream will ensure that the most recent photos captured on the iPad are safely stored in Apple's cloud storage service, "iCloud". This service is free. For those students with more than one device, photos will automatically sync to all devices connected to the same AppleID, and remain in their Photo Stream for 30 days. Please note that any videos in the Camera Roll will not be uploaded to Photo Stream but they can be uploaded to Google Drive.

From time to time, it's a good idea to plug the iPad into a home computer so that any videos or older photos you want to keep can be saved. You can then delete the files from the Camera Roll. This will ensure that the Photos app does not hog too much of the iPad's storage capacity.

To turn on My Photo Stream, go to Settings > iCloud.

Ensure that Photos is switched to On.

We advise that you keep iCloud Photo Library turned OFF as storing your entire photo library in iCloud will quickly fill your free iCloud storage allowance. But My Photo Stream and iCloud Photo Sharing can both be turned ON. Photos stored in My Photo Stream do not count against your iCloud storage.

3. iCloud Drive
Apple's cloud storage option, "iCloud Drive" offers 5GB free storage space. If you configure the settings carefully, this should be all your child will need to safely backup any remaining school files on their iPad.

Go to Settings > iCloud and ensure iCloud Drive is switched ON.
Here you can turn apps ON or OFF. When an app is turned ON, it will store its documents in iCloud Drive.

This means that if data on the iPad is ever lost or erased, those files will automatically download once you sign back into iCloud on a new or restored iPad.

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.

Which iPad? Decisions, decisions...

For school purposes, as long as your iPad has the following, then it will be adequate to serve as your child's 1 to 1 device:

• a working camera
• a full-sized screen
• no sim inserted (or wi-fi only model), and 
• a battery that will last through a school day

However,  some parents with children already in the program are offering feedback about the iPad's storage capacity that may influence your purchasing decisions...

The 16GB iPad model has limited storage capacity. Although it is sufficient for the school projects that your child may be working on in any given week, there will be little room to 'play with'. This could be a good thing in that it reinforces the importance of good file management and vigilance in culling of unnecessary photos and videos. You may also see it as an advantage that your child will have no space for additional games and recreational apps. But please keep in mind that a 16GB iPad will be almost full once all the school apps are installed. If you are purchasing a new iPad for your child, you may find the 32GB models (and above) will be viable for longer. Even the basic operating system (before any apps are installed) takes several gigabytes of space and with each update, iOS seems to grow.

The need for "free space"

Regardless of storage capacity, as a general rule, an iPad needs 10% free space to function efficiently. To illustrate, if you have a 32GB model, you'll need to keep the available free space above 3.2GB. If you have a 64GB version, you'll need at least 6.4GB free memory. I regularly see children who come to me with a "broken" iPad, which won't open an app they need to use or which freezes in the middle of a task. Often they won't be able to install an update or save a file... all because they have an over-full device.

How do I check usage?

Open the Settings app.

Tap General. Scroll down and tap Usage.

Under STORAGE you will see how much space is Available. This number should represent 10% of the total storage capacity of the iPad. If it is less than that you need to remove some of the contents.

Tap Manage Storage to see which apps need to be trimmed or deleted. This view lists all apps in decreasing order of size.

In the screenshot above you can see the Photos & Camera app is the main culprit, using 3.5GB of storage. This iPad owner needs to offload most of the contents of the Photos & Camera app. Videos take up more space than still photos so deleting the videos (from the Photos app) should restore sufficient free space.

You can also delete apps from this view (above). Tap an app you can do without and tap Delete App.

This will delete the app from the device but as it is still associated with the Apple ID, you can download it again (at no extra charge) at a later time, or on up to 5 different devices, as long as you are signed in with this Apple ID.

I hope this information has been helpful. If you are subscribed by email, you will receive all future posts via email. Depending on your email settings, you may need to "allow photos" to view any images in the posts. Alternatively, you can click the link and visit the blog in your browser.

Welcome to Launch Pad

Welcome, Year 3 Parents, to the launch of the 

2016 Contemporary Learning Program 

at St Catherine's!

Thank you for visiting the iPad "Launch Pad". This is the place where you will receive the latest news and information as we prepare for 1 to 1 iPads in 2016. Please complete the 'Subscribe by Email' field (upper right) to stay up to date. Once you subscribe, all future posts will go straight to your inbox. 

Using a blog means we can easily provide you with links and online resources, without you having to log in or type out long URLs. When you see a green link in a post (that underlines when you mouse over it), click it for further information. You will also find a second page called "Tips, Tricks and Troubleshoots" (see the tabs under the header) that you may wish to visit if you have never used an iPad before. Don't worry about your children - they've probably already worked out most of it!

All forms and documents that you may need are accessible on the St. Catherine's Parent Portal. For example, if you're interested in hiring an iPad from the school, you will find the iPad Hire Agreement form there with all terms and conditions and cost information. You will also see the Free Apps list, updated for 2016. Some of the documents have yet to be updated for the 2016 program. We'll let you know as the various resources are ready.

Thanks to all those who came along to the information night on Monday 3rd August in the Nano Nagle Centre. A followup letter was emailed to all Year 3 parents on Wednesday afternoon. If you did not receive that mail, please contact the school office to update your email contact details. 

There will be no more hard copies of letters and information sent home and we don't want you to miss any important updates and information. As parents contact us with questions or issues that are not covered in the FAQs or Handbooks, we can address those here for everyone. Feel free to use the Comments below to offer advice for others or field questions from this wonderful community.

We're looking forward to working with you towards another great year of engaging, relevant and innovative learning for your children, with iPads at St Catherine's!