Purchasing Apps

Last month Apple released their Volume Purchasing Plan (VPP) in Australia. This means that educational institutions can save costs when purchasing 20 or more licenses for the same app through VPP. We expect that most of the apps your child will need in 2013 will be available through VPP. We would like to pass this saving on to you by purchasing the necessary apps for all our students (to be reimbursed through a resource levy) so please hold off on any school app purchases until we advise further. 

[Image Source: https://facultycommons.macewan.ca/resources/ipad-in-education]

When the school purchases an app for students via VPP, we receive a redemption code which we can email to you. You can then use this code to install each app on your child's device. An Apple ID is required to redeem these codes (or purchase apps) on the iTunes App store. Ownership is retained by your Apple ID so you keep the app when your child leaves the school. Please note that individuals under the age of 13 are not legally permitted to create an Apple ID. You can read the iTunes Terms and Conditions for more information.

To install any apps (even free ones) on your child's iPad, you must sign in to the App Store with an Apple ID. More information about Apple IDs can be found here. 

You have a couple of options for setting up the iPad with an Apple ID:

Option A

Use your own (new or existing) Apple ID. You are entitled to install any purchased apps on up to five personal iOS devices (iPhones and iPads). If you don't already have an Apple ID, it is quick, easy and free to create one. Click here to create an Apple ID.

Benefits of Option A

• Any of the apps you already own can be installed on your child's iPad. 
• Likewise, any apps you purchase for your child's school needs on this account can also be installed on your own devices.

Cautions with Option A

• Best not to turn on "automatic downloads" on your child's device or every app that you purchase will automatically be installed on your child's iPad.  Some of these may be distracting or inappropriate. 
• By the time they reach their teens (if not already!) your child may want to purchase personal apps, music etc with iTunes gift cards. For this they will require their own personal Apple ID. None of the apps they have been using at school will be owned by this account so they will have to purchase them again with their own Apple ID if they wish to keep using them.

Option B

Create a new Apple ID for your child. 

Benefits of Option B

• Your child will retain ownership of their school apps throughout secondary school and beyond when they eventually take over the management of their own Apple ID. 
• Your child's school apps will remain separate from your own or family apps and can be managed separately for school purposes.
• You can still manage your child's apps via iTunes on your own computer (Mac or Windows). With automatic downloads activated on your child's device, any apps you download for them via the App Store in iTunes will automatically install on your child's device.

Cautions with Option B

• Legally, this Apple ID will be owned by you until your child reaches the age of 13. In any case, you should keep the password secret so your child will not be able to inadvertently make inappropriate purchases. 
• You will need an email address to create an Apple ID. You can create a free one at Gmail or Hotmail (for example).

Stay tuned for the apps list, and more information about our optional "iPad Setup evening" at school on Tuesday 27th November, to support any families that may be new to iTunes and iOS in setting up your child's iPad ready for school.