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.

The Time has Come

To ensure delivery before the end of term 4, we have to place our iPad order within a week. That means, if you intend to order through the school, we need your orders emailed to Maria Mead or sent to the school office by 3pm this Friday 12th October.

[Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org]

All the information outlined in our previous post, iPad Purchasing Options, is still current. Please scroll down to find the post, or click the link to read it again if you need to refresh your memory. We have added one more option however. As production of the iPad 2 is now closer to ceasing, with a fourth iPad model expected early next year, the school has decided to purchase iPad 3s for their own stocks. Therefore, the bulk pack pricing of both iPad 2 and 3 will be made available to parents.

We assure you that the iPad 2 will be sufficient for your child's needs for duration of the school program and will perform all necessary functions. The school's decision to purchase the iPad 3 is based on requirements for multiple users from all year levels and viability for longer than the 2 year period.

You are still absolutely free to purchase your iPad yourself from a different retailer, or to use one that you already own - for as long as the battery will last a full school day. Please be aware that retail stocks invariably run low towards Christmas and that if you do require support from the school for setup, these "iPad support" evenings will be held at school towards the end of term (dates will be finalised very shortly) so it would be necessary to have your iPad by then. If the purchase of this school requirement will cause financial difficulty for your family, please contact Paul Leeson to discuss some options.

In summary, you have the following options for purchasing your child's iPad:

1. Purchase either the iPad 2 or iPad 3 from your choice of Apple reseller.
2. Purchase the iPad 3 bundle through Next Byte (including case, dongle and AppleCare Protection Plan) with credit card - Complete order form "Student 1-1 Credit Card Flexi Idea"
3. Purchase the iPad 2 or iPad 3 (without retail packaging) from the school (reimbursement via cheque only) - Complete order form "St Catherine's - In School Only Chq" to order the iPad 2 or "St Catherine's - In School iPad 3" to order the iPad 3
4. Pay off the iPad 3 bundle via Flexi-Rent over 12 or 24 months - See "Flexi-rent brochure" and "Ready Reckoner". Flexi-Rent is only available with the iPad 3 bundle. Simply tick the Flexi-Rent box on the iPad 3 Bundle Order Form and you will be contacted by Flexi-rent for credit approval.

All necessary forms and information can be viewed or printed via the links in the list above, or from the thumbnails below:
Student 1-1 Credit Card Flexi Idea

St Catherines - In School Only Chq

St Catherines - In School iPad 3docx

Flexirent Brochure

Flexirent Repayment Guide

Designing Learning Spaces

Year 4 students have been dabbling in design this term as they took a long hard look at what they need for good learning. The word "classroom" was banned for a few weeks, as we tried to envisage the perfect "space" in which effective learning could take place at St Catherine's, without our ideas being restricted by a traditional concept of a school room.

Firstly we discussed where learning takes place in our lives - at home, the sports ground, the beach, forest, backyard or park.... oh, and school of course! Students considered what works for them about these places - what makes learning happen. 

Students discussed, wrote about and drew what their ideal learning place LOOKS, SOUNDS, SMELLS and FEELS like.

Responses were many and varied of course - as are learning styles and preferences. We decided what we need at school are spaces that are comfortable, interesting and above all, flexible.









The students participated very thoughtfully and enthusiastically in a presentation by a visiting designer whose job is designing learning spaces and libraries for schools and universities.

She talked about the process involved in designing, testing and building furniture and showed us lots of pictures of interesting learning spaces. She also explained what recent research has revealed about how students their age learn best: It is important for students to have the flexibility to move around, changing their body position regularly and to make choices about how, where and with what tools they investigate and create.

Students were very engrossed in the final session when they spent time designing their ideal learning space, especially considering the digital tools they will be using. Their aim was to create more flexible spaces with less clutter and more room to move, with comfortable furnishings that will allow a variety of choices for different learning activities.

Some students even designed their own multi-functional pieces of furniture, such as hanging 'pods' for reading in, tables with wheels for easy relocation, write-on surfaces and chairs with fold-away storage compartments. It was exciting to see so many budding designers in action, full of creativity and purpose!

Won't it be great to see how the students' own ideas are incorporated into the design of their Year 5 "Learning Spaces"?

Which cover? Choices... choices...

It's a tricky decision but we'd like to leave it up to students and parents to personalise your iPad within your own budget and considering your own needs and tastes. This question is covered in the FAQ document but here are a few more options to consider...

The "Fold-away"

Cost: $12.00 from an eBay store

• Protects screen and iPad back
• Can be folded to stand iPad two ways: vertically for display, or slightly raised for ergonomic use of keyboard
• Attractive leather-look finish which is easy to keep clean
• Good clearance for camera
• Easy to hold in one hand for camera use
• iPad fits snugly inside envelope fold which means it is not likely to slip out
• Magnets in the case switch screen on and off when opening and closing cover

Stands vertically

Raised for typing

Can hold with one hand for camera use

Large hole so camera is not obscured

The "Keyboard" Case

Cost: around $70 from an eBay store

• Includes keyboard to increase typing speed
• Hard aluminium does not absorb shock if iPad is dropped
• Hinges may loosen with excessive use

iPad fits into case above hinged keyboard 

Allows typing with actual keys

There are many, many keyboard cases on the market but they can be very expensive.

Thanks very much to Paula C, who uses the Trident KRAKEN case at her school, we know this model also comes highly recommended.  Check it out on Spectronics. The Kraken costs around $90. It is recommended for young children as it offers excellent protection of the back and edges of the iPad while still allowing access to the camera, controls, microphone and speakers. 

The KRAKEN offers 3 layers of protection.
[Image Source:  http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/images/product/tridentc/AMS-NEW-IPAD_Layers500.jpg] 

[Image Source: http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/images/product/tridentc/AMS-NEW-IPAD-RD04bg.jpg]

There are lots more cases to check out on Spectronics  as well.  It's worth a look at the website.

Please use the comments below to make your own recommendations if you have been using a particular cover that you would like to share.

Remember, the cover does not need to cost a lot to be functional and do the job. We will have keyboards available at school if your child ever needs to do large amounts of typing so a keyboard is certainly NOT essential. Your child will quickly become accustomed to the onscreen keyboard and this is quite adequate for the volume of typing they will need to do. Your main aim is to protect the iPad from accidental damage.

Here's one last pic for your enjoyment...

The "Retro"

• for a little nostalgia! (ha ha)

[Image Source: http://www.slipperybrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/typescreen-ipad-150x150.jpg]

Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers!)

Earlier this term, a document was sent home with your child documenting some frequently asked questions about the concept of a 1 to 1 program, and in particular, using iPads for learning at St Catherine's next year. Since the original document was sent home, we've published answers to a few more questions. These were sent home on a separate sheet after our information night. In case you missed these or ever need extra copies, here's a link to the complete FAQ document online. You can preview it below, or follow the link to print a copy for yourself whenever you like.

Parent FAQs iPads at St Caths


Don't forget, you can use the comments function below to post any further questions or responses.
If the issue is particular to your child or your own family, please contact Maria via email

mmead_bne.catholic.edu.au 

Please note that you will need to substitute @ for the _ in the address above. 
(Just trying to avoid nasty spammers!)

iPad Purchasing Options

For parents who wish to purchase the iPad through the school, we have teamed up with an Apple reseller - Next Byte Education in Adelaide St, Brisbane. While their options may not be the the cheapest upfront, Apple has advised us that nominating a reseller will facilitate any warranty claims on devices purchased this way. Next Byte also offer a hire purchase option, which they call "Flexirent", for those of you who would prefer to pay for the iPad in instalments over 12 or 24 months (further details in the documents below).

Please be assured that there is no obligation to purchase your iPad from Next Byte. If you prefer to look out for specially priced offers and purchase at another retailer of your choice, you are most welcome to do so. Large department chains will run specials for special events like Father's Day and Christmas. This will always be the cheapest option, however these retailers cannot supply iPads in the large numbers that we require for this program. Our Next Byte rep explains that warranty and after sales service is facilitated when purchasing through a Premium Reseller (such as Next Byte). The school receives no commission, rewards or any other benefit from our arrangement with Next Byte. The decision of where to purchase is totally up to you. 

At some point in the first quarter of 2013 a new model of iPad is likely to be released. We will have no warning of when this will occur. It is expected that any new iPad model would be priced similarly to the current iPad 3 so the release will affect pricing of previous models. When a new iPad model is available, iPad 3 prices will be reduced. It is also likely that production of the iPad 2 will cease and existing iPad 2 stocks will then be priced to clear. 

As is the case with any technologies, new models are continually being developed and this will be inevitable at some point during the 2 year iPad program. We will not be delaying our learning program to await the release of any new device. Pricing in the documents that follow is correct at the time of posting. We will communicate any changes in price or availability as soon as the information is available to us.

We have a few weeks up our sleeves as yet and we plan to hold off as long as we can. However, orders placed through Next Byte or the school will have to be submitted by mid-October to ensure delivery by the end of November when we will be holding our optional Setup Workshop evenings at school. You may prefer to rely on the Handbook we will publish instead, and wait longer to purchase. Your child will be at a great disadvantage however, if they do not have their iPad ready for the start of school next year. We have been advised that stocks can run low over Christmas and delivery times can be longer than usual.

In order that you have as much information as we can provide about these options, you can preview or print the order forms and Flexirent information below. Hard copies of all of these documents will be available at the school office by the beginning of October.

Student 1-1 Credit Card Flexi Idea

St Catherines - In School Only Chq

Flexirent Brochure

Flexirent Repayment Guide

Welcome to Padwise

Welcome, Year 4 parents of 2012, to your blog...

This site will offer you up to date information on our 1 to 1 iPad program so we can all be ready to hit the ground running when school begins next year. You can subscribe to this blog via email (to sign up, use the "Follow by email" form to the right) so any new posts will land straight in your inbox. Use the comment section below each post to ask questions or start discussions. You will need to sign up for a free Google account if you haven't already got one.

This kind of information access may be new to you, especially where you child's schooling is concerned. It will be beneficial if we are all accustomed to the process however, as blogging will be an important means of communication for the year 5 classes next year, when your children are learning with iPads. You will be able to 'step inside the classroom' via the 2013 class blogs, wherever and whenever it suits you.

New Leaf
[Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Leaf_detail.jpg]

This blog was actually launched about a year ago when we were exploring the use of iPads to enhance students' learning in year 5 classes. You will see a couple of older posts below that were published during that time. From now on, all new posts published here will directly concern you and your Year 4 child. We intend to use this space to streamline preparations for our Contemporary Learning program for 2013. This blog will replace the stream of printed letters and documents that would otherwise be sent home with your child... very possibly to become lost, crushed to oblivion, saturated with fruit juice or rendered illegible in numerous other ways. 

We hope and trust that you will find this blog useful. So please subscribe. Don't be shy about commenting. Our aim is to create an online space where you can discuss your experiences and concerns, gain advice and share different perspectives with your child's teachers and each other. The sooner we can forge an active, supportive online community for you all, the clearer and smoother this 1 to 1 iPad implementation will be for everyone.

More information about iPad purchase options will be posted here very soon. 

Stay tuned.

Maria