Getting up to Speed

Much time has been spent on preparing the iPads for use.  Because of the late arrival of our new devices, we unfortunately do not have time to get them into the hands of the students.  So I will finish "processing" the iPads in time for summer vacation.  One of the many questions I been thinking about is how do I convince the teachers to incorporate the iPads into their classrooms.  Thanks to a wonderful SD State Librarian, Julie, this question has a possible solution.  After checking with and getting approval from my amazing principal, I will be allowed to check out the devices to building teachers over the summer.  The idea is to let the teachers explore and use ipads thus becoming comfortable enough to develop lessons using this technology.  It also helps that our state TIE (Teachers In Education) has an iPad class beginning June 2.  Perfect timing!

 How to Install iPad Screen Protectors

First step, putting the screen protectors on all the iPads.  With the first one, I just dove in and did an okay job but had some bubbles.  Darn lint!  I knew there had to be a better method so I stopped.  Then because I have the privilege of working with a great team of middle school librarians, Tracy emailed all of us a link to a YouTube video on how to apply the screen protector.  Great link Tracy, Thanks!
I watched the video which really stress cleaning the screen extremely well.  Suggestions to have “canned” air(air duster) and tape were very helpful.  I then thought about the best way to clean the screen, so I searched that and learned that Windex and rubbing alcohol are big no-nos.  Water only with a special cloth for electronics should be all a person needs. It pays to be OCD with this process!

How to Clean Your iPad Screen
 
This video is from a channel named iPad Academy.  I will have to check out the 20 videoes they have.  After 20 ipads I am very comfortable applying screen protectors.  However I am not ready to work at Best Buy but will be able to change my old screen protector on my phone.

The next step was to prepare for the virtual meeting with my fellow iPad users.  Since my personal iPad is all set up I knew I won’t have any problems.  I realized though that I needed to set up the school iPads with iTunes account in case I needed to download a free app.  I met with my fellow librarians and we prepared the iPads for the virtual meeting.  We needed to set up email accounts and iTune accounts for two librarians on their school iPads.  This was great for me to help them as it solidified what I thought I knew and didn’t know. 
Once we set up the email accounts, we made sure the calendar was synced which allowed everyone to view the meeting invite sent by our instructor.  We then moved on to downloading the app, GoToMeeting.  I had sent the following link on how to set up an iTune account without a credit card (I will need to pass this on to my teachers this summer). I have created a gmail account just for my library that will be used for the sole purpose downloading only free apps.   This way I will not have to worry about tying my personal iTunes account to the school iPads.


iTunes Account Without a Credit Card

We then double checked the SnapGuide directions to make sure we were ready for the class.  All middle school librarians were at the meeting!  We are on our way.  Can’t wait to see what else we will learn in the coming weeks.  Or month/years!