What the iOS 9.3 Update Means for You
Apple is coming out with the 9.3 iOS update, and it will shake up education in a big way. It comes with a whole host of features aimed at allowing schools to integrate iPads more seamlessly into their education experience.
While there is no official release date, based on previous releases the new update can be expected sometime late February, early March(link is external).
So, What’s New?
iPad Sharing
The biggest buzz surrounding this launch is the iPad sharing feature. This allows schools that cannot meet a 1:1 student-to-iPad ratio to still use iPad to enhance the classroom experience. Students are able to log in by clicking their photo ID, which will pull up their apps, books and documents allowing them to quickly jump into all their projects. The login process is even simpler for younger students who just have to remember a four-digit PIN login.
Classroom App
Technology has the ability to enhance the classroom experience, but in the wrong hands technology can also be distracting. The Classroom App helps eliminate those distractions. Instructors can remotely view student’s screens, share student work directly from their iPad to the projector using AirPlay, and launch specific apps, websites or pages on every iPad in the classroom. Plus, when it’s necessary, teachers will have the ability to lock apps to keep students focused.
Central Hub for Admins
Want to create new accounts for students, teachers or admins or make volume purchases of books and apps? The Apple School Manager allows schools to quickly and easily set up an iPad system that is monitored on a school-wide level.
Plus, Apple School Manager offers something completely new – Managed Apple IDs. This allows student IDs to be created in bulk, and when students forget passwords it can easily be reset. This makes having accounts for individual students easier, and the learning experience more customizable.
How do you see the iOS 9.3 update affecting your classroom? Share your thoughts in the comments below.