Category Archives: Apple

This category contains items related to Apple products, including iPads, MacBooks, AppleIDs, and much more.

MacBook Rollout Begins

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Beginning today, MacBooks will be rolling out to elementary and middle school professional educators. The MacBook provides a powerful tool for teachers working with students both in-person and remotely. Working in tandem with an iPad, teachers will be better positioned to effectively engage with their students using Microsoft Teams when working with remote learners. MacBooks also share common software and communication options across the Apple ecosystem, lessening cross-platform issues and frustrations.

Working with colleagues since the beginning of the pandemic, one common theme I hear often is concern or outright anxiety about the significant learning curve experienced in the adoption of our new learning management system, Schoology, the challenges of engaging students via video conferencing using Microsoft Teams, and adapting their content to be delivered virtually rather than in-person. The good news is that teachers have risen to the challenge. For many, the level of discomfort and anxiety has lessened. In fact, many have mentioned that they are surprised at the level of technological skill they have acquired since the beginning of the pandemic. The learning curve is still a challenge, however.

For teachers accustomed to using Windows-based computers, the Mac operating system (OS) on a MacBook would seem like another challenge. Many may discover that they are already familiar with aspects of the OS after using an iPad for instruction. In fact, many have iPhones that they use every day. Apple tends to keep experiences similar across devices, so, for example, using Apple Classroom on an iPad is almost identical to using Apple Classroom on a Mac.

Multiple teams across Wood County Schools have collaborated extensively in the planning process to help make the adoption of MacBooks as smooth as possible.

The Academic Coaches, along with the Technology Integration Specialists, have created a Schoology course to assist you with questions you may have about a MacBook. From where to find the power button to how to install Office 365 products, including Teams and Outlook, the course allows you to start from the beginning and work at your own pace, or jump around and just learn concepts based on your needs.

Innovate also provides videos and how-to information for beginners as well as advanced users.

You will find these resources linked below, but we want you to know that we are here to support you. The technology integration specialists, Jimmy Stewart, Amber Matty, as well as myself, along with Academic Coaches, Greg Merritt, Joanna Mulligan and Candace Lewis want to help you find success using your new devices.

The MacBook Essentials Course on Schoology is open and ready to use. As teachers, we know all about learning styles. Learn in ways that work best for you.

Welcome to MacBook

Apple Clips App Update

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Apple has updated their Clips app. The update includes many new features including more options for screen dimensions. At Innovate, we love Clips! It is a simple tool that allows for creative and imaginative content creation for students. It is already available to all student iPads. Educators can download the app in the App Store.

“Clips, Apple’s video creation app for iOS, receives its biggest update yet with highly requested features that make it easier than ever for anyone to pick up an iPhone or iPad and start creating fun, multiclip videos — no editing experience needed. Clips 3.0, available today in the App Store, features a streamlined interface and full-screen browsers on iPhone that make it even simpler to record and add effects. On iPad, Clips supports landscape orientation, Scribble with Apple Pencil, and the use of a Bluetooth mouse or trackpad. The new version also lets users make videos in multiple aspect ratios, including horizontal and vertical, ideal for creating eye-catching content for Instagram Stories, Snapchat, YouTube, and more. And Clips 3.0 is optimized to record and share content in HDR using the rear-facing cameras on all iPhone 12 models, resulting in videos with more vibrant colors and contrast.” ~ Apple Newsroom

“Since its introduction, Clips has become one of the most popular iOS video creation apps, and millions of projects are made every day with it. Users love how easy it is to create fun, expressive videos for sharing with friends, family, and classmates with just a few taps on their iPhone or iPad screens,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Apps Product Marketing. “Today’s update, with a streamlined interface, support for vertical and horizontal video, HDR video capture using the new iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro, and fun new effects, will help users create Clips videos with more personality and polish than ever before.” ~ Apple Newsroom

Download the app today!

What is the status of student iPads?

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Many of you have wondered, why is it that students are unable to download apps or why students who are locked out of their iPads cannot get them reset. The situation that WCS encountered in November created a problem for how software connects to each student’s iPad (as well as MacBooks and Apple TVs). The software is part of a mobile device management system, generally known as an MDM.

According to TechTarget, an MDM is defined as…

Mobile device management (MDM) is software that allows IT administrators to control, secure and enforce policies on smartphones, tablets and other endpoints. MDM is a core component of enterprise mobility management which also includes mobile application management, identity and access management and enterprise file sync and share. The intent of MDM is to optimize the functionality and security of mobile devices within the enterprise while simultaneously protecting the corporate network.

WCS is currently using VMware’s AirWatch as its MDM.

In a nutshell, that means the MDM is used for managing devices, such as pushing out apps to student iPads, and keeping our students safe. Since iPads are currently locked-in to AirWatch, adding new apps and making changes to the iPads is not possible until a new MDM is fully online.

Anytime a disruption occurs, such as the situation in November, it’s a good time to review and consider better ways of moving forward.

That is what the MIS department is doing. They have evaluated our current MDM and considered its strengths and weaknesses and compared it to other options in the marketplace. In doing this, they have decided to to switch our MDM to one that is more robust and offers cloud backup. The new service is called Jamf.

So what comes next?

There is a lot of backend work that must take place prior to rolling out the new system. MIS is currently working with Jamf representatives to build a system that will manage Apple devices and continue to keep our students safe.

The MIS department should be commended for their steadfast efforts in rebuilding the many systems for WCS, including the MDM. When this system is fully online, Technology Systems Specialists (TSS) and Technology Integration Specialists (TIS) will be coming to each school to reset each student iPad. This will take some time. There are over 12,000 iPads that must be reset individually. When this is completed, life should return to normal with iPads as before November. Students will be able to access the WCS Catalog and download apps. Teachers currently are able to download apps to their devices using a professional Apple ID.

Considerations are currently being made regarding the GSA which will affect when this reset takes place. It’s going to take some time. The patience of WCS educators has been phenomenal and is appreciated. When INNOVATE receives any updated information about timelines for visiting your school, we will be sure to let you know.

While we wait for things to come online, there are many “web apps” that function like an app. These can be used directly through Safari web browser. And with the new iPadOS, many of them work even better. To get you started, take a look at several math-related web apps.

Here’s the latest…

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As promised, we’re sharing updates as it relates to the current situation with Wood County Schools’ ransomware attack.

Visit our FAQs page for the latest updates which includes information about midterms and LiveGrades as well as MacBooks, iPads and more.

The page is password protected. If you have not received the password, please contact your building administrator.

We will not burden your inbox about posts regarding the ransomware attack, but please check back regularly for updates. We will post the most accurate updates as we receive them. We are working with central office and MIS to make sure that the updates are accurate and useful to teachers and administrators.

Apple IDs: What’s it all about?

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Update: This article has been updated to reflect a change in the address for managed Apple IDs. The previous address was username@appleid.k12.wv.us. The updated address is username@wood.k12.wv.us.

From MacBooks to iPads and beyond, educators in Wood County Schools have accepted the challenge of integrating these tools to create instruction that is more engaging, creative, and relevant to their students’ lives.

Being able to take advantage of these tools requires the use of an Apple ID. This post aims to clarify the difference between a managed Apple ID and a professional Apple ID.

So, what is a managed or a professional Apple ID? Which is best for me?

Mangaged Apple ID

A managed Apple ID gives educators 200 gigabytes of storage space in Apple’s iCloud. It does not give access to the App Store or iTunes. Your managed Apple ID is similar to your k12 email address: username@wood.k12.wv.us. Notice the addition of the word ‘wood.’ Any Technology Systems Specialists (TSS) can reset this password for you, as can any Technology Integration Specialist.

Professional Apple ID

A professional Apple ID gives educators access to the App Store and iTunes and only 5 gigabytes of storage space.

Why would I use both?

Using both IDs on an iPad, for example, gives you 200 gigabytes of storage and access to the App Store and iTunes.

Where do I sign-in with each ID?

Mangaged Apple ID

  • To use your managed Apple ID for added storage on an iPad, go to “settings,” and choose your name.
  • Sign-in in the right-hand column. If you are already signed in with another ID, you may need to first sign-out.

Professional Apple ID

  • To use your professional Apple ID for App Store and iTunes purchases, also go to “settings.”
  • Scroll down the left-hand column and choose “iTunes & App Store.”
  • Sign-in in the right-hand column.

Creating a Professional Apple ID

(To obtain a managed Apple ID, see your school tech contact.)

  1. Visit https://appleid.apple.com
  2. Choose “Create Your Apple ID” from the top.
  3. Fill out the form.  For the e-mail address (Apple ID) use your k12 e-mail address (E.g. yourname@k12.wv.us).
  4. Create a secure password. It must have eight or more characters, upper and lowercase letters, and at least one number.
  5. Choose and answer security questions.
  6. Type characters in image prior to clicking “continue” at the bottom of the page.

To finish this process, check your k12 e-mail for a verification e-mail from Apple.