iPads for Teaching and Learning

Owned by Heather Ulrich
Last updated: Oct 01, 2024
9 min read

Fairfield University leases iPads for use by full-time faculty members. Academic Computing manages the leased iPads as well as several owned iPads that can be loaned out to adjunct faculty members each semester. If you are interested in using an iPad for teaching, please contact academiccomputing@fairfield.edu.

If you've picked up your University iPad and need to set it up, see the instructions below. Otherwise, take a look at our iPad resources and FAQs.

iPad Agreement Forms

During the process of picking up and setting up your University Managed iPad, you will be asked to sign an agreement form outlining the responsibilities of both ITS and yourself in relation to the loan. A copy of the agreement will be emailed to you after completing the form. You can review the agreement below:

Setting Up Your University Managed iPad

Please follow the steps below to set up your University Managed iPad.

  1. Turn iPad On

  2. Select Language

  3. Select Country

  4. (Preference) Appearance.

  5. Quick Start

    • Option 1: If you an older iPad, you can use Quick Start by following the prompts on the screen.

      1. Data & Privacy. Choose Continue.

      2. Terms and Conditions. Choose Agree to continue.

      3. Make this your New iPad.

        • Choose Continue to restore the data and settings from your older device's last iCloud backup OR

        • Choose Customize and select Don't Transfer Anything to set this up as a new iPad

      4. Remote Management.

        1. Tap Enroll this iPad 

        2. Enter your NetID and Password (do not include @fairfield.edu)

        3. The configuration may take a few minutes to complete.

    • Option 2: To set up the iPad without another device, select Set Up Without Another Device

      1. Choose a Wi-Fi Network

        • If you are faculty or staff and setting up on campus: FacStaff-S Password: Fairfield

        • If you are a student and setting up on campus: Student Password: Fairfield

      2. Data & Privacy. Choose Continue.

      3. Transfer Your Apps & Data.

        1. Choose Restore from iCloud Back to restore from a previous back up. If you choose this option, your set up will be complete after the Remote Management.

        2. Choose Don't Transfer Anything to set this up as a new iPad

  6. Remote Management.

    1. Tap Enroll this iPad 

    2. Enter your NetID and Password (do not include @fairfield.edu)

    3. The configuration may take a few minutes to complete.

  7. (Optional) Touch ID. Set up Touch ID or Set Up Later

  8. Create an iPad Passcode. Your passcode can be letters, numbers, or a combination of the two.

  9. Apple ID. Enter your Apple ID.

    1. If you do not remember your Apple ID or do not have one, choose Forgot Password or Don't Have an Apple ID. You will not be able to install any applications with an Apple ID.

  10. (Recommended) Update Your iPad Automatically.

  11. (Optional) Location Services.

  12. (Optional) Screen Time.

  13. (Preference) Light or Dark Display.

  14. Welcome to iPad. Select Get Started.

  15. If you are on campus, please see Faculty, Staff, and Student Mobile Device Network Registration Instructions for Registering to the network. If you are home, feel free to get started using your new iPad!

Setting Up Email

  1. Settings

  2. Scroll down on left to Mail

  3. Tap Accounts

  4. Faculty, choose Exchange. Students, choose Gmail.

  5. Tap Account

  6. Enter your NetID Password

  7. Hit Done in top right

Setting up Blackboard and Safari (Faculty and Students)

  1. Open Self Service and install Blackboard

  2. Follow the prompts to sign into Blackboard

  3. Close the app and go to the iPad Settings

  4. Scroll down and tap on Safari

  5. Scroll down to Privacy & Security

  6. Toggle OFF "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking"

  7. On the main settings menu, scroll down to Blackboard

  8. Toggle ON "Allow Cross-Site Tracking"

Sign the iPad Agreement Form

Now that your iPad is set up, please open the link titled iPad Agreement Form on your iPad apps. Read the agreement form carefully, and if you have any questions or concerns please email academiccomputing@fairfield.edu.

Using the iPad in Class? Check Your Settings!

Keep Display on During Class

  1. Open Settings

  2. Tap Display & Brightness

  3. Tap Auto-Lock and set it to Never

Turn OFF iPhone Notifications

If you have an iPhone, you'll want to turn off notifications for FaceTime and iMessage.

  1. Open Settings

  2. Tap Notifications

  3. On the right, tap Facetime

  4. Toggle Allow Notifications to off

  5. Select Notifications to return to the main menu

  6. On the right, tap Messages

  7. Toggle Allow Notifications to off

Installing iPad Applications

JAMF Self-Service

Academic Computing uses JAMF Self Service to curate a list of recommend apps (some free, some licensed through Fairfield University). You can download any apps included in the JAMF Self-Service app.

App Store

For apps that are not included the JAMF Self Service app, you can download or buy through the App Store. You may request that Fairfield University pay for educational Apps to support your teaching by emailing academiccomputing@fairfield.edu. Apps that are under $30 will typically be approved within one business day. Apps over $30 may require additional explanation or justification.

In-App Purchases' cannot be covered by the university. Although listed as Free in the App Store, some Apps have features that can only be unlocked from within the App itself, post-download. Apple does not offer Academic Computing a method for making these In-App Purchases, therefore faculty must pay for them on their own.

  1. Open the App Store

  2. Tap Search in the bottom right

  3. Tap the search box at the top of the screen

  4. Type in the app name and hit Go on the keyboard or choose an option from the dropdown that appears

  5. When you have located the app, choose Get or Buy if it is not a free app.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm new to iPads. Do you have any tips to get comfortable?

iPads are amazingly intuitive devices, and if you've used an iPhone (or even an Android phone) you probably have a pretty good idea of how they work. However, they are somewhat different than traditional computers with full operating systems like Windows and Mac OS. It will take a little time to get used to working on an iPad, but if you keep these few technical tips in mind, you may save yourself time and frustration.

1. Focus Mode

Focus mode filters out the notifications and apps you don’t need to see at the moment. This can be especially useful if you're using your iPad to present or just need to focus on the task at hand. To enable Focus Mode:

  1. Swipe down in the top right corner to open the Control Center

  2. Tap Focus

  3. Select which Focus mode you want to enable

OR

  1. Open Settings

  2. Tap Focus on the left side menu

  3. Select which Focus mode you want to enable. You can also customize the focus mode to be scheduled and which parts of your iPad are impacted (Home Screen, Lock Screen, and exceptions to the rule)

2. Switching Quickly Between Apps

To easily switch between apps that you've already opened on your iPad (or to close them when you've opened too many!), use the App Switcher. To access App Switcher:

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen, then pause in the center of the screen OR Double-click the Home button.

  2. To browse the open apps, swipe right, then tap the app you want to work in. To close an app, place your finger on the app you want to close and swipe up.

3. Updating Apps

App developers tend to release new versions of iPad and iPhone Apps often. A red number appearing on the App Store icon indicates pending updates. Launch the App Store and follow these steps to find and update your apps:

  1. Tap or your profile picture at the top right, then tap Purchased.

  2. Tap My Purchases

  3. Tap Update next to any apps that need to be updated

4. Save Articles for Later

If you've found a great article while browsing online in Safari, you can either save it as a Bookmark or add it to a Reading List.

  1. Tap the Share icon

  2. Tap Add to Reading List

To view the Reading List later:

  1. Tap the Show Sidebar button

  2. Tap Reading List

5. iPad Support at Fairfield University

Academic Computing is here to support your classroom iPad use. Email academiccomputing@fairfield.edu any time for iPad assistance. We're happy to help find which Apps and methods work best for you.

If you suspect your iPad has a Wi-Fi issue, stop by ITS Help Desk for assistance. The Help Desk team is also reachable at x4069 and itshelpdesk@fairfield.edu. The Help Desk can also assist in claiming your university-provided Microsoft Office 365 account, which you can use to unlock premium features within Microsoft's iPad Apps.

How do I update my iPad?

When you update to the latest version of iPadOS, your data and settings remain unchanged. Before you update, set up iPad to back up automatically, or back up your iPad manually.

More information and up to date steps can be found at Apple Support: Update iPadOS.

How do I present a PowerPoint from my iPad?

While computers are still the best place to create and edit PowerPoint presentations, you can present them easily enough using your iPad's Microsoft PowerPoint App. This guide will show how to present presentations you have saved to your Fairfield Dropbox or OneDrive account.

 

Signing in to Office on iPad

See Microsoft Office for iPads for instructions on installing and signing into Office from your iPad.

Open and Present Your PowerPoint Presentation

  1. From the Open tab, browse the Cloud storage locations you have linked and tap a PowerPoint Presentation to open it.

  2. Once your presentation loads, tap the Play arrow on the top-right to launch fullscreen mode.

While your presentation is displayed, you can tap the very top of a slide to hide and display the Presentation Toolbar.

  • Use the Pen to draw on your slides

  • Select the Pen Settings to change its color, change it into a highlighter or eraser, or Clear Pen Markings

  • Tap the Blackout icon to temporarily hide the current slide without turning off your iPad's screen

  • The Minimize icon allows you to 'zoom out' to see slide notes and upcoming slides.

  • Exit fullscreen mode by tapping the X on the left of the toolbar.


Related Articles

iPad Gen 9 User Guide (Current Lease Model)

iPad Gen 7 User Guide

iPad Air 2 User guide

Contact the ITS Help Desk in the Library Room 230 or at (203) 254-4069 for assistance.