Google and the iPad! Can they co-exist? YES!!!!!
IPads are very compatible with Google, but there are a few issues of which you need to be aware. First, all the iPads must have the associated apps to work on anything from your drive. For the basics, I’d advise that all iPads have these apps loaded: DRIVE, DOCS, SHEETS, SLIDES, and CLASSROOM. This way, students can access their drive and also edit any of these items. Students can get into their classroom assignments right on the iPad.
Optional Google apps I recommend: Google Keep (for notetaking), Google Earth, Google Maps, and Translate. I did a Tech Tip on Translate on January 3. Check it out. https://sites.google.com/gunnisonschools.net/g-suite/january-2017/january-3 I did a tech tip on Google Keep on Jan. 24. https://sites.google.com/gunnisonschools.net/g-suite/january-2017/january-24 You don't need Chrome, but it's a nice app. Also, Google Search is another wonderful tool.
Students will need to log in and out of their accounts on an iPad, just as they do on a computer. However, this process is a little different. On any of the Google apps, there are 3 bars on the top LEFT of the screen. Click on these bars, find your user name, click manage accounts, then manage, and REMOVE the account. If the account is not removed, others can get in to this account – VERY IMPORTANT!!!!
On an iPad, you can create almost any Googley type of file you'd like with the exception of forms. Even though you can't create forms on the iPad, students can still fill out forms on the iPad. You can create folders, upload files from your iPad, use the camera to take a picture to put into your drive, a doc, sheet, or slides presentation. There is no way to upload multiple files at once like on a laptop.
Students LOVE using the iPad and if you have students taking pictures for a project, it's so easy to take pictures on the iPad and put them directly into the Drive of the student. Then, students can use these images even when working from a laptop or desktop! At this time, students don't have access to Google Photos because they need to have a Google+ account and there is an age limit of 13. However, Google+ would need some direct instruction to make sure students use this resource responsibly if we turn it on for older students.
Since there are so many wonderful creation apps on the iPad, these files can also be uploaded to the student's drive.
I did a PD session on Google and the iPad last September. Here is the presentation I created and it may come in handy if you use iPads with Google. It’s just the basics.
Even though the presentation from September says students can upload videos to YouTube, at this time, YouTube is not turned on for students because of the age 18 requirement.
Google and the iPad definitely complement one another and make both products even better! And as always, HERE IS THE VIDEO.
Oh, and all this also applies to your iPhone if you would like to use Google Drive, etc. on your phone! Of course, android phones also have Google capability.
PS – If you’d like to learn more about using the iPad in the classroom, I’ll be teaching a session during the 2nd week of the Summer Teacher Institute at Western!