What is a Managed IPad ?

A managed IPad is an IPad that is "enrolled" in our management dashboard.  The dashboard (named JAMF) can control settings and other functionality of the IPad, as well as install and uninstall apps from a central repository, instead of individual purchasing.

Benefits of this change include:

• The District cannot be locked out of an IPad.  If a PIN is lost or if a staff member departs, we can still unlock it via our management dashboard.

• We can purchase apps through our Apple portal and assign them to individual IPads ... and unassign them for assignment elsewhere.  App purchases are no longer tied to a single device/user.  This alone is a significant benefit of our change as purchases are no longer tied to accounts or devices.

• Some useful apps (such as Notability) are offered free for educationally-managed devices.

• We can remove non-educational distractions such as iMessage, Facetime, etc that are not needed or useful on a non-personal device.

What is a Managed Apple ID?

We are also creating managed Apple IDs for staff, which do not require credit card information or a phone number verification.  Apps given to these accounts can be easily moved to other accounts.

Is My IPad Managed?

On the lock screen of any IPad, look at the swipe bar on the lower center.  If the IPad is managed, you will see our text (as shown here).

You can also look at the Apple ID name in the Settings app.  Managed Apple IDs follow the pattern ...   Username@landerschoolsorg.appleid.com

Note that some student and checkout IPads may still use an older account that is @landerschools.org and still be managed.  This was done to preserve our existing investment in app purchases.  The lock screen banner will always be present, however.

How Do I Install Apps?

Managed Apple IDs can access the App Store, but these accounts cannot install free or purchased apps from the store.  This behavior is inherent to educationally-managed Apple IDs.

The District maintains a library of free and paid apps that you can install.  To access these apps, look for the "JAMF Self Service" app on your device.  

Once you open the Self Service app, you will see a list of apps that have been made available.  You can browse and select approved apps, then tap to have them immediately installed on your device.

Over time, more apps will appear in the Self Service app as they are approved.  "Essentials" apps that are most useful to staff include:

• Notability (the full version is free for all our managed IPads)

• Google Workspace suite (Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Keep, Sheets, Slides, etc)

• Thrillshare (for website Live Feed editing, see your building office for your account details to use with the app)

• Adobe Express (use Google sign-in within the app to access your account)

There are also numerous curriculum apps available for installation.

You can browse different categories, but you will see all the apps available to you and your device in the "All" category.

Apps should keep themselves auto-updated through Self Service.

How do I Request a Free App?

Speak to your in-building Instructional Facilitator, who can then submit a tech request.  "Known" apps with an established name in edtech should be approved quickly, but lesser-known apps will be directed to the building IF to assist our evaluation.  Most "junk apps" labeled as education will not be considered.

Free apps must meet these criteria to be considered for installation:

• Apps must demonstrate a clear educational value via research- and evidence-based practices.  

• Apps must meet student data privacy and protection criteria as outlined by 1EdTech.

• Apps should not duplicate functionality we are already providing through other apps, our paid subscriptions, or other devices.

How do I Request a Purchased App?

Speak to your in-building Instructional Facilitator, who can then help evaluate the app and submit an app purchase request.  

Once a request is submitted, the app is evaluated by building and Central Admin staff. 

The Tech Office will not approve the purchase of apps unless ...

1. The school provides a budget code to pay for the licenses.

2. Apps must demonstrate a clear educational value via research- and evidence-based practices, as determined by an approval process in which the app is evaluated for suitability and integration with the school's curriculum.  

3. Apps are expected to be purchased for either a grade level or school-wide, integrated with the school's curriculum and goals, and not for individuals except in certain situations.

4. Apps must meet student data privacy and protection criteria as outlined by 1EdTech.

5. Apps should not duplicate functionality we are already providing through other apps, our paid subscriptions, or other devices such as Chromebooks or Windows PCs.

6. Apps requiring in-app purchases or third-party subscriptions to function will not be considered or approved, as our Apple Education account is unable to support these kinds of apps.

The form is currently available here.  When completed, please share it (with editing rights) with Chris Brown and Kassy Jarvis.

Updated content coming soon.