Virtual Assistant (Siri)

Siri is a feature on the iPad that allows students to ask a question to find out information or give a prompt. Siri is a Virtual Assistant and can be used with many different languages.

Virtual Assistant can support students to:

reduce fine motor demands
increase focus and attention
build independence
improve comprehension and fluency

To set up and use the Virtual Assistant on an iPad in iPadOS 18:

Tap each image below to learn more, and zoom in to get a closer look.

Go to "Settings".

Scroll down to find and tap "Siri".

Tap "Talk to Siri".

Choose either "Siri" (if it is a choice) or "Hey Siri."

Tap "Enable Siri".

Tap "Continue".

Follow along with the onscreen instructions by reading the sentences aloud.

Tap "Done".

To activate Siri, say, "Siri" or "Hey Siri" (depending on the choice made in step 4), then ask a question or make a request. For example, say, "Hey Siri, what time is it?".

To stop the iPad from listening for "Siri" or "Hey Siri", choose "Off" or put the iPad facedown on a table.

To use the Home button to open Siri, tap the circle next to "Press Home for Siri" to toggle this option on.

If Siri was turned off, and a message appears on the screen, tap "Enable Siri".

Now, Siri can be turned on by pressing and holding the Home Button for 1 second, then speaking a request, such as, "Set a timer for 3 minutes."

Tap the "<" at the top left of the "Talk to Siri" menu to return to the Siri settings options.

Choose and tap a menu item to change how Siri sounds, answers questions, and more.

Swipe up with one finger to find more settings. Swipe down to go back to the top of the Siri settings menu.

Step-by-step instructions according to the iPad's Operating System:

LINKS TO EXTERNAL RESOURCES

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With the Virtual Assistant, Students in the TDSB can:

stay focused on their work. Setting timers can keep students on track. A student might say, "Hey Siri, set a timer for 10 minutes."
get information and facts quickly and easily when working on projects or assignments in Social Studies. A student might ask, "Hey Siri, what is the capital of Ontario?"
perform multiplication and division. A student might say, "Hey Siri, what is 12x15?"
check the time or the date. Without using visual information on a clock, a student can ask, "Hey Siri, what time is it?"
check the spelling of difficult or new words. Say, "Hey Siri, how do you spell the word 'Reconciliation'?"
create an interactive story for Language. Siri can play a character or provide sound effects. A student might say, "Hey Siri, make a spooky ghost sound," or "Hey Siri, ask 'What's that noise?' in a curious voice."
learn new vocabulary. Ask, "Hey Siri, what does 'onomatopoeia' mean?"

Last Updated June 16, 2025

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Virtual Assistant (Siri)

LINKS TO EXTERNAL RESOURCES

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