We are extremely excited to have 24 new iPad minis for use in the Lower School this year! This past week we had a “mini” (excuse the pun!) ‘meet the iPad’ session for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. At our school, the majority of students have at least one iPad, iTouch, iPhone, etc at their house and consider themselves experts. However, I told them that I wanted them to learn the school rules for caring for the iPads. Also, their expertise would be helpful to those who weren’t sure how to do a particular task on the iPad.

Using some absolutely fantastic Acceptable Use Policies for iPads from Sandy’s Soaring Through Second Grade blog, we discussed care of the device along with management rules.

Next step, practice some of the basics:

• Power on and off
• Where is that home button?
• Taking pictures – front and rear camera
• How do I close an app? Home button or the 4/5 finger “grab”
• Deleting pictures
• Bringing up the task bar and completely closing apps – tap till app dances then tap on the minus sign

I was surprised that several didn’t realize they could turn OFF the iPad; not just put it to sleep! One student said, “Oh you mean like when you go on an airplane and you have to turn it off?”

All in all, a quick basic lesson for students who think the iPad mini is a perfect size for them!