CSH iPad

Journalism apps

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:00:00 -0800

(Since there’s so many of you going to the Presidential Inauguration, you get our own post.)

Be sure to download the following apps to your iPad/iPhone BEFORE we leave for D.C. Check back on Friday night. There may be a couple more.

Inaugural 2013 Official getting around app and info about ceremonies, road closures, etc. (There’s also an offline version for when the network goes down.) Free.

D.C. Metro Map It’s nice to have a digital version. You can also find out why the train is delayed and whether you should try another route.

WordPress Yes, you can use it with our site. Just be sure you’re trying to login through broadview.sacredsf.org and not through wordpress.com!

Adobe Photoshop Express Need to change the brightness or contrast? This app will do it — and it automatically saves the original!

Your 2012-13 Textbooks

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 09:49:00 -0700

Your teachers are finalizing your textbooks for this year. Watch this space for a list of required e-textbooks and iPad apps.

Sophomore Art Foundations
Uffizi Touch $11.99 • Centrica

Freshman Biology & Honors Biology
Biology (National Edition) $14.99 • Kenneth R. Miller, Ph.D. & Joseph S. Levine, Ph.D.

AP Environmental Science
Environmental Science $14.95 (National Edition) • Jay Withgott

Computer Programming II (1st Cycle Sophomores ONLY)
iSSH - SSH / VNC Console $9.99 • Zinger Soft

Introduction to Journalism; Journalism I, II & III
AP Stylebook, 2012 $24.99 • Associated Press. (Note: If you have purchased this app or own the book and it is less than three years old, you do not have to repurchase it.)

Introduction to Journalism; Journalism I, II & III
The Wider Image, 2012 FREE • Thomas Reuters

Math I (not Math I Honors)
HMH Fuse: Algebra I $19.99 • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Note: You download the free app, click on the app to install the book — which will take several minutes — open the book and click on the “This Book” icon at the top of the page to purchase it.)

Math II (not Math II Honors)
HMH Fuse: Geometry $19.99 • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Note: You download the free app, click on the app to install the book — which will take several minutes — open the book and click on the “This Book” icon at the top of the page to purchase it.)

Math III (not Math III Honors)
HMH Fuse: Algebra II $19.99 • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Note: You download the free app, click on the app to install the book — which will take several minutes — open the book and click on the “This Book” icon at the top of the page to purchase it.)

Why NOT to use your iPad in public. This is from CBS (national)...

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 18:42:36 -0700

Why NOT to use your iPad in public. This is from CBS (national) News. Listen carefully for the San Francisco stats. Yes, this story is about iPhones, but iPads are experiencing simular rates of theft.

Where's my iPad?

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 11:38:00 -0700

Did I leave it at school? Is at my mom’s office? Was it [Gasp!] stolen?

New York Times tech columnist David Pogue gives step-by-step instructions for turning on the Find My iPad function on your device(s).

Caveat: This only works if your iPad is on an open wireless network (no password required) or the iPad is in a place where you have already put it on a wireless network (like at school).

Save yourself a sleepless night and do this now.

How to care for your iPad

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:52:00 -0700

Standards for Proper iPad Care

1. General care

1.1 All iPads must kept inside a student-purchased case designed to protect iPad shell and the glass screen from bumps and drops. “Smart covers” that cover only the glass and do not protect the edges are not acceptable.

1.2 Care should be taken not to drop the iPad, which may result in screen breakage or injury to internal components.

1.3 IPads should never be placed under heavy items such as textbooks. Students should take exceptional care when iPads are placed inside purses or book bags to make sure the iPad isn’t subject to being shocked or crushed (such as by dropping the bag).

1.4 Avoid using the iPad in area of high humidity or leaving it for an extended period of time in an area with temperatures below 32 degrees or above 95 degrees.

1.5 Avoid getting the iPad wet. If should it become soaked, unplug it immediately if it is being charged or synched to a computer. Wipe off excess liquid with a soft cloth and turn it glass-side down. Do not try to dry the insides with a hair dryer, oven, or by other means. Seek help as soon as possible from the Computer Department or at your own cost at a local Apple Store.

2. Screen

2.1 The screen should cleaned with a soft cloth, such as an old T-shirt or chamois that may be slightly dampened.

2.2 Do not clean the screen with alcohol, glass and window cleaners, or abrasives.

2.3 Do not spray anything on the screen other than an approved iPad cleaner (such as iKleen or Apple Polish) as these cleaners have a very fine spray mist. Most spray bottles release too large droplets that may cause liquid to drip into the iPad, damaging the components.

3. Batteries

3.1 Batteries have a finite number of charges, therefore it is better to drain the battery to a fairly low level before recharging it rather than recharging it more frequently.

3.2 Fully discharge the battery (run the iPad until it goes to sleep) at least once a month. Keep the iPad plugged in until it recharges to 100 percent.

3.3 Perform regular system software updates as they may contain patches that will extend battery life.

4. Security and personal safety

4.1 When not in use, iPads should always be kept in a secure place such as a locked locker or a trunk of a car, taking care not to expose the iPad to extreme temperatures.

4.2 Students should not use iPads in circumstances in which their personal safety may be compromised due to inattention of surroundings. This includes, but is not limited to, while walking or operating a vehicle. Students should use discretion in using iPads on public transit or in public areas.

5. Miscellaneous

5.1 Care should be taken that school inventory labels and name labels remain on the iPad during the term in which the school owns the equipment.

5.2 Students may not place stickers or other permanent on semi-permanent adhesives, markings or engravings anywhere on the iPad.

Which case should I buy?

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:40:00 -0700

We’ve left this decision up to you because some of you love pink and others hate it. Some of you might want a keyboard built into your case, and others of you will find the touch keyboard will work just fine.

Whatever case you decide to buy, be sure that it is one that covers the sides of the iPad and will protect the glass should the iPad sustain a hard bump or drop. Smart Covers or protective sleeves without a protective back case are not acceptable.

Remember, you must bring a case with you to Freshman Success in order to pick up your iPad. No iPads will be distributed without a case. No exceptions.

Here’s a list of some of the cases that are acceptable. There are others, but they should contain many of these same features.

Infocase for iPad

Kennsington back case for use with a Smart Cover

KeyFolio keyboard case

Kickstand Case II

Solid Line case with detachable keyboard

Solid Line Kéka case

iPad FAQs (new for Class of 2016)

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Should I purchase an iPad for my daughter?
No. Convent of the Sacred Heart High School has purchased iPads for all incoming freshmen (Class of 2016). Purchasing all of the class’s iPads with the same configuration allows teachers to work most effectively with students and allows our IT department to put the iPads on our school network, push necessary software, and do routine maintenance in the most efficient way possible.

What iPads will the students receive?
The students will be issued black iPad 3s, 32 GB with WiFi that will connect to the Internet through the school’s wireless network as well as other wireless hotspots, including homes with wireless routers. Students will be given one-time redeemable codes to download productivity apps including Pages (word processing), Keynote (presentation) and Numbers (spreadsheet and graphing).

When will iPads be distributed?
Freshmen will receive their iPads on the first day of Freshman Success. In the rare instance that a student cannot attend freshman orientation, we schedule a session with her during the first weeks of school during the Community Period.

Is there anything we need to buy?
All students will need to purchase a protective case for their iPads to help prevent damage due to accidental bumps and drops (they happen). Students will not receive their iPads unless they have a case in which to immediately place their iPads. “Smart Covers” or any cover that simply covers the glass without protecting the sides and corners of the iPad are not acceptable. Examples of acceptable cases can be found here.

Can our family share an iTunes account for purchasing apps?
We strongly suggest students have their own iTunes accounts. This allows students to install software at school without parents having to share their passwords with their children. By having her account, students can take purchased music and software with them when they go to college rather than leave it on their parents’ account and have to repurchase apps, songs, video and other software for their iPads, iPhones or other iOS-compatible devices.

How can we get additional software for the iPad?
All students will need to have a personal iTunes account that requires a prepaid iTunes card or credit card for purchasing additional software (apps) and e-textbooks. Parents can preload their daughters’ accounts for a specified amount of money, give their daughters a pre-paid iTunes card (available at Apple Stores, Safeway, Walgreens and other stores), or students can make purchases can be made one-at-a-time, entering a credit card number for each transaction. All software issued by the school or purchased by the student belongs to the student, which again, is another reason why it’s important for every student to have her own iTunes account.

How does the student backup software she installs on her iPad?
Students are responsible for backing up all software and data on their home computer using iTunes software for either Mac or PC and/or through iCloud (although we request students do not perform backups at school due to bandwidth issues). Information on how to do this is at http://apple.com/ipad .

How much will this cost?
The school will collect a $225 use fee (payable on the school’s website) at the beginning of the freshman, sophomore, and junior years to cover the purchase price of the iPads and some productivity apps students will use in most classes. Your freshman payment is due at this time. Students will not initially receive their iPads until this fee is paid. If you have special circumstances, please contact Interim Head of School Mary Forsyth.

Do the iPads belong to the student or the school?
All equipment is owned by Convent of the Sacred Heart High School until the completion of the students’ junior year.

What else is the student responsible for purchasing?
Aside from purchasing a case to protect the iPad from impact, some art classes will require students to have a stylus (about $15). Students may wish to purchase headphones or earbuds for listening to instructional videos in public spaces, such as in the library. Some students may wish to purchase an external keyboard, yet many students quickly adjust to using the virtual keyboard. Students are additionally required to purchase apps and/or e-books required for their courses. These are listed here.

Will all textbooks be available on the iTunes App Store?
Some classes will use iPad-only textbooks, while other course will use traditional texts and materials. In order to prevent purchasing the wrong e-book (as some have similar names and e-books cannot be returned), please use the links provided in the textbook post.

What happens if the iPad breaks?
All iPads come with a one-year warranty during which almost all hardware issues will become apparent and will be covered. Well-designed protective cases, supplied by the students, will prevent damage to iPads in routine use and occasional drops; however students and their parents are responsible for paying for any damage to the iPad, such as cracked or broken screens.

Students should bring any concerns to the high school computer office where we will arrange for repair, if necessary, with our IT department. Alternatively, students can take the iPad to the Genius Bar at any Apple Store for replacement (for mechanical problems covered under warranty) or repair, at their own expense. The school has a limited number of loaner iPads that may be available in the interim.

Is there anything else we should know?
In our first year of implementation, we found the iPad to be an powerful device for enhancing student learning and engagement. We are excited to see how your daughter will use this tool in the scope of her academics. We encourage parents and guardians to discuss with their daughters how they are using their iPads, and to encourage them to use it wisely and responsibly, including what applications or songs they download, how often (or late) they communicate with friends and classmates via Facetime, Facebook or Instant Messaging, and what Internet sites they visit.

If your iPad “breaks” over the summer … Just a...

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:33:00 -0700

If your iPad “breaks” over the summer …

Just a reminder to the Classes of 2014 and 2015: You have a two-year warranty on your iPads. If anything goes wrong with the iPad (the toggle button stops working, you can’t restart your iPad, you can’t exit an app, etc.) you can take it any Apple Store Genius Bar for help. Tip: Go to the Apple website, find the store you want to visit, and make an appointment to avoid waiting when you get there.

The clerks at the store will have your iPad serial number and warranty in their database, so there are no papers or any other “proof” that you need.

(Be sure you back up your iPad before you take it to the Genius Bar. You don’t want to loose any of your apps or work in case things go terribly wrong.)

However, if you break the glass cover on your iPad, it is not covered and you will need to get it repaired before school starts in August. This can be expensive at the Apple Store, but we have had great service at

Motion Wireless
3048 Fillmore St.
(between Union and Filbert streets)
(415) 921-8833

They charge $170 plus tax, but it’s still cheaper than the Apple Store. The choice, though, is up to you.

Happy summer!

This app is incompatible …

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:08:37 -0700

Have you noticed there are a lot of app updates lately? That’s because Apple updated its iOS (iPad/iPhone operating systems) and now app designers are scrambling to add new features that will work with the new version.

The problem is, though, a lot of upgraded apps will not work with the version of software that came with the student and teacher iPads issued in August. (Especially true: Keynote, Numbers and Pages.) In fact, if you try to upgrade, you’ll get a dialogue box telling you that the app is incompatible with your iPad.

If you want the newest features, upgrade to iOS5. But leave yourself a good two or three hours to do so. It takes time.

If you don’t care, then leave things as they are. If you want the newest features, upgrade. But, be careful. Read what the upgrade is for or what it is supposed to do. Best advise: Don’t just click randomly.

iOS5 — Should I upgrade?

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:03:00 -0700

The next time you synch your iPad to your home computer, you should get a dialogue box telling you there’s new software available for your iPad and asking you if you want to upgrade. Yes, you should — but do this first:

Many developers have upgraded their apps to work with iOS5, so log into the App Store and upgrade all of your apps. (This took Ms. Sena over half an hour just to do this.) After they apps have downloaded, plug your iPad into your computer and open iTunes, if it doesn’t open automatically.

Click the button for “DOWNLOAD ONLY.” While the software is downloading, make sure all of the software that’s on your iPad is on your computer. If you’ve downloaded apps directly to your iPad, there’s a possibility they’re not synched. After your iPad has synched once, and while still in iTunes, go to File >Transfer purchases from <YourName’s> iPad and let the iPad synch again.

By this time the new software may or may not have downloaded (it may take half an hour or more). If it has and you’ve got a good hour or so to kill, unplug and replug in your iPad synch cable and follow the prompts to upgrade your software.

Note that the upgrade may take 30 minutes to an hour or more, depending on how much stuff you have to synch. (If you have downloaded chapters from the algebra or geometry book, resynching may take longer.) Do not unplug the iPad during this process, so plan your time carefully.

Once everything is upgraded and resynched, your iPad will ask you to reset a few things, like your passcode, if you have one. This whole process should only take five minutes.

There you go! Have fun with your new iOS and upgraded apps!

Changing the time and date on the iPad will disconnect the...

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:18:00 -0700

Changing the time and date on the iPad will disconnect the Dropbox app and prevent you from downloading classwork. Remember, school comes first!

There’s a right way and a wrong way to pull out cords out...

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:57:00 -0700

There’s a right way and a wrong way to pull out cords out of the wall — or your iPad. Just like your mom told you when you were a little girl: pull on the plug itself, not the cord. The connector between the wires and the plug can break with too much tension. (Replacement cords are $19 at your Apple Store.)

It is dangerous to plug in a cord that is frayed or has the wires showing. You don’t want to short out your iPad — or get an electrical shock. Replace it right away.

Likewise, don’t bend the cord any more than you have to. Take special care when stuffing the cord into a bag. Your best bet is to coil the cord loosely.

This is also good advice for the AC adapters for MacBooks. The the thin wire that attaches to the power block become exposed too much bending. Again, leave a little slack on wire before you wind it up.

Sophomore Geometry—at last!

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:58:00 -0700

Finally! Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has its geometry book available for download. You will first need to download this app then open it. Please use this link rather than searching for what you “think” is the correct app. It’s easy to install the wrong one and the code won’t work if you do. (It takes a while, so make sure you have some time to kill.) Mrs. Cinti will install the code for you.

How are you using your iPad?

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 07:57:23 -0700

Hey, frosh and sophs —

You’ve had your iPads for about a month now. How are you using it to increase your productivity? Tell us about any app that you’ve found that especially helpful — or even just plain old fun. What problems are you having? Let us know.

Yes, you MUST have YOUR OWN iTunes account

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:34:00 -0700

Some students are running into problems downloading software through iTunes because they’re using a parent’s or a sibling’s iTunes account. Remember: Which ever account downloads the software owns it. We can’t reassign it to someone else.

So, if you’re getting an error “This device doesn’t support this software,” it’s because the account is tied to you dad’s Blackberry. If all of your brother’s software for his iPhone is downloading on your iPad, it’s because you two can’t share the same account.

As we posted earlier, you don’t have to use a credit card to have an iTunes account. (See the post below for more information.) You do, though, need to have your own iTunes account.

This is your iPad on the Marble Stairs

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:22:00 -0700

Actually, this iPad fell out of a backpack that the owner thought she had closed. It was an unfortunate incident, but it convinced the owner that she should buy a drop-proof case for her new one. Ouch.

(BTW, the glass on iPads can shatter into tiny fragments that are hard to see with the naked eye. Do not use an iPad with a shattered screen. It’s dangerous! Please stop by the Computer Lab Office if your glass breaks or you have other problems.)

Productivity & learning apps

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 19:52:00 -0700

Learning specialist Patricia Kievlan has been putting together a list of apps students may find helpful for creating study aids and productivity. Get to her blog from here.

Taking care of your battery

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 22:34:00 -0700

Having an electronic device with a crummy battery is, well, a huge drag. There are a few simple things you can do to keep your new iPad battery in tip-top condition:

The first time (or second or third, if you’ve been using your iPad and haven’t done this) you use your iPad, plug it in and charge the battery to 100 percent. Then run the battery all the way down until it shuts down and THEN recharge it to 100 percent. (Don’t unplug it before it gets to 100!)

Doing this about once a month helps your iPad battery to remember how big it is (about 12 hours of use!)

Try not to plug in your charger frequently — especially if your battery is more that 50 percent full. (Remember, that is still six hours of working time.) The more you charge it, the less likely it is to remember that it has almost 12 hours of working time.

Of course, there will be emergencies when you will want to top-off your battery, say for a flight to Europe. The occasional mini-charge is okay — just don’t make a habit of it!

There's a reason they call it JAIL breaking!

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 22:24:00 -0700

Sorry, girls. The answer to “May we jailbreak our iPads?” is a big fat “NO!” Doing so invalidates the Apple Care warranty. If anything goes wrong, you’re on your own.

But thanks for asking!

How to use my NEW iPad?

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:22:00 -0700

Make sure your computer has the latest iTunes software. Download it if you don’t already have an iTunes account.

Even if you already have an iTunes account on your computer, check to see if there is a newer version for you to download. (iTunes will always tell you when you launch the program if there is a newer version available.) Install it on your computer by following the easy prompts.

You do not need a credit card on file to use iTunes.

You can click the prompt for no card and that’s fine. You can buy an iTunes gift card at most grocery, drug, and Apple stores and use that card to purchase software.

You can also ask your parents to insert their credit card number, download the software you need, and then they can remove their card number from your account so you can’t buy anything they don’t know about.

Now that you have an iTunes account set up …

Use the USB plug to connect your computer to your iPad.

Your iPad will now automatically synch to your computer.