iPad Apps FAQs 2015-16
Questions, Approved Apps & Acceptable Use Policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Beginning in 2014-15, Cardinal Spellman High School adopted expanded management of iPads. We use tools available for educators through Apple and the Casper suite of mobile device management software.
Please see below for some helpful guidelines and responses to frequently asked questions.
1. What are apps?
Apps are “a self-contained program or piece of software designed to fulfill a particular purpose; an application, especially as downloaded by a user to a mobile device”
Apps for the iPad are available through the self-serve icon on your device or the App store.
App store access on managed (i.e. student) devices is limited. If the App store is closed, the download will not progress beyond a spinning wheel.
2. How does Cardinal Spellman High School decide which apps we can download?
The Tech Department works with administration, teachers and students to develop a list of Apps. We have three identified categories of Apps for iPads: “Spellman School Wide Apps”, “Course Apps”, & “Student Requested Apps”.
Approved Apps are accessed through the self-serve icon on your iPad. This category contains Apps that work in all content areas and are free. This category includes Apps for collaboration, creation, communication and critical thinking. Scroll to bottom of document to view approved apps.
Course Apps are selected by your teachers are have specific relation to the content they are teaching
Student Requested Apps are identified by students who individually request permission to add the app to their device. These may include apps for assistive technology, time management or organization
3. Which Apps should I download to my iPad?
Download all Apps located in self-serve as required for your courses. Please note self-serve apps are free, but “Course Apps” may have cost associated with them. Paid apps are considered part of the course materials and are the responsibility of the student. Questions about course apps should be directed to your teacher.
4. When can I download apps?
We use Casper (Mobile Device Management Software) to provide Apps to students through a “Self Serve” icon. School approved apps are placed in the App for download ( think of this as the ‘Spellman App store” )
5. What username and password do I use to login to self serve?
User name is everything before the @ symbol in your email address & password is the same as your email password
6. Which Apps are restricted and why?
Apps that are restricted present a distraction to the learning environment. The goal of using iPads in our school is to support teaching and learning as we prepare our students for life in the 21st century. Although many of these apps have value for entertainment or communication, they have proven to be distracting to the classroom environment. Restricted Apps include all games (i.e. angry birds ), social networking (i.e. including but not limited to facebook, twitter, tumblr, instagram, snapchat,WeChat etc ), and some subscription apps such as Spotify due to bandwidth usage.
The school Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) has always restricted access to these websites and games through any device during school hours and reserves the right to modify this list as needed.
7. What if a student finds an App they would like to use, and it is not on the approved list?
Please email techsupport@spellman with your request and we will notify you by email if it has been accepted. Include the app name, picture if possible and an explanation of how the App will support your learning. We will review your request, test the app in our school environment and notify you by email if your request is approved or if additional information is needed.
8. What if I have a problem with my App download?
Email techsupport@spellman.com and we will provide guidance. You may also come into the tech office during times posted on the office door.
9. How do teachers submit a request to add Apps ?
Teachers should email their request to techsupport@spellman.com - include course name, course number, App name, cost & description of the App. We will then add the App to the approved list, which will be viewable to all teachers and students. Teachers are responsible for communicating with students about required apps for their classes.
10. What if I download a restricted App?
Our mobile device management software, Casper, is very sophisticated. If you download a restricted App, the tech dept will receive notification from the software. Our response plan is as follows:
First occurrence the software will remotely lockdown (or “Flag”) devices that have unapproved apps installed. Your iPad will be locked down until you come to the Tech Office and we will delete the App together.
Repeat occurrences of this will be referred to Brother Paul and you may have to come to the tech office for a review of the school AUP before your iPad is unlocked. Parents are notified.
In a third occurrence, Administration will meet with you and/or your parent to determine the consequence. This will be in accordance with our student handbook and may include installing a more restrictive iPad profile, implementing a technology contract or suspension of your technology privileges.