iOS 7 Features For Schools

Now that we’ve had a chance to play with iOS 7 for a few days we take a look at the benefits for those managing iPads in schools.

If you haven’t already iOS 7 can be installed by going to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPad. Alternatively you can use Apple Configurator to install the update on multiple iPads.

App License Ownership Control

Schools can now purchase apps or iBooks through Apple’s Volume Purchase Programme (VPP) for distribution via an MDM service such as Meraki or Casper. The app can then be recalled at a later date and assigned to a different user.

In iOS 6 purchased apps pushed to users via MDM would be assigned to the end user permanently.

Personal Apple IDs

Teachers and students can enrol their personal Apple ID with their school allowing apps and iBooks to be issued by the school. The end user can then download the app or iBook on their personal device when they wish.

Any assigned apps are entered in the purchase history of the end user for future download.

Automatic updates

App updates are now carried out in the background without the need for the user to enter their Apple ID. This simplified app updates for teachers and students and ensures apps are up to date at all times.

AirDrop

Air Drop allows for iPad to iPad file transfers. Air Drop can be enabled from the Settings menu and accessed by pressing the Share icon in many apps.

Single Sign-on

Teachers and students can now save a user name and password and use it to login to multiple apps. This is useful when you have multiple apps which use the same login details, for example, Google Drive and Gmail.

Apple TV

Apple TVs can now be enrolled in MDM the same as your iPads. Just connect your Apple TV up to a Mac running Apple Configurator by USB and apply an MDM profile as you would an iPad. This simplifies the deployment of large numbers of Apple TVs and saves time manually entering WiFi and password information.