Classroom Apple TV Pilot

This summer semester we ventured into the unknown with our first Apple TV pilot.  We’ve seen many other schools do it and we had a curious faculty member willing to be the test subject…er, innovator.  Ed South room 131 became our testing ground.  After installing a projector with HDMI input, and some additional network and AV cabling, we were just about set.

The Curriculum and Instruction department had recently acquired two Bretford sync/charging carts with about 30 iPads.  We did run into a bit a of a hiccup when it was discovered that the charging carts came with the older-style 30 pin adapters and the new iPads brandished the lightning connector.  This required some rewiring, bravely taken on by Priscilla Nichols and then Seth Ramsey.

The IT Infrastructure team setup a wireless network just for Apple TV.  It allows internet access as well as Air Play.  We found that in some instances the ad hoc wireless network feature on the Apple TV hardware was a bit limiting in that it seemed to only allow Air Play.  We needed the internet connectivity as well to extend the user experience beyond mere wireless presentation.

The biggest challenge was to setup and sync 30 some iPads with all the same apps.  The instructor had a list of about 20 apps she had identified for use in her class.  App Deployment of this magnitude (this many apps for this many units) was something we’d never done before.  We’re sure we’ll be learning some more tips and tricks on this process!

After some testing with iTunes and Apple Configurator, our intrepid technician synced all units.  We’re eager to see which apps are the most useful, and how these are used.

Today was the first class day.  After demonstrating how to log on the the Apple TV wireless network, and then how to launch AirPlay, we stood back to let the instructor and students explore.  We’re very curious to learn about the collaboration capabilities of iPads and Apple TV.  We’re looking forward to their feedback.

Thanks and shouts go out to the following people for making this possible:

Susan Williams- Our daring instructor

Priscilla Nichols- C&I admin assistant who fearlessly gutted a sync/charging cart in order to rewire.  Oh the carnage!

Casey Richardson- the courteous Classroom Technology Specialist who installed the projector and tested the Apple TV

Seth Ramsey- intrepid student worker who also rewired a sync cart and deployed all apps

Jeremy Gamez- Instructional Technology Coordinator who is working with the instructor to gather feedback for future reference

Jeff Faunce, John Hackett, David Hodges- just a few friendly faces in the Infrastructure team who made the networking pieces possible

We’ll keep you posted on our findings!

Permanent link to this article: http://sites.tamuc.edu/innovations/classroom-apple-tv-pilot/

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