Cloning iPads

[Christopher Casal]

The one problem I have with the iPad, and the one issue I don't see anyone bringing up (maybe it isn't an issue?) is the idea of cloning.

What I mean is if I get a class set of 30, how do I easily make them identical in terms of apps, connections settings, etc?

When I get new MacBooks in I wipe the drive and install a new custom image that drops on all of my school's internet settings (proxies, etc) as well as all the software we use (saves me the time of sitting there and dropping software in piece by piece).

I suppose my questions break down like this:

• Can I sync 30 iPads to 1 Mac's iTunes?
• If not, can I download 1 app multiple times to different systems for installation under 1 account name?
• Speaking of apps, how are schools handling iTunes App store, school account, teacher personal account?
• I can use Apple Remote Desktop to quickly copy software to a new machine, or new software to all machines.  Is there a solution like this to easily update the iPads?

Thanks

c

[Christopher Casal]

Thanks to all for the responses.

 

Since my initial post I've found solutions that seem to be working for us:

1) teachers are responsible for their own device - sync to their classroom computer (all have iMacs, MacBooks or both)

2) shared cart - cart has a MacBook dedicated to it. That iTunes account is heavily restricted and only myself and the principal have access to it. When apps need to be purchased/installed the principal approves the expenditure (the iTunes account is on the principal's credit card) and I use the MacBook to sync/clone all the devices.

[Kim Beiderman]

Hi Christopher,

When you sync the iPads, do they lose all of the student data from each app (including mail, photos, Evernotes, etc.)? How can you prevent this from happening?

-Kim B

[Christopher Casal]

Syncing doesn't delete data from apps. It backs up all the data on to the laptop iTunes account

 

The iPads are not student specific since they are shared among multiple classes/grades. They are "iPad_Cart_001" and "iPad_Cart_002", etc. When students use apps they are using either using non sign-in required apps or the browser.

 

Currently they are solely for the Science teachers so apps like Dropbox are set to a "Science Class" Dropbox account so students can view shared class files. For typing they use PlainText which saves to to Dropbox account.

 

We are elem. school so we don't use a lot of apps/resources requiring email sign-ins due to the age of our students. If I was in an upper grade environment I'd have them use their accounts via a browser as opposed to the app (or have them sign in and out of apps like Evernote at the start/end of every class as part of the routine).

 
Hope that answers your question.

Kim Beiderman said:

Hi Christopher,

When you sync the iPads, do they lose all of the student data from each app (including mail, photos, Evernotes, etc.)? How can you prevent this from happening?

-Kim B