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I am a teaching assistant for a class in which students use tablet computers to advance their projects. Yet, sometimes, we need their attention and it can be difficult for them to focus on what I tell them with such distracting tools in hand.

I am looking for a way to monitor student iPads from a teacher's iPad or computer (restrict web browsing, being able to blank the screen and etc.). Any ideas that are relatively cheap? I know similar software exists for computers.

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Michael Rosario
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1 Answers1

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To some extent, I think you may be asking the wrong question. The students you are talking about grown up adults, fully capable of making choices and understanding the consequences. I wonder if your actual question is something like:

What are effective ways to deal with misuse of mobile devices in class?

You'll notice there are quite a few answers on this question, which may solve you real practical problem, yet none of them involve monitoring the students’ devices or anything else. I suggest that you address your problem directly:

  • tell the students your expectations,
  • set up rules that will govern the use of electronic devices,
  • enforce the rules when you are aware of a violation.

Frankly, the fact that a student would be using an iPad for purposes other than you had planned, if it doesn't prevent him or the others from learning, is not a bad thing. You can't think of everything, and surely some of the students will come up with creative yet constructive ways to use the device.

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  • I have taught a few courses so far and we have a few policies in place for tablets/mobile phones/laptops. Very few students actually follow all the directives and frankly, we don't care as long as it doesn't disturb the class and in my experience it never has. – Shion Apr 23 '13 at 20:16