BYO iPad

Access. Evaluate. Use.

Learning for Tomorrow

The BYOiPad program seeks to increase student learning by ensuring that every student and teacher in every classroom have an internet-connected iPad. By requiring every student to have an iPad in class, Rockhurst is committing to teaching students the skills necessary to be successful in the 21st century. Students need technology to access, evaluate, and use.

Today’s students will enter a job market that is global, rich in communication, and ever changing. Therefore, today’s students need to be creative, critical thinking, communicative, and collaborative. We believe an iPad in every student’s hands helps up impart these skills while maintaining the values that have made Jesuit education relevant for over four hundred years. The principles of a Rockhurst education remain the same; only the particulars change.

Choose

If you currently own an iPad Air 2 or newer, you do not need to purchase an iPad. If you need to purchase a new iPad, any iPad currently sold at Apple.com will suffice: iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, or iPad Mini 4 with at least 32 GB of storage. Wi-Fi will be provided in the building, so a cellular data plan is not necessary.

Accessorize

A sturdy case, insurance plan, stylus, bluetooth keyboard, and earbuds are recommended. You are free to shop around for the best deals on such accessories. Remember, the iPad is a classroom material so bring it to school fully charged, updated, and ready to use everyday.

Purchase

Parents/students may purchase the iPad directly from Apple or other third-party seller. The decision to give students ownership of the iPad allows students and families to utilize Apple’s reputable customer service and continue his educational use of the iPad into college. Due to Apple’s restrictions on reselling its products and the limited discount from bulk purchasing, Rockhurst does not sell iPads.

Hardware/Software

GOOGLE APPS FOR EDUCATION

Every student and teacher at Rockhurst has a Google Apps for Education account with an email address, calendar, and cloud storage. Google Drive cloud storage is unlimited for education accounts. GAFE is an important tool for fostering creativity and collaboration with apps such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Students are encouraged to download the primary Google apps to their iPads: Chrome, Gmail, Drive, Classroom, Docs, Slides, and Sheets.

MYHOMEWORK

Staying organized is a critical component to being successful in secondary and post-secondary education. myHomework is a digital planner that empowers our students harness the power of organization. myHomework works on any device with apps on most platforms. Each student gets a customizable digital planner loaded with content unique to our school. Parents can also access myHomework to help their son learn to manage his workload.

GOOGLE CLASSROOM

Rockhurst uses Google Classroom as our primary learning management system. Google Classroom helps students and teachers manage their Google Drive by making sure the right files get shared with the correct teacher. Students can easily upload assignments directly to teacher's classes. Work shared with teachers can be quickly assessed and returned to students in real time, not just the next time class meets. Students check for assignments on myHomework, but they upload them to Classroom.

DIGITAL TEXTBOOKS

Since going 1:1 with iPads teachers have taken initiative to harness technology for learning. As a result, 90% of our courses use digital textbooks or no textbooks at all (in favor the many resources available online and in apps). Digital textbooks are so much more than a traditional paperback. They offer additional resources and practice to make sure each student has the tools they need to learn.

NOTABILITY

Notability is an iOS app that enhances traditional notetaking. Students can type and handwrite notes with the ability to quickly move and manipulate information. This empowers students to take quality, organized notes. Furthermore, Notability can be setup to backup all notes to Google Drive, ensuring that a note will never be lost. Download Notability from the Self-Service app after registering the iPad.

JAMF CASPER SUITE

JAMF Casper Suite powers our iPad management. It helps us ensure every student has a device that is ready for learning in the classroom on day one. From JAMF, we push important apps, some textbooks, and make sure each student has access to the website we use most at Rockhurst.

MACBOOK PRO LABS

Our computer labs are powered with 13" MacBook Pro's. Each MacBook dual boots OSX and Windows operating systems so students are not limited in the coding languages they can learn. If the iPad cannot perform a function necessary for a project, students should see Mr. Clark or Mr. Derrington to find a time to use a Mac in one of the labs. Macbooks are not to leave the room.

PRINTING

On the occasion that a student needs to make a copy or print something for a class, the learning commons has a copy machine he can use. When printing, please consider the environmental impact of the ink and paper being used. Students can print directly from the iPad when it is connected to the AMDG WiFi network.

MAKER SPACE

The Annex hosts our newly renovated maker space. The maker space has a video production studio with green screen, a photography dark room, and plenty of space for students to work robotics and other learning projects.