iPads for Teaching & Learning
The iPads for Teaching and Learning Program investigates the extent to which the use of iPads can impact teaching, learning, and research when applied in the service of specific goals.

Throughout the year, the program committee chooses a select number of Stanford faculty and instructor projects to in support of teaching, learning, and research. Awarded projects receive iPad devices for students, instructors, and/or staff and/or teachers, as well as, software, and instructional, technical, and logistical support. The program’s goals include to:
- Explore how iPads impact teaching, learning, and research at Stanford
- Provide awardees and their students with technical, instructional, and logistical support
- Share lessons learned from specific projects with the Stanford community
Why iPads?
The iPad combines powerful hardware features (touch interface, Wi-Fi, a camera, and a high-resolution screen), with over 500,000 native iPad apps available in the App Store, allowing awardees to customize their iPads to create engaging pedagogically and disciplinarily relevant learning experiences. iPads are commonly being used at Stanford for a variety of goals.
Teaching
- Annotate slides during lecture presentations
- Annotate, grade, and provide feedback on student work
- Host collaborative online review sessions
- Conduct remote office hours through web conferencing
- Produce screen casts and instructional video
- Record lectures for reflection, feedback, and improvement
Learning
- Manage and organize class notes
- Collaborative study sessions
- Improved accessibility
Research
- Conduct user testing of newly developed applications
- Record interviews
- Surveys and questionnaires
Sustaining the iPads program
We partner with the School of Engineering in support of the Educational Broadband Service (EBS) program led by the Federal Communications Commission. We receive iPads to loan to the Stanford community primarily through this program.
To sustain this iPad program, it is critical that all participants cooperate with any requests to complete the EBS survey. The brief survey assesses hours of LTE data used in local geographic service areas and will be emailed to those who borrow iPads. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Awarded Resources
Awardees will receive:
- Hardware: iPads, USB cords, cases, and power adapters, additionally, Apple Pencils and Smart Keyboards are subject to approval.
- Software: Pre-loaded* free and paid* iOS applications to support your teaching or research goals.
- Instructional support: Award recipients will meet with our team to discuss pedagogically sound and learner-centered approaches to integrating iPads into your course.
- Technical support: Our technical team will assist with the testing and customization* of your iPads.
- Logistical support: Our support team will help schedule your checkout and check-in dates.
All items must be returned by the end of the quarter (awardees will receive the due date during checkout).
*Subject to availability
Support Resources
Guides and Documentation
- Starter Guide for iPads for Teaching and Learning
- How to use Powerpoint and Zoom with iPad
- How to use Zoom whiteboard with iPad
- Digital Inking for Remote Lectures using iPad and Apple Pencil
Consultations and Workshops
- Watch the recording of "The Benefits of an iPad and Apple Pencil for Remote Learning" workshop (Use your Stanford Google account to access.)
- In-person orientation to iPads: Our staff will visit your group to instruct them on how to use the iPads.
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One-on-one consultation: We offer personalized sessions tailored to your specific needs. Contact: iPadsForTeaching@stanford.edu.
Application Process
When to Apply
Proposals for individual iPads to be used by individual faculty members, instructors, or teaching assistants may be submitted at any time.
Proposals for multiple iPads to be used by a group of people such as students enrolled in a course or program, a research study, or event should be submitted by the following due dates.
Quarter (Academic Year) |
Proposals Due* |
Awardees Notified |
---|---|---|
Summer 2022 |
May 31, 2022 |
June 7, 2022 |
Autumn 2022 |
August 30, 2022 |
September 6, 2022 |
Winter 2023 |
November 29, 2022 |
December 6, 2022 |
Spring 2023 |
March 7, 2023 |
March 14, 2023 |
Eligibility
All Stanford faculty members, instructors, and teaching assistants are encouraged to apply.
Selection Criteria
In service of the program's goal of investigating if, and in what ways, iPads impact teaching, learning, and research at Stanford, applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that effectively:
- Describe their course learning or research goals.
- Describe how an iPad will help them achieve their goals.
- Describe their plans for meaningfully integrating an iPad into their course, classroom activity, workshop, or research project.
- Describe how they will determine if the iPad has an impact on achieving their course learning or research goals.
Selection Process
Proposals will be reviewed by the program committee. Reviewers will rate each proposal based on how thoroughly the applicant addressed the selection criteria. The proposals with the highest overall ratings will be approved in order from highest to lowest until all of the iPads are allocated.
Evaluation Requirements
Applicants agree to participate in the program’s evaluation process including:
- Completing a summative survey about your experience using an iPad to support your teaching or research goals.
- Distributing our summative survey at the end of the project period to your students.
- Applicants and participating students must sign a liability form during the checkout process to take responsibility for any lost, damaged, or locked iPads and peripherals.
Questions?
Center for Teaching and Learning
408 Panama Mall, Room 119
iPadsForTeaching@stanford.edu
Kristin Arguedas
Academic Technology Specialist