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iPads for Teaching & Learning

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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. 

hands using an ipad

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

Consultations and Workshops

Application Process

Apply Now

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.

Due dates for iPad program applications by quarter

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