Procedures for Purchasing iPads & Relevant Information
Dear parent of incoming 1st Year,
Thank you for attending our iPad information event on Tuesday 12th March. We hope you found the event useful and informative. For those of you who may have missed the event, all relevant information is available here. Many of you already have children attending the school and know how the system works. For those of you who are less familiar, a step by step guide on how to access and use the Select online store is posted in the flyer below. The store is now open and is created specifically for Coláiste Mhuire students and parents. The store will close on Friday 14th June 24. The link to the store is https://cmb.selectonline.com and the Coláiste specific password to access that store is mhuire2323 . Details are also contained in the flyer below. As mentioned at the iPad info meeting, this year the school will purchase the case for all incoming 1st years who purchase an iPad from SELECT which is a saving of €40. Therefore, the only item you need to purchase from the online store is the iPad itself.
As the SELECT rep mentioned, if your child requires a keyboard you will need to contact Select directlky on the contact listed below.
If parents have any questions, please direct them to this email or call the team on the number below:
01 507 9100
School advice is that the 64GB version is sufficient to cater for all of your child’s educational needs. There is also a 256GB version available. This option is rarely chosen but some students may opt for it if they are very interested in technology and intend using the iPad outside of school for very advanced applications. Once the store opens you simply choose the 64GB iPad. There is an option of purchasing Apple Care plus which is a type of insurance – this is totally optional and up to parents.
It’s important to outline that you are not purchasing the device from the school, but from SELECT who we work in partnership with, so that we can source the best value packages available for our students. SELECT then set up all iPads on a school management system and ensure the devices are set up and personalised for each student prior to facilitating an iPad induction workshop with all students on Friday 23rd August . At this workshop all new 1st years will get their device from SELECT with all of the relevant apps and ebooks preloaded.
If your son/daughter already has a relatively new iPad (within 3 years old) this can also be used - mini iPad is not suitable. We ask that you please email Trish at admin@buttevantcolaiste.ie to inform us of your intention to do so before June and we will ensure SELECT set any personal iPads up at the induction day on August 23th also. Please be aware that these iPads will need to be completely wiped clean before they can and be set up on the school management system. Likewise, if you intend purchasing the iPad elsewhere please email Trish as we need to keep a record so that we know that all students entering 1st year have devices organised.
Should you encounter any difficulty when navigating the online store you can contact SELECT on the details above and their team will be happy to take you through the process.
Kind regards,
Donal O’ Sullivan (principal)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits for students using iPads as part of their education?
iPads are used as a very effective teaching and learning aid in the Coláiste. Students use their iPads for:
Classroom Based Assessments (New Junior Cycle)
E-books
Research for projects
Sharing platform between teachers and students
Email
Capturing videos and photos
Does the tablet have to be an Apple iPad? Can we use an Android device (Samsung, Acer etc.)?
After detailed research and communication with schools, whom were using both, we chose to use Apple iPads. The iPad is extremely reliable and has in general a longer life span. Android devices will not be suitable unfortunately.
When do students receive their iPads?
Students will receive their iPad in the Coláiste during their iPad induction day on August 23rd . SELECT and our IT co-ordinators will oversee this day ensuring each iPad is set up properly from day one.
How do we set up our son/daughters iPad?
Your son/ daughter’s iPad will be set up during their iPad induction.
Are the e-books pre-loaded on to the iPad?
Once the iPad is activated, the e-books will be downloaded by students using their login details provided by the school. Students are guided through this process during their induction.
Must I get insurance for the iPad?
Insurance is not compulsory but it is recommended.
Can my son/daughter download and play games on their iPad?
Yes. The iPad can be used for personal use at home as long as it does not interfere with the storage/ running of the iPad. These app/ games will not appear on the iPad when in school as every student’s iPad is controlled/ monitored by a SELECT management system while in the school building.
Do we need to have Wi-Fi at home to use the iPad?
No. Student books are downloaded on to their iPads while in school and can be viewed at home without Wi-Fi. However, Wifi is extremely useful to support students research work and also to support student/teacher workflow systems such as the Microsoft Teams platform which we use.
Will students still be using textbooks?
Students will be given a physical textbook only if they specifically request one. In the past physical textbooks were given for every subject in addition to the e-books. Feedback from students and parents has shown that the physical books were rarely if ever used. In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint we no longer provide physical books to all students. Physical books are available on request.
Do students still use copybooks?
Yes. The iPad is not meant to replace copy books but to act as a teaching and learning aid.