New Casper Suite Enables Mix-and-Match 1-to-1 and Shared iPads

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 04/11/16

Software for managing Apple devices in a classroom or other settings has gotten an update to leverage features of iOS 9.3. The Casper Suite "Spring 2016" release from JAMF Software takes advantage of Apple's managed "lost mode" to enable IT to locate and recover lost or stolen devices without compromising student or staff privacy. When lost mode is enabled for a given user's device, it displays a customized lock screen message that IT has specified, is disabled from use and sends its location to IT.

Casper Suite is intended to automate computing device activities IT staff may take care of manually, such as inventory, distribution, updates and maintenance. A self-service model enables users to take care of certain activities themselves without needing administrative credentials.

The latest version of the software lets a teacher customize what apps will appear on a home screen. A "shared" mode, which can reside alongside a 1-to-1 program, enables students that share their devices during the day to get a personalized learning experience. The function works with Apple School Manager, which serves as a portal for iPads used in the classroom and allows students to be granted managed Apple IDs.

The program also allows a teacher to launch all devices in the classroom to a specific app, website or book and share work openly through Apple TV or to the teacher's device.

"For years, school districts have had to make the choice between 1:1 and shared iPad programs. The tradeoff has been a personalized learning experience," said Dave Saltmarsh, education evangelist at the company. "With iOS 9.3 and Casper Suite, schools will no longer have to make this choice. They will be able to deliver a personalized experience for each and every student regardless of the school's implementation model."

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • AI toolbox containing a wrench, document icon, gears, and a network symbol

    Common Sense Media Releases Free AI Toolkit, AI Readiness & Implementation Guides

    Common Sense Media has developed an AI Toolkit for School Districts, available to educators free of charge, that provides guidelines and resources for implementing AI in education.

  • elementary school building with children outside, overlaid by a glowing data network and transparent graphs

    Toward a Holistic Approach to Data-Informed Decision-Making in Education

    With increasing access to data and powerful analytic tools, the temptation to reduce educational outcomes to mere numbers is strong. However, educational leadership demands a more holistic and thoughtful approach.

  • three silhouetted education technology leaders with thought bubbles containing AI-related icons

    Ed Tech Leaders Rank Generative AI as Top Tech Priority

    In a recent CoSN survey, an overwhelming majority of ed tech leaders (94%) said they see AI as having a positive impact on education. Respondents ranked generative AI as their top tech priority, with 80% reporting their districts have gen AI initiatives underway, or plan to in the current school year.

  • AI-powered individual working calmly on one side and a burnt-out person slumped over a laptop on the other

    AI's Productivity Gains Come at a Cost

    A recent academic study found that as companies adopt AI tools, they're not just streamlining workflows — they're piling on new demands. Researchers determined that "AI technostress" is driving burnout and disrupting personal lives, even as organizations hail productivity gains.