Thomas Jefferson Digital Learning Initiative Updates: Distance Learning Support
April 2021
SOL testing will require APS issued iPads! Please make sure your iPad will be charged and ready to go. Students should make sure the TestNav app is also on their device. Here are directions for ensuring the app is ready to go. Students must be logged into their APS google accounts to view the directions. These directions have also been posted in Canvas and discussed in TA.
December 2020
Jefferson Memo about iOS update
Update for iPads iOS 14.2 upgrade….and this one you can do on your own!The county has removed the iOS upgrade restriction on your iPads. Please upgrade your iPads to iOS 14.2 (the latest iPad operating system). Please do this task even if the iPad just got updated to 13.7. You MUST do the below 2 things to make this work.
- Your iPad has at least 8GB space free. If it doesn’t, please go through your photos app and delete any images/videos that you don’t want. Then delete the deleted items in the photos app.
- It must be connected to a charger or have at least 70% battery.
Directions to upgrade: Go to the Settings app -> Software Update -> Tap on Download and Install for iPad iOS 14.2. AFTER the iPad gets updated…if an app quits right after launching it, the app needs to be updated too. You should go to the app catalog and tap on the Installed button to update the app.
El condado ahora ha eliminado la restricción de actualización de iOS en sus iPads. Actualice sus iPads a iOS 14.2 (el último sistema operativo de iPad). Haga esto incluso si el iPad se acaba de actualizar a la versión 13.7. DEBE hacer las siguientes 2 cosas para que esto funcione. Su iPad tiene al menos 8 GB de espacio libre. Si no es así, revise su aplicación de fotos y elimine las imágenes / videos que no desee. Luego, elimine los elementos eliminados en la aplicación de fotos. (https://www.apsva.us/ms-student-technology-tutorials/deleting-ipad-photos-videos/Links to an external site.)Debe estar conectado a un cargador o tener al menos un 70% de batería.Instrucciones para actualizar: Vaya a la aplicación Configuración -> Actualización de software -> Toque Descargar e instalar para iPad iOS 14.2. DESPUÉS de que el iPad se actualice … si una aplicación se cierra inmediatamente después de iniciarla, la aplicación también debe actualizarse. Debe ir al catálogo de aplicaciones y tocar el botón Instalado para actualizar la aplicación.
November 2020
We will distribute new keyboard cases to our 7th and 8th grade students. Please know that you do NOT need to bring anything. When you get home, you should take the iPad out from the old case and put it in the new case. Please follow these instructions on how to put the iPad in the new case: https://youtu.be/Q2BJKSCK4_g?t=7. Please hold onto the old iPad case so that you have a backup if something should happen to the new iPad case.
September 2020
- New! Grade 6 iPad pick up is Monday, September 14 at Jefferson between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Here is an instructional video about the case and the configuration. Information about the grade six keyboard case can be found here
- Back to School iPad Updates
- If you need any technical assistance please do not call the school but rather please send an email jeftechhelp@apsva.us
- Rising sixth grade students who were enrolled in APS last year should continue to use the device they have. The iPads will be swapped out once cases become available. Parents will receive communication once we know more about the situation. If for some reason you turned in the iPad to your student’s elementary school, you need to contact jeftechhelp@apsva.us
- Middle School Technology Tutorials
Summer 2020
Please check here for first steps in troubleshooting your student’s APS issued iPad. Please note that students involved in summer school activities will be prioritized and tech support questions may not be answered immediately due to summer schedules of school staff.
Teams App Support Videos
Logging into Teams and Notification Settings:https://vimeo.com/415267263/041d254573
Joining a Teams meeting:https://vimeo.com/415296208/f836955c47
March 2020
School Based Technology Support Email Directory
The Thomas Jefferson staff worked very hard to prepare students with technology support before school closed. Damaged iPads were replaced as quickly as possible and many WiFi hotspots were delivered to students who had expressed need for access at home. Teachers also helped students prepare their Canvas course and iPad settings to ensure, to the best of our ability, continued instructional opportunities while schools are closed. Despite our best efforts to communicate the need to correctly configure iPads while here at school, we understand that there may be some issues that interrupt Internet connection at home mostly due to Global Protect, the county’s content filtering application. If you are experiencing issues connecting to home WiFi, here are possible troubleshooting tips provided by Information Services that must be done on the APS network (you might be able access this network from a school parking lot):
For General Issues Away From School
- Ensure the iPad is connected to wifi
- Open the GlobalProtect app and click connect
- If the app connects successfully, check the VPN settings in the Settings App:
- Open the Settings app
- Go to General > VPN > GlobalProtect
- Click the info icon (i)
- Ensure “Connect on Demand” is set to “On”This will ensure that GlobalProtect will connect automatically in the future.
- If the app doesn’t connect:
- Force quite the GlobalProtect app (double click the Home button and swipe up on the GlobalProtect app) and try again.
- If that doesn’t fix the issue, reboot the iPad and try again.
- If the app connects successfully, check the VPN settings in the Settings App:
Other Troubleshooting Tips:
Physical Damage
Throughout the school year, students should communicate with their TA teacher if they are experiencing a physical issue with their device to initiate the repair process. If you have a student who has physically damaged or disabled their iPad while schools are closed, they will need to let their TA teacher know when school reopens.
Use of Other Devices
Although the hope is to have students benefit from the APS issued iPad, students are able to access all content on any other type of device, if available, including family computer, tablet, or phone. Student work does not have to depend on the iPad if other options are available.
Instructional Questions
If you have specific questions pertaining to content made available through Canvas, please contact the specific teacher. Teachers will be able to answer questions pertaining to their instructional practices.
Students should use MyAccess to get to their instructional applications including Canvas. Again this site can be reached on any type of device if the APS issued iPad is not working for the student.
Technology Contact
Please feel free to email the Thomas Jefferson ITC if you have technology questions. As you can imagine, it may be very difficult to solve specific problems remotely without physical access to the device. We completely understand any frustration you may have when it comes to technology, and we very much appreciate your patience at this time.
Middle School Student Technology Handbook
