AppleTV in the Classroom

By On February 18, 2012 · 9 Comments · In Apple, AppleTV, Informational, iPads, JasonSeliskar, Technology

Recently I had the opportunity to write a mini-grant from the Covina Rotary Club. I was searching for ideas and came across one. What if I can get a HD TV and an Apple TV? So I looked up the pricing and it worked for the amount of the mini grant. Since then I have purchased these items and are using them in the classroom. Here is what I have been doing and what I hope to be doing in the future.

The AppleTV works well with Apple’s iOS devices like the iPad and iPod by using the built in Airplay feature inthe iOS. The projector I have has an HDMI input so I have another AppleTV unit being played through the projector. So now I can control two Apple TVs in my room either on my projector and/or HDTV.

In my class I have two iPod Touches and an iPad 2. A few students bring in their iPads to use with some of the projects we are doing. You can check out one here, Roadrunner Academy. Anyways, I now can “mirror” my iPad onto either viewing device to demonstrate an app or teach a concept. Students can instantly share their project or iPad screen without downloading or connecting cables since this is all done over the wireless network through the AppleTV. That is why it is important to have a good signal in your classroom. If you have a cart of iPads and are working off a “hotspot” using an Airport Extreme then you might have a better experience versus a community network. Not to say it won’t work, but if you are in a part of the campus that has a weaker signal you might have some issues.

Some good uses with the Apple TV

Since I have two AppleTV units in my classroom, I use one with the projector to teach from and the other for slides used for signage of vocabulary, past concepts, or other review topics.
Some Apps I use with controlling the AppleTV

The ability to mirror an iPad and iPod touch to play and show media is the best use for the classroom. Especially if you are in a 1:1 type environment where students can instantly show there projects or demo without downloading and syncing cables.  A project is shared within seconds of completion or during workflow.  We dont have to wait until completion to share after having to download everyones camera or collect presentations from every student via email (or other means) or one by one on one computer.  Students can present from their location in the class and as a teacher can assess during that demonstration.  Time is spent elsewhere rather than downloading, collecting and then wondering if they did it in the right format.  Whatever the case may be it creates a workflow that works for everyone to display and share.

This alternate way to present information and share is an attractive alternative to the interactive smart board. Smartboard’s are great, but leave the teacher stationary in the front of the room.  Today, the teacher has to be accessible and mobile in the classroom to monitor and facilitate the lesson without being tied down to cords and one computer.  The teacher can easily switch from app to app from anywhere in the classroom without going to the computer to change screens or applications.

As demonstrated by Mr. Holmer’s Class at Hannah Beardsley Middle School:

The combination cost for the AppleTV, Projector and iPad for the teacher rivals the cost of a smartboard with the freedom to be mobile. Districts are thinking of if not already putting this combination of AppleTV and projector’s into their tech plans.

I did run into a slight problem.  This problem came about since my district blocks streaming content.  My iTunes wanted to keep finding the content and I would keep getting these pop ups saying so.  I used this suggestion from MacWorld (Thank you Tim Scholefield for the link) to stop iTunes Internet streaming.  This was easy to overcome.

With the new Mountain Lion coming out later this year, AppleTV capabilities will even grow on how to use it in the classroom.  Check out this video:

With the new Mountain Lion sharing the screen using Airplay on a laptop can open doors to how information is shared in the classroom. Wires and cables are no longer needed.  This freedom allows workflows to be shared with greater ease.

Currently there is a download that lets you do this already. It is called AirParrot. Check it out here.

AppleTV and features are a game changer for the classroom.  I just need a donor to put more iPads in my classroom to get a full immersion of a classroom where students are creating, sharing and I as a teacher can better facilitate that environment.

Please leave comments or feedback below. Would love to here from those who are using this technology in the classroom.

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  • http://www.billselak.com/ billselak

    Love this! I can’t wait to get an apple tv in my class. And now, I can’t wait til mountain lion comes out… Mirroring from a laptop wirelessly will be awesome.

    • http://www.jasonseliskar.com/ Teacher Technology

      I am already excited for Mountain Lion also. Being mobile within a classroom with either a laptop or mobile device will not inhibit sharing and progress by eliminating the download and wire plugins. Thanks for the mention and comment.

      Sent from my iPad

  • Malcore

    We had intentions of doing this very thing at my school. Unfortunately, AppleTV does not currently work with a network set up with “enterprise security.” I will be sharing this page with my IT, as it illustrates some of the uses I would employ.

    • http://www.jasonseliskar.com/ Teacher Technology

      Yes, my issue was signal strength in my class. This maybe a solution for you. Making a Mac an access point. Here is a link that describes that : https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2415603?start=0&tstart=0. It has helped in my room. This maybe an option for you. Your IT people can set this up if they are willing. My guys did.

      Sent from my iPad

  • http://www.tjhouston.com/ TJ Houston

    Thanks for the mention! Mountain Lion is really going to take this device to the next level! Is it also worth noting the ability to pull in Netflix documentaries and other internet content such as flickr. 

  • Alec Wilson

    I’m looking into buying some Apple TV boxes for my department and wondered if you could answer a couple of questions that I had about their use:  

    Firstly do you have more than one ATVs in operation on the same network?  I want the kids to be able to show our class what they’re doing, but not for them to mess around with my colleagues’ ATVs in the adjacent rooms.  I borrowed an ATV from one of my students yesterday to try it out & it seemed to just be a matter of one iPad selecting the mirror to bump the current user off.  This could be a problem if the kids want to play silly buggers.  Do you need separate networks for each classroom?This leads to the second question: Is there any way to control the access to the ATV?Can I lock it to my iPad (or Mac with Mountain Lion) so that I can restrict access? Maybe a password system or controlling software?

    If you or any others reading this could share any practical experience with their usage I would be very grateful.

    • http://www.billselak.com/ billselak

      Each atv can be named. You can also require a password to be able to use AirPlay.
      A new atv might be announced tomorrow…

    • http://www.jasonseliskar.com/ Teacher Technology

      Alec, 

      Yes as @billselak:disqus said, you can have a password set for each ATV.  Avoiding them to be “silly buggers’ would be a class management item just like any other.  With the announcement of a new ATV tomorrow (or today depending on you reading this) these can change.  Mirroring in Airplay may have additional features and/or settings.  http://goo.gl/GtoAJ

  • Hill_katz

    cue rocks!