One of the major issues associated with the use of iPads in the classroom have to do with the same reasons that makes them ideal for use in an educational environment; they are extremely versatile. One issue that arises often in the ‘iPads in the Classroom’ discussions is their use in delivering assessments. The argument goes, “What is to prevent a student from, say, switching over to Safari in the middle of a test to do a little during-test research?” Or, “How can we monitor if a student takes a picture of the test screen to share with fellow students who haven’t taken the test yet?”

These are all valid concerns and Apple has taken a step forward in addressing them with the release of its iOS 6. As part of the new update, it is now possible to lock the iPad into a single app mode where all functionality, except those associated with the particular app, can be locked out. That means students will not be able to use the home button to navigate to the desktop, open other apps, take a screenshot, or even change the orientation and volume. In Single App mode, even the sleep mode and the power-off button are disabled. This feature has implications beyond averting cheating temptations during tests. It can be used to lock the iPad on a single app when used by young children. Students with learning disabilities can benefit by keeping their focus on a single application or avoid pressing buttons inadvertently. 

To get your iPad in the single App Mode, follow these steps:

1.     Go to Settings.
2.     Go to General
3.     Do to Accessibilities
4.     Go to Guided Access
5.     Turn Guided access on
6.     Set a passcode (for personal use you can skip this step).

Now Single App Mode is enables. To activate, go to an app of your chose and after it loads, press the home button three times. At this point you can turn off other functions, like touch or motion movements, and, if you need to, you can disable portions of the screen for access by circling them with your finger. This is useful if there are adds in your app to prevent users from clicking on them and being taken to a website.

When your finish setting up your app, click on the ‘Start’ button in the upper right hand corner and you are now in Single App mode. If you typed in a password, you will be required to enter it before the app starts. To end single app mode, press the home button three times. Enter your password, if you created one, and now you are out of single app mode. 

Though it’s not totally hassle free for the classroom environment (teachers would have to set up a password on each student iPad, enable single app mode on each iPad before starting, and then disable it on each iPad afterwards), as mentioned above it is a direction in the right step to making the device’s usability as an all around classroom tool more practical.