ALN/SEND Equipment Guide

Which iPad?

iPads come in three sizes – iPad minis, standard iPads (sometimes called iPad Airs) and iPad Pros. Apple bring out a new model every year or two, and after several years the older iPads no longer support newer apps. We are big fans of iPad minis. They do everything an standard iPad can do, but are smaller and lighter. We don’t find the smaller screen has any practical drawbacks, though this is to an extent a matter of taste.

The ideal ratio of iPads is 1:1 for PMLD settings, and 1:2 for all other settings, but lessons can be adapted to work with a single iPad for the whole class.

Other Important Equipment

The exact equipment you need depends on how many iPads you have access to, and what you plan to do with them. For higher ability groups who are able to work in small groups, you will need:

1. Headphones
2. Headphone splitters, if pupils are going to be sharing iPads.
3. A speaker

The video at the bottom of this page shows how it all fits together.

We also often use a microphone plugged into the iPad to encourage vocalising.

Various clamp stands for wheelchairs are also available, but we usually find it easier to use the equipment already in the class (including standard wheelchair tables).

Equipment Links