I sometimes get the question "how can I display/mirror my iPad/Phone and/or Macbook to my classroom projector?"
Luckily there are various options:
Use a Document Camera:
An obvious one, although sometimes forgotten! You could, if you have a stand, use your iPad for this,
it will show very decent footage actually.
Via a Cable:
The most direct and simple way: connect to the projector via an adapter on the VGA cable (some call that a dongle).
You can have them for iPad and Macbook, and they look different, depending on the age of the computer and projector.
The adapters connect to the VGA video cable (that connects to your wall plug/projector).
If you can use an HDMI adapter (check the projector), it will carry the audio as well. In that case, you might need to plug some amplified speakers into the projector (as those speakers are usually not very powerful).
Ask your tech department for a longer VGA connection cable, if you want to be a bit more mobile.
Wireless from iPad/Mac <-> Mac:
Apple uses the "AirPlay" wireless protocol, which is supported by a number of devices (iPad2 and higher).
Macbooks prior to 10.9 need some software to make them "Airplay" capable.
Reflector is such software that you run on your Mac, and it will allow any iPad in the network to connect to that Macbook.
You connect your Mac (as usual) to the projector. On your iPad you would use the "connect to airplay devices" option,
choose your Mac, and voila: you can show/mirror your iPad that way wireless on the projector.
And yes, you can set a password for the connection possibility, preventing that 'strangers' can connect to your Mac. Of course,
you might just want that, to allow any student in the classroom to display his iPad on the big screen!
That goes very fast, and allows a nice workflow, e.g. a student could easily show how he/she did the math equation to all . . .
Here is the bonus: Mac's with 10.9 (Maverick) installed, have Airplay features baked in. Meaning, they can connect to other Airplay
devices as well. Hence, that way one can connect iPads and Macbooks wireless to a class projector.
e.g. 2 iPads at the same time.
There is competition from a new player:
Has some very cool features like multiple iOS devices at the same time (comparing work, designs, both teacher and a student iPad at the same time, recording, etc.). It works pretty well, and there is no noticeable lagging.
Wireless from iPad/Mac <-> AppleTV:
Airplay connection is also a feature of the Apple TV's. You can (only) connect them with a HDMI cable to a projector (or TV/Monitor).
What does that give you?
* 10.9 Macs and iPads can connect to it (wireless) using Airplay. That way, you can wireless show and present.
* It can play video (+audio) from those devices, allowing a kiosk/display setup
* The Apple TV can play from sources such as Vimeo, Flickr etc. as well. It just needs WiFi connection for that.
Great for a classroom that has (a mix of) iPads and Macs. Anybody in the room could - instantaneous - show his device on the big screen!
No HDMI capable projector? Kanex allows you to connect an Apple TV to an older projector that doesn't have those slick HDMI inputs!
With a setup like above, one could try to use an iPad as a "mobile whiteboard"
What do you need for that?
Basically an App, that allows to draw/write/annotate/compose on the iPad, and later has options for sharing the content via the web, export as movie, pdf etc. Most Apps will allow you to record your actions on the iPad as well, ideal for creating flipped-classroom materials.
Some notable Apps:
Whiteboard: the basic (and free) one, you should have it installed!
Zamurai: this one (pretty new) has a substantial amount of icons/objects/diagram structures etc. built-in. Basic = free, has InApp purchases
Doceri: this one is a professional one, and used the most by those who miss the actual 'real' interactive whiteboard in their classroom
Explain EveryThing: an excellent App, for much more than 'whiteboarding' only. Not free, but worth every penny. Is on all our iPads!
Tony Vincent made a pretty slick overview in a diagram, here is a link:
Of course, in this document we are missing the - recently announced - Google ChromeCast.
It basically is a smaller version of the Apple TV, see another post.
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Now what if your School/Environment does not support/allow Airplay connections? (Some networks will not support this)
Then, if that is allowed :-), you could create your own network: take along an Airport Express (Apple) router, and you are set!
You could also try to connect via BlueTooth, for some that works pretty well.
Or, your phone (if you have an unlimited data plan) could be used to setup your own HotSpot network.
If you are willing to invest a small amount, you could opt for a device that
This device creates a network itself. You need to be in a reasonable distance. (5 meters or so).
The advantage of Airplay: it is part of Bonjour, meaning it would work in the whole network,
and distance would not matter! You could connect from an iPad to anywhere in your network environment!
That way, one could easily create kiosk/bulletin board setups in a school.
