Tips and Tricks for the iPad

As part of Bluefield University’s efforts to give all students equal access to classroom technology and instruction, BU students received a new iPad, Apple Pencil, and Apple Keyboard at the beginning of the 2021-2022 academic year. And while there have been lots of advantages, there have been challenges as students adjust to learning the new technology and ways to receive and submit assignments. To help students with the process, we thought we’d offer a few iPad tips and tricks to tackle this new way of learning at BU. 

The endless pages of material that must be read for assignments are about to come much faster and easier. This tip is a time-saver, thanks to the iPhonegeeks staff. 

Speak Selection

1. Start the Settings app.
2. Go to Accessibility. 
3. Tap Spoken Content.
4. Turn on Speak Selection and Speak Screen.

Speak Selection will read any given text, while Speak Screen will read all text that the app is showing. Swipe two fingers down from the top of the screen to do this.

Quick Access to Notes

Another quick tip from iPhonegeeks involves your Apple Pencil, and it also saves quite a bit of time. If your iPad is locked, but you need to take a quick note, tap the screen with the tip of the Apple Pencil, and a new note from the Notes app will come up without taking the time to unlock your iPad and find your Notes app. 

Customizing Your iPad

This tip helps with completely customizing your iPad. With the customization app Widgetsmith, you can customize your iPad to your very own aesthetic. 

1. Open the App Store app.
2. Search for Widgetsmith.
3. Download the app. 
4. Open Widgetsmith and get started creating!

There are many sizes, colors, texts, clocks, calendars, and more to choose from to add to your home screen. You can also add pictures from your camera roll, as well.

Split Keyboard

The Split Keyboard is a trick that most college students who have grown up with a mobile phone need to know. Most young adults are used to typing on their phones with their thumbs, which will be very helpful. Not everyone wants to set up their iPad with their keyboard case, which will be a useful trick. 

1. Go to Settings. 
2. Select General
3. Select Keyboard 
4. Switch the toggle to the right to enable Split Keyboard

Split Keyboard is more comfortable for typing for most students as they only have to use their thumbs on either side of the screen.

Split Screen

AGiRepair shares helpful tips and tricks for students, but one of the most useful ones would be Split Screen. If you have a textbook open but want to look at it while taking notes, this is a remarkable feature. 

1. Open the first app you want to display.
2. When the first app is open, access the dock by pulling up from the bottom of the screen.
3. Long press the second app you want to display.
4. The second app will appear as a floating window.
5. Flick the second app down to split the screen. 

Keyboard Shortcuts

AGiRepair also has more simple tips, such as shortcuts. Keyboard Shortcuts are some of the most helpful tips you will know. Below are some of the most used keyboard shortcuts. 

1. Cmd + H – return to the home screen.
2. Cmd + Space – spotlight search.
3. Cmd + Shift + 3 – screenshot of entire screen.
4. Cmd + Shift + 4 – partial screeshot.