The short answer is, yes!

It’s easy to skip software updates on your devices. So often, you’re hard at work when a message suddenly pops up saying “a software update is available” and it’s much easier to click “later” rather than stopping to take the time to install right then. However, it’s important to update your computer, iPad, and even the apps and programs on your devices. Below are just a few reasons why.

• Security
  Businesses like Apple and Google have security researchers who try to hack into their own devices and accounts to determine where there’s a weakness and how to fix it. Without the newest update, you’re vulnerable to the security breach that these researchers found and fixed via the update.

• Improvements and Bug Fixes
  If you’re an Apple user, you’ve probably been plagued with the “I” autocorrect bug.  The most recent update fixes this issue. For those of us who have dealt with this frustrating issue, the fix is reason enough to update.

• Features that make your life easier
  Software updates for iOS devices such as the iPad often include helpful features such as the ability to write directly on a picture with the markup feature, have an Apple TV remote available in the Control Center, and much more!

  One of the most important features that will make your life easier is when your computer works with the Apple TV. Since the Apple TVs work well with newer operating systems (specifically High Sierra), updating is incredibly important!

  If your computer is updated to High Sierra and does not work with the Apple TV, please contact the Tech department. 

Okay…you convinced me. How do I do it?

Prior to any update, you’ll want to back up any information stored on your device. Please refer to our blog post about Google Drive for assistance backing up your files.

To update the OS (operating system) on your computer, follow this step by step tutorial.
Please note that while updating your operating system is important, it may also require you to update other programs on your computer (the old programs worked with the old operating system but the old programs will need to be updated to work with the new operating system). We’ve found this to be the case with printing as well as Doceri.

• Check your printer! If it’s working, great! If not, try the following. 
  1. Go to mtiprint.mtwp.net/ipp (the link only works while in the district)
  2. At the top: Install iPrint client
  3. Click to download installer
  4. Run the installer
• Check Doceri! If it’s working, great! If not, try the following.
   –   Update Doceri by going to Doceri’s website.

To update the iOS (mobile operating system) on your iPad, follow this step by step guide.

Updating the iOS on student devices :

• For students who take their devices home, updating is at their discretion. However, it’s a good idea to encourage them to update so everyone’s device has the same features and capabilities during instruction.

• For students who keep their devices at school, it’s best to update all of the iPads at once so each device has the same features and capabilities during instruction. This can be done while the students are at lunch, before they go home for the day, etc.

App updates

• Apps downloaded from Self Service (by students and/or teachers) are automatically updated every night.

• Apps downloaded from the App store (by teachers) will still need to be updated through the App store or by turning on automatic updates.

With the increased amount of technology, comes an increased amount of tech questions. Follow these helpful tips to get your questions answered and your device back up and running as soon as possible.

Who to contact for repairs (Elementary and LRIS)
     1st contact- Teacher

• Perform common troubleshooting steps (quit app, restart iPad, delete/reinstall app, rejoin network).
• If all else fails, Google it!
    2nd contact- Building Tech Integrator
  • The tech integrator will ask you to share the troubleshooting steps that were performed.
    –    This ensures that they don’t try the same thing and gives them more information to share with
    TechMedia, if needed.
  • If the device is still having trouble (malfunctioning, physical damage), the building tech integrator will contact TechMedia.
    TechMedia’s internal process
    1. If the problem can be fixed, it will be fixed and returned to the classroom teacher.
    2. If the problem cannot be fixed, a replacement iPad will be issued.

Who to contact for repairs (MS and HS)
1st contact- Teacher

• Perform common troubleshooting steps (quit app, restart iPad, delete/reinstall app, rejoin network).
• If all else fails, Google it!
    

  2nd contact- Library

  • The tech integrator will ask you to share the troubleshooting steps that were performed.
    –    This ensures that they don’t try the same thing and gives them more information to share with
    TechMedia, if needed.
  • If the device is still having trouble (malfunctioning, physical damage), the building tech integrator will contact TechMedia.
    TechMedia’s internal process
    1. If the problem can be fixed, it will be fixed and returned to the library.
    2. If the problem cannot be fixed, a replacement iPad will be issued. If the student is responsible for the cost of repair, the cost will be reported to the main office.