New iPad 9 Features for the Classroom

In early October 2022, the Barrington 220 Tech Team completed our device upgrade from the iPad Generation 6 to the iPad Generation 9. This upgrade brings several learning and teaching options that are new to our students and staff. Ty Gorman (Barrington 220’s Director of Instructional Technology) and I, Matt Fuller (Assistant Superintendent for Technology and Innovation), are visiting schools to share some of the iPad features that are new to us. 

Several new learning and teaching opportunities built into the iPad Generation 9 include:

• Front Camera (Center Stage)
• Live Text (Speak, Translate, and Copy text)
• Visual Look Up (Camera and Photos apps)

New General Features

In general, the iPad 9 includes the following features updated from our previous iPad 6 model:

• Internal iPad storage doubled to 64GB (iPad 6: 32GB)
• Faster A13 chip (iPad 6: A10 chip)
• Neural Engine with machine learning capabilities (iPad 6: none)
• 10.2-inch screen (iPad 6: 9.7-inch screen)

Screen Size on the iPad 9 is slightly larger and offers more work area than the iPad 6.

Also, the iPad 9 now offers machine learning capabilities. Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) that uses data and algorithms to imitate the way that humans learn. Some machine learning examples on the iPad are shown below.

Front Camera

The new front camera is greatly enhanced from the iPad 6 camera. A new feature added to the camera is called Center Stage. Using videoconferencing software such as Zoom, Center Stage will focus on faces and keep them in the video. As you move on screen or when a new face enters the video, you will see the camera pan to center and/or include new faces.

Live Text

Live Text uses machine learning to allow the iPad to interpret images or text captured by the Camera to allow various features. 

Speak Text Setup

Open Settings and follow the directions to turn on Speak Selection. You only need to turn this on once.

Capture a photo of a passage of printed text and try the Speak feature. 

Capture a photo of a passage of printed text and try the Translate feature. Make sure to scroll down in the Translate window to show the blue Play button (to hear the translation read), and/or change the language.

Capture a photo of a passage of printed text and try the Copy feature. Use the Notes app (in Split Screen) and Paste the text in a Note.

Visual Look Up

Visual Look Up is a feature that allows you to capture a photo and the machine learning built into the iPad can recognize various features in the photo and then provide additional information. Visual Look Up works with photos of plants/flowers, famous landmarks, pets, famous art, books, and other subjects. 

Capture a photo of a plant in the room (or use a plant photo already in Photos). Notice the “sparkling i” icon. Tap the “sparkling i” to see more information. 

After tapping the “sparkling i” you will see an Info window. The iPad has identified this as a Plant. Tap Look Up to see more information.

The Look Up shows Results, in this case, two links to Wikipedia.

More Resources

Apple. (2022). Learn advanced gestures to interact with iPad. Retrieved from https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/learn-advanced-gestures-ipadab6772b8/ipados 

Apple. (2022). Machine Learning Research at Apple. Retrieved from https://machinelearning.apple.com

IBM Cloud Education. (2022). Machine Learning. Retrieved from www.ibm.com/cloud/learn/machine-learning