What is "Mobile Device Management"?
Mobile Device Management, or MDM, is a way for organizations to automate a number of tasks that are commonly done on mobile devices, including iPads. This can include restricting settings, installing shortcuts, distributing apps, and locating lost devices. There are many MDM providers out there, including JAMF Casper (which was used previously in the MURSD) and AirWatch.
What will this do to my iPad?
Enrolling your personal, "BYOD" device in AirWatch will do a few things:
It is important to note that by enrolling your device in AirWatch, it will NOT allow the district to:
- Allow the school district to distribute paid apps to you at no cost.
- Allow the school district to distribute important shortcuts to you (including shortcuts to iStudent, iXL, Moodle, and other websites your teachers want you to use regularly).
- Allow the school district to send you important reminders or announcements directly to your iPad (no school announcements, information about updating your iPad, and more).
- Allow technology staff members to locate your device in the event it goes missing.
It is important to note that by enrolling your device in AirWatch, it will NOT allow the district to:
- Monitor your every move, including the websites you visit. It simply does not give us this capacity.
- Monitor your every keystroke and activity within apps. The district will not use any kind of features that allow this.
- Turn on and off the camera and microphone at will so we can see and hear what you are doing. MDM's don't allow this invasion of privacy.
Do I have to enroll my device?
You must enroll your device to receive many apps that the district wants you to use that are paid. You must also enroll your device to take advantage of the highest internet speeds available in the schools. If you do not enroll your iPad, you may be required to join a "guest" network that is significantly slower and may disrupt your ability to access the internet at school.