For the record: I am not advocating buying an iPad or any other product. These suggestions are based on support forums and have not been tested explicitly by myself or CIEL.
There are a number of options for projecting the screen of your iPad, depending on the other hardware you have at your disposal and/or what you are willing to buy. Whether or not these options will work for you depends upon what generation your iPad is (the original iPad, iPad 2, or the new iPad) AND what apps you want to run. Caution! PLEASE check compatibility before making a purchase.
The first few options, which I like the best because they can be made to work with a projector that is not very accessible, is to buy adapter cables. These do require a wired connection, so you will not have a lot of mobility using these methods.
1) Connect your iPad to the Projector using a VGA connector. You should be able to run the connection through the computer in the room, if the projector is difficult to reach.
- Output is Video only
- Device cannot be charged while projecting
- Required: Apple 30-pin to VGA Adapter from Apple ($35): http://store.apple.com/ca/product/MC552ZM/B/apple-vga-adapter
2) Connect your iPad to the Projector using analogue ports (the red, white and yellow ones). Not a good option for hard-to-reach projectors without additional adapters.
- Output is Video and Audio
- Device can be charge while projecting.
- Required: Apple Composite AV Cable ($45): http://store.apple.com/ca/product/MC748ZM/A/apple-composite-av-cable
3) Connect your iPad to the Projector using an HDMI port, if available. Not a good option for hard-to-reach projectors without additional adapters.
- Output is Video and Audio
- Device can be charge while projecting (if you have your own charge cable)
- Required: Apple 30-pin Digital AV Adapter from Apple ($45): http://store.apple.com/ca/product/MD098ZM/A/apple-digital-av-adapter
- Required: HDMI cable(about $20) http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/hipstreet-hipstreet-1-5m-4-9-ft-hdmi-cable-hs-hdmi15/10173837.aspx?path=8c41f6aa0cd5a69e6b037b4744fca23fen02
The last couple of options require AirPlay, only available on the iPad 2 or better, as well as some additional cables and adaptors. These methods need wireless connections, so you have a lot more mobility, if wireless is available.
4) Connect your iPad wirelessly to Apple TV, which is connected to your projector using an HDMI cable.
- Output is Video and Audio
- Device can be charge while projecting (if you have your own charge cable)
- Required: Apple TV from Apple ($100): http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/apple_tv
- Required: HDMI cable (about $20): http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/hipstreet-hipstreet-1-5m-4-9-ft-hdmi-cable-hs-hdmi15/10173837.aspx?path=8c41f6aa0cd5a69e6b037b4744fca23fen02
5) Install the software “Reflection”, which simulates Apple TV, on your desktop. Connect your iPad wirelessly to the Apple TV simulator. Connect your desktop to the projector.
- Output is Video and Audio
- Device can be charge while projecting (if you have your own charge cable)
- Required: Reflection software (available for Mac and PC $15): https://www.reflectionapp.com/products.php
This is by no means the only ways to make your iPad work for your classroom. If you have another method, please share it in the comments so this post can be updated (especially if it is cheaper or easier!).