Learning with iPad - The Digital Director

Context

In today's digital environment, focus is a superpower. This lesson introduces students to Stage Manager, an advanced multitasking tool that transforms the iPad from a single-task device into a flexible, organized workstation. It’s the ultimate answer to the chaos of switching between dozens of open apps.

This is a masterclass in digital organization and intentional workflow. Students will learn to move beyond simple app-switching and instead build custom "stages" or workspaces, grouping specific apps together for specific tasks. Imagine a "Research Stage" with your web browser and note-taking app, and a separate "Creative Stage" with your drawing and photo apps, all ready to be swapped with a single tap.

Preparation and Flow

For this lesson, students will need a compatible iPad model that supports Stage Manager.

The Focus Problem (5 mins)

Start with a question: "Think about your last big project. How many different apps did you have to open? How much time did you spend just finding the right window?"

Introduce Stage Manager as a tool designed to solve this exact problem by keeping related apps bundled together.

Activating Your Stage (10 mins)

Project your iPad screen and guide students through the setup:

Enable Stage Manager: Show them how to swipe down from the top-right to open the Control Center and tap the Stage Manager icon.

Explain the Layout: Point out the main window and the recent app sets on the left.

Create a Group: Demonstrate how to drag a second app from the Dock or the App Library onto the current stage to create your first workspace.

The Workspace Challenge (25 mins)

Assign a task that requires distinct sets of tools. For example: "Plan a short video documentary about a planet."

Students must create two different workspaces:

Workspace 1: Research & Scripting. Group a web browser (like Safari) with a note-taking app (like Notes or Pages).

Workspace 2: Visuals & Storyboarding. Group a presentation app (like Keynote) with the Photos app.

Students will use Workspace 1 to gather facts and write a short script, then switch to Workspace 2 to find images and create a simple storyboard.

Debrief (10 mins)

Lead a class discussion about the experience:

• "How did grouping your apps change your focus?"
• "When would this be more useful than using Split View?"
• "What other workspaces could you create for your school subjects?"

By learning to direct their own digital environment, students will gain a crucial skill for managing complex projects, minimizing distractions, and maximizing their focus and efficiency.

Possible Extension

Long-Term Project Hub: Challenge students to create a dedicated set of Stage Manager workspaces for a long-term project, with different stages for brainstorming, research, drafting, and final creation.

You can find out more here.

From the LearnGrowCreate Team.

Main author: Sharon