Using any Keyboard with the iPad

Often the students that we work with need adapted equipment to effectively access the technology we give them. This is fine, however often the equipment they need to use isn't always compatible with the technology we would like them to access, especially if this technology happens to be an iPad.

For some students, typing on the iPad is a huge challenge. While they can access most of the icons with ease, typing is more complicated due to the size and location of the keys. Regular computer keyboards come in a variety of different styles, and can be much easier to use, the challenge is how to connect these to an iPad.

This is where Apple's camera connector kit comes in.While originally designed to help you to transfer photos directly from your camera to your phone, the connector also has the additional ability of allowing you to connect many different computer keyboards to your iPad.

When you purchace the kit, you will notice it comes with two parts, one with a USB end, and the other with a slot for an SD card. To connect a keyboard you will need the USB adaptor.

Plug the adaptor into your iPad and then plug the keyboard into the USB slot. You will recieve an error message on the device saying  “The connected USB device is not supported” this is just apple telling you that you are not using their device as originally intended. Click ok, and the keyboard should work perfectly. 

If however you receive a message saying "this accessory uses too much power", you will need to try another keyboard. 

Some keyboards, especially those with USB slots in the back to plug in other devices require more power than the apple connector can provide. I suggest playing around until you find one that works.

Hopefully this has given you another way to make iPads more accesible to your students.