Student Information

When using the Class Search:

1. Use the Additional Category field to find all myCSUNtablet sections offered or 
2. Locate the Class Type and look for IPAD.
3. Select Detail and look for IPAD - myCSUNtablet Course - iPad required under Enrollment Information.

Students can use a personally-owned iPad or iPad mini running the latest iOS. Payment plans for myCSUNtablet students are available through the CSUN Campus Store. For more information, contact the CSUN Campus Store. The iPad purchase is eligible for financial aid coverage just like textbooks and supplies.

iPads can be purchased through the CSUN Campus Store by using the myCSUNtablet Payment Plan. For more information, contact the CSUN Campus Store. 

Payment amounts will depend on the model of iPad you’re purchasing and the amount of storage space you select.  The CSUN Campus Store staff can help you estimate payments before you make a purchase.

Your first payment will be made to the CSUN Campus Store when you pick up your iPad. Final installments will appear on your student bill.

Student questions about how to setup and use the iPad can be directed to the IT Help Center by phone (818-677-1400), chat or in person. Help Desk staff comprised of students and staff will be available in the Library Learning Commons to assist all students with questions.

Students can also contact Apple directly (24x7) or access the Apple website for support with questions relating to downloading apps or basic functionality.

Tablets offer convenient, portable access to "always on" teaching materials anywhere anytime, whether CSUN resources such as course websites, captured lectures, electronic textbooks, or a wide range of intuitive, interactive apps that increase productivity and understanding of discipline-specific learning material. Tablets are multi-functional devices that can simultaneously serve as clickers, notepads, drawing boards, PDF annotators, calculators, and more. Students and faculty can not only consume information on tablets, but they can create information and share – using the tablets built-in video camera, editing tools, and whiteboards. Because so many features are available in one device, the myCSUNtablet initiative seeks to save money for students in the long-run while greatly enhancing the teaching and learning experience.

Apple has created a system that integrates devices, applications, authoring tools, repositories, and professional consultation. We at CSUN can benefit from progressive, coherent thinking as we re-think course design and delivery.

In regard to accessibility, the Apple iPad has a number of accessibility features built into the device’s hardware and operating system, including assistive technologies for the visually and hearing impaired as well as those with physical or motor skills impairments.  Apple’s gesture-based screen reader and VoiceOver are enhancements that make the device more usable for the blind and visually impaired.  Additional features include visual alerts, mono audio output, and closed captioning support.  Apple’s AssistiveTouch technology supports multi-touch gestures and the use of adaptive input devices, such as headsets and switches. 

CSUN continues to support multiple platforms. However, the Apple iPad offers a unique opportunity because of the innovative hardware and software platform it offers to both students and faculty including a mature and ever expanding suite of software app options. In the arena of eTextbooks, it provides full support for a wide range of electronic publication formats which permit the integration of video, 3-D graphical representation and enhanced reader interaction with the text.  

It is recommended that students and faculty update their iPad to the latest version of iOS as long as all the apps being regularly used are compatible with the latest operating system. This information can often be found on the app description in the App Store. CSUN has tested a variety of popular apps used on campus for compatibility with iOS 9; see the list on the Apps page.

When in doubt, students should ask the professor if they are unsure about updating a device or an app. See the Apple Support page for more details on iOS and the iPad. Feel free to contact the FTC,ftc@csun.edu, with any concerns or questions.

For most courses, CSUN recommends using an iPad with a minimum of 32GB so that students have enough internal storage space to save course resources such as iBooks, ePub and PDF files and media files such as audio, video, and images without needing to save content onto other computers or devices. However, students can direct questions about the size to their instructors. In some cases, a 16GB iPad may be enough.

Apple notes that the typical book is about 2MB. Books that contain enhanced features such as audio or video will vary in size depending on the content. Therefore, the number of books you can have in iBooks will vary depending on the amount of space available on your device. 

To learn more, visit iBooks Frequently Asked Questions.

Any content such as an iBook or ePub that is saved on the iPad is accessible without Wi-Fi. Some apps also work without Wi-Fi. Students who do not have Wi-Fi at home are encouraged to visit campus or a local Wi-Fi hot spot offered by a library or coffee shop if they need to connect to the Internet, email, or other online resources.

Faculty who have signed up to be part of myCSUNtablet have pledged to reduce costs by whenever possible using lower-cost textbooks and other teaching materials. It may take up to three semesters to recoup the cost of iPads; for instance, one class may save $60, another $30, etc., before the cost of the iPad is achieved.  If you have questions about a department's plan for how the use of iPads will reduce costs, please feel free to ask your instructor.

Not all classes have eTextbooks available from the CZSUN Campus Store, depending upon what the professor has requested and whether or not the publisher provides an eTextbook option.

The apps you will be asked to purchase are, in some cases, considered textbook replacements and will vary in price. The apps selected for classroom use will vary upon the academic department and the instructor.  To help users get started, CSUN has identified a list of Recommended Apps that can be used both in and out of the classroom and are free or low cost

Yes, you can purchase an iPad from the CSUN Campus Store even if you are not enrolled in a myCSUNtablet class.  However, you will not be able to take advantage of the payment plan option.

Protect your iPad from theft and increase chances of recovery if stolen by purchasing a STOP security plate for $10 from the Department of Police Services. The STOP security system offers theft deterrence, equipment recovery and lifetime protection   STOP security plates work by deterring opportunistic theft by providing clear warning that your device is registered and monitored.

Call (818) 677-5820 or go to Police Services (corner of Darby & Prairie) to have a STOP security plate installed on your iPad or other electronic device.

If you have Apple Care, you can use it to receive iPad repair or replacement as determined by Apple.  Contact the CSUN Campus Store or Apple Care for assistance.

It will be at the discretion of your professor whether you can use your tablet in the classroom. Review your class syllabus and consult with your professor for more information.

No options currently exist on campus to rent an iPad for the semester. However, for those interested in trying out an iPad before purchasing, the Oviatt Library Learning Commons does offer a 7-day checkout of an iPad to students and faculty.

For assistance with apps, visit the “Ask a Tech” desk in the Library Learning Commons.