Apple Updating Schoolwork and Classroom Apps With New Distance-Learning Features and More - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Updating Schoolwork and Classroom Apps With New Distance-Learning Features and More

Apple is bringing some significant updates to several of its education apps, led by a new Schoolwork 2.0 for iPad and Mac, reports CNET.

schoolwork classroom apps
Schoolwork is Apple's app that allows teachers to distribute class materials known as Handouts to students, assign activities within compatible apps, collaborate with students, and view student progress. CNET says Schoolwork 2.0 will bring new feature like Files integration, speed improvements, and more.

Apple designed Schoolwork 2.0 to include features found in other iPad OS apps, like Files, and to speed up navigation around the software. There's a new Handout library with a source list on the left side that makes it easier to navigate to different classes or the student's library with drafts and favorites. On the right are cards with things like reminders for a field trip or a math assignment.

Other new features include a redesigned Handout detail view and new communication integration to let teachers FaceTime or message students at a tap.

In addition to Schoolwork, Apple is also updating its Classroom app for ‌iPad‌ that functions as a teaching assistant within a classroom to launch apps and websites across all devices in a classroom, share a student's screen to the teacher's ‌iPad‌ or a classroom Apple TV, share documents, and more.

The updated Classroom app includes pinch-to-zoom functionality, automatic syncing of Apple School Manager classes to the teacher's Apple ID, and new temporary sessions for shared iPads.

The updated versions of Schoolwork and Classroom are coming "soon," according to CNET, with no specific launch dates given.

Popular Stories

Prime Big Deal Days 25 Red and Green

Amazon Launches Prime Day Discounts on AirPods, iPad, MacBook Air, and More

Sunday October 4, 2026 9:15 am PDT by
Earlier this week, we began tracking early Prime Day deals on Apple-related accessories, and now Amazon has introduced major early deals on Apple products as well. This includes AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and more, all available at some of the lowest prices of the year so far. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small...
MagSafe 3 Cable Midnight Feature

Apple Releases MagSafe 3 Charging Cable Firmware Update

Monday October 5, 2026 5:59 am PDT by
For the first time since February 2023, Apple has released a firmware update for the MagSafe 3 charging cable for the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. Specifically, Apple last week released firmware version 3.2.0 for the USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable. The previous firmware version for the cable was 3.1.12. It is unclear what is included in the latest firmware, as Apple does not publish release...
Apple Event Logo

Apple Event Reportedly Planned for October 13

Sunday October 4, 2026 5:07 pm PDT by
Last week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple plans to unveil an all-new smart home hub, a new HomePod mini, and a new Apple TV 4K on Tuesday, October 13. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman specified that "Apple is planning to hold an event" that...

Top Rated Comments

Expos of 1969 Avatar
83 months ago
It is a shame they have lost the education market. Devices are too expensive in most cases. They had the market and then really lost the plot.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
oldmacs Avatar
83 months ago
If Apple wants the education market, it needs software that is Multiplatform... That's why Google has succeeded imho.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blackstick Avatar
83 months ago
Probably a good time to have an answer for Hangouts/Zoom/Teams that's more robust than FaceTime, honestly.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cateye Avatar
83 months ago

It is a shame they have lost the education market. ... They had the market and then really lost the plot.
I don't know that it was just expense—I live in, and send my daughter to, a school district that is lucky to be very well funded, and generously supported by organizations like the PTO. Yet despite this surplus, iPads are few and far between, and are slowly being phased out in favor of the dominant Chromebooks using technologies like Google Classroom and Schoology.

Apple has an enormous amount of hubris about how they want education to work, versus how it actually works, and that's why their solutions are largely being cast aside regardless of financial resources. Apple wants to sell hardware—for Apple, it's about moving iPads as an end goal in itself; education wants a service, less-so the hardware, so they can be more self-deterministic on how to physically provide that service. Their competitors have no such preconceptions and focus on creating solutions that are self-sustaining and relatively easy for educators to administer. Until that idea sinks in at the executive level in Cupertino, Education is a lost cause for Apple.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
83 months ago
Apple won’t admit the bottom line for schools is price. It’s a shame because what kids are doing on chrome books is pathetic. It’s essentially the same word processing that was happening on Apple IIs in the 90s rather than the creative work you can do on an iPad or full featured computer. Districts don’t care though...at least no one on top making the decisions. Apple has got to do more to highlight the creative and learning potential of their products and how poor the alternatives are. Most people don’t know any better and simply see x number of devices needed and the cost per device.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DJLC Avatar
83 months ago
Former K-12 CTO here... Schoolwork was DOA in my opinion, and Classroom is only cool because it brings ARD functionality to iPadOS. Outside of that, it's duplicative of an LMS that most schools are already paying for. I couldn't justify supporting and training YET ANOTHER platform just because Apple wants to play EdTech company.

Other posters here have it spot-on: Apple devices are not cost effective for 1:1 student deployments. Last time I got new devices for my kids, I talked to our Apple Edu rep and all but BEGGED him: help me help you win this bid. Couldn't do it. We went Chromebook for the kids and MacBook Air for the staff. For less than the cost of naked iPads with no cases, no warranty, and no management, I got Chromebooks with a 3-year accidental damage warranty, 6 years of management, and white glove service so they were already labeled, inventoried, and enrolled when they arrived. I handed them out to kids new-in-box. Yes, kids can make more multimedia on an iPad than a Chromebook, but here's the thing: they weren't doing that when they had MacBooks; they weren't doing it when I switched them to iPads; so how can I justify the premium for an Apple device when none of the benefits are actually benefits? How about instead I get them Chromebooks and have a mobile lab of 5 MacBook Pros for the occasional multimedia projects? Way more cost effective, and even the Apple Edu rep couldn't argue that point.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results
Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results
2 hours ago
macOS 27.2 Further Hints at MacBook With Touch-Enabled OLED Display
macOS 27.2 Further Hints at MacBook With Touch-Enabled OLED Display
3 hours ago
The 15 Best Apple Deals Under $200 for Prime Day
The 15 Best Apple Deals Under $200 for Prime Day
4 hours ago
AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 Get Big Price Drops for Prime Day
AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 Get Big Price Drops for Prime Day
4 hours ago
Apple Releases Second Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
Apple Releases Second Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
5 hours ago
'Crossy Road Rush' Launching Exclusively on Apple Arcade in November
'Crossy Road Rush' Launching Exclusively on Apple Arcade in November
5 hours ago
Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
5 hours ago
Prime Day Savings: TVs, Headphones, Chargers, and Other Tech Accessories
Prime Day Savings: TVs, Headphones, Chargers, and Other Tech Accessories
6 hours ago
Apple TV 4K Rumored to Support Four HomePods for Surround Sound
Apple TV 4K Rumored to Support Four HomePods for Surround Sound
7 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro and Duo Were Once Planned With 16GB RAM, Leaker Says
iPhone 18 Pro and Duo Were Once Planned With 16GB RAM, Leaker Says
7 hours ago
Apple's Entire Mac Lineup Gets Massive Discounts for Prime Day
Apple's Entire Mac Lineup Gets Massive Discounts for Prime Day
8 hours ago
Prime Day iPad Deals Include Low Prices on iPad Air, iPad Mini, and More
Prime Day iPad Deals Include Low Prices on iPad Air, iPad Mini, and More
8 hours ago
Apple's $634 Million Apple Watch Patent Bill Just Got Even Bigger
Apple's $634 Million Apple Watch Patent Bill Just Got Even Bigger
8 hours ago
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Offers Major Discounts on AirPods, iPads, and Much More
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Offers Major Discounts on AirPods, iPads, and Much More
4 hours ago
Microsoft OneDrive to Drop Support for These iPhone Models
Microsoft OneDrive to Drop Support for These iPhone Models
10 hours ago
HomePod Mini Waits Reach Eight Weeks Ahead of Rumored Refresh
HomePod Mini Waits Reach Eight Weeks Ahead of Rumored Refresh
10 hours ago
Apple Music Is Getting a New Logo
Apple Music Is Getting a New Logo
11 hours ago
Apple Quietly Boosts Email Feature for iCloud+ Subscribers
Apple Quietly Boosts Email Feature for iCloud+ Subscribers
11 hours ago
iOS 27.2 May Let You Hide Specific Suggested Actions in Messages
iOS 27.2 May Let You Hide Specific Suggested Actions in Messages
12 hours ago
Sources: Apple Planning Two Sets of Product Launches in October
Sources: Apple Planning Two Sets of Product Launches in October
19 hours ago
Apple Announces iPhone Duo Apps Can Now Be Submitted to App Store
Apple Announces iPhone Duo Apps Can Now Be Submitted to App Store
19 hours ago
macOS 27.2 Adds Touch Gestures Ahead of MacBook Ultra
macOS 27.2 Adds Touch Gestures Ahead of MacBook Ultra
1 day ago
Apple and AT&T Have Yet to Explain Cause of iPhone 18 Pro Max Issue
Apple and AT&T Have Yet to Explain Cause of iPhone 18 Pro Max Issue
1 day ago
tvOS 27.2 Code Hints at Apple Intelligence for New Apple TV
tvOS 27.2 Code Hints at Apple Intelligence for New Apple TV
1 day ago
Apple Seeds Third macOS Golden Gate 27.2 Beta to Developers
Apple Seeds Third macOS Golden Gate 27.2 Beta to Developers
1 day ago
Apple Releases Third watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2 and visionOS 27.2 Betas
Apple Releases Third watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2 and visionOS 27.2 Betas
1 day ago
Apple Releases Third iOS 27.2 Beta
Apple Releases Third iOS 27.2 Beta
1 day ago
Apple Cash Adds ID Check for Reloads, Teases Bank Funding
Apple Cash Adds ID Check for Reloads, Teases Bank Funding
1 day ago
Apple Configurator App Updated
Apple Configurator App Updated
1 day ago
Apple One Just Went Up in Price in These Countries
Apple One Just Went Up in Price in These Countries
1 day ago