Context
In a digital world, managing multiple windows and tabs can feel like a juggling act. This lesson introduces students to Sidecar, a powerful feature that seamlessly extends their Mac's display to an iPad. It’s a pro-level productivity hack that helps declutter the digital workspace and sharpen focus.
This is more than just a tech tutorial; it's a lesson in effective workflow management. Students will learn how to dedicate one screen to their primary task (like writing an essay) while using the second screen for reference materials (like research articles, data, or videos). This separation minimizes distractions and the constant need to switch between windows, allowing for deeper concentration and more efficient work.
By mastering this setup, students will gain a practical skill that directly translates to high school, university, and the modern workplace, empowering them to work smarter, not harder.
Preparation and Flow
For this lesson, students will need access to both a compatible Mac and an iPad, signed into the same Apple ID with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
The Productivity Problem (5 mins) - Start with a relatable scenario: "Have you ever tried to write a report while also looking at a website for information? How many times did you have to switch back and forth? Was it distracting?"
Introduce Sidecar as the solution: a way to have two dedicated screens for two different purposes. Showcase a photo of the setup in action.
The Connection: Activating Sidecar (10 mins)
Project your Mac's screen and guide students through the setup process:
On the Mac: Go to the Control Center in the menu bar.
Screen Mirroring: Click the "Screen Mirroring" icon.
Select the iPad: Choose their iPad from the list of available devices. The Mac screen should now extend to the iPad.
Demonstrate how to drag a window (like a Safari browser) from the Mac screen over to the iPad screen.
The Research & Write Challenge (25 mins)
Assign a simple research-based task. For example: "Write a three-paragraph summary of a historical event."
The workflow is as follows:
iPad (Reference Screen): Students open a provided research article or website on their iPad screen.
Mac (Creation Screen): Students open Pages or Microsoft Word on their Mac to write their summary.
The goal is to complete the task without having to minimize their writing document, using the iPad exclusively for reference.
Workflow Reflection (10 mins)
After completing the task, lead a class discussion:
"How did having a second screen change the way you worked?"
"Did you feel more or less distracted?"
"What other kinds of school projects could this be useful for?"
Possible Extension
I would be curious to see how others can work with 2 screens. Have kids show how they have setup their screens and how that might show ways to be productive, and even do shots and mock-ups to share.
From the LearnGrowCreate Team.
Main author: Sharon
Attach up to 5 files which will be available for other members to download.