How can a teacher control which application students can use during the lesson?

I'm a teacher in school

I'm from Italy, recently in my school they've given iPad to all the students;

my question is, is there a way Apple tought of, or some kind of application that lets me choose which applications can or cannor use my students, or monitor their activity? So that I do not find them playing Angry Birds during philosofy lesson.

thanks in advance!