I have a class set of 30 ipads how to I download apps and sync to all?

You do not sync app from one iPad to another.

You use an MDM -- Meraki -- A free MDM. Or, you you could configure one ipad and clone this ipad to another. It's a lot of work to get everything setup.

MDM -- Mobile Device Management

MDMs

Airwatch, Meraki, MobileIron, Profile Manager on OS X Server, or Zenprise

For a comparison see this page:

http://www.enterpriseios.com/wiki/Comparison_MDM_Providers

Airwatch

http://www.air-watch.com/

Meraki -- A free MDM [ expect lots of email and phone calls about upgrades ]

Read the product overview. Click on "get started now" to sign up.

https://meraki.cisco.com/products/systems-manager/?ref=YZRzCR

Video's on how to setup and use Meraki.

https://meraki.cisco.com/blog/2012/08/how-to-get-the-most-from-meraki-systems-ma nager/

MobileIron

http://www.mobileiron.com/

Apple Configurator and Apple Profile Manager

"Apple Configurator makes it easy for anyone to mass configure and deploy iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch in a school, business, or institution." Limited to Macs. Connects via USB cable.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/apple-configurator/id434433123?mt=12

"Profile Manager lets you configure OS X and iOS devices so they’re set up to use your company or school resources and have the settings, apps, and books your organization requires. Profile Manager creates settings and preference bundles for devices and deploys them to devices via the Mobile Device Management (MDM) service." Requires OS X server.
http://www.apple.com/uk/support/osxserver/profilemanager/

Zenprise

http://www.zenprise.com/

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"This document offers guidance on some important considerations for getting the most out of your iOS deployment." Covers: Prepare your infrastructure. Set up devices. Configure and manage devices. Deploy apps and content. Plan for support.

http://images.apple.com/iphone/business/docs/iOS_Enteprise_Deployment_Overview_E N_Feb14.pdf

If you have not bought the ipad, you want to look into the Device Enrollment Program ( DEP ), Quick overview of zero-touch MDM enrollment

http://www.apple.com/education/it/dep/

Use VPP. Select an MDM. Read the Google doc below and nsdjoey write up.

IT Resources -- ios & OS X -- This is a fantastic web page. I like the education site over the business site.

View documentation, video tutorials, and web pages to help IT professionals develop and deploy education solutions.

Education

http://www.apple.com/education/ipad/resources/

scroll down after all the pretty picture. Click on the words "For It".

business site is:

http://www.apple.com/lae/ipad/business/#browse-it-resources

If necessary, scroll down until you see the Browse IT Resources button. Click on button.

MDM -- Mobile Device Management

For a comparison see this page:

http://www.enterpriseios.com/wiki/Comparison_MDM_Providers

VPP -- Volume Purchase Program

http://www.apple.com/education/it/vpp/

Joe Rowe's Excellent guides

IT managers who are new to configurator and managing a cart of ios devices:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SMBgyzONxcx6_FswgkW9XYLpA4oCt_2y1uw9ceMZ9F4/ edit?pli=1

[ original announcement -- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4256735?tstart=0 ]

Quick help presentation for students:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18937JdleX2gymtSb8zfbDczV-76BdR2DIfCV9eJi yOE/edit#slide=id.g1b776944_0_224

good tips for initial deployment:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4111203?answerId=18942350022#18942350022

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3804209?tstart=0

See nsdjoey writeup. See third post.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5114064?answerId=22286109022#22286109022

Institutions in the USA and other countries can use the App Store Volume Purchase Program (VPP) to buy Apps.

https://support.assistiveware.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=54

"Deploying a great quantity of iOS devices means creating a great quantity of Apple IDs. This script allows automated Apple ID creation from a spreadsheet."

http://www.enterpriseios.com/wiki/Apple_ID_Automation_Builder

I worked at a school where the iPads for K-1 students, all had the same apple id and password. The teacher would login to each one and download apps that were purchased by the district. We also had other iPads that used a MDM, where purchased apps were pushed out to students as the district would purchase them. Those iPads had apple id and passwords set up by the students' parents.

Set all the iPads up using Apple Configurator - a free app that can be downloaded via the Mac App Store. On here install the apps you want your students to access and then press 'Apply'. Then these apps will be installed onto all iPads at the same time.