LanSchool Best Practices 2013 – 2014

SETUP

  1. In configuring Application Limiting, use the program name list to help ensure that you get the correct name for the program.
  1. In configuring Application limiting when you are only allowing certain programs,include the programMOBSYNC.EXE so that students can synchronize to the network, if needed. Also be sure to allow IE and Firefox, if you are allowing Internet access.
  1. Store your LanSchool classes, settings and profiles on your H drive in a folder named LanSchool so that the files are automatically backed up by Principia.
  1. When naming LanSchool web-limiting and application-limiting lists, it is helpful to be as descriptive as possible. For example:

Edline_EText_Only - a web-limiting list allowing access only to Edline and the electronic textbook

WordOneNote_Only - an application-limiting list allowing access to Word and OneNote only

  1. After creating your classes, think through the most effective classroom environment settings and create a profile to associate with that class. Save the class list with the common settings (profile). This way, when you load that class, the settings are automatically in place.

USE

  1. Load your class only when that class is in session. (Otherwise, you may pull students from other classes.)
  1. Be careful to load the correct class. If you mistakenly load another class, dismiss it immediately and load the correct class.
  1. Dismiss each LanSchool class at the end of each period. (Otherwise, students remain in your class environment if their next teacher does not use LanSchool.)
  1. Do not experiment with LanSchool using your regular class lists. Set up a test class with a test student – Test.Lanschool. There is a tablet in the Tech Help Center that is always logged in as this student for you to experiment with.
  2. If all of your students show as missing from LanSchool or if LanSchool freezes up, click Administer/Exit Teacher Console (or hold down the Control key and click the red X in the top right-hand corner) to completely close LanSchool. Then click Start/Programs/LanSchool Teacher to re-open LanSchool. This places the icon back in your task tray. You will need to click on it to open it again.
  1. Never remove a student from your class.(That is, do not use the Administer>Remove Selected Students from Class option.) Instead, you may adjust your class enrollment under Class List>Manage Class Lists.
  1. If a student is absent, local students will show up as missing. Boarding students with computers off will also show up as missing; boarding students with computers on will show up and be a part of your class. You need to not include them in your LanSchool class activities – blocking, quizzes, votes, etc. If a boarding student is absent and needs to use the computer during your class, s/he can contact a houseparent, the Tech Help Center to be removed from the class.