Tag: Classwize

Focus Plans are a new feature in Classwize that allow teachers to curate and save lists of online resources for students to use during class. This exciting addition to Classwize can help teachers create more focused and engaging learning experiences by:

• Minimizing Distractions: Teachers can use Focus Plans to restrict student internet access to a specific set of websites, applications, or online tools relevant to the lesson or activity. This helps eliminate distractions from non-educational websites and apps, keeping students on track and engaged in the learning process.
• Promoting Responsible Technology Use: By providing students with a pre-selected list of trustworthy and educational resources, Focus Plans encourage responsible online behavior and digital citizenship. Teachers can curate resources that align with their curriculum goals and ensure students are accessing high-quality, age-appropriate content.
• Saving Time and Effort: Once created, Focus Plans can be easily reused across multiple classes and lessons, saving teachers valuable time and effort. This allows teachers to focus on delivering engaging instruction and interacting with students, rather than constantly managing internet access.

How to Create a Focus Plan:

Creating a Focus Plan in Classwize is simple and intuitive:

1. Go to Classwize > Focus Library.
2. Select Create Focus.
3. Enter a Name for your plan.
4. In the Resources field, start typing the website, application, or URL you want to include.
   • Classwize provides a dropdown menu with suggestions, making it easy to find and select the desired resource.
5. Add as many resources as needed to your Focus Plan.
6. Choose whether to have Classwize Open tabs for each resource or simply close all other tabs that are not included in the plan.
7. Select Save Focus to save your plan or Save & Create New to create another plan.

With its ease of use and powerful functionality, the new Focus Plans feature in Classwize is a valuable tool for teachers looking to enhance their classroom management strategies and promote a more focused and productive digital learning environment.

Find more information about Focus Mode in our Classwize Tech Guide.

Consult Classwize’s guide to creating a Focus Plan and adding to your Focus Library.

Are you using Classwize to help you manage student devices in your classroom? If so, you may notice that some student tiles show “Waiting for Student Activity.” What might be going on with that?

Classwize will try to connect to your students’ devices while the class is in session. When Classwize doesn’t get a response from the students’ device, their student tiles will display “Waiting for student activity.”

Some of the reasons why you’re seeing “Waiting for student activity” may include:

• You haven’t started your class.
• You’ve just started the class and Classwize is still connecting to your student’s device.
• The student:
  • Is unavailable, offline, or having issues connecting to the school network or internet
  • Has left their computer on idle for at least 90 seconds
  • Is using a browser that blocks third-party cookies
  • Is on macOS and hasn’t allowed Classwize to monitor their screen
  • Is using a device that doesn’t have the Connect Linewize extension (reminder: Sign into Chrome! and see below for what to look for)
    • ✔Many students don’t seem to realize they are in Safari or Edge
    • ✔ If they are on a personal chromebook, they can’t be logged into their personal account. They need to logout of the device and log back into the device with their school credentials.
  • Is attempting to circumvent the school’s filtering by logging into their personal Google account, using Guest or Incognito mode, or hotspotting on a mobile network.
    • ✔ BYOD students might be unsure how to get on the proper wifi and have resorted to going on a hotspot. Students may need these directions to learn how to login properly. https://tech.pccsk12.com/wifi/

 

Note for district Chromebooks not connecting: Remove the student’s user profile from the Chromebook and then have them sign in again. Video directions.

If you feel like you have investigated these potential issues to the best of your ability, please send a diagnostics log to Classwize with the following steps:

• Click the Linewize extension.

• Click the gear icon in the bottom right.

• Send diagnostics to Classwize.

• Finally, please submit a P-CCS tech ticket naming the student(s), date, approximate time, and class/teacher. When we get this information, we’ll reach out to Classwize to follow up.

We appreciate your partnership in launching this new tool at P-CCS.

 

What is Classwize?

Classwize is a cloud-based classroom management software designed to help teachers monitor and control student devices in real-time. It provides a comprehensive set of tools that allow you to guide your students’ online activities, keeping them focused and engaged during lessons. This is available for grades 2-12. These features work for district chromebooks and laptops with students logged into Chrome with their P-CCS account. It will NOT work for phones or iPads.

Key Features for Teachers

1. Real-time Monitoring: View your students’ screens in real-time, ensuring they stay on task and use their devices appropriately.
2. Web Filtering: Block or allow specific websites to create a safe and productive online learning environment.
3. Messaging: Communicate with individual students or the entire class without disrupting the lesson flow.
4. Internet Control: Pause internet access when you need your students’ undivided attention.
5. Activity Reports: Get insights into students’ online activities to inform your teaching strategies and identify potential issues.

Benefits for Your Classroom

– Increased Focus: By managing distractions, you can keep your students engaged with the lesson material.

– Personalized Learning: Use activity reports to tailor your teaching approach to individual student needs.

– Time-Saving: Spend less time managing behavior and more time teaching.

– Peace of Mind: Ensure a safe online environment for your students.

Getting Started with Classwize

1. Click on the P-CCS Bookmarks folder in the upper left corner of Chrome, select “Classwize”
2. Open the appropriate class
3. Click “Start Class” and enter the end time of the class (so students get released)

Dig into more options with the Classwize Guide.