GoGuardian (Chromebook management)

Plano ISD families have access to GoGuardian Parent, a mobile app that gives parents/guardians the ability to manage and monitor student activity on school-issued Chromebooks during out-of-school hours (after 4:30). GoGuardian Parent is a companion to the classroom management and internet filtering tools that our district uses during the school day. 

What is included in this app:

• A Top 5 summary of student browsing (apps, extensions and websites visited)
• A 30-day view of websites, videos, apps, and extensions
• The ability to block websites on school-issued devices during out-of-school hours
• The ability to pause internet access on school-issued devices during out-of-school hours, either on-demand or at a scheduled time

To access the app, please follow the instructions below.

1. Download the app

• iPhone: Visit App Store, search for GoGuardian Parent, and tap the download button.
• Android: Visit Google Play Store, search for GoGuardian Parent, and tap the download button.

2. After the app is successfully downloaded and installed, open it up and enter the email address registered with the Plano ISD Parent Portal. (Note: If you forget your registered email address, please reach out to our Help Desk:  helpdesk@pisd.edu or 469-752-8767)

3. Login/Check Email: Check your email on your phone for a link to log in to the app. Tap the "Verify your email", and it will take you straight to the app. You may need to check your junk mail folder. (Note: If you don't have access to your email through the device you used to log in, tap on "Login with verification code", and copy and paste the verification code from the email into the app.)

Information about student privacy with GoGuardian in PISD. 

• GoGuardian Parent App Features
• What Student Data can I View Using GoGuardian Parent?

1. Teachers will sign into Webdesk and open the "PISD GoGuardian (Library)" app. 

2. Select the Login with Google option.

Alternatively, you can log in directly to teacher.goguardian.com. 

When students sign into their Chromebook, GoGuardian can monitor them. No student sign-in required.

Can't get in? Please contact the Help Desk - 28767 or tsos@pisd.edu. 

To add a teacher/specialist/helper:

1. Go to the class Settings
2. Click Teachers > "Add Teacher"
3. Enter their email address.
   Video Instructions

Please Note:

If you rostered your classes using Classlink, then you are not able to add co-teachers/helpers to your GG class. If you would like to use that feature, set up your classes using Google Classroom instead of Classlink. Instructions.

Permissions:

Image below from: https://help.goguardian.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005712763-Add-Classroom-Owners-Teachers-and-Helpers

Helpers can: view active sessions, end sessions, send commands, toggle teacher chat, apply/change scenes

Teachers can: add/remove students, start sessions, view active sessions, end sessions, send commands, toggle teacher chat, apply/change scenes

Owners Can: edit classroom info, archive classroom, add/remove teachers, add/remove students, start sessions, view active sessions, end sessions, send commands, toggle teacher chat, apply/change scenes

Visit the EOY page to learn best practices for GoGuardian Classrooms as well as other resources that need attention as you close out your year.  http://pisd.edu/eoy

Step-by-Step Instructions - GG website

Option 1 - Auto roster

• Use the rostering option in GoGuardian that pulls your student data from Skyward.
• This is a good option if you don't have several tabs per class period in Skyward. If you create class groups in Skyward, they will not appear that way in GoGuardian.
• Note that this option does NOT allow you to add Helpers. (See Helper section below for details).

Option 2 - Google Classroom (Recommended) ⭐

• Click the Import with Google Classroom button. 
• Then schedule your class times.
• If your students are not in Google Classroom yet or new students join, you can still add the class here and then click "Sync Students from Google" after the students have been added in Google Classroom. 

Option 3 - Manual

• Create a Classroom Manually
• This is a good option for special populations or if you're not a classroom teacher.

1. Create a Classroom - click the green "Add Classroom" button on the top right of the screen. 
   • Fill out the classroom information (name, subject, etc.)
   • Click Add Classroom to save it. 
2. Schedule your class time.
3. It is not necessary to add a "Scene" yet (you can do this later). 
4. Click "Add Students" - after you have created your classroom, the easiest way to add your students is to give them an enroll code to join. 

GoGuardian will only monitor student activity on Chromebooks during these times.

Monday-Friday: 7am-4:30pm 

Parents can monitor their student's Chromebook activity outside of those times. See GoGuardian Parent section for details.

About Off Task Alerts

Cut down on transition time by using GoGuardian's "Open Tab" feature. 

To open a tab on your students' Chromebooks, select the student(s), click Open Tab, copy and paste the URL, click "Open Tab", and the website will automatically load onto your students' Chromebooks.

If you are a paraprofessional or a substitute needing access to GoGuardian, or you are a teacher who needs to regain access: 

Complete this request form: GoGuardian access request form

Substitutes:

• If a daily substitute would like access to GoGuardian, he/she will need to complete the form to have access that day.
• After the day the substitute's job is complete, his/her access to GoGuardian is automatically disabled.
• So each time a daily sub starts a new job and is advised by the teacher to have GoGuardian access, the form will need to be submitted.
• The teacher of record will need to add the substitute as a co-teacher to their GoGuardian class. If that's not possible, the substitute can create a GoGuardian class and add students.

Step-by-Step instructions: How to use Pear Deck in GoGuardian

1. The first time you click the Pear Deck tab from a GoGuardian session, you must link your account.

2. Once your account is linked, you will be able to open a file from Google Drive. 

Learn more about Pear Deck at www.pisd.edu/peardeck. 

What is a scene? (Read Me)

• "Scenes are designed to give teachers added control over students' web activity during classroom sessions." The link above explains what each feature of the scene does. 

How to create a scene

• The link above explains the quick and easy way to create a scene.

Advanced Filtering Tips - (blocking/allowing websites)

• Creating exceptions to your Blocked Websites List. In the "Blocked Websites List" scene, click Advanced Filtering option to access this feature. 
• Example: If you want to block all of YouTube during instruction, except for a specific YouTube video…

1. Make sure you already added youtube.com on the "2. Edit Blocked Websites List" page.
2. Create an exception to the first rule by entering the specific YouTube video URL that you want your students to access in the "Enter Exception" field.

Important: Scheduling your class time is very important for secondary teachers and elementary teachers who departmentalize.

• Be sure NOT to schedule your class session for all day.
• Set each class session for its appropriate time. For example, you will schedule your first period session for 9-9:50 a.m.
• That way, you're not encroaching on the next class period teacher's session. 

How to Schedule Sessions

1. Click on the class name, Settings, and then Scheduling. 
2. Be sure your schedule is set to the correct times. The time might default to am and you will need to manually change it to pm.

Multiple Start/Stop Times (Same Day)

GoGuardian provides teachers the ability to create multiple start/stop times for the same day. This feature is quite useful if you are part of a team that departmentalizes and you rotate students.

"Connect with students and deliver instructions with audio calls, video calls, or a lecture/presentation option. Communicate with individual students or the whole class. To learn more and get step-by-step instructions, go to https://www.goguardian.com/video-conferencing/"Overview video (1 minute) - Click on "Watch the Video"

Demo video (5 minutes)

Step-by-Step Video Conferencing instructions

• Try not to look at it as just a punitive tool.
• Redirect students from distractions.
• Provide concrete guidance. 
• Provide positive reinforcement.
• Encourage positive digital citizenship.

Video: GoGuardian Set-Up & Best Practices (50 min)

• Download the GoGuardian Training Guide
• GoGuardian Teacher Training Course - 1.5 hour self-paced course. Click "Enroll" and sign in to track your progress.
• Schedule a training with the Digital Learning Team to come to your campus or train virtually! We can work with your principal to schedule a day for us to work with your team during planning periods, before/after school, or whenever is convenient for you. We are also happy to work with you one-on-one. 

GoGuardian Help Center - https://support.goguardian.com/s/goguardian-teacher