GoGuardian (Chromebook management)
- Instructional Technology
- GoGuardian
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GoGuardian
- GoGuardian is a Chromebook management tool for PISD teachers to use with the Chromebooks in their classrooms.
- For a quick overview of this awesome tool, go to https://www.goguardian.com/teacher.html and click on "Watch the Demo".
- Create a culture of positive norms with this tool.
- 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.
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Logging In
Webdesk
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.
Paraprofessionals/Substitutes
Go to the Help page on the left for information regarding the access request form.
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Creating a Class and Adding Students
Option 1 - Auto roster
Use the rostering option in GoGuardian that pulls your student data from TEAMS (Pinnacle). (Good option if you don't have several tabs per class period in Pinnacle. Even if you merge tabs, GoGuardian is ultimately pulling data from TEAMS).
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 (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.) and click Add Classroom to save it.
- You can choose to schedule your class time or skip it for now.
- It is not necessary to add a "Scene" yet (you can do this later).
2) 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.
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Adding Teachers/Helpers
Adding Teachers/Helpers
To add a teacher/specialist/helper, go to the class Settings, click Teachers, then click "Add Teacher" button and enter their email address.
Non-Instructional Staff
Non-instructional staff (Administrators, Counselors, etc.) may need to follow student activity. To do this, the teacher(s) can add them as a "Helper" to that class.
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 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
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Scheduling Sessions
Scheduling Sessions
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. See Scheduling Class Times page on the left for a closer look.
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Open Tab feature
Open Tab
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.
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Scenes
Scenes
What is a scene? (links to GG support page)
"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. Please read that first.
How to create a scene (links to GG support page)
The link above explains the quick and easy way to create a scene.
Advanced Filtering Tips (links to GG support page)
Blocking/allowing websites
Important to note about scenes (the PISD way!)
1. Allow
Webdesk . If you create a filter in block mode, be sure to add the following Webdesk URL as an exception for students:https://launchpad.classlink.com
2. Check the Student URL. Some websites are not the same for teachers as they are for students. For example, if you create a filter in block mode and need to add Dreambox as an exception, you will enter the URL that students use, which is play.dreambox.com.
3. Example. Below is an example of a Math scene in which a filter with block mode is turned on and the exceptions are:
- Webdesk - https://launchpad.classlink.com
- Google Docs (because the teacher uses Google Classroom) - added using the Quick List. Click on the Google Docs button, which allows 24 sites that Google Docs needs in order to operate.
- Dreambox - play.dreambox.com
The teacher also included all three of these sites in the Auto Open Tabs section so that it will automatically open for students when the session starts.
4. Remember to click the "Update Scene" button to save your settings.
Sample Math Scene
Sample Nearpod Scene
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How to block Google Hangouts
If you need to remove this distraction for your students, here's what you can do.
Scene
Create a scene or add these websites to an existing scene's blocked sites. (See the "Scenes" section on this page for detailed instructions).
- hangouts.google.com
- https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-hangouts/nckgahadagoaajjgafhacjanaoiihapd?hl=en (This is the URL to add the extension. If students have it already, you'll need to ask them to remove it.)
Important to Note
GoGuardian cannot monitor activity on an app on a Chromebook. You can block sites, you can block access to the URL to add extensions, but you can't block access to an app. That will be a matter of asking students not to use the tool.
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Off-task Alerts
Off-task Alerts
GoGuardian has automatic alerts for off-task behavior for the following subjects: English, History, Math, & Science.
Learn how it works - NEW: Off-task Alerts
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Video Conferencing
Video Conferencing
"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/"
GoGuardian has a new video conferencing feature, "Call Students," which allows teachers to communicate with students via voice call or a video call. Teachers can also share the screen and deliver lessons in a presentation format.
Overview video (1 minute) - Click on "Watch the Video"
Demo video (5 minutes)
Step-by-Step Video Conferencing instructions
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Monitoring Times
GoGuardian will only monitor student activity on Chromebooks during these times.
Monday-Thursday: 7am-9pm
Friday: 7am-5pm
See "Scheduling Sessions" for when to schedule your class times.
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Training
Training
Download the 2019 GoGuardian Training Guide here
Online Training - GoGuardian has a great online training program that you can sign into and follow self-paced, brief how-to videos on your own. https://training.goguardian.com/ Click "Getting Started with GoGuardian Teacher" and then "Enroll in Course for Free" button. Create an account and you can then begin the training.
Face-to-Face Training
- 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.
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GoGuardian Video Conferencing with Students!
GoGuardian has a new video conferencing feature, "Call Students," which allows teachers to communicate with students via voice call or a video call. Teachers can also share the screen and deliver lessons in a presentation format.
Click on Video Conferencing below for videos and step-by-step guide.
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Teachers: Best Practices
Blog - Read our PISD Tech-tastic Blog Post on How to use GoGuardian Effectively
Remote Learning - PISD Best Practices for using GoGuardian Remotely