What is a Mode and When Should I Use It?
A Mode is a feature that allows you, as a teacher, to restrict your class content and activities to your choosing during an active class. This means that your students will only be able to access your desired materials, sites, and applications during the duration of the mode.
Use Cases for Modes:
- Running a quiz or an exam during your class
- Conducting a focused class session to minimize distractions
#Note: A Mode does not replace a class but can be used in conjunction with an active class.
Setting Up a New Mode
A Mode is created inside your selected class, meaning it is automatically linked to that class. Modes can be set up before a class begins, at the start of a class, or during an active class.
Creating a New Mode Before Your Class Session:
- Log into your Mobile Guardian Teacher Dashboard:
- Click on the View Class button for the selected class.
- Navigate to Class Material:
- On the navigation panel, click on Class Material and find the Modes drop-down menu on the top left corner of the screen.
- Create a New Mode:
- Select Create A New Mode from the drop-down menu.
- Name Your Mode:
- Ensure that you give your Mode a name. You can also link any other of your classes to the mode (the class you are creating the mode in will automatically be linked).
- Save and Set Up Your Mode:
- Click Save, and you will be presented with your Mode setup. Here you can add your class content, allowed apps, and sites.
Adding Content and Applications to Your Mode:
- Class Material: You can add existing class materials to the Modes, such as PDFs, YouTube links, etc.
- Applications: In the application name search field, type in the application you would like to allow during your mode and add it to your allowed list.
#Note: Modes will only block Chrome applications configured from the school admin using Google Chrome Management. Apps installed manually by students using the Play Store will not be blocked. Web applications will need to be allowed using the Allowed Sites.
- Allowed Sites: Add a specific URL or a wildcard to allow access to select sites for your mode.
Activate Your Mode:
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- Once your mode setup is complete, you can start your mode by going to your class and clicking on the Modes drop-down to activate your newly created mode.
Quick Setup for Modes
In situations where you need to start a Mode at the beginning of your class but have not yet configured one, you can use the quick mode setup.
Quick Mode Setup:
- Start Your Class:
- Navigate to your class on your dashboard and click Start Class. This will trigger your start class setup.
- Scroll down to the Modes drop-down and select Create New Mode.
- Add Mode Name:
- Add your Mode name and click Save. You will be presented with Quick Mode Setup.
- Add one or two applications, allowed sites, or existing class content.
Advanced Mode Setup
If you are not rushed for time at the beginning of your class and you want to extensively set up your mode, use the advanced mode setup.
- Select Create New Mode:
- At the class start, select Create New Mode. You can either add your mode content here and click on Advanced Setup or simply click Advanced Setup straight away.
- Configure Your Mode:
- In the Advanced Setup, configure and add as many apps, sites, and pre-existing content as you like.
Activating an Existing Mode
Once you have set up your modes, they are available for you to activate at any time during your class.
- Start Class in a Mode:
- At class start, you can decide to start your class in a mode. Configure your class settings, scroll down to Modes, and select your mode from the list displayed.
- Activate Mode During Class:
- You can also activate a mode during an active class. Navigate to the Modes drop-down menu on your dashboard, select the Mode you would like to activate, and it will automatically start.
Switching Modes in Active Classroom
You can switch between different modes during your class.
- Switch Modes:
- Navigate to the Mode drop-down menu on your dashboard. Select the Mode you want to switch to or turn off the current mode.
FAQs about Modes
Multiple Teachers in Class:
- If your class has more than one teacher or tutor with access to the Mobile Guardian dashboard, they will also have access to the Modes.
- Additional teachers can edit the Mode in any of the classes it is linked to. If a Mode is edited or content is removed, this will change the Mode for all linked classes. Teachers need to confirm changes to the Mode to be aware of the impact.
Unlinking a Mode:
- You can link a Mode to numerous classes and unlink any of your classes from your Mode.
- Navigate to your Mode drop-down and click on the edit button.
- In the Link More Classes drop-down, deselect the classes you want to unlink.
Now that you have all the information about setting up and running your class modes, go ahead and try setting one up on your dashboard.
Please let us know if you found this helpful.
Thanks for reading! 🙂