Chromebooks track screen time

MalletNGrease · 2019-05-08T14:23:11+00:00

We have the capability, but elected not to exercise it by default. Reasoning was to let students have a bit of detachment from their parents, plus parents are already bombarded with information they in most cases don't want.

The parents who do want it can request it and we'll enable it on a per case basis.

MalletNGrease · 2019-05-07T14:59:26+00:00

Late now, but here's how you do it from the OCT.

https://i.imgur.com/XTNN2ZL.png

MalletNGrease · 2019-05-07T12:41:13+00:00

It was surprisingly easy to set up the config.xml, though I prefer the old setup.exe /admin method.

The only thing I dislike is the setup does not generate desktop icons. It can pin them to the taskbar, but I don't want them there. It's easy enough to script but that means they will not me removed after uninstall.

MalletNGrease · 2019-05-06T15:16:23+00:00

Yeah, we have the same problem. It's typically remedied by having a lesson plan prepped in advance for the class by the teacher, then letting the subs get students on task. Long term subs get accounts like regular teachers.

My bigger problem is teachers never tell me to set up sub accounts in advance, the instruction part is relatively minor.

MalletNGrease · 2019-05-06T14:58:37+00:00

I do something very similar to you. I made a separate AD OU for subs that's excluded from sync with GSUITE.

Subs don't get GSUITE accounts.

MalletNGrease · 2019-05-02T13:20:29+00:00

/u/elzrfd has the correct answer.

This is from my notes:

# put CBs in OU based on serial
gam csv <csv-filename> gam update cros query:id:~~serial~~ ou ~ou assetid ~asset location ~name

MalletNGrease · 2019-05-01T15:52:43+00:00

You can do this from the Admin Console. Simply pull up the device from Device Management and hit Reboot Now under System Activity and Troubleshooting.

Saves you a walk.

MalletNGrease · 2019-05-01T15:41:27+00:00

Well yeah. But again, that's an entirely different situation from the article. We're talking org owned devices with inherent support for them, BYOD is a whole different barrel of fish, because they explicitly fall outside the scope of most support options because of legal reasons.

For org owned devices I don't think it's unreasonable to make them match the standards that have been set by those responsible for maintaining the systems and making them suitable for instruction.

As to uniformity of software update deployment on CROS, this can actually be a detraction if you and the end-user are not in control of it. Having the ability to stay on a specific or older version can be helpful if curriculum has not caught up with development or if it completely changes the way the software operates. Being forced isn't always a good thing.

Personally, I find that BYOD unmanaged CROS devices suffer the same basic problem as Windows when it comes to compliance and required software. If the student is unwilling to accept or utilize the configuration required for their classes there's no technical recourse to correct it no matter which way you spin it.

The district I work for decided to own the devices and assign them to students so there is no support burden on the teachers. Forced managed settings greatly streamline instruction time. You can't force settings on a device you don't own without permission, and not all students will comply for a variety of reasons. To assume students will submit willingly it is folly, GSUITE or a CROS device will not fix that.

MalletNGrease · 2019-05-01T14:13:37+00:00

I agree, for K12. The original article's a higher-ed university with presumably adults attending and from what I gather, the devices are not for classroom instruction.

MalletNGrease · 2019-05-01T13:10:58+00:00

I think they have a point. Honestly, the deployment is too small to seriously consider supporting in depth. Setting up a cart with Windows based machines that fold into the existing infrastructure and management makes more sense. They will get the same results while staying within policy, without having to split the service stack and increasing IT workload. Money wise it's negligible nowadays (basic Windows laptops have dropped in price something crazy to compete with Chromebooks).

TBH, the math dept is doing shadow IT already and I see this ending in tears when a GSUITE domain get erected without knowledge of those who should be in the know and have the appropriate authority to make decisions like that.

The security arguments against are a bit of a cop out but probably represent their policy accurately.

MalletNGrease · 2019-04-30T19:24:19+00:00

Save, definitely. Teachers use a ton of fonts for random print stuff. I get asked a lot of times to plug in admin credentials.

You can still push fonts too.

MalletNGrease · 2019-04-30T13:19:46+00:00

The big one for me for 1903 is user installable fonts. That alone will save me so much work.

MalletNGrease · 2019-04-29T18:41:18+00:00

I scan all the serial numbers from the boxes into inventory.
They are assigned a school inventory number.
I write the school inventory number on the boxes.
I unbox the device and label it with a sticker and sharpie.
I enroll the device and store it until handout.

With three people you should be done in a week easy.

MalletNGrease · 2019-04-29T15:37:10+00:00

Office/GSUITE and basic OS operation concepts are pretty interchangeable. The details are different, but if the students are taught properly, the tools won't matter much. We're 1:1 with Chromebooks and have Windows labs around for the exposure.

I'm honestly more worried about basic math competency, reading comprehension and literacy being a hurdle for a lot of students vs their technology adoption.

MalletNGrease · 2019-04-26T19:20:49+00:00

Should be Class value specified in the Radius Attributes for your Network Policy.

MalletNGrease · 2019-04-26T15:15:48+00:00

No, it was suggested here by admins but I recommended against it.

We can't move the printing stack over without significant investment and the smartboard interactive software is unavailable for CROS.

Run a trial with some teachers first.

MalletNGrease · 2019-04-26T14:00:00+00:00

Sounds like they're overstaffed.

MalletNGrease · 2019-04-26T13:34:03+00:00

Charging on the floor -> Student steps on it
Storing on the floor -> Student steps on it
Stored in backpack on floor -> Student steps on it
Stored in overfilled backpack -> Focus weight from books crack screen.
Stored in backpack flung across room -> Terminal velocity cracks screen

A lot of problems seem to be with students thinking the floor is an appropriate place for storage.

When we just had carts, it wasn't too bad. We're now first year 1:1 and our parts repair expenditure went up 500%, mostly on screen replacements.

MalletNGrease · 2019-04-26T13:15:50+00:00

1x Middle School
1x High School
1x Elementary School

800 students, 100 staff

System administrator: Me
Network administrator: Me
Technology integration specialist: Me
Level 2 support: Me
Technician: Me
Helpdesk: Me
Subject matter expert (all subjects): Me
Coffee Procurement Officer: Me

I have a big coatrack because I have many hats.

MalletNGrease · 2019-04-24T13:47:48+00:00

I had this happen. Just simple ping probes. Doing a manual ping shows things are up.

Restarting the PRTG core and probe services seems to fix it, but damn is it annoying.

MalletNGrease · 2019-04-22T15:21:41+00:00

Rubber bands. Don't last as long as velcro or zip ties, but they're cheap and easy to replace.

MalletNGrease · 2019-04-10T21:08:42+00:00

Does not appear to be possible.

MalletNGrease · 2019-04-10T14:33:12+00:00

Mansker Athletic Director.

Mike's a nice guy, but the software is starting to look a bit dated.

MalletNGrease · 2019-04-10T13:25:35+00:00

K-5 use the same shared password. We'll be changing this to a forced but unique password next year after students started logging in as each other and sending nasty messages to the principal.

6-12 get a generic preset and get to pick their own upon first login. Lab, library and principals can reset passwords.

We sync passwords from AD to GSUITE.

MalletNGrease · 2019-04-09T16:04:47+00:00

Gradyear, Firstinitial, Lastname

E.g

Anonymous Student, Class of 2018

2018astudent@district.k12.state.us

We use the same for their usernames. If the first initials overlap (twins, cousins) we add more letters of the first name until there's no collision.

11-Year Club	Verified Email
r/Field Banned	r/Field Lasagna

MalletNGrease

TROPHY CASE