Managing grouped student devices with timed locks
Systems and methods presented herein can allow a teacher to manage student devices in a classroom setting by grouping student devices on a graphical user interface and using the interface to set locks with respect to the groups of student devices. Lock requests can be received and managed by a server, which can issue file locks, web locks, and application locks. These locks can restrict file access, website access, and application access, respectively, on the students' personal mobile devices. Additionally, the teacher device can allow the teacher to provide timing information in conjunction with the lock requests, which can control when to lock and/or unlock the student devices.
1. A system for teacher-controlled launching of resources on student devices, including:
a teacher device comprising one or more processors and memory;
a management server that enforces management services on a plurality of student devices and the teacher device, wherein a management component is installed on the teacher device and a student device of the plurality of student devices by the management server; and
wherein the teacher device executes the one or more processors and memory to execute a teacher application that performs stages including:
generating a graphical user interface (“GUI”) that lists students in a class associated with the teacher device, wherein the GUI of the teacher device includes a selectable lock profile to apply to student devices, wherein the lock profile automatically updates to new configurations based on upcoming lesson plans;
receiving selections, on the GUI, including:
a first selection of a student associated with the student device by selecting a student icon on the GUI;
a second selection of a managed application for use at the student device by selecting from multiple available applications; and
a third selection of a resource for use with the managed application at the student device, wherein the resource is a file or webpage; and
sending a message to the management component of the student device, wherein the message includes a whitelist of resources that can be accessed by the student device and causes the management component of the student device to:
launch the managed application;
apply a lock that prevents the student device from exiting the managed application, wherein the lock allows use of all the resources in the whitelist while the lock is in place;
allow access to the resource from within the managed application while the lock is in place; and
while the lock is in place, restrict the managed application from accessing other resources presented for selection but unselected at the teacher device as for use with the managed application.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first selection includes a group of student devices, wherein separate messages are sent from the teacher device to each of the student devices in the group.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the resources include at least one document that the student device is allowed to access during a duration of the lock.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the stages further include a fourth selection of a lock type on the graphical user interface, the lock type being selected from a group that includes an application lock, a file lock, and a web lock.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the management server sets the management component of the plurality of student devices to accept the lock from the teacher device.
6. A method for teacher-controlled launching of resources on student devices, including:
installing a management component on a teacher device and a student device by a management server;
installing a teacher application on the teacher device, the teacher application performing stages on the teacher device including:
generating a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays students in a class associated with the teacher device, wherein the GUI of the teacher device includes a selectable lock profile to apply to student devices, wherein the lock profile automatically updates to new configurations based on upcoming lesson plans;
receiving selections, on the GUI graphical user interface, including:
a first selection of a student associated with the student device by selecting a student icon on the GUI;
a second selection of a managed application for use at the student device by selecting from multiple available applications; and
a third selection of a resource for use with the managed application at the student device, wherein the resource is a file or webpage of a student associated with the student device and a resource for use at the student device; and
sending a message to the management component of the student device, wherein the message includes a whitelist of resources that can be accessed by the student device and causes the management component of the student device to:
run the managed application;
apply a lock that prevents the student device from exiting the managed application, wherein the lock allows use of all the resources in the whitelist while the lock is in place;
allow access to the resource from within the managed application while the lock is in place; and
while the lock is in place, restrict the managed application from accessing other resources presented for selection but unselected at the teacher device as for use with the managed application.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the first selection implicates a plurality of student devices and separate messages are sent from the teacher device to each of the plurality of student devices.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the resources include at least one document that the student device is allowed to access during a duration of the lock.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the stages further include a fourth selection of a lock type on the graphical user interface, the lock type being selected from a group that includes an application lock, a file lock, and a web lock.
10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the management server sets the management component of a plurality of student devices to accept the lock from the teacher device.
11. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium including instructions that cause a processor to perform stages comprising:
installing a management component at a student device, the management component including an application programming interface for controlling functionality at the student device;
generating, on a teacher device, a graphical user interface (“GUI”) that displays students in a class associated with the teacher device, wherein the GUI of the teacher device includes a selectable lock profile to apply to student devices, wherein the lock profile automatically updates to new configurations based on upcoming lesson plans;
receiving selections on the GUI including:
a first selection of a student associated with the student device by selecting a student icon on the GUI;
a second selection of a managed application for use at the student device by selecting from multiple available applications; and
a third selection of a resource for use with the managed application at the student device, wherein the resource is a file or webpage of a student associated with the student device; and
sending a message to the management component of the student device, wherein the message includes a whitelist of resources that can be accessed by the student device and causes the management component of the student device to:
launch the managed application;
apply a lock that prevents the student device from launching at least one other application;
allow access to the resource from within the managed application while the lock is in place; and
while the lock is in place, restrict the managed application from accessing other resources that are presented for selection but unselected at the teacher device as for use with the managed application.
12. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the resources include at least one additional managed application that the student device is allowed to access during a duration of the lock.
13. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 12 , wherein the resources include at least one additional webpage that the student device is allowed to access from within the managed application during a duration of the lock.
14. The method of claim 6 , wherein the management component is part of an operating system of the student device, separate from the managed application.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the management component is part of an operating system of the student device, separate from the managed application.