As we continue the transition from DyKnow to Securly Classroom, it is important to start to understand the difference between Blocking and Allow plans (DyKnow terminology) and Site Lock/Weblinks Collections (Securly Classroom terminology).
Securly Classroom was built around the idea of limiting students the places on the web you want them to go whereas DyKnow was built around the idea trying to keep students away from certain sites and apps.
Good news is that you can do both in Securly Classroom. Let’s take a look at both options.
Web Links & Site Lock
Classroom’s main way of keeping students focused on the learning, is to first, identify and collect the places you want them to visit (they call the feature that does this Web Links) and then, second, keep students there through a process called Site Lock.
When trying to decide how best to use these features, you might consider a combo of plans and collections, using them for various purposes. Securly Classroom makes it easy to gather web sites into Web Link Collections and then with Site Lock push students to those sites. It has the added benefit of limiting or “locking” students into those sites. If creating a collection and using Site Lock, be aware that by default it will open all the sites for the students (e.g. – if you have 20 sites in your collection all 20 will open.) However, you can choose to have Site Lock not open all the sites. When you click on the Site Lock button and choose your collection make sure to click on the option that reads “Allow sites but do not open.” This will keep the students on only those sites in the collection but won’t open any of them which is especially nice when you have a large collection.
Learn more about creating Web Links from Securly (make sure you are logged in). When using Web Links, consider using predetermined ones that are set to include dependencies. This might be a great option for tests!
Blocking & Allow Plans
Within the Blocking Plan feature, you actually have a choice between keeping students off of sites (blocking) and keeping them on a chosen number of sites (allow.)
So how do you decide whether to use an Allow or Blocking plan? Think of the difference between Block and Allow like this – imagine taking a toddler to a public park. A Blocking plan is like chasing the toddler around and finding all the things that you do not want them to touch “yucky” or playground equipment that is for the big kids. It can be exhausting and never-ending. An Allow-only plan is like taking the toddler to a play area that is age-specific where the toys and equipment are designed for safety and fun and are “just right.” Instead of having to say “no” and take something away, you are giving them what is appropriate. With Allow plans you are a curator of learning opportunities!
Whether you choose a Blocking or Allow plan, consider making a clone of any public plans (remember to immediately make it private). Blocking plans that are shared as Public are still editable by the original user and you might find that something is blocked when you need it available. Learn more about Blocking Plans.
Available Plans
We have created an Allow-only “blocking” plan that takes our Windows environment into consideration, as we have found that Windows Start menu can get blocked. Our “Daily Allow Only MS/HS. (now available) includes some high-use apps like web browsers and the start menu. Our district plan includes Allow-only access to the following websites: Canvas, Office, and Classlink. It allows access to the following apps: Web browsers, Microsoft, Start, Camera, LockDown Browser, and Adobe Reader.
We recommend creating a Clone of this Allow-Only plan if you would like to modify it with class-specific websites or apps. You could clone it several times and create different versions which include more access for days you are having students conduct research, days for SEL lessons, etc.
Fine-Tuning Your Cloned Plan
Adding your course extension to keep students in your Canvas course:
- All Canvas access – https://issaquah.instructure.com/
- Class-specific Canvas access (EXAMPLE) – https://issaquah.instructure.com/courses/9272
District-supported sites:
- Canvas – https://issaquah.instructure.com/login/microsoft
- Classlink – https://launchpad.classlink.com/issaquah
- Microsoft Office – https://www.office.com/
- iReady – https://login.i-ready.com/student/dashboard/home
- Canva – https://www.canva.com/
- Adobe Express – https://new.express.adobe.com/
- Safari Montage – https://isd411-wa.cloud.safarimontage.com/
- NoodleTools – https://my.noodletools.com/logon
- Learning Ally – https://portal.learningally.org/
- KCLS – https://kcls.org/students/
Class-specific sites/apps:
- Book (Savvas Envision, TCI, McGrawHill, etc.)
- Desmos
- Gizmos
- Other external tools associated with your course
If you need support getting links for any of these, please ask your TOSA or Ed Tech Lead.