On this eighth day of Google, we will focus on how students can participate in activities on their Chromebook while in ‘locked mode’. In particular, I want to focus on two different features: Locked mode with Google Forms and Desmos Calculator.
Locked Mode with Google Forms
Google has recognized that teachers would like students to be able to complete assessments online without access to searching the web. This can pertain to a formative activity, summative activity or timed writings. In order to use this feature, students must have a Chromebook that is managed by the school district.
Below are the steps that must be taken to make this happen:
Create Google Form and type in the questions you are wanting students to answer- Under the settings gear, select Quizzes tab. Activate “Make this a quiz” followed by selecting the check box “Turn on locked mode”. You will also note that I have selected “Later, after manual review” as I don’t tend to like having students receiving immediate feedback unless all students have completed the assessment at the same time.
- Next, go to Google Classroom and create an assignment with the Google Form you just created. Since you have already indicated that you want the form in locked mode, this setting is in place for the students.
Students will go to Google Classroom, click on the Google Form link and will receive the following message. Once they accept and hit “Start Quiz” all other tabs are locked and only the Google Form will show. Students will take the assessment and hit the “Submit” button when they are done.
Something good to know: there is a button on the top right corner that says close quiz. If a student selects this button, they get a message that states any answers already selected in the form will not be saved. A teacher will also get an email if the student goes back into the quiz at a later time. This can be a conversation starter.
Desmos Calculator in Locked Mode
This is a great feature for students in the math and science world. Desmos is a great online graphing calculator that is free for students. Students find that this tool is much more easier to manage and understand compared to a traditional graphing calculator.
Desmos has implemented a feature that works with managed chromebooks where they can only uses the Desmos app and nothing else. This can be great when you want students to take an assessment but you want them to have access to a calculator. This can also be good if you just want students to be on task and not have access to the internet. Students have the ability to indicate which type of calculator they need for the task at hand. They can choose from four function, scientific, and graphing calculator.
To learn more about the process to make this happen, click HERE. (You would need to get the person who manages the Google admin console of the domain to get this installed for all students.)
Once the app has been installed:
Students must first log out of the Chromebook- Students select the apps icon on the bottom left corner
- Then choose Desmos Test Mode
- Students choose the type of calculator
- When students are done, they select the “done” button on the top right – this prompts a message indicating how long the student has been in the app to show the teacher.
- Student then shuts down the chromebook completely to get out and gain access to everything else on the chromebook.
Two different ways to having students use their chromebook in a setting where teachers don’t want students to have access to the internet. If you have any questions from above, you know where to find me. And that is my Spiel…
Craig M Sheil 