Highlights Chat: Teacher FAQ Follow
In this article:
- Who is allowed to chat?
- Does my student need to sign into Hāpara to chat?
- How long can I access my chat history?
- Can I chat with offline students?
- Why doesn't the chat option show up for me?
- When can I chat with my students?
Question
Who is allowed to chat?
Answer
In Hāpara Highlights Chat, only teachers can message their students, and students can message their teacher during instructional time. Teachers must toggle Chat to "On" in order to send and receive student messages. Students are NOT be able to chat with each other. Teachers also are NOT be able to chat with each other.
If your role requires you to work with multiple classes, you will need to be added as a co-teacher for each class for which you wish use Chat. If your domain allows, you may add yourself as a co-teacher on the Class Info tab for each class. If you do not have that ability, please contact your school's Hapara Administrator for assistance.
Please note that you will continue to be able to send one-way messages to students using the Announce button on the Highlights tab for all classes to which you have access.
Question
Does my student need to sign into Hāpara to chat?
Answer
Student do not need to ever "sign-in" to Hāpara. The Highlights extension in the upper right corner of their Chrome browser is what gives that student screen visibility and access to Hāpara chat.
Question
How long can I access my chat history?
Answer
Teachers have access to a history of chat conversations with their students for 15 days. After that time, you will not be able to review the chat interactions you have had with a student.
To access previous chats with students during that 15 day window, click on the Chat icon in the bottom left corner. The Chat panel will appear on the right side of the screen and you can select the student and the history of messages between you and the student will display.
Question
Can I chat with offline students?
Answer
It is not possible to chat with an offline student. Highlights Chat requires the student be signed into their Chrome browser with their school-issued Google account. Students must be online in order for the Highlights extension to be active, which allows you to send messages to the student.
Question
Why doesn't the Chat option show up for me?
Answer
1. Students' version of the Highlights extension must be higher than 5.0.62.
To verify the version from a student's device, click on the puzzle piece in the upper right corner of the Chrome browser and Manage Extensions.
If the version is lower than 5.0.62, please restart your student's device or contact your Hapara administrator.
2. The student is not properly authenticated to their Google Chrome profile. Make sure they are signed in with their school issued Google account and Sync is ON.
3. Your school or district may have chosen not to enable Chat. Contact your Hapara Administrator to discuss turning it on.
Question
When and where can I chat with my students?
Answer
Chat time and location restrictions are the same as Hāpara Highlights and are set by your Hāpara administrator.
When Chat is helpful for instruction and learning, visit the Chat icon in Highlights to toggle it to "On." Leave it turned off when it’s not needed during class.