How to close websites for students Follow
In this article:
Selecting a reason for closing tabs
How to close tabs from Browser Tabs
How to close tabs from the Activity Viewer
How to close tabs from Current Screens
When students navigate to unsafe or distracting areas of the internet, in Hāpara Highlights, you have the option to close those websites for students.
Before you close a tab, we recommend clicking on the name of the website so you can view it yourself. Since distracted students are sometimes stuck, you can also send the student a message to ask if they need help. Or provide a gentle reminder so they have the opportunity to get back on task on their own. This type of formative feedback allows students to practice their digital citizenship decision-making.
If you find you are repeatedly closing tabs for a student, you may also want to consider the "Block for the student" option. This will block the URL by starting a filter session.
Selecting a reason for closing tabs
When you close a student’s tab, you need to select a reason for closing the tab.
This feature provides students with more context as to why their tab is being closed. Data shows that providing a reason for closing a tab reduces the likelihood that students will repeat the off-task behavior. The goal is to help students make positive decisions online and become responsible digital citizens.
How to close tabs from Browser Tabs
In each Student Tile in Browser Tabs, you can close a student’s tab.
1. Click the X to the right of the website or document name.
2. Select a reason for closing the tab.
3. Then click the blue Close tab button.
4. The reason will then appear on the student’s screen.
How to close tabs in the Activity Viewer
The Unique Activity section of the Activity Viewer is a great way to view outlying browsing activity. This shows websites or documents that only one student in the class is viewing. You can quickly see if a student is doing further research or needs guidance.
If you notice any unique browsing activity that is not appropriate for class, you can close the website.
1. Click the X next to the website name.
2. Select the reason for closing the student’s tab.
3. Click the blue Close tab button.
Closing tabs from Current Screens
From a Student Tile:
In Current Screens, you can also close the tab a student is actively looking at.
1. At the bottom of the Student Tiles, click the X next to the website name.
2. Select the reason for closing the student’s tab.
3. Click the blue Close tab button.
From the extended view of a Student Tile:
In Current Screens, when you click on a Student Tile or screenshot, an enlarged view of the screenshot will open. From here you can also close any tab a student has open.
1. Click on a Student Tile to expand it.
2. Next to the view of the student's screen, you will see a list of their open tabs. > Click the X to close any of these tabs.
Just like closing tabs anywhere else in Highlights, you will be prompted to give students a reason for closing their tab.
How to close and block tabs
To help students stay on task, you may choose to block a website for a duration of time that you choose. This create a filter session for the student or class.
Closing a site from the Current Screens, Browser Tabs or Activity View will display the same popup window with options to block for the individual student or for the class.
1. Select the option to Block for this student or Block for the class.
2. From the drop-down menu, select how long you would like to block access for (up to 180 minutes at a time).
3. Click Block for the student.
4. Blocking the site will create a Guide browsing session, and you will see the aqua-colored bar displayed.
The students who are in the guided session will have the icon on their Student Tile.
When blocking sites for individual students, it will create multiple filtered browsing sessions. These can be reviewed and managed from the Review button in the aqua-colored bar.
Note: These sessions can be set up as individual student sessions or class sessions. You cannot run individual and whole class sessions together.