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Brookline Schools have two layers of Internet filters that protect web browsing students. Network filters block offensive and dangerous sites. Additionally, tech administrators maintain an ever expanding list that blocks non-educational games and other distracting content from student Chromebooks.
For most students, the filters in place help them to be productive and on task. However, a few students have difficulty focusing on academic work while using a school Chromebook even with the filters in place. For those students, Brookline's Restricted Mode may help. The Restricted Mode places severe limits on the websites students can visit.
The Restricted Mode for students (formerly known as the Penalty Box) blocks all website URLs except for those on an allowed list of educational sites. Students in the Restricted Mode cannot use Google for searching. The web restrictions in the Restricted Mode are placed on the student account and not on the Chromebook.
What's the process for placing students in the Restricted Mode?
What's the process for placing students in the Restricted Mode?
Placing a student's Google account into the Restricted Mode is a serious step and requires the approval of a school administrator. First, contact your school ETS and then get approval from your Principal or Vice Principal. Once the movement to the Restricted Mode is approved, you can direct questions and support needs to the Digital Learning Specialist.
Key things to know about the Restricted Mode.
Key things to know about the Restricted Mode.
Students in the Restricted Mode are blocked from every URL (web address) except for the essential education sites listed on the Allowed List.
The Allowed List contains over 100 sits including Canvas, Google Classroom, Google Docs and most other sites needed to complete daily classroom tasks.
Google (https://www.google.com/) is not on the Allowed List. Students cannot use Google search to access sites on the Allowed List.
Students can only access sites on the Allowed List by following a link provided by a teachers or typing in the exact URL.
Teachers may have to provide alternative paper based assignments or pair students with a partner for some web activities.
PDF documents and other files shared from outside of Brookline cannot be viewed by students in the Restricted Mode. Teachers can, however, share files from within their Google Drive.
What if a student is blocked from a website needed for an assignment?
What if a student is blocked from a website needed for an assignment?
Teachers can request that an essential education site be added to the Allowed List by contacting the Digital Learning Specialist. Please try to give as much notice as possible.
Sometimes, sites require several URLs to access a site. Each of those URLs must be added to the allowed list. Some web resources may not be accessible by students in the Restricted Mode. In those rare cases, teachers will have to find other resources for the student or simply allow the student to work with another student to access the content.
Why can't my student access a site that is on the Allowed List?
Why can't my student access a site that is on the Allowed List?
Make certain that the student is attempting to access the site though a link or by typing in the exact URL. Students will often try to use Google search to go to a permitted site and since Google.com is blocked, they mistakenly assume the target site is blocked. If approved site seems inaccessible, contact the Digital Learning Specialist.
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