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Teachers' Guide to Kiosk Mode

Easy management of classroom hall passes and FlexTime check-ins from one shared device.

You can turn over management of hall passes entirely to a device set up in your classroom. With background restrictions set by your school (like the number of passes in a day, time allowed out of class, and the number of simultaneous passes), students can safely use a device (like a Chromebook, tablet or any web-enabled device) as a request kiosk or check-in station for activities. They create and approve their own hall passes, allowing you simply give permission and focus on instruction. This article will show you how to set up and manage a Kiosk in your classroom.

Permission Level Required: Teacher

Warning: Enabling Kiosk Mode through Minga does not configure or secure the device to prevent users from accessing other systems, settings, or applications. This can be done for dedicated kiosks in the device settings.

In this article:

Set Up Kiosk Mode for Hall Passes

Students can use a Kiosk to create and approve their own hall passes, allowing you to focus on instruction while maintaining a digital record of student movement. You can use any web-enabled device.
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Step-by-Step Guide to Setting up a Hall Pass Kiosk

  1. Open My Tools and navigate to More actions

    1. Tip: Your PIN is different than your Minga password.

    2. Warning: Keep your PIN safe, as it is required to exit kiosk mode.

  2. Select Enable Kiosk Mode.

  3. Enter kiosk mode and choose a kiosk type such as Hall Pass or Check In.

  4. Select the pass or check-in types available on the kiosk.

  5. Select Enter kiosk mode when ready.

  6. Enter a student ID number and create the hall pass or check-in.

  7. Use the kiosk menu (three dots) to edit settings, or use your PIN to sign out.

Tip: If you do not see Kiosk Mode available under More Actions, reach out to your admin team to enable Kiosks for Hall Pass, Check-in, or FlexTime.

How to use Kiosk Mode for Check-Ins

You can create a check-in using kiosk mode by opening My Tools, entering Kiosk Mode, selecting Check In, entering the student’s ID number, and choosing a check-in type to create the check-in.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Check In Kiosk

  1. Open My Tools and navigate to More actions

    1. Tip: Your PIN is different than your Minga password.

    2. Warning: Keep your PIN safe, as it is required to exit kiosk mode.

  2. Select Enable Kiosk Mode.

  3. Enter kiosk mode and choose the Check In kiosk type.

  4. If your school uses Minga's FlexTime module, choose the kiosk function between a regular check-in (like a library or event) or a FlexTime activity check-in (like a makeup test session).

  5. Select the check-in or check-in types that will be available on the kiosk.

  6. Select Enter kiosk mode when ready.

  7. Enter a student ID number (or scan using a connected scanner) to complete the check-in.

  8. Use the kiosk menu (three dots) to edit settings, or use your PIN to sign out.

To view Kiosk Check-ins, navigate to the Check-In Dashboard to see the check-in type that was recorded. To dive deeper, depending on role permissions, you can check the Check-In Reports.

Signing Out of Kiosk Mode

Signing out will take your device out of Kiosk mode and take you back to your Minga account.

To keep your personal Minga account secure, logging out of Kiosk mode requires your PIN, which is not the same as your Minga password.

Additionally, if you forget your PIN, you can request be sent to the email address associated with your Minga account by clicking Request PIN to Email.

Step-by-Step Guide to Logging out of Kiosk Mode

  1. Click the log out icon in the upper right corner of the kiosk screen.

  2. Enter your PIN

  3. Type your PIN to confirm you have permission to exit kiosk mode.

  4. Click Sign out to leave kiosk mode on the device.

Additional Features or Settings

Edit Kiosk Settings

If you need to add or remove an option on the Kiosk, or switch the Kiosk to a different function, you can do this at any time by opening the top-right three-dot menu. Once you are done, you can re-enter kiosk mode.

Step-by-Step Guide to Editing your Kiosk

  1. Open the kiosk menu by clicking the menu (three-dots) icon in the top-right corner of the kiosk screen

  2. Type your kiosk PIN to unlock editing controls

  3. Select new hall pass types or check-in reasons

    1. (optional) Toggle the notification sound on or off

  4. Re-enter kiosk mode

  5. Click Enter kiosk mode to apply changes and return to the kiosk workflow.

Kiosk Device Security

It's crucial to be aware of the potential risks of setting up a device in Kiosk Mode and to take appropriate precautions to mitigate them. Students, teachers, and administrators each have different permissions to ensure everyone has the right level of access for their tasks.

Kiosk Security Features

  • Easy but Secure Login
    Students and staff use their ID or a secure login to access the Kiosk, ensuring only authorized users can use it.

  • Right Access for the Right Role
    Students, teachers, and administrators have different permissions. Students can request passes, teachers can issue and verify them, and administrators can tweak settings and view detailed reports.

  • Protected Data:
    All actions are logged, and data is encrypted to keep everything safe.

  • Automatic Logouts:
    If the Kiosk is inactive for a while, it will automatically log out to prevent unauthorized access.

Device Security Tips and Tricks

  1. Device Security

    Enabling Kiosk Mode through Minga DOES NOT configure or secure the device to prevent users from accessing other systems, settings, or applications. Please refer to your device's documentation to restrict students from opening additional browser tabs or accessing system settings or other applications.

  2. Physical Security

    Position the kiosk in a secure location that can be monitored and maintained by an authorized staff member.

  3. User Training

    Educate staff and students on the proper use of a Minga Kiosk and how to properly report problems or issues.

  4. Data Privacy

    Ensure students or staff keep data private, such as student ID numbers or other sensitive information, and do not share it.
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Finding or resetting your kiosk PIN

To find your kiosk PIN, navigate to MyTools> More Actions> Kiosk Mode. Here, you will see the PIN needed to exit, edit, or update your Kiosk.

Step-by-step Guide to Retrieving your Kiosk PIN

  1. Open My Tools

  2. Select Kiosk mode (it may be found under 'More Actions'). Click Enable Kiosk Mode.

  3. Locate the kiosk PIN

Step-by-step Guide to Resetting your Kiosk PIN

  1. While in an active Kiosk Session, navigate to the log out button in the top right corner.

  2. Click the log out button and select "Request PIN to Email"

    • ○ This will send your Kiosk PIN to the email address associated with your Minga account.

  3. Check to your email and locate your Kiosk PIN

  4. Remember your PIN or copy and paste it in a secure area

Troubleshooting

Issue: I do not see an option in My Tools to enter Kiosk mode.

Solution: If you do not see Kiosk Mode available under More Actions, reach out to your admin team to enable Kiosk in Hall Pass, Check-in, or FlexTime Settings If Kiosk Mode is not visible, it may be due to required permissions or settings being disabled.

Issue: I cannot find my PIN.

Solution: Navigate to MyTools> More Actions> Kiosk Mode, and your PIN will appear under your email address.

Issue: I know hall passes have been enabled for kiosk mode but I do not see any available hall pass types to add to my kiosk.

Solution: Check with your school's admin (an Owner or Manager in Minga) that hall pass types or check-in reasons have been enabled for Kiosk mode. For hall passes, ensure the setting Teacher must approve pass is toggled OFF.

Issue: I cannot sign out of kiosk mode because I do not have the PIN.

Solution: You can click Request PIN to Email, retrieve the PIN from your email, and then enter the PIN to complete the Sign out action.

Issue: The kiosk device goes to sleep and slows down lines.

Solution: You can keep a Chromebook kiosk awake by setting While inactive and plugged in and While inactive and on battery to Keep display on in Settings → System preferences → Power.

FAQs

Can students use kiosk mode without their own device?

Students can use Kiosk Mode without their own device because Kiosk Mode runs on a shared device where students can enter an ID number to create a hall pass or check in.

Can a kiosk be used for event check-ins?

No, Kiosk Mode is not yet enabled to support Event Check-Ins.

Can I change kiosk settings after kiosk mode is already running?

Yess, you can change kiosk settings after kiosk mode is already running by opening the three-dot menu, entering your PIN, updating kiosk settings, and selecting Enter kiosk mode again.

What should I do if I forgot my kiosk PIN?

You can retrieve your kiosk PIN if you forgot it by clicking Request PIN to Email, copying the PIN from your email, and entering it to complete Sign out.

Related Articles
Teachers' Guide to My Class
Admin Guide to Kiosk Setup and Use
How Students and Teachers Create Hall Passes
Automating Tardy Check Ins in Minga
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