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Admin Guide to Kiosk Setup and Use

Learn how to set up and manage a central Kiosk for student hall passes or student check-ins.

Kiosks make light work of morning check in, in class hall pass requests, dances, detention sign in's, the list goes on. Kiosks are a core feature of Minga. By setting up a Chromebook, iPad, or tablet in a common area, you can enable that device to either provide a hall pass or check a student in by either entering a student ID or scanning. This guide will help you configure these stations to save time for your staff while maintaining a secure environment.

Permission Level Required: Owner

In this article:

How to Enable Kiosk for Hall Passes

Setting up a Hall Pass Kiosk allows students to quickly generate authorized passes without requiring a teacher to stop their lesson to use a personal device.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enabling Kiosk Hall Passes

  1. From your main navigation menu, select Hall Pass.

  2. Open the Settings tab and find the Hall Pass Settings heading.

  3. Toggle on Enable hall pass kiosk. A warning message will pop up, letting you know about the importance of device security. This is the verbatim message:
    ​
    ​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 the documentation for your device to restrict students from opening other browser tabs or accessing system settings or other applications.

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

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

    Data Privacy. Ensure students or staff keep data private such as student ID numbers or other sensitive information and do not share it.

DISCLAIMER
​By enabling Kiosk Mode you agree to hold Minga Solutions Inc, it's subsidiaries and employees harmless for any and all risks or harm associated.

4. All changes are automatically saved and kiosk mode is now enabled for use for Hall Passes.

Enabling Specific Hall Pass Types for Kiosk

In order to start using kiosk mode for Hall Passes you will need to select which Hall Pass Types you would like to be available for student selection in the kiosk.
​

Step-by-step guide to Enabling Hall Pass Types for Kiosk

  1. Navigate to Hall Pass from the main menu and click the Types tab.

  2. Locate the specific pass you want to be available for students to select in a kiosk.

  3. Click the blue edit pencil, and under the heading Kiosk Mode toggle on Enable this hall pass in kiosk mode.

  4. Double check under the Settings heading that if Students can create a pass is toggled ON, the setting Teacher must approve pass is toggled OFF. If this setting is on, the hall pass type will not appear as an option in Kiosk mode.

  5. Click Save.

Tip: You can quickly identify Kiosk-enabled passes by looking for the highlighted Kiosk icon in your list.

How to Set up a Hall Pass Kiosk

Step-by-step guide to Setting up a Hall Pass Kiosk

  1. Navigate to My Tools from the main menu.

  2. Select More Actions and then click Enable Kiosk Mode.
    ​

  3. Take note, or retain your PIN in a safe location as it is needed to edit or exit the kiosk session.
    ​

  4. Select Enter kiosk mode.

  5. Select Hall Pass as the Kiosk type.

  6. Choose all available Pass Types you want to appear on this specific device.

  7. Click the Enter Kiosk Mode button to activate the station.

How to Enable Kiosk for Check Ins

Kiosk Check Ins are ideal for high-traffic events like pep rallies, prom, or flex activities, providing real-time attendance data and reducing wait times.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enabling Kiosk for Check In

  1. From the main menu, select Check in.

  2. Select the the Settings tab.

  3. Toggle on Enable Check in kiosk.

  4. A warning message will pop up, letting you know about the importance of device security. This is the verbatim message:
    ​
    ​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 the documentation for your device to restrict students from opening other browser tabs or accessing system settings or other applications.

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

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

    Data Privacy. Ensure students or staff keep data private such as student ID numbers or other sensitive information and do not share it.

DISCLAIMER
​By enabling Kiosk Mode you agree to hold Minga Solutions Inc, it's subsidiaries and employees harmless for any and all risks or harm associated.

5. All changes are automatically saved and kiosk mode is now enabled for use for Check ins.

Enabling Specific Check in Reasons for Kiosk

If you only want to show specific Check Ins on a kiosk device you can customize and control which ones appear for students to use for kiosk Check Ins.

Step-by-step guide to Enabling Check in Reasons for Kiosk

  1. Start by selecting Check in from the main menu.
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  2. Select the Reasons tab to edit existing reasons and make them available in kiosk mode.
    ​

  3. Click the edit icon to update the details of a specific check-in reason.
    ​

  4. Under the heading Kiosk mode, toggle on Enable this reason in kiosk mode to make this reason available for selection in a Check in kiosk.
    ​

  5. Press Save to apply all changes to your check-in reason instantly.

How to Set up a Check in Kiosk

Step-by-step guide to Setting up a Check in Kiosk

  1. Open My Tools from the main menu.

  2. Select More actions.

  3. Choose Kiosk mode to start a kiosk session on the device.

  4. Make note of or copy and paste your PIN to a safe location. You will need this to log out of Kiosk Mode on this device

  5. Click Enter kiosk mode.

  6. Tap Continue to confirm switching to kiosk mode, you will be logged out of your current session for secure access.

  7. Choose Check in.

  8. Select Check in to select Check in reasons.

  9. Select the Check in Reasons you want to be available for student use on the kiosk.

  10. Click Enter kiosk mode to launch your customized, ready-to-use check-in kiosk.

Configure Device Settings

Keeping Your Device Awake

To ensure the Kiosk remains functional throughout the day, you must adjust the power settings on your hardware (specifically Chromebooks).

  1. Click the Time in the bottom right of your Chromebook and select Settings.

  2. Select System Preferences and then click Power.

  3. Under When idle, next to While inactive and plugged in and While inactive and on battery, select Keep display on. Find more help from Google here

Editing your Kiosk

You can easily update or edit your Kiosk to add new Hall Pass Types/ Check in Reasons, or to edit the audio settings.

  1. Once you are in Kiosk mode you can edit the settings by clicking the three dots in the top right of your screen.

  2. Enter your PIN.

  3. Make your changes:

    • Select new hall pass types/check-in reasons

    • Turn the notification sound ON/OFF

    • Show active passes ON/OFF

  4. Click Enter kiosk mode.

Log out of Kiosk Mode

When you need to sign out of Kiosk mode, just enter your PIN and you are all set!

  1. Click on the three dots in the top right-hand corner.

  2. Select Log out.

  3. Enter your PIN.

  4. Select Sign out.

  5. You will be brought to the main Minga log in page where you can log into a regular Minga session with your credentials or preferred SSO option.

Request a PIN

If you don't remember your PIN, or you lost it, there are a few things you can do to retrieve it or request a new one.

To retrieve an existing PIN, follow these steps:

Step-by-step guide to Retrieving your Existing PIN

  1. Open an incognito browser or access Minga from a different browser or device.

  2. Log into Minga and navigate to My Tools.

  3. Select More Actions and Kiosk Mode

  4. Copy and paste your PIN in a safe location.

To request a new pin while still in an active Kiosk session, follow these steps:
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Step-by-step guide to Requesting Pin in Kiosk Session

  1. Click on the three dots to log out, reset, or edit the kiosk.

  2. Click Request PIN to Email. Minga will send a new PIN to the email associated with the kiosk session.

  3. Once you have your new PIN, enter it in the Kiosk

Access and Device Security in Kiosk Mode

Kiosk Mode uses secure logins and role-based access to protect data and maintain privacy. Students, teachers, and administrators each have different permissions to ensure everyone has the right level of access for their tasks.

Here is how we do it:

  • Easy but Secure Login: Students and staff use their ID or a secure login to access the Kiosk, making sure only the right people 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

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.

  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.

    1. Please refer to the documentation for your device to restrict students from opening other 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.

These steps help ensure that Kiosk Mode is a safe and reliable tool for everyone at school.

Reporting and Analytics for Kiosk Mode

Keep track of all your Kiosk activities and analyze the data to monitor usage and improve efficiency.

You can monitor how Kiosk Mode is being used, generate detailed reports on hall passes and check ins to identify trends. This data helps you understand usage patterns, ensure compliance, and make informed decisions to improve school operations.

  • Track Activities: See who’s using Kiosk Mode and how often.

  • Generate Reports: Create detailed reports on hall pass and check-in activities.

    • Navigate to the Hall Pass OR Check In modules > Click the Report tab > then filter your reports.

  • Identify Trends: Use the data to spot trends and improve processes.

Additional Features and Settings

You can further customize the user experience and security of your Kiosk stations using these additional options.

Feature

Description

How To

Visual

Audio Notifications

Plays a distinct sound for "Granted" or "Denied" status to alert nearby staff of student activity.

When setting up your kiosk, toggle on Enable audio notification

Show Active Passes

Displays a list of currently active hall passes on the Kiosk home screen for easy monitoring.

When setting up your Hall Pass Kiosk, toggle on Show active hall passes. This will show all active passes on the home screen of the kiosk

Exit PIN

A unique code required to log out of Kiosk mode, preventing students from exiting the app.

The PIN is specific to the user account, so make sure to remember it or keep it in a secure location as it will be needed to make changes, reset, or exit the kiosk session.

FAQs

How do I exit Kiosk Mode on my device?

You can exit Kiosk Mode by clicking the Exit button in the top right corner, selecting Log Out, and entering your unique PIN to return to the standard Minga login screen.

Can I customize which hall passes appear on the Kiosk?

Yes, you can customize the Kiosk pass list by navigating to the Hall Pass module, selecting the Types tab, and toggling Enable Kiosk Mode on or off for each specific pass.

What should I do if I forget my Kiosk PIN?

You can retrieve your Kiosk PIN by clicking the Request PIN link on the exit screen, which will automatically send the code to your registered staff email address

Troubleshooting

  1. Issue: The Kiosk screen keeps turning off or locking.

    Solution: Check your device's Power or Display settings and ensure "Sleep" or "Auto-lock" is disabled when the device is plugged in.

  2. Issue: Students are accessing other websites on the Kiosk device.

    Solution: Use your device's "Managed Guest Session" (Chromebook) or "Guided Access" (iPad) to restrict the browser to the Minga URL only
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  3. Issue: I have enabled Kiosk Mode for Hall Passes and selected Hall Pass Types for Kiosk but I do not see any options to select when setting up the kiosk.

    Solution: Double check that the setting Teacher must approve pass is not enabled on the hall pass type, as this will prevent the pass from showing in Kiosk. Because the hall pass is created in Kiosk it is assumed it is with teacher approval.
    ​

  4. Issue: My teachers are reporting that they do not see the option for Kiosk Mode in their MyTools.
    ​Solution: Ensure that in Hall Pass Settings, under Teacher/ Staff Settings, the setting Allow teachers to assign hall passes is toggled on. If it is toggled off, teachers will not see the option to create a kiosk session for hall passes.

Resources

How Teachers use Kiosk Mode in Minga

DISCLAIMER: By enabling Kiosk Mode you agree to hold Minga Solutions Inc, it's subsidiaries and employees harmless for any and all risks or harm associated.

Related Articles
Teachers' Guide to Kiosk Mode
Configure Hall Pass Permissions for Your School
How Students and Teachers Create Hall Passes
How to Use Minga Digital Hall Passes in the Classroom & Hallways
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