Limit Student Applications

Overview

LanSchool Air App Limiting allows instructors to control which applications students can run during class.

App Limiting can:

Allow Only specific applications and prevent other applications from running.
Block Only specific applications while allowing other applications to run.
Apply application limits to all students or only selected students.

Important: App Limiting is supported only on Windows and Mac computers. It does not work on Chromebooks.

For Chromebook application restrictions, use the Google Admin Console to manage and block Chromebook applications.

To close applications without using app limiting see Closing Student Applications.

What LanSchool Air App Limiting Can and Cannot Do

Supported

On Windows and Mac computers, App Limiting can:

Allow only specified applications.
Block specified applications.
Close applications that are not allowed.
Apply limits to all students or selected students.

Not Supported

LanSchool Air App Limiting cannot:

Block or manage applications on Chromebooks.
Block Airplane mode.
Prevent students from using Windows keyboard shortcuts.
Prevent students from disabling Wi-Fi.
Manage Chromebook application restrictions.

Configure App Limiting

Before enabling App Limiting for a class, configure the App Limiting settings.

App Limiting lists are configured for each class.

Enter the class where you want to configure App Limiting.
Select the Settings icon on the toolbar.
From the side menu, select App Limiting.
Select the type of policy you want to use: Allow Only or Block Only.

Allow Specific Applications

Use Allow Only when students should be restricted to a specific set of applications.

Select the Allow Only and select Edit.
Select Add Applications to Allow.
Enter the application's executable name in the Application field.
Select Add Another to add additional applications.
After adding all required applications, select Add to List.
Toggle applications to allowed or not allowed as needed.
Select Finish Editing.

Block Specific Applications

Use Block Only when students should be able to use most applications but specific applications should be blocked.

Select the Block Only and select Edit.
Select Add Applications to Block.
Enter the application's executable name in the Application field.
Select Add Another to add additional applications.
After adding all required applications, select Add to List.
Toggle applications to blocked or unblocked as needed.
Select Finish Editing.

Copy App Limiting Settings

App Limiting settings are specific to each class. You can create different App Limiting lists for different classes or copy settings from another class.

To copy App Limiting settings:

Select the drop-down menu under Replace current app limiting with settings from.
Select the class you want to copy settings from.
Select Apply Change.
Select Allow Only or Block Only.
Select Done.

Tip: Teachers can share an App Limiting allow or block list with other teachers by adding them as a co-teacher to the class. For more information about co-teaching see Using Co-Teaching.

Add an Application to an App Limiting List from Student Details

If you are unsure how to enter an application's executable name when creating an App Limiting list, you can add the application directly from the student's Student Details view.

This option allows you to identify an application that is currently running on a student's computer and add it directly to the App Limiting list.

Select the View Actions menu on the student's thumbnail.
Select View Student Details.
Select the Apps tab.
Find the application you want to add to the App Limiting list.
Select the App Limiting Options menu next to the application.
Select one of the following:
- Add to Blocked Applications — adds the application to the Block Only list.
- Add to Allowed Only Applications — adds the application to the Allow Only list.

After adding the application, the application will appear in the appropriate App Limiting list and can be managed with the other applications in that list.

Tip: Adding an application from Student Details can be especially helpful when you do not know the application's executable name or are unsure how it should be entered in the App Limiting list.

Enable App Limiting for Students

After configuring the App Limiting list:

Select the Limit student applications icon.
Select one of the following:

Limit Applications for All — applies the App Limiting settings to all students.
Limit Applications for Selected — applies the App Limiting settings only to selected students.

The App Limiting icon indicates that App Limiting is enabled.

To disable App Limiting:

Select the Limit student applications icon.
Select Unlimit Applications for All or Unlimit Applications for Selected.

Select Configure to quickly modify the App Limiting list.

Important Considerations

Turning on App Limiting can cause students to lose unsaved work.

Some applications, such as Microsoft Word, may prompt students to save their work before the application closes. If the student does not save the work within the available time, the application may close without saving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does App Limiting work on Chromebooks?

No. LanSchool Air App Limiting does not work on Chromebooks.

To block or manage applications on student Chromebooks, use the Google Admin Console.

Can LanSchool Air block Airplane mode?

No. LanSchool Air cannot block or prevent students from enabling Airplane mode.

Can LanSchool Air prevent students from disabling Wi-Fi?

No. LanSchool Air cannot prevent students from turning off or disabling Wi-Fi.

Can LanSchool Air block Windows keyboard shortcuts?

No. LanSchool Air App Limiting does not block or prevent students from using Windows keyboard shortcuts.

However, Windows Group Policy can be used to restrict some Windows keyboard shortcuts. Contact your local IT administrator for information about which shortcuts can be restricted through your organization's Windows policies.

Can I block Chromebook applications with LanSchool Air?

No. LanSchool Air App Limiting is not supported on Chromebooks.

Use the Google Admin Console to manage and block applications on student Chromebooks.

Can I apply App Limiting to selected students?

Yes. Teachers can apply App Limiting to all students in a class or only to selected students.

Can different classes have different App Limiting lists?

Yes. App Limiting settings are configured per class. Teachers can create different Allow Only or Block Only lists for different classes.

Will App Limiting close an application that is already running?

Yes. When App Limiting is enabled, applications that are not allowed by the selected policy can be closed. Students may lose unsaved work.

What if I don't know the application's executable name?

If you are unsure what to enter for an application's executable name, you can add the application directly from the student's Student Details view.

Select the View Actions menu on the student's thumbnail.
Select View Student Details.
Select the Apps tab.
Find the application you want to add.
Select the App Limiting Options menu next to the application.
Select Add to Blocked Applications or Add to Allowed Only Applications.

The application will be added to the appropriate App Limiting list without requiring you to manually enter the executable name.