DyKnow Releases Cross-Platform Classroom Monitoring Tool
Ed tech developer DyKnow is releasing a new version of its DyKnow Monitor, a classroom management tool designed for 1-to-1 computing environments in K-12 schools.
The new software, DyKnow Monitor Cross-Platform (also known as DyKnow CP), is an enhanced version of the existing DyKnow Monitor software. Monitor is a tool that allows instructors to see what's on students' screens in classroom environments, providing a thumbnail view of what students have on their screens at any given time and allowing instructors to block applications, monitor wireless access, blank out screens, and perform other management functions.
The new Monitor CP version supports student devices running Mac OS X and Windows. For teacher devices, it also supports iOS on the Apple iPad. It's designed to run "invisibly on student machines from the moment they join the school's network, which means there is no need for the student to log-in to a session or choose to be monitored," according to DyKnow. The teacher console is Web-based, so teachers do not need to download the software invidiously.
According to DyKnow, two schools deployed pre-release versions of the software in fall 2011, Orchard School and Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, both of which have 1-to-1 laptop programs in place.
"DyKnow Monitor CP is an invaluable tool for our teachers as they manage classrooms with mixed platform computer environments," said John Case, technology coordinator for Ohio Hi-Point, in a prepared statement. Hi-Point's technology staff support both Mac and Windows systems. Orchard is all-Mac.
DyKnow Monitor CP is being released today. Additional details can be found on DyKnow's site.