Microsoft classroom management software: Everything you need to know

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Every Windows device in a classroom creates an opportunity for learning, but it also creates potential distractions. You’ve probably heard from frustrated educators who need a solution for managing all those digital distractions in the classroom. The right tool can empower educators to better manage their digital classroom. That’s where Microsoft classroom management software like Hāpara Highlights comes in. It helps educators keep learners engaged and safe while guiding their browsing experience. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore the features you should look for in a classroom management tool and why Hāpara Highlights is the best option for schools.

What is Microsoft classroom management software?

Microsoft offers a variety of platforms and tools that help educators organize learning resources and lessons. Educators, though, also need a tool to help them keep learners on track on their Surface or Windows device. 

Classroom management software gives educators visibility into what learners are doing online and helps educators guide learners back to class activities. This type of software enhances the tools available in Microsoft 365 for teachers.

Why Microsoft classroom device management matters for schools

Digital distractions on Windows devices

The Program for International Student Assessment conducts a survey with 15-year-olds every three years. In the 2022 survey, according to Education Week, “About two-thirds of U.S. students reported that they get distracted by using digital devices, and about 54 percent said they get distracted by other students who are using those resources.” 

Distractions on Windows devices can stop students from engaging in meaningful learning. Whether they’re off task from class activities by playing games, watching videos, reading unrelated websites or accessing social media, it’s easy for learners in K-12 to be pulled away from learning. 

Students may get distracted for a number of reasons. Those could include being overwhelmed by challenging content, difficulty reading or writing, lack of motivation, poor digital habits or digital addiction, or wanting to chat online with friends through Word documents.

Keeping learners on track 

Classroom management software allows educators to see what’s happening in real time on student devices. This makes it easier for educators to quickly redirect off-task behavior and encourage learners to make better online choices. 

This supports recommendations like those found in Common Sense Education’s resources on digital citizenship and the ISTE Standards for Students, helping learners make safe digital decisions.

What to look for in Microsoft classroom management software

When evaluating software, prioritize features that meet the needs of everyone in your school or district, from your technology team to classroom educators to learners. The goal is to find a solution that is effective, simple to use and easy to implement. 

Cloud-based integration with Microsoft Teams for Education

A classroom management tool with browser monitoring should work directly with Microsoft Edge rather than create a cloud-based integration. Some classroom management solutions require your IT department to install software directly on Windows devices or PCs. A cloud-based installation through the Edge browser makes it accessible from any device connected to the internet. This allows educators to monitor student activity, provide real-time feedback and send learners digital resources from anywhere. 

Real-time visibility into learning

Effective classroom management in a digital environment requires visibility. Educators need to see what all of their learners are doing online at once to keep them on task and provide timely support. The best Microsoft classroom management software for teachers offers real-time browser monitoring, allowing educators to see what learners are doing online in the moment.

This helps educators quickly identify who is struggling, who has completed an activity and who might be wandering off track. This insight allows for quick, targeted intervention to guide learning.

Features that do more than just restrict websites

Classroom management software with Microsoft Edge monitoring shouldn’t be just about discipline. It should be about empowering teachers and supporting learners every step of the way. While filtering and blocking websites are necessary at times, browser monitoring should promote digital citizenship and help learners develop their executive functioning skills. 

Features like sending links to student devices, personalized messaging and scheduled student browsing parameters are more effective than simply closing tabs. 

Easy implementation and management

For technology directors, a smooth implementation is a must-have. The ideal Microsoft classroom management solution should be easy to implement across a school or district without requiring complex configurations.

Introducing Hāpara Highlights for Microsoft Edge

Many Microsoft districts have been searching for a tool that solves the digital classroom management issue and helps learners develop self-regulation. 

Hāpara Highlights, now available for Microsoft Edge, provides real-time visibility and personalized support for student browsing. It’s designed to work seamlessly within your existing Microsoft environment, offering a powerful yet intuitive experience for educators.

Hāpara focuses on making instruction and learning meaningful. It’s not just about monitoring student behavior online. The goal is to help students build positive digital habits and have safer and more engaged learning experiences online.

Here’s how Hāpara stands out as a leading choice for Microsoft classroom management software.

Real-time visibility into Microsoft Edge browsing

When learners are logged into their Microsoft accounts during class, educators can see their progress in real time in their Edge browser. Without a classroom management tool, educators don’t have that instant visibility across the class. Hāpara Highlights helps educators see exactly who is on track and who needs extra support — all from one dashboard.

Pedagogically-focused features

Hāpara empowers educators with tools designed for instruction. Educators can set browsing sessions, schedule them ahead of time and create sessions that repeat. This makes it easy for learners to stay on approved websites so they can focus on class activities during a lesson. 

Built for personalized learning support and differentiated instruction

Hāpara Highlights also allows educators to send learners direct messages to offer personalized digital citizenship support or instructional help. This means educators don’t have to call out learners publicly when they’re off track, which could create anxiety and apathy in the classroom. Instead, with direct messaging, learners feel respected and supported. 

Hāpara Highlights for Microsoft Edge also allows educators to create student groups for differentiated instruction. For example, they can use the Share Links feature to open a resource onto a group of learners’ screens. Not only does this support differentiated instruction, but it also helps learners who are still developing their executive functioning skills and need help accessing a resource.

Plug and play for schools and districts

For technology directors, Hāpara Highlights is both easy to implement and manage. Its cloud-based deployment means your school or district can quickly get started without burdening your IT team. 

While Hāpara Highlights is designed to be user-friendly for educators, your team can also take advantage of our live webinar training, in-person professional learning or free short courses. 

Choosing the best platform for your district

While Microsoft Teams for school and Microsoft 365 provide a strong foundation for digital learning, your educators need classroom management software with browser monitoring. This is the best way to create safe and engaged digital learning environments.

As you evaluate your options, consider a tool that goes beyond basic monitoring. Look for a partner that understands the instructional needs of your educators and provides features that promote digital citizenship. With its seamless Microsoft Edge integration, Hāpara Highlights offers the best solution for educators and learners.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is Microsoft classroom management software?
   Microsoft classroom management software like Hāpara Highlights helps educators manage digital learning environments on Windows devices. It provides teachers with real-time visibility into student activity and helps them guide online behavior to keep learners engaged and safe.
2. Why is classroom management software for Microsoft schools important?
   It minimizes digital distractions, keeps students on task and promotes safe digital habits.
3. How does Hāpara Highlights support Microsoft 365 Education?
   Hāpara Highlights works seamlessly with Microsoft 365 Education and Edge, offering real-time visibility and management tools that support instruction in the Microsoft system.
4. What features should I prioritize in classroom management software for Microsoft?
   Look for real-time monitoring into student activity online, seamless Microsoft integration, features that support personalized learning and easy implementation for schools.
5. Is Hāpara Highlights for Microsoft Edge easy to implement?
   Yes, its cloud-based design makes it simple to deploy and manage across a school or an entire district.