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We’re committed to helping schools create safe and engaged digital learning environments. That’s why we’re excited to launch a new Hāpara Highlights integration with Gaggle Web Filter. This integration brings together two powerful tools to ensure learners can safely access the digital resources they need.
Here’s everything you need to know about this integration and what it means for schools and districts like yours.
A closer look at the integration
Hāpara Product Manager Meagan Jakubec notes that the Gaggle Web Filter integration is designed to give teachers more control in their digital classroom while reducing the burden on tech administrators. When a learner wants to use a website that is blocked by the filter, they can send a request to their teacher for it to be unblocked during class.
The teacher will see the request in Hāpara Highlights, where it will show relevant details, including the website, the learner’s name and reason for the request. The teacher can then approve or decline the request. With this integration, Meagan says that we’re providing a seamless way for teachers to address the learning needs of their class in real time.
How the integration supports digital citizenship
The Hāpara Highlights and Gaggle Web Filter integration not only allows teachers to address class needs, but it also helps learners with digital citizenship. Learners get the chance to evaluate a website’s value for educational purposes and practice their decision-making skills.
Here are some examples:
- Researching for a science assignment
A learner is researching online for an assignment about renewable energy. He finds a YouTube video featuring an expert discussing solar technology. The district blocks YouTube videos with the web filter, but the learner thinks this video will be helpful for the assignment. The learner sends their science teacher a request to unblock the URL during class. After reviewing the video and confirming its educational value, the teacher approves the request. - Gathering facts for a health presentation
A group of learners are searching for facts for a health presentation. They find a website with statistics they need for the presentation, but the web filter is blocking it because of the topic. The learners send an unblock request to their teacher. The teacher sees it in Hāpara Highlights and realizes that the website would be helpful for this group project. She approves their request. - Exploring creative resources for an art project
An art student researching new techniques finds a website offering free video tutorials but notices it’s blocked. He requests access and adds a note explaining how the resource will help him improve his skills. Their teacher reviews the request and either approves it or offers alternative suggestions while reinforcing safe browsing practices.
By giving students the chance to advocate for their learning, schools can empower them to grow as thoughtful, responsible digital citizens.
Less work for technology administrators
With other web filters, teachers traditionally have to ask their technology administrators to unblock websites for class. This creates extra workload for the tech department and may take time before the website is unblocked for learning. With the Gaggle integration, this responsibility shifts to classroom teachers, who can make informed decisions on the spot.
School tech teams can focus on bigger-picture needs, while teachers gain more autonomy in managing digital resources for their learners.
More exciting updates coming soon
In addition to our integration with Gaggle Web Filter, we’re ready to pull back the curtain on some more big developments coming soon to Hāpara Highlights!
Hāpara Highlights for Microsoft Edge
In time for the back-to-school season in the Northern Hemisphere, Hāpara Highlights will support the Microsoft Edge browser! This expansion means schools that use Microsoft Edge will now be able to empower their teachers with the best classroom management tool.
We’re making it easier than ever for schools to empower teachers to manage and guide digital learning in real time, no matter which browser they’re using.
Spanish user interface (UI)
We’re also preparing to roll out a fully Spanish UI for Hāpara Highlights. This is a huge step toward making our tools more inclusive and accessible to Spanish-speaking educators and learners.
Stay tuned for these releases! We can’t wait to help you transform digital learning in your schools.
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