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The kids here have started to use this chat program called yuuguu which I'm not able to block because it runs using java so it is using javaw.exe. It also can be installed as a regular user because they can install it to their profiles. Does anyone know how I might be able to block this?
I assume they are bringing in the software on USB, if so you need to implement a software restriction policy which will stop them from runninng executable apps from a USB device.
If you head down this route check out this post here I found it useful when I implemented software restriction policies.
You will probably also want to deploy USBDML across the network so you can control what drive letter USB devices are assigned making it easier to lock down the drive using your software restriction policies.
You can also apply software restriction polices to profiles and home directories stopping them from instaling and running programs from these locations.
Hope this helps.
Maybe block them saving or running the install file with a file screen, however i've not had much experience with single files. I have a block on all exe files but its doesn't appear to be instant. It will delete any unwanted files overnight though.
It appears to install in the users appdata directory so I don't think there is any other way to block because everyone has write access to their own profile folders
If you're using AD, you may be able to use software restriction policies to kill it. File signature restrictions maybe? That way even if they rename it they're not going to be able to run it.
Hi, I'm Phill from the Yuuguu Dev team.
Yuuguu is an online collaboration tool and I was wondering if the problem with Yuuguu is that it features a chat facility or is it installing unauthorised software on your network?
I assume that MSN, AOL and the like are banned too but I was wondering how you deal with, for example, GMail chat which is done in a browser - or are personal email accounts blocked?
Regards, Phill.
phill.coleman@yuuguu.com
Yes.Quote:
Originally Posted by phillColeman
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Hi, I am the Online Support and UX Manger for Yuuguu.
We all seem hell bent on blocking these kids from doing something that they obviously have a need for. Why not spend some time with these kids and learn why it is that they are becoming so resourceful?
It seems to me that what you offer in their profiles does not match the requirements of todays pupils/students and we should be looking to nurture the way children progress in their education.
Hear is a better idea to completely banning them.
Run a scheme that lets kids come to you with new technology and ideas. Let them put their case forward for such software and take time to understand that it is in their very nature to be social.
The consequences of acting on a complete ban must be thought of in view to gaining any sort of respect and building relationships with kids.
I am happy to talk more about this if anyone would like to reply or if you have other ideas.
I can see an interesting blog post on our site coming up.
It isn't a 'need'. It is a 'want'. Most schools now have a VLE and school email systems. I have the joyous job of monitoring the email here, and it is *not* used for work very often. More often than anything it is just used to chat with each other in lessons.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilKay-Jones
Our VLE has a chat tool built in, and we have disabled it. We simply cannot see a reason for allowing children to chat to each other via a website. If they need to collaborate, they can talk to each other in school, or post on a school provided forum - which is moderated by the teacher in charge of that lesson.
Hi, thanks for your reply.
You mentioned that email is not often used for school work which indicates that it is used by some for the right reasons.
I agree, children chatting whilst in lessons via Im is not what we want when it is used for personal chat and nothing to do with school work.
Has anyone explained to the kids that you monitor their activities and asked them what they would use IM chat for to aid their studies. They may surprise you but i guess you would have to weigh that up with the misuse of technology and so would have to be in some kind of controlled environment.
Yes. They couldn't come up with any positive answer.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilKay-Jones
Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilKay-Jones
Blocking you say? You, as a team need to talk to the people that govern the students online presence. Us as managers are merely the caretakers. Having students chat online is dangerous...especially when the other person on the end of the conversation calls himself 'Sally'.
There are quite a few ground rules we must follow - not allowing chatting is one of the good ones. The people you need to talk to are at BECTA. (Becta home)
Hi Powdarrmonkey.
That is a shame as we have many older students who use Yuuguu to work in research groups, largely for when they are not in school time frames and need to collaborate on projects set by the schools.
I would agree to banning software that has not been tested by the school and found a good use for as then as it seems here it would be used for just time wasting and no parent wants to think of their child wasting valuable education time on Im. Bad enough with mobile phones and text.
If i dig around some time this week and see how other schools are using our software then i will post back again with some feedback
Distance learning is one area I thought of and languages - setting up controlled environments for pupils to meet other pupils in other countries (sort of like a social online pen pal to enhance language skills).
In my experience, students prefer email, so they can catch up on each other even if they're not actively working at the same time, or they arrange face-to-face discussion and working groups - the approach I'd much rather see them persuing.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilKay-Jones
If we're not careful about placing this kind of technology in an appropriate context, we're in danger of breeding a generation of young people who can work very competently independently and as a team, but not understand how to conduct themselves in a meeting, can't socialise or read body language, and have problems reacting in an agile way to conversations that they can't review on screen as they go.
I do think this has its place - but I also think we have to be careful about using it in moderation and encouraging human collaborative working in preference to being on the end of a terminal.
The big problem with software like this is that is destroys the controlled environment teachers rely on to ensure their classes are effective and nurturing.Quote:
I would agree to banning software that has not been tested by the school and found a good use for as then as it seems here it would be used for just time wasting and no parent wants to think of their child wasting valuable education time on Im. Bad enough with mobile phones and text.
I've investigated this in the past but we always found that co-ordinating an activity with an overseas school, especially bearing in mind time differences, has made it prohibitively complex. It took a great deal of time, a luxury that neither we nor teachers can afford in normal circumstances.Quote:
Distance learning is one area I thought of and languages - setting up controlled environments for pupils to meet other pupils in other countries (sort of like a social online pen pal to enhance language skills).
I'm open to ideas on how you could make this easier though; a co-ordination service, perhaps?
That's a fair point and thanks for the link.Quote:
Originally Posted by ICTSM
For what its worth, Yuuguu is a closed environment in so much as you have to approve anyone on your contacts list and you get to see the email address that people use to sign up with Yuuguu.
Regards, Phill.
That's not really what I'd call a 'closed environment'. If an administrator had to approve contacts, or could limit it to just school email addresses, or similar, then you might be going somewhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by phillColeman