Issuing Class Sets of Credentials in Primary Schools

[dry]

So, how do you issue credentials to the youngest year groups (Year 1/2 in particular)?

 

Have had a teacher request a class list of credentials. Although I'm sure it's been done by previous techies in this school, all my training and experience (mostly in a secondary) says never issue a list with any usernames/passwords on, as it can be lost/stolen/photocopied etc and is generally bad practise.

 

Do you just ensure that permissions etc are strict enough that the security of the account isn't really a problem?

 

As much as my gut says every student should be able to remember their own username and password, I think I'm being a bit of a dreamer- considering a lot of them have trouble spelling their own name!

 

Thanks

[Grey-gear]

There are two augments here: -

 

1. Passwords are suppose to be security and this list could allow others student access to other student work and etc.

2. Student in year 1 and 2 are at an age where they may not be able to remember there password and having them to go out and get it changed cause the lesson to slow down or stop completely.

 

The best thing you could do is see if you can have a meeting with the teacher and your line manager (also maybe the head) and explain to the teacher what problems to the safety of the student, and see if there is a way you and the teacher can work it out.

 

I know this may end up with them having a list of user names and password for the student at least then they will know the importance of it.

 

Hope this helps

[smithson83]

We have generic Accounts for Reception, Year1 and Year2, then they start to use their own accounts from year 3 onwards. We came to the conclusion that computer use in KS1 should be about learning to physically use the computer, and pupils should be supervised whilst doing so. When they get to Y3, in theory, they should be capable enough that using the computer should be secondary and the focus should move to UN&PW, folder structures, and using the computers to compliment other lessons.

[strawberry]

We flip flop depending on the last "issue" , some classes use individual accounts, some use class logons.

[Rob_D]

For KS 1 students (reception to Year2) we set up each student with their own account, but all the accounts for the same class have the same password.

Not ideal from a security standpoint, but it was the best compromise we could come up with.

Older students get to pick their own passwords, and I get to spend a fair bit of time reseting them.