Windows NetSupport School... For Macs?

[Gongalong]

Hi folks,

 

I'm already aware that NetSupport have a version of School for MacOS, but I'm after something that has the same functionality e.g. can view and lock student Macs, but also has the facility to listen to a specific Mac. Pretty much as per the Windows version of School.

 

Does classroom management software of this type exist for the Mac?

 

Thanks

[geohanson]

Have a look at Apple Remote Desktop.

You can view and control screens, send remote commands, install software, generate user history reports etc....

[Gongalong]

Does it work like Windows Remote Desktop, and lock it for the person using the machine? I'm trying to find something like VNC (or NetSupport School) which doesn't lock the machine.

[geohanson]

The client Mac can continue to be used all the time.

I think the client Mac also shows an icon in the menu bar to show they are being watched.

There are a number of different options where the admin can just view the clients screen from the server, the end user and the admin can both control the keyboard/mouse at the same time, or the admin can take over control completely, disabling the clients keyboard and mouse. You also have the option to blank the clients screen whilst working on something you don’t want them to see.

 

So yes, it’s more like VNC than MS Remote Desktop.

[Brimstone]

Apple Classroom....it’s free

 

https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/classroom/apd3c242a3bc/mac

[Gongalong]

Interesting. Although I wonder if it will conflict with our Mosyle MDM?

[Gongalong]

Does Classroom only work for students if they're logged into an Apple ID? Apple's documentation is a bit vague about how it works from the student end, but from what I can glean there should be a Classroom listing in System Preferences and I don't see that. I've found a couple of threads that say the Macs must be logged in with a "school managed Apple ID", but because we authenticate the students via AD we aren't using Apple IDs. Unless we can sign them all on using our Mosyle MDM with our general school account?

[AntonioRocco]

Just to clarify a few points regarding Apple Remote Desktop. Specifically the Admin part of ARD which is a separate application. ARD (the client part) is built into and is part of the OS and has been from at least 10.2 (Jaguar) onwards.

 

The option that shows a client Mac if they're being observed can be turned on or off. So they need not be aware they're being observed. It's also a two-way thing as it allows the client Mac to contact (send a message) the administrator (or teacher) using it. You don't have to use ARD Admin on a (Mac) server. I would never recommend it as it's best used on a normal Mac. Usually the one designated to be the IT administrator's Mac, or in certain cases, the teacher's Mac. Amongst other things it's a very powerful data gathering tool allowing you to audit all your Mac estate. Things like serial numbers, hardware specs, processes using the most memory and so-on.

 

Hope that helps?

 

Antonio Rocco (ACSA)

[Gongalong]

Thanks for the explanation.

 

The only lead I've got on classroom management software for MacOS is Senso Cloud. They might have a beta out at the end of the year for MacOS which does both screen and audio sharing.