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Posted (edited)

Hi All,

 

Quick straw poll:

 

We have had a couple of parental requests to be allowed to change their username to their access to the VLE to make it easier to remember ...

 

It's currently setup as standard for all parents as "surname.initial" so it seems hard to forget ... but there you go ... I'm ambivalent about whether to allow it or not ...

 

Just wondering if anyone can give me any pitfalls / benefits ...

 

Things I can think of:

 

Cons:

- They will forget what they change it to

- Breaks from the uniformity of all the rest (harder for us to remind them)

- They might not be able to have what they want if it’s already taken

 

Pros:

- They want to change it (customer is king)

- They might be more likely to remember it

- If they get both those 2 they might be more likely to use it ...

 

I just have a nagging feeling I'm missing something crucial ...

 

Thanks,

 

Luke

Edited by Luke_T
Posted
They are all grouped & login profiles set as a parental type which is how we'd usually set things to run ... but still a fair point. Thanks
Posted
I just have a nagging feeling I'm missing something crucial ...

 

If you do it, word will get round and EVERYONE will want you to do it for them.

 

TBH, it sounds like there is no real reason to change it. It's easy to remember as it is.

  • Thanks 1
Posted

I think you're opening yourself up to hurt if you do this.

 

What if someone uses a swearword? or "disschoolsuxlol" (you'd think parents would know better...but there you go)

 

I don't think its an option that provides any benefit - and it will just increase complexity/issues for you down the line.

 

Maybe suggest keepass or lastpass if they have trouble remembering these things? a little quick user guide maybe?

  • Thanks 1
Posted
Maybe suggest keepass or lastpass if they have trouble remembering these things? a little quick user guide maybe?

 

If they have trouble remembering their own lastname and the first letter of their firstname, there's a much bigger problem.

Posted
If they have trouble remembering their own lastname and the first letter of their firstname, there's a much bigger problem.

 

I think more it's remembering the username layout - they might use email address for some things, initial.surname for others, etc

 

Maybe a reminder of the format on login page? of course that raises a potential security issue...

Posted (edited)
I think more it's remembering the username layout - they might use email address for some things, initial.surname for others, etc

 

It could be that. I have to admit, it's a strange layout.

 

Then again, my username at school was [surname][first 2 initials] and I never forgot it.

 

 

Ultimately it comes down to how often they use the VLE. If they're using it regularly, then they shouldn't forget it.

Edited by X-13
I R TEH GUD SPELLAR!
Posted

@X-13: We wouldn't be doing this for them simply adding the option into their user control panel when they login ...

@Domino: It does potentially open us up for more issues, but being a private school there is the benefit of keeping the parents happy (if it's not too detrimental) & arguably they might use it more if it was easier to access ...

 

Thanks for the ideas

Posted

Unless their name genuinely is Mr Tui Shi* then I'd say tough. Exceptions are just going to cause trouble / admin.

 

* I have no idea what I just said.

  • Thanks 1
Posted
@X-13: We wouldn't be doing this for them simply adding the option into their user control panel when they login ...

 

That makes slightly more sense.

 

But, I still wouldn't allow username changes.[/opinion]

Posted

Rod for your own back

 

Don't do it.

 

It'll start with parents and then the teachers will decide they want to as well...

 

The only exceptions I make are for AEN or very young pupils with stupidly long names.... and once for a DH who had a triple barrelled name!

Posted

Bah.. I'd have given them anonymous numbers as usernames in the first place and said: "Well that's what the tax office do!".

 

[Avoids collisions, gives them slight touch of two-factor since they're not predictable for any given person etc.]

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