iPads Restrict Access to Study Island - Why? How to Override?

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Level 1

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iPads Restrict Access to Study Island - Why? How to Override?

I have seen a lot of complaining online about the parental restrictions for websites, but this is ridiculous. I use Apple Configurator with my class iPads, so you would think that I would have the same problem across all iPads. Instead, some students can use Study Island. Others get the restricted message. Some students get the message when they log in; others when they open the class; others when they open an assignment; others when they open a particular assignment only.

I attempted to completely remove restrictions using Apple Configrator. Didn't work.

I attempted to completely remove restrictions from within the iPad. Didn't work.

I attempted to add studyisland (http and https) to the acceptable site list using Apple Configrator. Didn't work.

Study Island is a educational company who might use the word "butt" in a story. Seriously?

iPad, iOS 7.1.1

Posted on Apr 23, 2014 7:52 AM

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Answer 1

iToaster

Level 3

739 points

Apr 24, 2014 3:19 AM in response to HCHSiPadLab

Imo your much better off filtering at your gateway than trying to setup filtering on individual devices.

If your filtering at the gateway you know it's going to work and were to look if there is problems.

If there is a problem you've got one place to fix it, not 100's of individual devices and computers to tack down and attend to..

I would also recommend using a MDM solution to push out profiles, apps etc OTA

there are both free and paid solution, local hosted and cloud based

anyhow try clearing safari cache, restart the devices

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Answer 2

HCHSiPadLab Author

Level 1

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Apr 30, 2014 8:43 AM in response to iToaster

First, I don't understand any of the jargon in the first half of your message. I'm a classroom teacher who uses the iPads in my classroom.

Second, I don't want to filter anything, but the iPad doesn't leave me with any choice. In Apple Configurator, I have to supervise them in order to restrict access to certain apps when testing, but if they are supervised, the content filter kicks in.

Third, the problem is definitely with iOS update. Another teacher uses a different cart on the same network, but she didn't update her iPads. Study Island is totally accessible.

Fourth, every time students get this silly restricted message, I immediately enter the URL into the accepted websites list in Apple Configurator and refresh the iPads. I clear the cache in both Safari and Chrome. Same result.

The problem is the design of the iOS, not the end user.

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Answer 3

iToaster

Level 3

739 points

May 1, 2014 6:00 AM in response to HCHSiPadLab

I miss understood your problem I thought you were choosing to use parental controls to filter

To simply what I was trying to explain about filtering.

The filtering at the network gateway is rather like someone at the gate of the school checking were each student is going when they leave and stopping those who are going to unsafe destinations

Rather than having someone in each classroom trying to stop students going to unsafe destinations

You tell the "gatekeeper" don't let the students go to xx

Instead of having to tell all the classroom minders and making sure they all understand

Anyway I digress, back to your problem

An relatively easy check you can carry out to find out if it is indeed a iOS problem or apple Configurator combo

Would be to unsupervise one of the iPads and see if you have the same issues

I'd have thought there would be many more complaints about supervised devices and blocking access

If that was the case

Nevertheless you could have discovered something with the combination of how you're doing things

If that's the case you'd better report your findings to Apple, who will hopefully fix the issue

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Answer 4

Wisd2004

Level 1

0 points

Dec 4, 2014 7:09 AM in response to iToaster

We have been fighting the same issue with configurator and StudyIsland. Have you found a workable solution. Out iPads go home with the students which means we would really like the content filter enable when they are off our network.

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