Managing grouped student devices with timed locks

A method for teacher-controlled launching of resources on student devices, including:

• installing a management component on a teacher device and a student device by a management server;
• installing a teacher application on the teacher device, the teacher application performing stages on the teacher device including:
• generating a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays students in a class associated with the teacher device, wherein the GUI of the teacher device includes a selectable lock profile to apply to student devices, wherein the lock profile automatically updates to new configurations based on upcoming lesson plans;
• receiving selections, on the GUI graphical user interface, including:
• a first selection of a student associated with the student device by selecting a student icon on the GUI;
• a second selection of a managed application for use at the student device by selecting from multiple available applications;
• and
• a third selection of a resource for use with the managed application at the student device, wherein the resource is a file or webpage of a student associated with the student device and a resource for use at the student device;
• and
• sending a message to the management component of the student device, wherein the message includes a whitelist of resources that can be accessed by the student device and causes the management component of the student device to:
• run the managed application;
• apply a lock that prevents the student device from exiting the managed application, wherein the lock allows use of all the resources in the whitelist while the lock is in place;
• allow access to the resource from within the managed application while the lock is in place;
• and
• while the lock is in place, restrict the managed application from accessing other resources presented for selection but unselected at the teacher device as for use with the managed application.

A non-transitory, computer-readable medium including instructions that cause a processor to perform stages comprising:

• installing a management component at a student device, the management component including an application programming interface for controlling functionality at the student device;
• generating, on a teacher device, a graphical user interface (“GUI”) that displays students in a class associated with the teacher device, wherein the GUI of the teacher device includes a selectable lock profile to apply to student devices, wherein the lock profile automatically updates to new configurations based on upcoming lesson plans;
• receiving selections on the GUI including:
• a first selection of a student associated with the student device by selecting a student icon on the GUI;
• a second selection of a managed application for use at the student device by selecting from multiple available applications;
• and
• a third selection of a resource for use with the managed application at the student device, wherein the resource is a file or webpage of a student associated with the student device;
• and
• sending a message to the management component of the student device, wherein the message includes a whitelist of resources that can be accessed by the student device and causes the management component of the student device to:
• launch the managed application;
• apply a lock that prevents the student device from launching at least one other application;
• allow access to the resource from within the managed application while the lock is in place;
• and
• while the lock is in place, restrict the managed application from accessing other resources that are presented for selection but unselected at the teacher device as for use with the managed application.