Mass Deploying LanSchool Student for macOS

Mass Deploying LanSchool Student for macOS

Update March 26, 2024: Release of macOS 14.4 has broken the ability to use SSID Whitelisting. Anyone currently using SSID Whitelisting, it is recommended to delay updating to macOS 14.4 until this issue has been fixed.  

Overview

LanSchool provides the ability to mass deploy the LanSchool Student client for macOS through the creation of a custom installation package.  Once this package has been created, you will be able to use your software distribution system to push the package out and install it. 

DISCLAIMER- LanSchool does not provide specific instructions on how to use your software distribution system.  LanSchool Support may be able to answer basic questions, but the software distribution system's technical support would be the proper contact.

Creating the LanSchool Student Custom Package

  1. Locate the LanSchool Student installer in the downloaded LanSchool Classic zip folder>>Mac and copy lanschool_student.dmg to the device.

  2. Double click on lanschool_student.dmg

  3. Click on Create a Custom Package.



  4. Depending on your macOS version, you may receive a security warning. Click Open.



  5. On the Welcome page, click Continue.



  6. Type in the Teacher channel number (1 to 16,000) that will manage that Student, or in 1:1 environments enter the Home Channel number determined for that student device. Remember to choose a unique number for each classroom. If you'd like to set any Advanced Options, Check the box Check to configure advanced options.  Click Continue.



  7. Select any advanced installation settings you wish to modify.  Click Continue.
    Advanced Settings include:  
      1. Stealth Mode- The LanSchool icon will not be visible on the student computer.
      2. Student can Change Channels- Allows students to change the channel they are subscribed to.
      3. No Keyboard Monitoring- Turns off keyboard monitoring of students.
      4. No Internet History Logging- Turns off logging Internet history of students.
      5. Enable Network Tampering Controls- Monitors wired and wireless network adapter disconnections (including setting SSID wireless allow list.)
      6. Screen Privacy- Allows students to disable sharing their screens.
      7. Install Chrome Extension- Install Chrome Extension for web history and limiting.



  8. If you want to restrict the wireless networks the student can connect to, select Enable SSID Whitelisting.  Once enabled, enter the desired SSIDs and click the Add button. When this is enabled, students will be restricted to those SSIDs while they are available to connect to. Click Continue.



  9. If desired, connect the student to a LanSchool Connection Server by selecting Connect Student to Connection Server and enter the static IP address in the Connection Server Address field. Click Continue.



  10. Select a Security Mode option if desired. Selecting either mode is not required. Checking the box to Enable a security mode allows you to then select one or both security modes. If Password Secure Mode is selected, then both Teacher and Student installs require that password to subscribe to a channel. Click Continue.



  11. If desired, select Allow problem reports to be sent to Stoneware to send anonymous and confidential problem reports.   Click Save Package.



  12. Name the file and navigate to the directory where you want to save the package. Click Save.
  13. Once the package is created, you will receive a notification upon completion.

Deploying the Custom Package

Using a remote software deployment tool (e.g. ARD, JAMF), deploy the LanSchool custom installer package to student devices. The specific steps will vary depending on the deployment tool you are using. Please refer to your vendor's documentation.

The LanSchool package should always be installed as the root user or equivalent. When the client package has finished installing, the client will start running automatically.

On macOS 10.14 or later, privacy approvals must be granted on each student device. Many of these approvals can be granted automatically using a Mobile Device Management (MDM). For detailed instructions, see Granting macOS Privacy Approvals for LanSchool Using an MDM.

Additional settings and configuration can be performed remotely after a successful deployment. See Managing LanSchool Settings on macOS Using an MDM for more information.

macOS 15.0 (Sequoia) Privacy Prompts

Apple's operating system macOS 15.0 (Sequoia) will now issue 2 privacy prompts on the student devices.

Screen Recording Prompt

The LanSchool Classic application has been approved for Screen Recording but a prompt will pop up occasionally.
This prompt will give students two options: continue to allow screen recording for one month or allow them to disable the approval.
  1. If the Screen Recording approval was approved by an administrator, students (Standard Users) cannot disable the approval.
  2. If the MDM setting "Allow Standard User to Set System Service" was set and the Screen Recording approval was approved by students (Standard Users), students will be able to disable the approval.
At this time, there is no way to prevent this prompt from appearing. 



If the student has disabled the approval, the student thumbnail will display a message saying Screen Recording was not approved.



Allow Privacy Approval Screen Prompt

At random, students may see a prompt appear to allow LanSchool Student Privacy Approvals to find devices on local networks.
Selecting either option  will not prevent the client from working.
At this time there is no way to prevent this prompt from appearing.

    • Related Articles

    • Mass Deploying LanSchool Teacher for macOS

      Update March 26, 2024: Release of macOS 14.4 has broken the ability to use SSID Whitelisting. Anyone currently using SSID Whitelisting, it is recommended to delay updating to macOS 14.4 until this issue has been fixed. Overview LanSchool provides the ...

    • Deploying LanSchool Classic Using Jamf Pro

      Update March 26, 2024: Release of macOS 14.4 has broken the ability to use SSID Whitelisting. Anyone currently using SSID Whitelisting, it is recommended to delay updating to macOS 14.4 until this issue has been fixed. Overview The LanSchool Classic ...

    • Installing LanSchool Student for macOS

      Update March 26, 2024: Release of macOS 14.4 has broken the ability to use SSID Whitelisting. Anyone currently using SSID Whitelisting, it is recommended to delay updating to macOS 14.4 until this issue has been fixed. Overview The following ...

    • Granting macOS Privacy Approvals for LanSchool Using an MDM

      Overview For student devices running macOS Mojave (10.14) and later Apple introduced new privacy protection systems that must be configured correctly for LanSchool to work. It can be challenging to configure settings correctly so that all installed ...

    • Deploying LanSchool Classic Using Intune

      Overview The LanSchool Classic for Windows agent supports a number of different deployment methods and tools using a MSI. See Mass Deploying LanSchool Student for Windows for more detailed instructions. Please note that our support team can only ...

    • Popular Articles

    • Limiting Website Use

      Overview To block troublesome or distracting websites or limit students to a select few websites pertinent to the class, use the Limit Web feature in LanSchool Classic. The teacher can choose to restrict all web activity, allow only certain websites, ...

    • LanSchool Classic Teacher Guide

      LanSchool Classic Teacher Console The LanSchool Teacher Console is the interface teachers will use to manage their classroom and students. It contains all the tools necessary for a teacher to effectively interact with students and create a ...

    • Installing LanSchool Teacher for Windows

      Overview The following instructions will assist you with manually installing LanSchool Classic Teacher Console on a single Windows device. For information on installing the student client or mass deploying LanSchool throughout your organization, see ...

    • Latest Release Notes

      LanSchool Classic Release Notes Customers with an active LanSchool subscription will have access to download the latest version from the LanSchool Classic Portal. For instructions, see Downloading LanSchool Installers. LanSchool Classic 9.3.0.28 ...

    • Blanking Student Screens

      Overview Blank student screens on your channel and disable student keyboards and mice. This feature is useful when you want to lecture without the distraction of students playing with their computers, or you need to quickly gather their attention. ...

    • Recent Articles

    • End of Life LanSchool Classic Chromebook Student

      End of Life LanSchool Classic Chromebook Student Google is no longer supporting Chrome OS apps like LanSchool Classic on Chromebooks, effective January 2025. However, users now have the option to enable a setting in their Google Workspace Admin to ...

    • End of Life LanSchool Classic Android Student

      As of August 15, 2024 LanSchool Classic Android Student has reached End of Life and will no longer be developed.

    • Disabling Teacher Console Registration Prompt

      Overview New installations of LanSchool Classic Teacher Console will receive a prompt to register LanSchool. This prompt may be disabled to prevent disrupting teachers. Disabling Registration Prompt Using Registry Key Navigate to this policy key: ...

    • LanSchool Classic 9.3 Installation and Updating

      Overview The LanSchool Classic Teacher console requires a LanSchool Classic license key in order to run. This license key can be found under the Manage License section. Deploying LanSchool Classic 9.3 as a New Install If you are deploying LanSchool ...

    • Purchasing or Renewing LanSchool Classic

      Purchasing Contact If you are looking to purchase LanSchool Classic, renew your LanSchool Classic license or require a quote, please visit our website at https://lanschool.com/purchasing. You may also contact sales at 833-247-2527 or fill out the ...