Admin Guide to Kiosk Mode in Minga

How to setup, manage, and streamline Kiosk mode (Beta)

Kiosk Mode lets schools use Minga without needing every student to have their own device. By placing a Chromebook, iPad, or any web-enabled device in a common area, students can easily create and approve hall passes, Check In for events, and more directly at the kiosk. Teachers can still manage and issue passes, and hall monitors can verify them.

Topic covered:

• Turning on and setting up Kiosk mode for Hall Passes
• Setting up Kiosk Hall Passes
  • Adding specific Hall Pass Types for Kiosk

• Setting up and turning on Kiosk Check Ins 
  • Adding specific Check In Reasons for Kiosk
• Kiosk Settings

  • Keeping your Chromebook awake when not in use

• Signing out of Minga Kiosk - Requesting & Retrieving Your Pin
• Access and Security in Kiosk Mode
• Reporting and Analytics for Kiosk Mode

Turning Kiosk mode on for Hall Passes

Easily enable Kiosk Mode in Minga by navigating to the Module Settings for Check In, Hall Pass, or Flextime, and toggle the switch to turn it on.

Setting up Kiosk Hall Passes

Securely logging into Kiosk Mode and turning it on is the first step to quickly managing hall passes ensuring students can only access authorized features.

• Go to the My Tools Page.
• Click Enable Kiosk Mode 

• Click enter kiosk mode
• Select the Kiosk type > Hall Pass
• Select all the available passes that apply > Click Enter kiosk mode
• All done! You can start issuing hall passes.

Adding specific Hall Pass Types for Kiosk

Add, edit, and customize hall pass types to be available for students to use in Kiosk Mode. 

• Click on the Hall Pass module > then click the Types tab.
• Toggle ON/OFF Enable Kiosk mode
• Click Save.

You can quickly see which Hall Passes are actively enabled by the highlighted Kiosk icon:

Setting up Kiosk Check Ins 

A Minga kiosk makes event check-ins easy and fast!

It helps track who’s attending in real time, boosts security by ensuring only the right people enter, and provides instant updates and numbers for organizers. Plus, it’s convenient for everyone, cutting down on wait times and making the whole experience smoother and more enjoyable.

You can use Kiosks to quickly manage off-campus lunches, flex periods, early dismissals, off-site trips, start of day, pep rally events, prom, and more.

Turning Kiosk Mode on for Check Ins

• Navigate to your Check In dashboard
• Click Settings
• Turn ON Enable Check In kiosk

Using Kiosk Check Ins 

• Go to the My Tools Page.
• Click the Enable Kiosk Mode tile
• Click Enter kiosk mode

• Select the Kiosk type > Check In
• Select all the available passes that you want to apply
  • You can also choose Flex activity if you want students to check in for group or club events and activities. 
  • > Click Enter kiosk mode
• All done! You can start checking students in. 

Adding specific Kiosk Check In Reasons 

If you only want to show specific Check Ins on a Kiosk device you can customize and control which ones appear for students to use for self Check Ins.

To add a Check In:

• Log into your Minga account
• Navigate to your Check In dashboard
• Select the "Reasons" tab. You can either: 
  • Create a new Check In reason (e.g., assembly, after-school activity)
  • Edit an existing Reason
• Toggle ON Kiosk mode
• Click Save 
  

Kiosk Settings 

Turning Notification Sounds ON/OFF

When a student is issued a hall pass or checks in a sound plays that tells you they were either granted or denied with two distinct sounds.

You can also turn the sound notifications ON/OFF by toggling Enable audio notifications when you log into both the Kiosk Hall Pass and Check In modes.

Keeping your Chromebook Kiosk awake when not in use

To have your Chromebook stay awake when you aren’t using it:

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Settings .
3. On the left, select System preferences.
4. Select Power.
5. Under "When idle," next to "While inactive and plugged in" and "While inactive and on battery," select Keep display on.

 Find more help from Google here.

Showing Active Hall Passes

You have the option to display active passes on the home screen of your Kiosk device to help you keep track of where students are and why. 

You can turn this feature ON/OFF when you sign into Kiosk mode on your device and toggle ON/OFF to Show active hall passes.

Editing your Kiosk 

• Once you are in Kiosk mode you can edit the settings by clicking the three dots in the top right of your screen.
• Enter your PIN.
• Make your changes:
  • Select new hall pass types/check-in reasons 
  • Turn the notification sound ON/OFF
  • Show active passes ON/OFF

• Click Enter kiosk mode 

Signing out of Minga Kiosk - Requesting & Retrieving Your Pin

When you need to sign out of Kiosk mode, follow these steps:

• Click the Exit button on the top right of your screen 
  
• Click > Log out
• Enter your PIN
• Click Sign out

Access and Security in Kiosk Mode

Kiosk Mode uses secure logins and role-based access to protect data and maintain privacy. Students, teachers, and administrators each have different permissions to ensure everyone has the right level of access for their tasks.

Here’s how we do it:

• Easy but Secure Login: Students and staff use their ID or a secure login to access the Kiosk, making sure only the right people can use it.
• Right Access for the Right Role: Students, teachers, and administrators have different permissions. Students can request passes, teachers can issue and verify them, and administrators can tweak settings and view detailed reports.
• Protected Data: All actions are logged, and data is encrypted to keep everything safe.
• Automatic Logouts: If the Kiosk is inactive for a while, it will automatically log out to prevent unauthorized access.

Kiosk Mode Device Security

1. Device Security. Enabling Kiosk Mode through Minga DOES NOT configure or secure the device to prevent users from accessing other systems, settings or applications.
   1. Please refer to the documentation for your device to restrict students from opening other browser tabs or accessing system settings or other applications.
2. Physical Security. Position the kiosk in a secure location that can be monitored and maintained by an authorized staff member.
3. User Training. Educate staff and students on the proper use of a Minga Kiosk and how to properly report problems or issues.
4. Data Privacy. Ensure students or staff keep data private such as student ID numbers or other sensitive information and do not share it.

These steps help ensure that Kiosk Mode is a safe and reliable tool for everyone at school.

Reporting and Analytics for Kiosk Mode

Keep track of all your Kiiosk activities and analyze the data to monitor usage and improve efficiency. 

You can monitor how Kiosk Mode is being used, generate detailed reports on hall passes and check-ins, and identify trends. This data helps you understand usage patterns, ensure compliance, and make informed decisions to improve school operations.

• Track Activities: See who’s using Kiosk Mode and how often.
• Generate Reports: Create detailed reports on hall pass and check-in activities.
  • Navigate to the Hall Pass OR Check In modules > Click the Report tab > then filter your reports. Learn more about Filtering reports. 
• Identify Trends: Use the data to spot trends and improve processes.

Configuring Chromebook Kiosks

Set up Chromebook Kiosks for seamless use with Minga. Learn more here.

Teachers using Kiosks

Read our teacher's article on using Kiosk Mode for Hall Passes in the classroom here.