What happens during a Focus session – Classwize

This article is for Teachers and IT Support.

Focus works differently depending on the device type or mode and whether the student uses a default or a non-default browser. For Focus to work as intended, we recommend setting a supported browser as the default browser on student devices.

Chromebook

Focus event	Result
When a Focus is edited by removing or adding Focus resources	Existing unedited focused tabs remain. Edits apply, edited tabs are deleted or added.
When a Focus ends	Any tabs open before the Focus started will reopen. Any Focus tabs remain open. All block pages created during the Focus close. All blank tabs close
Focus full path URL	The full path will open, but students can access the domain and subdomain.
When a Focus is started with no browsers open	Focus will begin within 10 seconds of the student opening the browser.
When a Focus is started with a Chrome Browser open and existing tabs open. (All Focus items have open tab box selected)	Open tab(s) will be hidden and replaced by the focused tab(s) if they do not match the Focus domain. Chrome will open the Focus sites in new tabs. Non-Focus tabs will close immediately. Classwize blocks non-Focus resources. Focused YouTube videos will open in full-screen mode. Google Docs and Drive will open in two (2) tabs - one for Drive and one for Docs. Students can open new tabs if they match the domain of the Focus resources. If the student closes and reopens the browser, it may take up to 10 seconds for Classwize to apply Focus.
When a Focus is started with a Chrome Browser open and existing tabs open. (All Focus items have open tab box cleared)	Open tab(s) will close immediately if they do not match the Focus domain. Students can open new tabs if they match the Focus domain. Classwize blocks non-Focus resources. Focused YouTube videos will open in full-screen mode. If the student closes all of the Focus tabs, the browser will remain closed.

Windows Companion Mode

Focus event	Result
When a Focus is edited by removing or adding Focus resources	Existing unedited focused tabs remain edits apply, edited tabs are deleted or added.
When a Focus ends	Student receives a message popup: "Your teacher has removed the focus limitation on your classroom, you may now browse the internet." Any tabs that were open prior to the Focus starting reappear. Any Focus tabs remain open. All block pages created during the Focus close.
Focus full path URL	The full path will open, but students can access the domain and subdomain.
When a focus is started with no browsers open	A message appears on the student's device: "The classroom has been focused by your teacher, and the website they want you to visit has been opened in your browser." The default companion browser will open, and the Focus resource(s) will open in a new tab(s).
When a focus is started with a Chrome Browser open and existing tabs open. (All focus items have open tab box selected)	A message appears on the student's device: "The classroom has been focused by your teacher, and the website they want you to visit has been opened in your browser." Open tab(s) will be hidden and replaced by the focused tab(s) in the default browser Chrome/Edge will open the Focus sites in new tabs. Non-Focus tabs will close immediately. Classwize will block non-Focus resources. Focused YouTube videos will open in full-screen mode. Google Docs and Drive will open in two (2) tabs - one for Drive and one for Docs. Students can open new tabs if they match the Focus domain. Sites that auto-redirect will automatically close, and the Focus sites will automatically reopen. If the student closes and reopens the browser, it may take up to 10 seconds for Classwize to apply focus again.
When a focus is started with a Chrome Browser open and existing tabs open. (All focus items have open tab box cleared)	A message appears on the student's device: "The classroom has been focused by your teacher, the website they want you to visit has been opened in your browser." Non-Focus tabs will close immediately. Classwize will block non-Focus resources. Focused YouTube videos will open in full-screen mode. Students can open new tabs if they match the Focus domain. If the student closes all of the focus tabs, the browser will remain closed.

Connect for Windows and Mac

Focus event	Result
When a Focus is edited by removing or adding focus resources	Existing unedited focused tabs remain. Edited tabs are not added unless Focus is ended and restarted. Delete Focus edits do not delete in the browser but will return a block page if refreshed.
When a Focus ends	Student receives a message popup: "Your teacher has removed the focus limitation on your classroom, you may now browse the internet." All existing open tabs remain open
Focus full path URL	The full path will open, but students can access the domain and subdomain.
When a Focus is started with no browsers open	The Focus will open one tab for each item in the Focus in the default browser. The browser will remain minimised in the system tray. A message appears on the student's device: "The classroom has been focused by your teacher, and the website they want you to visit has been opened in your browser."
When a Focus is started with a Chrome or Edge Browser open and existing tabs open. (All Focus items have open tab box selected or All Focus items have open tab box cleared)	Focus will apply to most devices within 10 seconds, but can take up to 90 seconds A message appears on the student's device: "The classroom has been focused by your teacher, and the website they want you to visit has been opened in your browser." Existing open tab(s) on all browsers will remain open. If these are cached websites, games or videos, the content will continue to be accessible within the limits of the cache but will return a block page if refreshed and will not cache new content. Each Focus site will open in a new tab in the default browser. Focused YouTube videos will open in full-screen mode in the default browser. Opening non-Focus resources will be blocked. If a student closes a Focus tab, it will not reopen. If the student closes all Focus tabs, the browser will remain closed.