Setting up rules for a class before it starts is good practice. You can create and test rules beforehand, so you can troubleshoot and adjust them as needed. Rules take effect only while the class is active.
The quickest way to prepare is to apply a list from your Rules Library. You can also create class-specific rules ahead of time, and check that the websites you plan to use aren't blocked by your school's filter.
Before you begin
You must have access to Rules in Classroom Manager.
To apply a rule list in a class, first create it in your Rules Library. For steps, see Create and manage rule lists.
Apply a saved rule list to your class
If you use the same rules in several classes, apply a saved list to each class. To apply a list before class:
Sign in to Classroom Manager.
On the My Classes page, open the class.
In the class toolbar, select Rules.
Select the Rules Library tab.
Next to the list, select Apply List.
The list appears in the Active Rules tab, ready for your lesson.
Create a class-specific rule
A class-specific rule is a rule you create directly in one class, rather than in a list in your Rules Library. Create one ahead of time so it takes effect when the class starts.
In this example, you block the New York Times signature. To do this:
Sign in to Classroom Manager.
On the My Classes page, open the class.
In the class toolbar, select Rules.
In the Active Rules tab, select Create Rule.
In the Add items field, start typing New York Times, then select it from the Signatures and Categories list. Select Block, then under Who does this rule affect?, select Whole class or Specific students.
Select Create Rule.
Check that your lesson websites aren't blocked
Before class, check that students can reach the websites you plan to use. If your school blocks a website with a Locked policy in Linewize Filter, a Classroom Manager rule can't allow it.
To check a website:
Create a class-specific Allow rule for the website, following the steps in Create a class-specific rule.
If the website conflicts with a Locked policy, Classroom Manager shows a warning.
If you see the warning, contact your school's IT Support team to ask for access.
If no warning appears, the rule is created and the website is allowed when the class starts.
Note
The same check works when you apply a rule list to a class. If a rule in the list conflicts with a Locked policy, Classroom Manager shows the warning, so you don't need to recreate your list as class-specific rules to check it.