Installing and configuring the NetSupport Tutor Assistant

For use in your existing NetSupport School-managed classroom environment, the NetSupport Tutor Assistant delivers greater mobility for teachers around the classroom and is also the ideal tool to allow teaching assistants to help with monitoring student progress. The NetSupport Tutor Assistant works on iOS devices running version 9 and higher and is available for free from the Apple App store.

Stage 1 - Configuring the NetSupport School Tutor to connect to the NetSupport Tutor Assistant

When you first run the Tutor Console, a Tutor Assistant icon appears in the Class tab in the ribbon (if this has been hidden, you can access it in the Administer tab). From here, you can set a passcode to authenticate connections from the Tutor Assistant. To access the full Tutor Assistant configuration settings:

  1. Click Options in the Tutor Console, select Settings from the drop-down menu and choose Tutor Assistant.

  2. The Tutor Assistant configuration settings dialog will appear.

  3. Enter a name for the NetSupport School Tutor that will appear at the Tutor Assistant.

  4. Enter the connection port and if required, enter a connection password that the Tutor Assistant will need to enter to connect to the Tutor.

  5. Decide whether to allow Tutor Assistants to be automatically authorised or manually authorised.

  6. Click Start to start the Assistant Server - The current IP address will be displayed.

  7. Click OK.

Stage 2 - Installing the NetSupport Tutor Assistant

  1. Download the NetSupport Tutor Assistant from the appropriate app store.

  2. Open the Tutor Assistant app.

  3. Enter the IP address of the NetSupport School Tutor Console and the connection password (if set).

  4. The default port is 37777. This can be changed but would also need to be amended at the NetSupport School Tutor.

  5. Select Connect and the Tutor Assistant will connect to the selected Tutor Console.

Note: Depending on the settings in the Tutor Console, the Tutor Assistant may need to be authorised before it can connect to the Tutor Console.

Once the Tutor Assistant service is started and connections are allowed, the Tutor Assistant icon in the Administer tab in the ribbon changes to . An indicator appears on the icon showing the number of Tutor Assistants connected. Click the Tutor Assistant icon to start/stop the Tutor Assistant service, authorise devices if using manual authorisation (a warning indicator appears advising you that devices are waiting for approval), disconnect devices and access the configuration.

Features supported on tablets:

  • Support for iPad tablets.

  • View student thumbnails.

  • Send students a pre-set message.

  • Block restricted websites.

  • Set approved websites.

  • Block all internet access.

  • Lock/unlock student computers.

  • Logoff student computers.

  • Blank/unblank student screens.

  • Restrict student printing.

  • Set approved applications.

  • Block restricted applications.

  • Select a group of students.

  • Details view - showing key student information in sortable columns.

  • View student help request notifications.

  • Zoom on student.

  • Sort students by name/tutor order.

  • View current application.

  • View current websites.

  • Set connection password.

  • Tutor badge, displaying the number of currently connected Tutor Assistants.

Features supported on smartphones:

  • Support for Apple iOS smartphones.

  • Send students a pre-set message.

  • Block restricted websites.

  • Set approved websites.

  • Block all internet access.

  • Lock/unlock student computers.

  • Logoff student computers.

  • Blank/unblank student screens.

  • Restrict student printing.

  • Set approved applications.

  • Block restricted applications.

  • Set connection password.

See also:

NetSupport Tutor Assistant configuration