- Assessment
- Devices & Requirements
Devices & Requirements
Find more choice in mobile devices used for assessment administration
Building on Our History
Since 2001, mCLASS mobile-to-web assessments have helped make data capture simpler and more accurate, and results immediately actionable to teachers and school leaders.
Advancing With Technology
We now leverage emerging technology to provide the same experience for a wider range of mobile devices used in the classroom; including netbooks, notebooks, iPod touch®, iPad®, and more. Educators can conduct assessments, sync, and view student results, analysis and instructional recommendations on the same device.
Offline Web Assessments
Overview
We use HTML-5 technology to enable mCLASS mobile-to-web assessments to be administered on most devices with supported web browsers, regardless of the operating system being used.
This makes administration of the assessment possible without needing an Internet connection until it's time to sync, hence the name offline web assessment.
This also improves data sync and data security, simplifies deployment and IT support, and ensures compatibility with devices developed in the future.
Getting Started
Installing offline web assessments is easy. To get started you need:
- broadband Internet connectivity
- a valid user name and password
- a supported web browser including Google Chrome™ or Safari®
Please note: Internet Explorer® and Firefox® do not currently support HTML-5.
Syncing
An Internet connection is required to sync. After logging in, syncing automatically:
- downloads account information to devices
- saves your assessment data
- provides seamless updates to mCLASS software
Please note you should always avoid clearing your cache until after you have synced.
Supported Products
Overview
Our goal is to migrate all of our mobile-to-web assessment products to the browser as offline web assessments. However, the transition will take time.
Please check the most current product availability for launch dates and note that not all features may be included in the initial product launch.
In the interim we will continue to support non-browser solutions for the 2011-2012 school year.
DIBELS® Products
The final transition to mCLASS:DIBELS Next will be complete for the 2012-2013 school year. However, mCLASS:DIBELS Next will not work on Nokia® N810, Windows CE and low-resolution Palm® devices.
We will continue to support high-resolution Palm and Aceeca devices as long as there is a meaningful need. This includes the Aceeca PDA 32 and the following Palm devices: E, E2, LifeDrive, T2, T3, T5, Tx, Z71, and Z72.
Recommended Devices
Overview
mCLASS mobile-to-web assessments are optimized to be administered on compact mobile touch-screen devices, supporting the belief of many educators that technology should not replace interaction between teacher and student.
Offline web assessments offer more flexibility and choice in mobile devices, and we intend to continually improve the design for use on larger screens as well.
We encourage customers to be cautious about their selection of hardware to ensure the best experience with our products as there is large variability in the quality of devices. We have tested our products extensively on many devices and recommend the following for the best experience with our mCLASS offline web assessments:
Recommended Types
- Apple: iPod touch or iPad
- Windows® tablets: full-sized tablet laptop or Dell Duo
Considerations
- Most devices used for assessment are now multi-purpose
- Ensure you have a broadband connection
- Please note iPod and iPad only use Wi-Fi connections
- Ensure devices run the latest version of a supported web browser
- Check product availability and ensure all the features you are interested in have been released
Hardware Compatibility
iOS 4.3.1 and higher
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The native browser
Windows XP SP2 and higher, and Windows 7
- Google Chrome 9 and higher
- Apple Safari 5 and higher
Mac OS X 10.6 and higher
- Google Chrome 9 and higher
- Apple Safari 5 and higher
Technical Requirements
For more details, see technical specifications for offline web assessments.
Please find specifications for devices supporting Windows- or Palm-based applications using the links below:
Retiring Devices
Overview
We have outlined the following policy to help you upgrade or migrate to other devices if the model you’re using is retired.
Retirement Transition Policy
- As a general rule, Wireless Generation will strive to notify customers six (6) months prior to the retirement date for that device model. A notice will appear on our web site; and we will communicate via email.
- Wireless Generation will strive to provide technical and customer support for our software operating on a retired device for nine (9) months after its retirement date. At the end of this nine-month period, Wireless Generation will cease to provide technical and customer support for our software on retired devices.
- Wireless Generation is under no obligation to provide or upgrade devices to maintain compatibility and usability with software.
- Software, updates, patches, and other applicable product components remain protected under copyright law, patent law and the End User License Agreement included with the product, even after Wireless Generation retires the handheld devices on which they are installed.
Please contact Wireless Generation Customer Care with specific questions at (800) 823-1969 (option 3) or help@wgen.net
Will all mCLASS assessments work in a browser?
Wireless Generation’s long-term goal is to move all our assessments to a browser-based version. This will allow educators additional flexibility in mobile devices used for mCLASS mobile-to-web assessments with software that
- will work on most devices that support a browser
- will work in much the same way
- will provide a consistent user experience regardless of the operation system
The transition will take time, and in the interim we will continue to build and support non-browser solutions to meet our partners’ needs. Please check the most current product availability for launch dates and note that not all features may be included in the initial product launch.
Why are Internet Explorer® and Firefox®not included in supported browsers?
Currently these browsers do not support off-line storage in the same way as others. We recognize that more devices currently run Internet Explorer and Firefox, and will support the new versions as soon as they are released. In the mean time we continue support technologies that ensure security of your invaluable student assessment data.
Will using mCLASS in a browser require teachers to be connected to the internet to conduct assessments?
No, teachers do not need to be connected to the Internet to assess students with mCLASS. We know it is important that Internet connectivity not be required during assessments to avoid disrupting administration. Connectivity is only required to setup the device for assessment, and to sync data with the mCLASS system.
Are mCLASS browser-based applications secure?
Yes, mCLASS uses secure HTTPS (just like a bank’s website) and is fully compliant with FERPA and state privacy laws. All data is password-protected, using mCLASS:Home login information. We also recommend device security locks.
Why didn't you do this before?
New technologies that did not exist until recently now permit us to develop browser-based applications that will deliver a high-quality experience, while operating without Internet connectivity. As a result, mCLASS software will become platform-independent and still allow teachers to conduct assessments without being connected to the Internet.
Will devices teachers currently use for mCLASS assessments still work?
Yes, we will continue to support existing products on your current devices for the 2011-2012 school year. However, the new edition of mCLASS:DIBELS Next will not work on Nokia N810, Windows® CE and low-resolution Palm devices. In addition, we will retire these devices after the final transition to mCLASS:DIBELS Next for the 2012-2013 school year.
How long will you support mCLASS on Palm® and Aceeca devices?
Will we continue to support high-resolution Palm and Aceeca devices for the 2011-2012 school year, and as long as there is a meaningful need. This includes the Aceeca PDA 32 and the following Palm devices: E , E2 , LifeDrive, T2 , T3, T5, TX, Z71, and Z72. .
After soliciting your feedback, we will announce plans to support these devices for the 2012-2013 school year and beyond. We understand that each district has its own needs, priorities, and timetables with respect to evolving technology and will work with you to make the transition to new devices in the future.
What if I need to replace Palm devices now?
While we haven't determined when we will retire Palm support, we recommend upgrading to new devices rather than replacing Palm devices, especially for mCLASS:DIBELS Next customers.
We will continue our relationship with Aceeca to make replacement devices available for the 2011-12 school year. In addition, with the Apple educator discount, iPod touch is available for about the same price and provides more functionality for educators.
Can teachers use laptops or desktops without touch screens to assess students?
While we don’t recommend assessing students from a regular laptop or desktop computer without a touch-screen, most mCLASS assessments will work if the devices run the latest version of a supported web browser.
The administration of reading records for using mCLASS:Reading 3D requires a touch- or stylus-enabled device, and is NOT supported on a regular laptop. We are investigating new ways to conduct this assessment. In addition, the Texas Education Agency does not allow TPRI assessment on devices with 11-inch screens or larger.
There is currently not enough evidence to prove conclusively that results from a laptop are the same as those from a touch-enabled device. We will publish outcomes of reliability testing when it is complete.
Touch-screen devices, like tablets and handhelds, are less obtrusive and easier to use, and maintain the one-to-one interaction between teacher and student so important for assessment in the early grades.
