ChromeOS

This section describes how to configure Chrome desktop, laptop, and mobile devices for online testing.

Testing Device

Disabling Auto Updates

A device administrator may want to disable auto updates during the LEA’s or test site’s scheduled testing days or time frames to avoid unknown issues that may be introduced by future operating system updates (although versions of Chrome are presumed to be supported). For example, if CAI supports up to ChromeOS version 113, and version 113 is installed on students’ Chromebooks, a user can prevent auto updates to any later version. (Alternatively, a user can allow auto updates to a specific version supported by CAI; for details, refer to the next subsection, Limiting Updates to a Specific Version for Managed Chrome Devices.)

To disable auto updates for ChromeOS:

1. Display the Device Settings page by following the procedure in any of the topics at Manage updates on Chrome OS devices. The steps in that procedure assume that the Chromebooks are managed through the admin console.
2. From the Device updates list, select Block updates.
3. Select [Save].

Limiting Updates to a Specific Version for Managed Chrome Devices

CAI has tested the operational software being used (such as the Test Administrator Interface) and the practice and training tests up to the supported stable, LTS, or LTC version of the ChromeOS; a user may want to prevent a Chromebook from auto-updating beyond that version. (Alternatively, a user can disable auto updates entirely; for details, refer to the subsection Installing the SecureTestBrowser Kiosk App on Managed Chromebooks.)

To limit ChromeOS updates to a specific version:

1. Display the Device Settings page by following the procedure in any of the topics at Manage updates on Chrome OS devices. The steps in that procedure assume that the Chromebooks are managed through the admin console.
2. From the Device updates list, select Allow updates.
3. From the Restrict Google Chrome version to at most list, select the required ChromeOS version.
4. Select [Save].

Secure Browser

This subsection contains instructions for installing SecureTestBrowser, the secure browser app for ChromeOS, as a kiosk application—if an update to SecureTestBrowser is released to the Chrome Web Store, the app will automatically update on all devices to which it is installed. Users do not need to take any action to manually update SecureTestBrowser after it is installed on a device.

Installation

Installing the SecureTestBrowser Kiosk App on Managed Chromebooks

These instructions are for installing the SecureTestBrowser secure browser as a kiosk app on domain-managed Chromebook devices. The steps in this procedure assume that the Chromebooks are already managed through the admin console.

Chromebooks manufactured in 2017 or later must have an Enterprise or Education license to run in kiosk mode, which is necessary to run the secure browser.

1. Set up a free Google Apps for Education account or an account with access to the Google Admin Console and enroll all managed Chromebooks.
2. As the Chromebook administrator, access Sign in to log on to the Admin console.

3. When the Google Admin console opens, select [Devices] from the selection panel on the left (figure 1).

   

   Figure 1. Chrome Admin Console

4. To access the Kiosks section of Apps & Extensions, first open the “Device” tree in the left navigation panel of the Admin screen (as indicated in figure 2) by selecting

   1. Devices; and then
   2. Chrome; and then
   3. Apps & extensions; and then
   4. Kiosks.

   

   Figure 2. Admin selections and the [Kiosk] tab

5. The Apps & Extensions screen opens with the information in the [Kiosks] tab displayed; this is also indicated in figure 2.
6. Take the following steps to add the SecureTestBrowser app:
   1. Hover over the [Add] plus-sign [] icon.

   2. Select the [Add Chrome app or extension by ID] waffle [] icon to add a Chrome app or extension by ID. The Add Chrome app or extension by ID screen appears (figure 3).

      

      Figure 3. Add Chrome app or extension by ID screen

   3. Enter the character string hblfbmjdaalalhifaajnnodlkiloengc in the Extension ID field.
   4. Verify that From the Chrome Web Store is selected in the drop-down list.
   5. Select [SAVE]. The SecureTestBrowser app appears in the app list.
   6. Ensure Installed is selected in the Installation Policy drop-down list.

7. The only setting to be toggled in the “on” position—to the right—is Enable Plug-ins. All other settings, including Allow Virtual Keyboard, must be toggled “off,” to the left. This is shown in figure 4. (Select [SAVE] if any edits were made.)

   

   Figure 4. Google app settings

8. To launch the secure browser, select the [Apps] link in the menu row of the Chromebook’s logon screen (indicated in figure 5). and select the [SecureTestBrowser] app.

   

   Figure 5. Chromebook logon screen

9. Next, select the [SecureTestBrowser] app, which is indicated in figure 6.

   

   Figure 6. [SecureTestBrowser] app in the Chromebook logon screen

Opening the SecureTestBrowser Kiosk App and Selecting the Assessment Program

The first time the SecureTestBrowser kiosk app is opened, a Launchpad appears. The Launchpad establishes the state and test administration for students.

1. In the Please select your organization or state drop-down list (indicated in figure 7), select California.

   

   Figure 7. Select the state from the Launchpad

2. Select an option in the Choose Your Assessment Program drop-down list (indicated in figure 8).

   

   Figure 8. Select the assessment from the Launchpad

3. Tap or select [OK]. The student logon page appears. The secure browser is now ready for students to use.

The Launchpad screen appears only once. The student logon page appears the next time the secure browser is launched.

Uninstallation

To uninstall the SecureTestBrowser app, select the app name to display the app settings, select the [Remove] trash can [] icon, and then select [SAVE].