Installing Homework Mode on a school Chromebook takes about two minutes and doesn't require any help from the district. This guide walks through exactly how to install Homework Mode, what you need first, and what to do if the Chromebook seems locked down.

What you'll need

  • Your kid's school Chromebook, signed in with their school account.
  • Your Google account (you'll use it to claim control and see the log).
  • A couple of minutes during a calm moment — not right before a deadline.

Step by step

  1. Open Chrome on the school Chromebook while your child is signed in.
  2. Install Homework Mode from the Chrome Web Store.
  3. Sign in once with your Google account to claim control of the device's settings. This links the Chromebook to your dashboard.
  4. Done. Non-school YouTube is now blocked, and assigned videos still work.

That's the whole setup. There's no router configuration, no district permission, and nothing to take away.

If the Chromebook looks locked down

School Chromebooks are managed, so some things are greyed out — that's normal. In most cases a parent can still install an extension while the child is signed in. If you hit a wall, it's worth reading does this work on a school-managed Chromebook, which covers the edge cases. The reason this approach holds up where others don't is that it isn't reset by the district's account policies.

After you install

  • Let your kid know the laptop now keeps school videos and skips the feed during homework. A quick heads-up beats a surprise.
  • Check the log after the first evening — most parents are surprised what the feed was serving up.
  • If a teacher assigned an unusual video that got blocked, allow it in a tap.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to install Homework Mode?

About two minutes. You install it in Chrome on the school Chromebook and sign in once with your Google account.

Do I need the school's permission to install it?

No. You install it yourself while your child is signed in. It doesn't change any district policy or device setting.

Can I install it remotely, without the Chromebook in hand?

No — you install it directly on the school Chromebook, since that's the device that needs the control.