Overview
Engageli's classroom lock ensures that classroom settings stay consistent and conflict‑free. Only one user or system process can "own" the lock at a time, which prevents:
- Changes being made while a live session is running
- Multiple users editing the same classroom simultaneously
- Conflicting or overwritten configuration changes
Because of this, you'll see UI elements in both the Admin Portal and Class Portal that reference locking, unlocking, or "taking control" of a classroom.
How the Lock is Assigned
- Automatic lock on entry - When a Super Admin or Instructor views a classroom in the Admin Portal or Class Portal, they automatically receive the lock. The system assumes they may need to adjust settings.
- Viewing a locked classroom - If someone else already holds the lock, subsequent users viewing the classroom from the Admin Portal or Class Portal will still be able to view the classroom, but they will be limited in what they can modify. A banner will also appear, explaining that the classroom is locked.
- Live session in progress - If a live session is active, anyone viewing the classroom from the Admin Portal or Class Portal will see a message indicating a live session is running. They can still view details, but can only make limited changes. With a live session in progress, the classroom lock is "owned" by the live session itself.
How the Lock Affects Learners, TAs, and Instructors
- Learners/TAs blocked when an a user holds the lock - When a Super Admin or Instructor views a classroom in the Admin Portal or Class Portal and holds the lock, Learners and TAs cannot enter the live classroom. Instead, they'll see the message: "Classroom is currently locked by instructor. Please refresh and try again later." This prevents students from joining while an admin or faculty member is making last‑minute adjustments. This scenario only occurs when no live session is currently running, since a user can only hold the lock if a live session is not already taking place.
- Instructor priority - Instructors can always join the live classroom. Doing so immediately starts a session and automatically takes the lock, causing any user currently viewing the classroom from the Admin Portal or Class Portal to lose it and fall back to only being able to make limited changes.
Releasing or Taking Over the Lock
- Automatic release - The lock is released when the user viewing the class from the Admin Portal or Class Portal closes the tab, navigates away, or becomes idle for too long. No manual "unlock" button is required to be clicked to release the lock.
- Forcibly taking the lock - If the classroom is locked because another user is viewing it, users viewing it from the Admin Portal or Class Portal may see UI options to "take control." Clicking this will cause the previous lock holder to immediately lose it. They will subsequently see a banner indicating the class is locked and will only be able to make limited changes.
- Taking the lock during a live session - If the classroom is locked because a live session is running, forcibly taking the lock will end the live session immediately. This will cause all participants to be redirected to the class lobby, so it should be used only when absolutely necessary.
Summary
- Only one user or system process can hold the lock at a time.
- Viewing a classroom usually grants the lock automatically.
- Instructors joining the live classroom to start a session always have priority--they will take the lock simply by joining the live classroom.
- Locks release automatically when the user viewing the classroom from the Admin Portal or Class Portal navigates away from the classroom or becomes idle. If the lock is instead owned by the live session, then ending the live session will release the lock.
- You can forcibly take the lock, but doing so during a live session will end it.