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Managing Sessions

This guide covers the day-to-day operation of Smyles Station, including starting sessions, monitoring time, and handling common scenarios.

Table of Contents

Starting a Session

The Welcome Screen

When Smyles Station launches, children see a simple welcome screen with:

  • Large Play Button - The main button to start
  • Settings button - In the top left

Starting a Session

For children:

  1. Click the Play button
  2. Session starts automatically with the default time limit
  3. Game selection screen appears

That's it! No complicated menus or choices - kids just click play.

Selecting a Game

After clicking play:

  1. Grid of available games appears
  2. Each tile shows:
  3. Game icon
  4. Game name
  5. Click any game to start playing
  6. Game loads immediately

Session Duration

Sessions use the default time limit configured in admin settings.

To change the default: 1. Access Admin Dashboard (Settings button -> Admin Settings) 2. Enter admin password 3. Go to Settings tab 4. Change "Session Time Limit" 5. Save

Common durations: - 30 minutes (recommended for libraries) - 45 minutes (classroom periods) - 60 minutes (longer sessions)

During a Session

What the Child Sees

While playing a game: - Game runs fullscreen - Timer visible in corner (if time limit set) - "End Session" button available - "Exit Game" button (top left) - returns to game selection

Game View Controls

Exit Game button ( Exit Game): - Located in top left corner - Returns to game selection screen - Session timer continues running - Can choose a different game

End Session button: - Visible with timer display - Click to end entire session early - Returns to welcome screen (Play button) - Next child can start fresh

Timer Display: - Shows remaining time: "23:45" (mm:ss format) - Updates every second - Turns red in final minute - Only visible if time limit is set

What Staff Can See

From a distance: - Child is engaged with game - Timer shows remaining time (if visible) - No intervention needed

Staff cannot: - See which specific game is being played without approaching - Pause the timer - Extend time (must be done via admin settings before session starts)

Switching Games

Children can switch games freely:

  1. Click "X Exit Game" (top left)
  2. Returns to game selection screen
  3. Click different game
  4. Session timer continues - no time added

Session time continues across game switches - encourages thoughtful choices.

Session Warnings

1 minute before end: - Warning appears - Timer turns red - Time to save and wrap up

When timer reaches zero: - Game automatically closes - "Session Expired" message appears briefly - Returns to welcome screen (Play button) - Ready for next child

Ending a Session

Automatic End (Normal)

When the session timer expires:

  1. Current game closes
  2. "Session Expired" message displays
  3. Returns to welcome screen after a few seconds
  4. Next child can click Play button

This is the standard, fair way sessions end.

Manual End

If a child finishes early:

  1. Click End Session button (with timer)
  2. Session ends immediately
  3. Browser data is cleared
  4. Returns to welcome screen
  5. Next child can use computer

Technical Issue During Session

Game won't load: 1. Click "X Exit Game" 2. Try different game 3. If all games fail, check internet connection

Smyles Station crashes: 1. Restart Smyles Station 2. Child can start new session 3. Previous session time is lost (by design - prevents exploits)

Staff Access

Accessing Admin Functions

From welcome screen:

  1. Click Settings button at top right
  2. Choose Admin Settings
  3. Enter admin password
  4. Access full Admin Dashboard

From here you can: - Add/remove games - View usage statistics - Change session time limit - Configure shutdown schedule - Change admin password

Closing Smyles Station

To exit to Windows desktop:

  1. On welcome screen, click Settings
  2. Select Close Application
  3. Enter admin password
  4. Smyles Station closes
  5. Computer returns to normal Windows

Use when: - Need to use computer for other tasks - Performing maintenance - End of day (or let scheduled shutdown handle it)

Monitoring and Statistics

Viewing Usage Data

  1. Access Admin Dashboard (Settings -> Admin Settings + password)
  2. Go to Statistics tab
  3. See:
  4. Total sessions
  5. Most popular games
  6. Total time used
  7. Usage patterns

Use this data to: - Add more similar games to popular ones - Remove unused games - Understand peak times - Report to stakeholders

Session Logs

Recent session history shows: - Date and time - Duration - Which games were accessed - How session ended (time expired vs. manual)

Troubleshooting

Session won't start (Play button doesn't work)

Check: - Internet connection - Smyles Station is responding (not frozen) - Try restarting Smyles Station

Timer not visible

Possible causes: - Session time limit set to 0/unlimited - Display issue

Fix: - Check Admin Settings -> Session Time Limit - Should be set to desired minutes (e.g., 30)

Session doesn't end automatically

This is a bug - should not happen.

Workaround: 1. Click "End Session" button manually 2. Report the issue 3. Check logs in %APPDATA%\smyles-station\logs\

Can't exit game

Try: 1. Click "X Exit Game" button (top right) 2. Or click "End Session" button 3. If both fail, restart Smyles Station

Games won't load

Check: - Internet connection working? - Try different game - Restart Smyles Station - Check Admin Dashboard -> Sites for URL errors

Quick Reference Card

For Children

How to Play:

1. Click the big Play button 
2. Choose your game
3. Have fun!
4. Click "Exit Game" to pick a different game
5. Click "End Session" when you're done

For Staff

Starting: Child clicks Play button
Switching games: "X Exit Game" button (top right)
Ending early: "End Session" button
Admin access: Settings -> Admin Settings -> Password
Close app: Settings -> Close Application -> Password

Next Steps

Need Help?

  • Check the FAQ
  • Contact support: smyles-station-safety@proton.me
  • Visit GitHub for community support