Self-Join Link VS Join Code

The Self-Join Link and the Join Code come from the same place and do almost the same job, so it is worth knowing which one to hand out. This guide explains the difference and how to use each. One thing to check first: if your classes are rostered through Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Clever or ClassLink, your roster is managed there and neither the link nor the code is available.

The Self-Join Link is your class's own web address - typing.com/join# followed by the class code. A student who opens it can join with the Typing.com account they already have, or create a new one on the spot.

Three steps:

Step 1: Log in to your Teacher Portal and click Classes in the left-hand menu.

Step 2: Click the class you want the link for.

Step 3: Click Class Join Code in the top right. The whole link goes to your clipboard and the button confirms with Copied to your clipboard!.

You can also read the link off Class Settings: it is on the Details tab, under Self-Join Settings, beside Copy self-join link.

Note: on a rostered class there is no join code to find. Class Settings says so in place of the setting: "Self-join is not available for Google Classroom classes. You must update your roster via Google Classroom."

Use the link when the student does not have an account yet, or when you do not want to talk them through typing a code. It is the only one of the two that lets a student sign up and join in the same move. Sharing it is your job as the teacher.

Step 1: Copy the link, as above.

Step 2: Share it with your students, however you normally reach them.

Step 3: Ask them to open it in a browser.

Step 4: The page is headed Join [your name]’s Class.

Step 5: They pick Use My Existing Typing.com Account or Create a New Typing.com Account and sign in or sign up.

Step 6: Their request lands in your Teacher Portal. While anyone is waiting, the Classes page carries a blue banner counting the requests, ending in Review now.

Step 7: Click it to open Students Requesting to Join, tick the students and click Approve Students.

Step 8: Approved students appear on the class roster.

The Join Code is the tail of the Self-Join Link - the part after the #. It is the same code, on its own, for a student who already has a Typing.com account and would rather type a few characters than follow a link.

Note: the code only works for a student who already has an account. There is nothing to sign up with.

Two places:

Step 1: The Class Join Code button in the top right of the class prints the code under its label, so you can read it straight off.

Step 2: Class Settings > Details holds the same value in the Self-Join Code field, under Self-Join Settings.

Whichever you use, take only the characters after the #. Clicking the button copies the entire link.

Note: a rostered class has no code, for the same reason it has no link.

Use the code when your students already have Typing.com accounts - moving up a year, say, or joining a second class. They enter it themselves, from their own account, so nothing is left open in a browser for the next person to find.

Step 1: Open the class from Classes in the left-hand menu.

Step 2: Read the code off the Class Join Code button in the top right.

Step 3: Share the code with your students.

Step 4: Ask them to sign in to their own Typing.com account.

Step 5: In the menu under their name, they open Account Settings.

Step 6: They scroll to Join a Classroom.

Step 7: They type the code into Join Code (1) and click Join Classroom (2).

Step 8: Approve the request in your Teacher Portal, as above.

A new class gets a code of random letters and numbers. You can replace it with something a class can hear and type - ilovecats - and the self-join link changes to match.

Step 1: Click Classes in the left-hand menu and open the class.

Step 2: Click Class Settings. It opens on the Details tab.

Step 3: Under Self-Join Settings, type your new code into Self-Join Code.

Step 4: Click Save All Changes.

We hope this helps you manage your classes more effectively. If you have any questions or need further assistance, our support team is always here to help at support@typing.com!