Remote Access Synchronization DL Parent

Transcription

1 Remote Access Synchronization DL Parent 205

2 Distance Learning Features Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 School Edition has two optional distance learning features available: SOS Remote Access and SOS Synchronization. Both features allow students and teachers to work away from the school while still having access to the school s database. Requirements for Installing the Distance Learning Applications (Server Side) High-speed Internet service Static Internet Protocol (IP) address Firewall device (highly recommended) Internet router capable of performing Network Address Translation (NAT) A computer with Internet Information Services (IIS) installed. The computer may be the SOS server or another computer that has network access to the SOS server. One of the following operating systems is required on the computer: Windows Server 2003 (recommended) Windows Server 2008 License keys Depending on which option(s) you choose, you will need to install some or all of the following: Remote Access Server Synchronization Server SOS School Database SOS DL Parent is also important to distance learning students. This application is very similar to SOS Teacher and includes many of the same features, such as a Lesson Book and Resource Center. It also includes read-only capability for students messages. Parents can use this application to keep track of the student s assignments and grades. Server Setup Installing Internet Information Server (IIS) Before you can install either Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 School Edition Remote Access Server or Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 School Edition Synchronous Access Server, you must first install Microsoft s Internet Information Server (IIS). IIS Operating System Requirements: Before installing IIS, verify that the following operating system requirements can be met: Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2008 The instructions are written using the Microsoft Vista operating system. You might find some slight differences in the first step or two if you are using Microsoft XP Pro. 206

3 IIS Installation for Windows Server 2003: To install IIS on your computer: On the Start menu, locate Administrative Tools. Select Manage Server. Select Add or Remove a Role on the Manage Server screen. The Configure Server Wizard opens. Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: Click Next on the Configure Server Wizard screen to open the Server Role screen. Select Application Server and click Next. Click Next. When the Confirmation screen appears, click Install. Click Close when finished. IIS Installation for Windows Server 2008: Installing IIS for Windows Server 2008 is a two-part procedure. The second part of the installation begins with Step 8 of this procedure. To install IIS: On the Start menu, locate Administrative Tools. Select Server Manager. Select Add Roles on the Server Manager screen. The Select Server Roles screen opens. Select Web Server. Click Next. (If you get a second page of instructions, click Next on both.) Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: The Select Role Services screen appears. The List of Services to be Installed displays all of the necessary services for your server. Click Next. When the Confirmation screen appears, click Install. A progress window opens to show you how the installation is going. It may take a few minutes. Click Close until you are back on the Server Manager screen. Select Add Features. 207

4 Step 9: When the Add Features Wizard appears, select.net Framework 3.0. Step 10: Click Next. (If you get a second page of instructions, click Next on both.) Step 11: When the Select Role Services page appears, click Next. Step 12: When the Confirm install screen appears, click Install. A progress window opens to show you how the installation is going. It may take a few minutes. Step 13: Click Close until back to your desktop, when finished. If you are using Synchronous Access, continue installing your Sync Server on page 226. Requirements for Installing the Distance Learning Applications (Client Locations) - Remote Access and Sync Users Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 School Edition Distance Learning, Teacher, or Student are easy to install on your computer. Before inserting the installation disc, check to make sure your computer meets the recommended minimum system requirements, ensuring that the program will run at its best. Check the Recommended Minimum System Requirements for the Client Computer grid on page 20 of this document to be sure that your computer meets these requirements. 208

5 Remote Access Overview Remote Access provides real-time remote access to the data layer of SOS and is used by remote users who are online while they work in the application. Due to the nature of remote access, the student/teacher must actually be connected to the school over the Internet to use this feature. The main advantage to using remote access is that students/teachers work directly with the school data in the same manner that they would if they were physically at the school. This offers instant feedback for the student and improved management of a teacher s workload. Remote access provides the most flexibility for allowing students/teachers to work at the school, as well as for students to complete homework remotely. The Remote Access package consists of three discs: 1. Remote Access & Synchronization Server Used to install the remote access web application on the school web server 2. Remote Access & Synchronization Teacher Used to install the SOS Teacher Remote Access application 3. Remote Access & Synchronization Student Used to install the SOS Student Remote Access application IMPORTANT: Remote School URL After the Remote Server installation is complete, students and teachers are able to connect to your server via the Remote Student or Teacher applications. To connect, each student or teacher needs the School URL you enter during installation of the Remote Student or Teacher applications. This URL consists of either your Domain Name or an ISP-provided IP Address (provided by your Internet provider with your high-speed Internet access). It should be provided to the student or teacher along with the remote Student or Teacher disk and the appropriate User Name and Password. The following example is also shown during the installation of those applications: Example: Insert your IP address where it says

6 INSTALLING THE REMOTE ACCESS SERVER Follow the steps below to install the Remote Access Server: Start from the SOS 2008 Setup window, shown to the right: Click the first option, Remote Access Server. The SOS 2008 Installed Products window displays. This window, similar to the one shown to the right, indicates which of the required applications are already installed and which you will need to install before continuing the installation process. Click the Install button. A small Confirm Installation pop-up box, similar to the one shown below, displays, indicating which programs will be installed. Click OK. 210

7 SWITCHED-ON schoolhouse 2008 Remote Access server After your computer re-starts, the SOS 2008 Setup window displays again. The last application you need to install is the SOS 2008 Remote Access Server. While this application does not install automatically, it does contain an AOP Setup Wizard, which walks you through the installation process step by step. Start from the AOP Setup Wizard screen, shown to the right: Click Next. The Database Server window displays: Use the SQL Server Interface drop-down menu to locate your SQL server, or type in the SQL location. Click Next. The Login Information screen displays: Step 5: Complete the User Name, Password, and Confirm Password. Step 6: Click Next. The Ready to Install the Program screen displays: Step 7: Click Install. The AOP Setup Wizard Completed screen displays, as shown below right, after all of your new files are copied. Step 8: Step 9: Click Finish. A new SOS 2008 Setup window displays, showing checkmarks beside all of the applications that you installed. Click Ok on the Installation Complete box (as shown below). Step 10: Step 11: Click Close. Click Close. 211

8 IMPORTANT: Remote School URL After the Remote Server installation is complete, students and teachers are able to connect to your server via the Remote Student or Teacher applications. In order to connect, each student or teacher needs your School URL, which was inserted during the installation of the Remote Student or Teacher applications. This URL consists of either your Domain Name or an ISP-provided IP Address (provided by your Internet provider with your high-speed Internet access) and should be provided to the student or teacher along with the remote Student or Teacher disk and the appropriate User Name and Password. The following example is also shown during the installation of those applications: Example: Insert your IP address where it says INSTALLING TEACHER REMOTE ACCESS Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 School Edition requires certain applications (components) be installed to run correctly. These components are installed automatically for you during this process. A list of the required components is on the next page. To install the Teacher DL Remote Access feature: Start from the SOS 2008 Setup window (shown to the right): Click the first option, Teacher DL (Remote Access). The SOS 2008 Installed Products window displays. This window, similar to the one shown to the right, indicates which of the required applications are already installed and which you will need to install before continuing the installation process. 212

9 Click the Install button. A small Confirm Installation pop-up box, similar to the one shown to the right, displays, indicating which applications will be installed. The applications (components) necessary to run SOS School 2008 include: Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1 Microsoft.NET Framework 2.0 Microsoft.NET Framework 3.0 Adobe Flash Player 9 / Adobe Shockwave 10 Crystal Reports for.net Framework 2.0 Click OK. The SOS 2008 Installed Products window displays, indicating which product is currently being installed. Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 Remote Access - Teacher - DL After your computer re-starts, the SOS 2008 Setup window displays again. The last application you need to install is SOS Teacher Remote Access. While this application does not install automatically, it does contain an AOP Setup Wizard, which walks you though the installation process step by step. Start from the AOP Setup Wizard screen (shown to the right). Click Next. The License Agreement displays. Click next to I agree to the terms in the license agreement. Click Next. The Destination Folder window displays. Step 5: Click Next, if no changes are necessary. The Remote Access URL screen displays. (See example on next page.) 213

10 Step 6: Type your school s URL address in the textbox provided. In the above example, replace with the IP address or domain name the school has provided. Step 7: Click Next. The Ready to Install the Program screen displays. (See example to the right.) Step 8: Click Install. The AOP Setup Wizard screen displays, as shown to the right. Step 9: Click Finish. The Installation Complete pop-up box displays, as shown below right. Step 10: Click OK. A new SOS 2008 Setup window displays, showing checkmarks beside all of the components that were installed. Step 11: Click Close. Step 12: Click Close again 214

11 LOGGING IN TO REMOTE ACCESS IN SOS TEACHER REMOTE ACCESS Similar to starting other Switched-On Schoolhouse (SOS) applications, the first screen you see when you open SOS is the Login screen in SOS Teacher Remote Access. When you arrive at your SOS Teacher Remote Access Login screen: Type your teacher Username and Password in their respective textboxes. For security reasons, your password displays only as dots rather than letters. Click Settings to verify or change the School Server URL, as well as change the frequency that SOS checks for new messages. The Remote Access Settings pop-up displays, as shown below. Step 5: Step 6: Type your School Server URL name in the white box to add or change an existing server address. In the above example, replace with the IP address or domain name the school has provided. Using the up or down arrow, choose a new frequency for SOS to check for new messages if you do not want to use the default 5 minutes. Click Ok. Click Login. Your SOS Teacher Remote Access Home screen (shown below) displays. 215

12 INSTALLING CURRICULUM ON YOUR HARD DRIVE SOS Teacher Remote allows you to copy curriculum onto your hard drive rather than leaving it on discs. To transfer the curriculum to your hard drive: Click Classroom on your Home screen. The School Setup screen appear. Click the Curriculum tab at the top to go to the Curriculum Setup screen: Insert the subject disc. Click Install. A pop-up window showing the different drives of your computer displays. Click the arrow to the right of Files of Type, and select contents.sosx. Step 5: Either double-click your CD-ROM or DVD drive or right-click it and select Open. The contents of that drive displays. Step 6: Double-click contents.sosx or contents to copy the entire file. A small pop-up box (as shown on the next page) displays, asking if you are sure you want to copy the subject to your hard drive: 216

13 Step 7: Click Yes. A small Browse for Folder pop-up window displays: Step 8: Click the plus sign to open the folder where you want your curriculum copied. Do NOT put the curriculum folder on your desktop. This will cause you problems with some SOS functions. To create your own folder for your curriculum, click Make New Folder, making sure the folder that is highlighted is where you want your curriculum to reside. Rename your new folder subjects08 or something similar and click OK when finished. Your curriculum automatically starts copying (as described in Step 10) to the new location. Step 9: Step 10: Click OK. A small pop-up box displays, indicating that the copy process is in progress: Insert any additional discs, if prompted, to complete the curriculum transfer. Copying the contents from the disc to your hard drive copies everything contained on the disc. Depending on how many megabytes are in the curriculum, this process may take some time to complete. 217

14 INSTALLING STUDENT REMOTE ACCESS Follow the steps below to install the Student DL Remote Access feature: Start from the SOS 2008 Setup window, shown to the right. Click the first option, Student DL (Remote Access). The SOS 2008 Installed Products window displays. This window, similar to the one shown to the right, indicates which of the required components are already installed and which need to be installed. Click the Install button. A small Confirm Installation pop-up box, similar to the one shown below, displays, indicating which programs will be installed. Depending on the programs already installed on your computer, some or all of these applications (components) necessary to run SOS School 2008 will be installed: Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1 Microsoft.NET Framework 2.0 Microsoft.NET Framework 3.0 Adobe Flash Player 9 / Adobe Shockwave 10 Crystal Reports for.net Framework 2.0 Click OK. The SOS 2008 Installed Products window displays, indicating which product is currently being installed. 218

15 SWITCHED-ON schoolhouse 2008 remote access Student DL After your computer re-starts, the SOS 2008 Setup window displays again. The last application you need to install is SOS Student Remote Access. While this application does not install automatically, it does contain an AOP Setup Wizard, which takes you though the installation process step by step. Start from the SOS InstallShield Wizard screen, shown to the right: Click Next. The License Agreement displays: Click the circle beside I agree. Click Next. The Destination Folder window displays: Step 5: Click Next if no changes are necessary. The Remote Access URL screen displays: Step 6: Type your school s URL address in the textbox provided. In the example above, replace with the IP address or domain name your school has provided. 219

16 Step 7: Click Next. The Ready to Install the Program screen displays: Step 8: Click Install. The InstallShield Wizard Completed screen displays after all of your new files are copied: Step 9: Step 10: Step 11: Step 12: Click Finish. The Installation Complete pop-up box displays: Click OK. A new SOS 2008 Setup window displays, showing checkmarks beside all of the applications that were installed. Click Close. Click Close. 220

17 LOGGING IN TO REMOTE ACCESS IN SOS STUDENT REMOTE ACCESS Similar to other Switched-On Schoolhouse (SOS) applications, SOS Student Remote Access takes you directly to the Login screen: When you arrive at your SOS Student Remote Access Login screen: Step 5: Step 6: Type your student username and password in their respective textboxes. For security reasons, your password displays only as a series of dots rather than letters. Click Settings to verify or change the School Server URL, as well as change the frequency that SOS checks for new messages. The Remote Access Settings pop-up displays, as shown below. Type your School Server URL name in the white box to add or change an existing server address. This URL should match the one you entered in Step 6 on page 219. Using the up or down arrow, choose a new frequency for SOS to check for new messages if you do not want to use the default 5 minutes. Click Ok. Click Login. Your SOS Student Remote Access Home screen displays. 221

18 SOS Remote Parent SOS 2008 provides parents with a tool to review student work, print grade reports and adjust the student s calendar if necessary. SOS Remote Parent is installed with the installation of SOS Student. To login, your school must provide you with your username and password. To open SOS Remote Parent, double-click the SOS Parent icon on your desktop. A login screen as shown to the right appears. Enter the Username and Password the school provided. Before you click Login, click Settings to verify or change the School Server URL. You can also change the frequency that SOS checks for new messages. A Remote Access Settings window displays. Verify that your School Server URL (as provided by the school) is correct. If it is, certify how often you want to check for messages and click OK. Click Login. Your Remote Parent Home screen appears. Attention Remote Parents! Please go to the SOS DL Parent Screens section beginning on the bottom of page 239 for additional information and explanation for your application. Ignore an references to synchronization as it does not apply to you or your student(s). 222

19 installing curriculum to your hard drive If you do not want to load the curriculum onto your computer hard drive, students must have the disc in the CD or DVD drive while working in their subjects, so keep your subject discs handy as you do your schoolwork. To copy your subjects to your hard drive: Put your SOS subject disc in your CD-ROM drive. Click Application on your Parent Home screen and select Install Curriculum. A window opens displaying the contents of your CD/DVD drive. Select contents.sosx. Click Open. Double-click contents.sosx or contents to copy the entire file. A small pop-up box (as shown to the right) displays, asking if you are sure you want to copy the subject to your hard drive: Step 5: Click Yes. A small Browse for Folder pop-up window displays: Step 6: Click the plus sign to open the folder where you want your curriculum copied. Do NOT put the curriculum folder on your desktop. This will cause you problems with some SOS functions. To create your own folder for your curriculum, click Make New Folder, making sure the folder that is highlighted is where you want your curriculum to reside. Rename your new folder 2008 Curriculum or something similar and click OK when finished. Your curriculum automatically starts copying to the new location. Step 7: Step 8: Click OK. A small pop-up box displays, indicating that the copy process is in progress: Insert any additional discs, if prompted, to complete the curriculum transfer. Copying the contents from the disc to your hard drive copies everything contained on the disc. Depending on how many megabytes are in the curriculum, this process may take some time to complete. 223

20 Synchronization Overview Synchronization allows users to work offline with a local copy of their data and then synchronize their changes periodically with the school over the Internet. The advantage of synchronization is that it does not require a connection to the Internet while doing work. How Synchronization Works Synchronization allows people in different locations to communicate through a central point, but not in real time. A typical synchronization scenario for a student (or parent) may follow these steps: Step 5: The student logs into SOS Student. SOS prompts the student to synchronize. The student follows the remaining synchronization procedures (discussed later) to access the school s database. The student completes the assignments as he/she normally would. (This is probably done off-line.) The student synchronizes again, allowing the work that has been completed to go back to the school s computer. (SOS prompts the student to synchronize when exiting SOS Student.) A typical synchronization scenario for a teacher may follow these steps: Step 5: The teacher logs into SOS Teacher. SOS prompts the teacher to synchronize. The teacher follows the remaining synchronization procedures (discussed later) to access the school s database. The teacher completes the tasks on his/her To-Do-List, which could include grading or reviewing a student s work. (This is also probably done off-line.) The teacher synchronizes again, allowing the updates to go back to the school s computer. (SOS prompts the teacher to synchronize when exiting SOS Teacher.) To retrieve the teacher s grades and comments, the student must sync a third time to pull in the updates that the teacher made and left on the school s database. The teacher and the student can only communicate via the school s database. They cannot go around the school s computer; they must use the school as the common link. Both teachers and students can synchronize at any time by clicking the Application button on their Home screens and selecting Synchronize. The teacher may physically be at the school, and only the student is working from an outside location. In this case, the teacher would have to be installed as a regular teacher not using the synchronization install. How Synchronization Interacts with Other SOS Applications Although synchronization does not affect how the SOS applications run, it does affect what teachers, students, and parents can do while running SOS. The only indication that synchronization is possible in the SOS Teacher, Student, and DL Parent applications is the presence of the Synchronize option found by clicking the Application button. (SOS DL Parent is only present when the Distance Learning Package is available.) 224

21 Activating the synchronization process is done by the school administrator in two places in SOS Admin: on the Teacher Setup screen, which affects the teacher that is selected in the drop-down menu; and on the Student Setup screen, which affects the student that is selected in the drop-down menu. The Sync Access Enabled option must be checked on the appropriate screen for the teacher(s) and student(s) to sync. While SOS applications will run perfectly fine without this option checked, the synchronization feature will not function at all. Synchronize first, then work on the LAN. It is important to remember that the Synchronization procedures override work done on the LAN. The sequence of events is very important to prevent loss of work. If you work at home, then do the schoolwork on the LAN, and finally perform the synchronization procedures, the work done on the LAN is lost. The correct sequence is to synch first, then do any work on the LAN. It is also very important to realize that if you work from multiple computers, you must perform a FULL SYNCHRONIZATION from each computer each time you change computers. This means you must check the Restart butoon on the synchronization screen. If you do not do this, you will most likely loose part of your work. Synchronization Discs The Synchronization Distance Learning package consists of three discs: 1. Remote Access & Synchronization Server Used to install the Synchronization web application on the school web server 2. Remote Access & Synchronization Teacher Used to install the SOS Teacher Synchronization application 3. Remote Access & Synchronization Student Used to install the SOS Student Synchronization application. IMPORTANT: Synchronization School URL After the Synchronization Server installation is complete, students and teachers are able to connect to your server via the Synchronization Student or Teacher applications. In order to connect, each student or teacher needs your School URL. The one you inserted during the installation of the Synchronization Student or Teacher applications. This URL consists of either your Domain Name or an ISP-provided IP Address (provided by your internet provider with your high speed Internet access) and should be provided to the student or teacher along with the remote Student or Teacher disk and the appropriate User Name and Password. The following example is also shown during the installation of those applications: Example: Insert your IP address where it says

22 Synchronization Server Setup INSTALLING INTERNET INFORMATION SERVER (IIS) Before you can install the Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 School Edition Synchronization Server, you must first install Microsoft s Internet Information Server (IIS). See pages for requirements and instructions on how to do this. INSTALLING THE SYNCHRONIZATION SERVER Follow the steps below to install the Synchronization Server: Start from the SOS 2008 Setup window (shown to the right): Click the second option, Synchronization Server. When the SOS 2008 Installed Products window displays, it indicates which of the required applications are already installed nd which still need to be install. Click the Install button. A small Confirm Installation pop-up box, similar to the one shown on the following page, displays, indicating which programs are going to be installed. Click OK. 226

23 Description of Installed Components Depending on which programs are already installed on your computer, some or all of the following components will be installed: MICROSOFT WINDOWS INSTALLER 3.1 Immediately after you click OK (on the Confirm Installation pop-up box), Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1 begins installing automatically. MICROSOFT.NET Framework 2.0 If Microsoft.NET Framework 2.0 is not already installed on your computer, the application automatically installs. SWITCHED-ON schoolhouse 2008 synchronization server After your computer re-starts, the SOS 2008 Setup window displays again. The last application to install is SOS 2008 Synchronization Server. While this application does not install automatically, it does contain an AOP Setup Wizard, which takes you though the installation process step by step. On the AOP Setup Wizard screen, shown to the right, click Next. On the Database Server window, use the SQL Server Interface drop-down menu to locate your SQL server or type in the SQL location and then click Next. When the Login Information screen displays, complete the User Name, Password, and Confirm Password textboxes and then click Next. 227

24 On the Ready to Install the Program screen, click Install. Step 5: The AOP Setup Wizard Completed screen displays after all of your new files are copied. Click Finish. Step 6: The Installation Complete pop-up box displays. Click OK. Step 7: A new SOS 2008 Setup window displays, showing checkmarks next to all of the applications that you installed. Click Close. Step 8: Click Close. INSTALLING TEACHER DL SYNCHRONIZATION To install the Teacher DL Synchronization feature: On the SOS 2008 Setup window, shown to the right, click the second option, Teacher DL (Synchronization). The SOS 2008 Installed Products window displays. This window, similar to the one shown below, indicates which of the required applications are already installed and which you need to install before continuing the installation process. Click Install. 228

25 A small Confirm Installation pop-up box, similar to the one shown to the right, displays, indicating which programs will be installed. Click OK. The SOS 2008 Installed Products window displays Required Components Depending on the programs already installed on your computer, some or all of these applications (components) necessary to run SOS School 2008 will be installed: Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1 Microsoft.NET Framework 2.0 Microsoft.NET Framework 3.0 Adobe Flash Player 9 / Adobe Shockwave 10 Crystal Reports for.net Framework 2.0 SWITCHED-ON schoolhouse 2008 synchronization teacher dl The last application you need to install is SOS 2008 Synchronization Teacher DL. While this application does not install automatically, it does contain an AOP Setup Wizard, which walks you though the installation process step by step. On the SOS InstallShield Wizard screen, as shown to the right, click Next. Click next to I agree when the License Agreement displays and then click Next. On the Destination Folder window, click Next, if no changes are necessary. 229

26 On the Synchronization Access URL screen, enter the URL address of your school s synchronization access web server in the blank textbox. In the example shown, replace with the IP address or domain name your school has provided. Click Next to continue. Step 5: The Ready to Install the Program screen displays. Click Install. Step 6: The AOP Setup Wizard Completed screen displays after all of your new files are copied. Click Finish. Step 7: When The Installation Complete pop-up box displays, click OK. Step 8: A new SOS 2008 Setup window displays, showing checkmarks beside all of the applications that were installed. Step 9: Click Close and click Close again. 230

27 Distance Learning Users Setup Setting Up Teachers in SOS Admin to Use Remote Access or Synchronization Teachers are usually set up to use distance learning at the beginning of the school year when the school administrator assigns the teacher his/her classes. To establish the distance learning feature for a new teacher being added to the school: Step 5: Step 6: Click Administration on the SOS Admin Home screen. Click the Teacher Setup tab. A blank Teacher Setup screen displays. Click Add Complete the Teacher Information textboxes: First Name Last Name Username Password Global ID LAN is the default learning option. Click beside Sync Access Enabled or Remote Access Enabled depending on the method of accessing the school database that this person will use. Click Save to save your information. To add distance learning to teachers who are already set up in SOS, complete Steps 5 7 after selecting the appropriate teacher from the drop-down menu. SOS Teacher Synchronization There are two types of synchronization that can be done in SOS Teacher Synchronization: 1. Synchronization A regular synchronization involves exchanging information that you have on your computer with the school s computer. This type of synchronization is done on a regular basis and occurs whenever a student, teacher, or parent synchronizes with the school. 2. Full Synchronization A full synchronization, which is done less frequently and in SOS Teacher Synchronization, not only involves exchanging standard information between your computer and the school s computer, but also involves your computer receiving the entire school database from the school s computer. When to Perform a Full Synchronization A full synchronization is usually done for one of these reasons: 1. It is the first time a teacher has used the synchronization feature. 2. There is a need to recover the entire school database due to a computer crash or any other event that has resulted in a loss of data. 3. The teacher or student uses more than one computer to perform school work. If they perform work on one computer, then intend to work from another computer, a full sync must be performed to prevent loss of data. The full sync must be done on both computers used. 231

28 USING SOS TEACHER SYNCHRONIZATION FOR THE FIRST TIME To synchronize in SOS Teacher for the first time: Before beginning the synchronization process, you must first be connected to the Internet. Start from the Home screen in the SOS Teacher Synchronization application. Since this is your initial synchronization, the Synchronization Setup window automatically displays: Type the appropriate School Server URL in the blank textbox, if necessary. In the example above, replace with the IP address or domain name your school has provided. Select the correct term, using the drop-down arrow if necessary. Click Ok. The Select Term to Synchronize window displays: Step 5: Click Ok. A Synchronize progress window displays, indicating the synchronization process is underway: Step 6: Click Close when a box similar to the one shown below right displays. This lets you know the synchronization process is complete. 232

29 USING SOS TEACHER SYNCHRONIZATION You must be connected to the Internet to use the synchronization process,. To use the synchronization feature in SOS Teacher Synchronization: Click Application on your the Home screen. A small submenu displays: Select Synchronize. A Synchronize pop-up box, similar to the one at the right displays. Type the appropriate School Server URL in the blank textbox, if necessary. In the example above, replace with the IP address or domain name your school has provided. If, for any reason, you need to fully replace your copy of the database, click the box beside Full Synchronization (Replace). In the bottom right corner of the Synchronization pop-up window is the Last Sync Date textbox, which indicates the last time synchronization was performed. Step 5: Click the button to accept your choices. The Select Term to Synchronize window displays (as shown to the right). Step 6: Select the correct term, using the drop-down arrow if necessary. Step 7: Click Ok. A Synchronize progress window displays, indicating the synchronization process is underway: Step 8: Click the Close button when the synchronization process is complete (example shown below right).: 233

30 INSTALLING STUDENT SYNCHRONIZATION Follow the steps below to install the Student DL Synchronization feature: On the SOS 2008 Setup window, (shown to the right), click the second option, Student DL (Synchronization). The SOS 2008 Installed Products window displays. This window, similar to the one shown below right, indicates which of the required applications are already installed and which need to be install during this installation process.: Click the Install button. A small Confirm Installation pop-up box, similar to the one shown below, displays, indicating which programs will be installed. Click OK. The SOS 2008 Installed Products window displays, indicating which product is currently being installed. Required Components Depending on the programs already installed on your computer, some or all of these applications (components) necessary to run SOS School 2008 will be installed: Microsoft Windows Installer 3.1 Microsoft.NET Framework 2.0 Microsoft.NET Framework 3.0 Adobe Flash Player 9 / Adobe Shockwave 10 Crystal Reports for.net Framework 2.0 SWITCHED-ON SCHOOLhouse 2008 synchronization student dl The SOS 2008 Setup window displays again. The last application to install is SOS 2008 Student Synchronization DL. While this application does not install automatically, it does contain an AOP Setup Wizard, which walks you through the installation process step by step. 234

31 On the AOP Setup Wizard screen as shown to the right, click Next. The License Agreement screen displays Click next to I agree. Click Next. The Destination Folder window displays (as shown below right). Click Next, if no changes are necessary. The Setup Parent Account screen (as shown below right) displays Step 5: Enter the Username, Password, and Confirm Password in the appropriate textboxes and click Next. Step 6: Step 7: When the Synchronization Access URL screen displays, enter the example URL, replacing with the IP address or domain name provided by your school. Click Next. Step 8: When the Ready to Install the Program screen displays (as shown bottom right), click Install. 235

32 Step 9: The AOP Setup Wizard Completed screen displays after all of your new files are copied. Click Finish. Step 10: The Installation Complete pop-up box displays (as shown below right). Click OK. Step 11: A new SOS 2008 Setup window displays, showing checkmarks beside all of the applications that you installed. Click Close. Step 12: Click Close again. Setting Up Students in SOS Admin to Use Remote Access or Synchronization Students are set up to use synchronization or remote access when the school administrator enrolls them in the school. To set up the synchronization feature for a new student: Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: Step 9: Click Administration on your the SOS Admin Home screen. Click the Student Setup tab. A blank Student Setup screen displays. Click Add. Complete the Student Information and Settings textboxes. Verify the Activate student option is selected. Click next to Remote Access Enabled or Sync Access Enabled in the Distance Learning Options section, depending on the method the student will be using to access your school database. Check the custom calendar option, if the student will be using a term other than the school s current term. Select the custom term from the drop-down list that displays, if using the custom calendar option. Click Save to save your information. To add distance learning capability to students who are already enrolled in SOS, complete Steps 6 9 after selecting the appropriate student from the Student drop-down list. 236

33 SOS Student Synchronization For a student to sync, the following prerequisites must be met: The school administrator must have already selected one of the sync distance learning options when the student was set up in SOS Admin. The parent must have already performed the initial sync. USING SOS STUDENT SYNCHRONIZATION Students need to follow the steps below to use the synchronization feature in SOS Student: Click Application on the Home screen in SOS Student. Select Synchronize from the small submenu that displays. When the Synchronization Setup pop-up window (shown at right) displays, Enter the School Server URL in the textbox (the same URL your school sent you), if the field is blank or incorrect. Click Ok to begin synchronization for the current term. Step 5: Click Close when a box similar to the one shown below right displays. EXITING SOS Whenever you close SOS, you see a synchronization reminder pop-up box: Click Yes to synchronize before leaving Switched-On Schoolhouse. Close Switched-On Schoolhouse as you normally do. Using the SOS Electronic Help File If you have questions or need help while you are working in SOS, open the easy-to-use electronic version of this reference guide: Click the Help button in the lower right corner of your Home screen. This opens an electronic help file that enables you to find answers to your questions with just a few simple clicks of the mouse. Click the relevant links to be taken to screens where you can learn more about the topics you are researching. You can also access the help file by pressing F1 at any time while in SOS Parent or SOS Student. 237

34 SOS DL Parent SOS DL Parent Functions for Remote and Sync Users The SOS DL Parent portion of this manual is divided into four sections: SOS DL Parent Home Screen Lesson Book Resource Center Application Remote Access users, skip to the bottom of the next page (Lesson Book) to continue. Just for Sync Parents Before students can sync to the school s database, they must first be set up in SOS DL Parent. This section has been designed to help you find your way around the DL Parent application, which is very similar to the SOS Teacher application, as well as teach you how to set up and use the synchronization option. LOGGING IN - Sync Each time you start Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 School Edition (SOS), the SOS DL Parent Login shown below is the first screen you ll see. You will need to log in each time you open SOS. When you arrive at your SOS DL Parent Login screen, follow the steps below: Type your username and password that you established during installation in their respective textboxes. For security reasons, your password displays only as dots rather than letters. Click Login to finish logging in. (SOS gives you unlimited attempts to log in and does not lock you out after a certain number of failed attenpts.) Your SOS DL Parent Home screen displays. 238

35 The SOS DL Sync Parent Home Screen As soon as you click the Login button on the SOS Login screen, the SOS DL Parent Home screen welcomes you. This screen is your map to SOS DL Parent and serves as your starting point in everything you do. Below is a graphic of the SOS DL Parent Home screen and a short description of each button DL parent name This area displays your username, showing that you are on your SOS DL Parent Home screen. 2 Lesson Book button Click to enter into assignments, access the student calendar, see how students are progressing, and have up-to-the-minute status on grades. 3 Messages button Click to read the messages in your student(s) message center. 4 Resource Center button Click to access some very handy educational tools: the Periodic Table, the calculator, and the dictionary. Learn more about elements in the interactive Periodic Table, do some quick math with the calculator, or check out a definition in the dictionary. 5 Application button This button is used to change passwords, synchronize with the school s computer, and install curriculum to your hard drive. 6 Reports button This button is used to access the grade reports for your student. 7 SOS Icon Click this icon (located below Reports) to see specific product information about your installation of Switched-On Schoolhouse. 8 All buttons on the SOS DL Parent Home Screen Hold your mouse over any button for a second or two, making sure not to click it. The button responds to you in some way; it either changes to a different color or opens a smaller submenu. 9 Help? button This button accesses an electronic help file, if available. Lesson Book The Lesson Book is a valuable DL Parent tool. It is here that you can see what assignments the student s teacher has given him/ her and how well the student is performing in each subject. A Day Detail window allows you to change an assignment s due date to better meet your specific needs. 239

36 Getting to the Lesson Book Screens To get to the Lesson Book screens, click Lesson Book on your Home screen. A blank Assignments screen displays, where you see three tabs at the top: Home Takes you back to your Home screen. Assignments Allows you to view student assignments and grades, and enter into assignments. Lesson Plan Allows you to access student schoolwork and activities through an easyto-use calendar. Assignments Tab/Assignments Screen The Assignments screen is a snapshot of all of the student s current schoolwork and is where you enter into student assignments. Getting to the Assignments Screen To get to the Assignments screens, click Lesson Book on your Home screen. A blank Assignments screen displays 240

37 Populating a Blank Assignments Screen When the Assignments screen initially displays, the screen is mostly blank. To populate the Assignments screen so that you can see specific information regarding the student s school assignments, such as scores on specific assignments: Step 5: Step 6: Click Lesson Book on your Home screen. A blank Assignments screen displays. Using the Select Student drop-down menu, select the student whose assignments you are interested in seeing. A list of every subject the student is enrolled in displays. Click the Class name. Click the Subject name(s) that you want to open. A list of units belonging to that subject display beneath the Unit name. Click the Unit name. A listing of the assignments belonging to that unit display on the right side of the screen. Click the assignment title in the right screen. Notice the Details button on the left is now active. The Lesson Plan button on the right becomes active when an assignment is chosen. Assignments Screen After you have selected a student, class, subject, unit, and assignment, the Assignments screen is fully populated. Below is a graphic of a populated Assignments screen and a short description of each section: Home tab Takes you back to your Home screen. 2 Assignments tab Indicates you are on the Assignments screen. 3 Lesson Plan tab Click this tab to go to the Lesson Plan screen where you can see a student s lesson plan. 4 Student drop-down menu The Select Student drop-down menu lets you decide which student s assignments you want to access. 5 Student Schoolwork The left side of the Student Schoolwork area displays the subjects and units you have assigned to the selected student in the set school term. The right side displays all of the student s past due, current, and upcoming schoolwork. You can also see grades for subjects, units, and assignments that the student has already completed. 241

38 Class Classes appear in italics, under Subject on the left side of the screen. Click the class name, then you can see the subjects, units, and assignments included in the class. 7 Subject icon Click the subject icon to view the subject s introductory video. 8 Subjects The subject side of the screen allows you to see a list of all the subjects assigned to a student. If there is completed work in a subject, the grade for that subject displays on the right side of the screen. 9 Units Clicking a subject name, lets you view all units assigned to that subject. Unit names display immediately below the subject name. Unit names are in a smaller font than subjects, enabling you to easily see the difference between subjects and units. When you no longer want to display units, click a subject name. 10 Assignments Clicking a unit name on the left side of the screen displays all of the assignments for that unit on the right side of the screen. At the same time, the unit name is highlighted on the left, indicating that you are looking at the assignments for that particular unit. To view an assignment, click the assignment title. 11 Assignment Title column Assignment Title indicates current assignments student is assigned. 12 type column The Type column indicates the type of the assignment. 13 Due Date column The Due Date column provides the date the assignment is due. (The Due Date column is visible only if the Advanced Lesson Planning option is enabled.) 14 Score column The Score column tells you the grade the student earned on this assignment. Use the grades you see on the screen to help you keep track of how a student is doing in his/her subjects. To resize a column, place your cursor where a column seems to begin or end. This is usually just to the left of a column heading. When you see the cursor change in appearance, click and hold your left mouse button down, dragging the cursor to the left or right. Make your columns wider or narrower any time you need to adjust what you can see. 242

39 15 Left Details Click here to see details about the highlighted unit. A window similar to the one shown below displays. The Unit Details window provides general information about how a student did on an assignment, such as the type of lesson completed, how long it took the student to complete the lesson, the overall score earned, and the date the lesson was completed. 16 Right Details Click this button to see the details of the highlighted assignment. A window similar to the one below displays. The Assignment Details window provides specifics about how a student did on an assignment, such as the type of lesson completed, points earned per question, how many attempts were used, and if any problems were skipped, the reason why. 243

40 Assignment Types Think of an assignment as any kind of schoolwork that is assigned to a student. It offers him/her new information as well as provides him/her ways to practice using this information. There are four different assignment types students encounter in SOS: Lessons consist of sections that teach new information and offer problems for students to work on Quizzes provide a set of problems for students to do after every few lessons, assessing how much they have learned Tests ask students to do problems in order to demonstrate what they have learned overall Projects offer creative ways for students to use the information they have learned in lessons Parents have read-only access to student essays. Certain assignment types are worth more than others; tests, for example, usually make up a bigger part of students overall grades than lessons. Keep in mind that students will usually need to do many assignments in order to complete a unit. And they will need to do many units in order to complete a subject. It is a good idea to remind students that their scores for assignments affect their unit grades and ultimately, their overall subject grades. Depending on what type of assignment you are viewing, the information in the presentation and problems areas may vary slightly: Quizzes and tests, for example, do not usually display a lot of text in the presentation area because they are testing students for previously-learned information. Most of the content may be found in the problems section instead. The Score bar at the bottom of the student s screen is yellow when taking a quiz or test. Projects are dynamic and can consist of reading/writing activities, hands-on experiments, library research, interviews, artwork, or anything else that is assigned. Because of this, their presentation area may display instructions and background information students will need in order to complete them, offering not only text but also graphics, videos, or web links. Their problems sections may also display more instructions or provide links for students that open up writing space. DL PARENT S REVIEW ASSIGNMENT SCREEN The assignment screen you see looks a lot like the type of assignment screen the student saw when he/she completed the assignment. Like the student s Assignment screen, your Assignment screen is divided into two sections: the top section, for presentations that display the actual material the students see in their assignments, and the botton part, for problems that display questions and answers to already-completed problems. 244

41 title bar The title bar, found in the upper left corner of the screen, indicates who the assignment belongs to and that you are reviewing the assignment from the DL Parent application. 2 Section guide The section guide, located in the upper left corner, tells you how many sections a presentation has been broken up into. Click any section number to see additional information displayed. Click the left arrow to see the previous presentation; click the right arrow to see the next presentation. If a section number is highlighted, you are looking at the information from that section. 3 Assignment Notepad The Assignment Notepad is a handy notepad where students can write down their thoughts about an assignment. Students can use the Assignment Notepad to ask their teacher questions, and teachers can reply directly to the student from inside the same assignment. Parents can view and edit both the Assignment Notepad and Problem Notepad (discussed later), allowing them to keep current with the student s progress. Below is a picture of a completed Assignment Notepad. Upon opening the Assignment Notepad, Print is the only button that is active. The other two buttons, Save and Cancel, do not become active until you begin to type in the text area. 245

42 Presentation area The presentation area, the top section of the screen, is where the assignment material is presented to students. You are able to click text and look at pictures, as well as watch the videos and play games in this area. (The bottom section of the screen is the problem area.) 5 Problem toolbar At the top of each problem area is a problem toolbar. It allows you move around through the problems and lets you know how students performed on certain questions. 6 Problem numbers Every presentation area in a lesson includes some problems, making sure that your students understand what they have been learning. This area on the problem toolbar tells you how many total problems an assignment has and displays them in batches of 10. Click any problem number to be taken into that problem. As your students work through their problems, the presentation area that introduced the information displays at the top of the window and can be referred to at any time. Problem colors Problems in the problem toolbar are color coded so that the status of a problem can be determined quickly and easily. The colors and their corresponding meanings are: gray problems not yet completed green problems answered correctly red problems answered incorrectly or problems receiving only partial credit gray with a line through it problems students have skipped (either on their own or with a teacher s permission) via the Problem Helps window or problems the teacher wants students to skip black ungraded problems 7 Arrows Click these to see either the previous or the next problem. 8 Problem Notepad The Problem Notepad works (and looks!) just like your Assignment Notepad, except that you need to be in a problem, rather than an assignment, to access it. On the next page is a picture of a Problem Notepad. 246

43 Like the Assignment Notepad, Print is the only button that is active. The other two buttons, Save and Cancel, do not become active until you begin to type in the text area. 9 Upward-pointing arrow At the very far end of the problem toolbar (look closely!) is a small arrow pointing upward. Click this up arrow to make the problems section automatically fill the whole screen. It also changes into a down arrow, allowing you to make the problems section small again with just one click. 10 Problem area The problem area, directly below the problem toolbar, is where students see the problems they need to complete. 11 Window resizing line Place your cursor anywhere over the colored line that separates the presentation area from the problem area. When it changes in appearance, you can click and drag your cursor up or down, changing your window sizes and allowing you to see more or less information. 12 Score/comment bar The score/comment area displays how well a student scored on a problem. Click any completed problem to see what grade the student earned. (This area remains blank until the problem has been completed. Remember, if it is yellow, the student is in a quiz or test!) 13 Resource Center Click here to access the Periodic Table of Elements, calculator, or dictionary. 14 Back Click this button to return to the previous problem. 15 next Click to advance to the next problem. 16 Show Answer Click this button to display the correct answer for any problem. 17 exit Click to exit the assignment and return to your previous screen. 18 Print Click here to print the assignment. 19 Red Question Mark Click this button to view an explanation of the specific problem type and instructions on how to work this particular type of problem. Opening an Assignment To open an assignment from the Assignments screen: Step 5: Step 6: Click Lesson Book on your Home screen. A blank Assignments screen displays. Using the Select Student drop-down menu, select the student whose assignments you want to see. A list of every subject the student is enrolled in displays. Click the Class name. Click the Subject name(s) that you want to open. A list of units belonging to that subject display beneath the Unit name. Click the Unit name. A listing of the assignments belonging to that unit display on the right side of the screen. Double-click any assignment title to go into that assignment. You can view not only the presentation part of the assignment but also any work a student has done on a problem. Grades for completed problems are displayed as well. 247

44 Viewing an Answer Key Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: Click Lesson Book on your Home screen. A blank Assignments screen displays. Using the Select Student drop-down menu, select the student whose assignments you want to see. A list of every subject the student is enrolled in displays. Click the Class name. Click the Subject name(s) that you want to open. A list of units belonging to that subject display beneath the Unit name. Click the Unit name. A listing of the assignments belonging to that unit display on the right side of the screen. Double-click any assignment title to go into that assignment. Locate the problem for which you want the see the answer. Click Show Answer. The Answer Key window appears, displaying the correct answer for that problem. Step 9: Repeat Step 7-8 to see answers to additional problems in this assignment. Printing an Assignment To print an assignment: Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: Step 9: Click Lesson Book on your Home screen. A blank Assignments screen displays. Using the Select Student drop-down menu, select the student whose assignments you want to see. A list of every subject the student is enrolled in displays. Click the Class name. Click the Subject name(s) that you want to open. A list of units belonging to that subject display beneath the Unit name. Click the Unit name. A listing of the assignments belonging to that unit display on the right side of the screen. Double-click any assignment title to go into that assignment. Click Print. A Print pop-up box appears. Click next to the desired Show, Print, or Answer options on the Print pop-up box: Click Print when you are ready to print. 248

45 Lesson Plan Tab/Lesson Plan Screen Lesson Book also enables you to view student schoolwork in calendar form. If a student is assigned work in a school term that is structured around due dates, the Lesson Plan screen can be used to keep track of his/her information. This screen simply takes all the same assignment information from the Student Schoolwork section of the Assignments screen and places it into an easy-to-use calendar. If you have assigned work to a student in a school term that is not driven by due dates, that information does not show up on the Lesson Plan calendar screen. Keep track of this student s schoolwork in the Student Schoolwork section of the Assignments screen instead. Getting to the Lesson Plan Screen To get to the Lesson Plan screen: Click Lesson Book on your Home screen. A blank Assignments screen displays. Click the Lesson Plan tab. A Lesson Plan screen displays. Populating a Blank Lesson Plan Screen Like the Assignments screen, the Lesson Plan screen displays blank, unless a student has already been selected from the Select Student drop-down menu. To populate the Lesson Plan screen: Click Lesson Book on your Home screen. A blank Assignments screen displays. Click the Lesson Plan tab. A Lesson Plan screen displays. Using the Select Student drop-down menu, select the student whose lesson plan you are in interested in seeing. Notice that all of the buttons on the bottom are now active and the student s lesson plan is displayed. The Calendar button becomes active only if the student is using a custom calendar. 249

46 The Lesson Plan Screen After you have selected a student, the Lesson Plan screen is fully populated. Below is a picture of a populated Lesson Plan screen and a short description of each section: Home tab The Home tab takes you back to your Home screen. 2 Assignments tab Click this tab to go to the Assignments screen where you can see what lesson students are working on, as well as due dates and previous scores. 3 Lesson Plan tab This tab indicates you are on the Lesson Plan screen. 4 Student drop-down menu The Select Student drop-down menu lets you decide which student s assignments you want to access. 5 gray days and white days School days appear in white and non-school days are grayed-out. You can easily change school days to non-school days and vice versa. 6 Selecting a calendar day Click any date in either the multiple-month-view calendar section or the one-weekview calendar section. The selected date is highlighted, showing up in both calendar views. 7 Calendar days with multiple assignments When a day contains more assignments than can be displayed on the calendar page, a small graphic displays, indicating that there is more information to view. 8 Week date The blue-colored week bar above the one-week-view calendar shows the range of dates for the week displayed in the one-week-view calendar below. Click the left arrow to display previous weeks or the right arrow to display future weeks. 9 Present and future months The calendars to the left of the larger calendar allow you to view consecutive months of a school term. Click the left-facing arrow to see previous months or the right-facing arrow to see future months. 250

47 Skipping to other months To quickly skip to another month, click (and hold) on the month s name in one of the smaller calendars. A small menu appears. Scroll down and/or click the month you want to view. The smaller calendars change (the calendar you clicked displays the month you selected and the other calendar displays previous or future months.) The larger calendar remains the same. Click anywhere along the gray bar that runs vertically between the smaller calendars and the one-week view calendar to expand the one-week-view calendar so that it takes up the entire screen. When the calendar has been expanded, click the bar again to bring back the multiple-monthview calendar. 10 Assignment titles Double-click any assignment title to be taken into that assignment. 11 Regenerate This button sets new start and end dates for any subject in a student s curriculum. 12 today Click this button to go to today s date on both the multiple-month-view calendar and the one-week-view calendar. 13 Print Click this button to print a list of assignments that are due on different days. 14 Calendar Click this button to access the Edit Student Calendar window. This window displays only if the student is using a custom calendar. If the student is not using a custom calendar, the Calendar button does not become enabled, preventing you from accessing the Edit Student Calendar window. Printing a List of Student Assignments Printing a list of student assignments helps you keep track of what is due and when. To print a list of student assignments: Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: Click Lesson Book on your Home screen. A blank Assignments screen displays. Click the Lesson Plan tab. A Lesson Plan screen displays. Using the Select Student drop-down menu, select the student whose lesson plan you are in interested in seeing. Notice that all of the buttons on the bottom are now active and the student s lesson plan is displayed. Using the large white arrows in the upper two corners, click until you find the date you want. If you already know the dates, or want to print the current day which automatically displays, click Print. Click Print to open up the Print window. Choose the start and end dates for the range of days you want to print. Click Preview to open up a window that shows you what your printed page looks like. It displays the range of dates you have selected as well as all the schoolwork that s been assigned on any of those days. Click Print when you are ready to print the list of assignments. 251

48 Regenerating a Subject s Start and End Dates To regenerate a subject s start and end dates: Step 5: Step 6: Step 8: Click Lesson Book on your Home screen. A blank Assignments screen displays. Click the Lesson Plan tab. A Lesson Plan screen displays. Using the Select Student drop-down menu, select the student whose lesson plan you are in interested in seeing. Notice that all of the buttons on the bottom are now active and the student s lesson plan is displayed. Click Regenerate. A Regenerate Due Dates pop-up box displays. Place a checkmark beside any subject for which you want to set new dates. Click any start or end date. To change one or both dates, either manually type in a new date or use the tiny built in calendars by clicking the start date or end date, and then using the drop-down arrow to open the interactive calendar. Click Regenerate in this window. Any new dates you have set are applied, automatically appearing in schoolwork lists and on the Lesson Plan screen. The Student Calendar SOS comes with a variety of automatic, built-in calendars to help you plan your school year: a full-size current month calendar and several (depending on your computer s display settings) smaller calendars showing the current month and future months. If the school administrator selected the Custom Calendar checkbox for the student, you are able to access the Edit Student Calendar screen in SOS DL Parent. The Edit Student Calendar window always opens to the current week for the school term you have selected. Below is a graphic of the Edit Student Calendar window, along with quick explanations of each section gray days and white days School days appear in white, and non-school days are grayed-out. You can easily change school days to non-school days and vice versa. 252

49 2 Selecting a calendar day Click any date in either the three-month-view calendar section or the one-monthview calendar section to select it. The selected date is highlighted, showing up in both calendar views. 3 Calendar days in red Each calendar day can display any number of events, like holidays, activities, birthdays, or field trips. When a day contains an event, the date appears in red. Up to two events can display on each calendar day. 4 Calendar days with multiple events When a day contains more events than can be displayed on the calendar page, a small graphic displays, indicating that there is more to view. Changing and removing information To change or remove information, either double-click the day or rightclick the day. You may change the day from a school day to a non-school day (or vice versa) or clear any student events that are currently scheduled for the day you selected. School events, set by the school administrator, cannot be changed. 5 one-month view This section offers you a one-month view of dates in your school term. Use the scroll bar to the right to scroll to view previous or future months. 6 Present and future months The smaller calendars to the left of the larger calendar allow you to view any three consecutive months of a school term. Click the left-facing arrow to see previous months or the right-facing arrow to see future months. Skipping to other months To quickly skip to another month, click (and hold) the month s name in one of the other smaller calendars. A small menu appears. Scroll down and/or click the month you want to view. The two smaller calendars change (the calendar you clicked displays the month you selected and the other calendar displays either the previous or next month). The larger calendar remains the same. 7 exclude This button allows you to exclude a range of dates from the calendar, determining those dates to be non-school days. 8 Reset This button resets the calendar for that term. SOS gives you the opportunity to cancel this action in the event you do not want to reset all the schooldays in that term. 9 Save Click this button to save any changes you have made on the screen. 10 Cancel Click this button to cancel any changes you have not already saved. School Days vs. Non-School Days The following holidays are generally considered to be non-school days: Labor Day First Monday in September Columbus Day Second Monday in October Veterans Day November 11 Thanksgiving Fourth Thursday in November Friday after Thanksgiving Two weeks prior to January 2 for Christmas, New Year s Martin Luther King Day Third Monday in January Washington s Birthday/President s Day Third Monday in February Monday through Friday before Easter Memorial Day Last Monday in May 253

50 Changing School Days to Non-School Days via The Right-Click Method To change school days to non-school days (or vice versa) using the right click method: Click Lesson Book on your Home screen. A blank Assignments screen displays. Click the Lesson Plan tab. A Lesson Plan screen displays. Using the Select Student drop-down menu, select the student whose lesson plan you are in interested in seeing. Notice that all of the buttons on the bottom are now active and the student s lesson plan is displayed. Click Calendar. The Edit Student Calendar screen displays. Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: Step 9: Right-click the day you want to change. A small menu displays (shown at right): Click Schoolday and the day you have selected will change from a school day to a non-school day (or vice versa). Click Schoolday again to toggle back. Click the X in the upper right corner to close the Edit Student Calendar window. Changing School Days to Non-School Days via the Double-click Method To change school days to non-school days (or vice versa) using the double-click method: Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: 254 Click Lesson Book on your Home screen. A blank Assignments screen displays. Click the Lesson Plan tab. A Lesson Plan screen displays. Using the Select Student drop-down menu, select the student whose lesson plan you are in interested in seeing. Notice that all of the buttons on the bottom are now active and the student s lesson plan is displayed. Click Calendar. The Edit Student Calendar screen displays (as shown above). Double-click the day you want to change. The Edit Day window displays. Click the textbox next to School Day to either check or uncheck the School Day textbox. Checking indicates you want this day as a school day; removing the checkmark means you want to switch this day to a non-school day. Click the X in the upper right corner (above the School Day checkbox) to close the Edit Day window.

51 Step 8: Step 9: Click Save to save your changes. Click the X in the upper right corner to close the Edit Student Calendar window. Changing a Series of Days from School Days to Non-School Days (or Vice Versa) Follow this shortcut to easily set a series of days to be either school or non-school days: Step 5: Step 6: Click Lesson Book on your Home screen. A blank Assignments screen displays. Click the Lesson Plan tab. A Lesson Plan screen displays. Using the Select Student drop-down menu, select the student whose lesson plan you are in interested in seeing. Notice that all of the buttons on the bottom are now active and the student s lesson plan is displayed. Click Calendar. The Edit Student Calendar screen displays. Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and use your mouse to click each of the days you want to edit, one by one. This highlights and selects all the days you have clicked. Right-click over one of these days that you selected, and you see two available options displayed in a small Edit Day menu: Schoolday and Clear Events. All selected days must be either all school days or all non-school days for the Schoolday menu to be active. If the selected days are a mix of school days and non-school days, only the Clear Events option is active. Step 7: Click Schoolday and one of two things will happen: any selected school days become grayed-out, turning into non-school days any selected non-school days become white, turning into school days Step 8: Click Save at the bottom of the screen to save any changes. Excluding a Range of Days from a School Term Follow this shortcut to easily set a series of days to be either school or non-school days: Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: Click Lesson Book on your Home screen. A blank Assignments screen displays. Click the Lesson Plan tab. A Lesson Plan screen displays. Using the Select Student drop-down menu, select the student whose lesson plan you are in interested in seeing. Notice that all of the buttons on the bottom are now active and the student s lesson plan is displayed. Click Calendar. The Edit Student Calendar screen displays. Click Exclude. The Exclude Days window appears. Enter the first and last days of the range of dates you want to exclude, beginning with the End Date. You can either manually type in the dates or use the small calendars next to the Start Date and End Date. The dates you select immediately become non-school days in your calendar. Check specific days of the week during that range if you want to get even more specific. If you want every day of the week between your start and end date to be excluded as a school day, then leave all of the days of the week checked. But if you want certain days between your start and end date to still be included as school days, uncheck those days of the week. Click Ok if you are satisfied with the range of dates you have set. You are automatically returned to the term s calendar screen where you see all of your changes applied. 255

52 Resetting the Student Calendar Follow the steps below to reset the student calendar back to its original settings: Click any day in the calendar. Click Reset. The Reset Calendar pop-up box displays (shown below) asking if you are sure you want to reset your calendar. Click No if you have decided against resetting your calendar. If you click No, nothing changes. Click Yes to proceed. The calendar is reset to the school calendar for that term. The Day Detail Window Even though SOS DL Parent does not allow parents to assign curriculum, you can change the student s assignment due dates and move a specific day s assignments using either Move Up or Move Down. Changing due dates and assignment sequence is done via the Day Detail window. Getting to the Day Detail Window To get to the Day Detail window, follow the steps below: Click Lesson Book on your Home screen. A blank Assignments screen displays. Click the Lesson Plan tab. A Lesson Plan screen displays. Using the Select Student drop-down menu, select the student whose calendar you wish to access. On any of the calendars you see, double-click the date containing the assignment that needs revising. The Day Detail window opens. Below is a graphic of the Day Detail window and a short description of each section

53 1 Date The date centered across the top of the box tells you the day you have selected. Click the arrows on either side of it to view previous (left side) or future (right side) days. 2 Assignment information The assignments for the day display beneath the date and subject headers. This area gives you specific information about a student s assignments, including grades the student has received on any already-completed assignments. Click any assignment title to be taken into that assignment. 3 move Up and Move Down Move Up and Move Down changes the sequence of assignments in the same unit on the same day. 4 Change Duedate Change Due Date allows you to change the start or end date for any assignment in the day. You may either manually type in a new date or use the tiny calendars to select the date you want. Use any of these buttons and features on the Day Detail window to make changes to the student s day. The changes are automatically applied in the student calendar. Changing an Assignment s Due Dates There are many different reasons why an assignment s due date needs to be changed. Follow the steps below to change a due date using the Day Detail window: Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: Step 9: Click Lesson Book on your Home screen. A blank Assignments screen displays. Click the Lesson Plan tab. A Lesson Plan screen displays. Using the Select Student drop-down menu, select the student whose lesson plan you are in interested in seeing. On any of the calendars you see, double-click the date containing the assignment with the due date you want to change. The Day Detail window opens. (See previous page.) Click the assignment that you want to change. This highlights the assignment. Click Change Due Date to change the due date of that assignment. The Change Dates pop-up box appears. Either type in a new start and end date for the assignment or use the tiny calendars to select the dates you want. Click Save to confirm your changes. Your changes are automatically applied. Messages This section shows what is available to you from the Messages button from your Home screen. You can view or print messages sent in your student s inbox. You can also view or print messages your student has sent to their teachers. Click Lesson Book on your Home screen. Select the student whose inbox you wish to access, using the dropdown menu. The student Inbox is displayed. If you want to view messages sent by your student, click the Sent Items tab on the Inbox screen. Click Print at the bottom of either screen to print the message being viewed. Your computer s Print window opens. Continue as usual. 257

54 Resource Center This section shows you how to: Find specific information and descriptions about each element listed in the Periodic Table Interpret the individual boxes that make up the Periodic Table Find a specific element in the Periodic Table Use the calculator Use the dictionary The Switched-On Schoolhouse 2008 School Edition (SOS) Resource Center can be a popular hang-out for students and DL Parents. Forgot the atomic number of your favorite element? Check out the detailed Periodic Table of Elements. Want to add up how many days are left until summer? Quickly crunch some numbers using the calculator. Need to know a synonym for gather? When you click the Resource Center button on your Home screen, three resource options appear in a menu off to the right, including: an interactive Periodic Table a calculator a distionary Getting to the Resource Center Screens To get to the Resource Center screens, follow the steps below: Click Resource Center on your Home screen. Choose the resource you want from the small window that appears Periodic Table The Periodic Table allows students to learn about the Periodic Table of Elements. Although this may only need to be used for Science, learning about the history of each of the elements can be interesting reading as well. Notice as you click around, that this resource is made up of four major screens, with each one linked to another in order to make navigating around easy for you. The four major screens that will teach you more about the Periodic Table of Elements include: Periodic Table of Elements Features an interactive Periodic Table of Elements. Because it is the first screen that pops up, think of it as the Home screen of the Periodic Table. Element Description Gives you specific information about any individual element that you click on. Learn about an element s use and properties, as well as how it was discovered. Key to Reading Element Cells Shows you a diagram that illustrates how to interpret a typical cell in the Periodic Table. You will be able to easily read about the different parts of a cell and find out what they mean. (Note: A cell is an individual box containing an element on the Periodic Table. ) Table of Element Names Lists all the elements in order of atomic number. 258

55 Periodic Table of Elements Screen The Periodic Table of Elements screen features an interactive Periodic Table of Elements. Below is a picture of the main Periodic Table of Elements screen and a short description of its features element cells The elements and their atomic numbers are listed in individual element boxes. Click any element cell to view specific details about it on the Element Description screen. 2 Key to Reading Element Cells Click this to find out how to use the Periodic Table. 3 table of Element Names Click this for a list of elements in order of atomic number. 4 Sizing buttons In the upper right corner of your screen, there are three sizing buttons. Click the Minimize button (the button on the left) to hide the Periodic Table window you currently have open. Click the Full Screen button (the middle button) to expand the Periodic Table window you are working with. Click the Close button (the last button or the X) to close the window when you are finished using the Periodic Table. Element Description Screen The Element Description screen gives you specific information about any element on the Periodic Table. Below is a picture of the main Element Description screen and a short description of its features. 1 top right paragraph Gives you interesting information about how an element was discovered, who discovered it, and what it looks like. 2 Bottom left paragraph Usually offers details about how an 1 element is commonly used. 3 At-a-Glance chart Gives you details about the element, including 4 the element s symbol, atomic number, and atomic weight. 4 element cell In the upper left corner is a picture that shows how 3 2 the element is represented on the actual Periodic Table. 5 Key to Reading Element Cells Takes you to the screen that tells you how to use the chart Back to Periodic Table of Elements Click to return to the main Periodic Table of Elements screen. 7 table of Element Names Click to see a list of elements in atomic order. 259

56 Key to Reading Element Cells Screen The Key to Reading Element Cells screen tells you what the different numbers and abbreviations in element cells mean. To the right is a picture of the Key to Reading Element Cells screen and a short description of its features. 1 table of Element Names Click this to see a list of element names in order of atomic number. 2 Back to Periodic Table of Elements Click this to return to the main Periodic Table of Elements screen. 3 Credits Click this to see who developed the Periodic Table resource Table of Element Names Screen The Table of Element Names screen is a handy list of elements by full name, in order of atomic number. Below is a picture of the Table of Element Names screen and a short description of its features element name Click any of the individual element names to learn more about the element. 2 Key to Reading Element Cells Click this to learn how to interpret the different numbers and abbreviations in element cells. 3 Back to Periodic Table of Elements Click this to return to the main Periodic Table of Elements screen. 260

57 Calculator Everything adds up just right with the calculator tool. You can add, subtract, multiply, and divide both positive and negative numbers. 1 Backspace button Click this to erase one digit at a time. 2 C button Clears all the numbers on the display. 3 +/- button at bottom of calculator Click once to create a negative number. Click it again for a positive number. 4 Calculator buttons Click the appropriate buttons to calculate what you need. Dictionary From the Resource Center, click Dictionary to open a blank screen similar to the one below. Type the word for which you want a definition, or other information in the Enter word to lookup: window. Click Lookup to search for the definition. Look for the definition(s) and other relevant information about the word in the main window. You can use the three buttons in the upper right hand corner to manage the screen size. Looking Up a Word in the Dictionary On your Home screen, click the Resource Center button. Select Dictionary from the small menu that appears. Your SOS Dictionary window opens. Type the word you want to look up in the Enter word to lookup: textbox. Click Lookup. The definition for the word appears in the space below. Using the Periodic Table to Learn about Elements Follow the steps below to use the Periodic Table: Click Resource Center on your Home screen. Select Periodic Table from the Resource Center menu that displays. The Periodic Table window opens. Click element names and links to navigate your way around the Periodic Table screens, using the information you see to learn about different elements. Using the Calculator Follow the steps below to use the calculator: Click Resource Center on your Home screen. Select Calculator from the Resource Center menu that displays. The Calculator window pops up. Click the appropriate buttons or use the buttons on your keyboard to calculate what you need. 261

58 Application This section teaches you how to: Change your password Synchronize to the school s database Install curriculum Check for updates Getting to the Application Screens To get to the Application screens, Click Application on your Home screen. A small menu displays to the right, offering you four options from which to choose: Change Password Changing Your SOS DL Parent Password The Change Password window allows you to change the password you log in with each time you start SOS. For security reasons, the characters you type appear as a series of dots. Because password settings control what both you and your students are permitted to access, it is important to know how the Change Password window works. To change the password used to log into SOS: Click Application on your Home screen. The menu displays to the right with options from which to choose Change Password. The Change Password window displays. (See example below with a short description of each section.) 1 current password Type your current password in the current password field. 2 new password Type your new password in the new password field. 3 verify new password Type your new password a second time in the verify new password field to confirm the new password you just entered. 4 Save Click Save to keep any password changes you have made. 5 Cancel Click Cancel to discard any changes you have not yet saved Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Type your current password in the current password field. Type your new password in the new password field. Type your new password a second time in the verify new password field to confirm the new password you just entered. Click Save to retain your changes. The pop-up window disappears and you are back at your Home screen. The next time you start SOS, you will be required to log in using your new password. Click Cancel if you believe you have made an error or have decided against changing your pass word at this time. 262

59 Synchronize (Not applicable to Remote Access Users) USING SOS DL PARENT SYNCHRONIZATION FOR THE FIRST TIME Before a student can sync to the school s local database, a parent must first set up the sync feature and the student through the SOS DL Parent application, which is discussed in the next section. Follow these steps to use SOS DL Parent Synchronization for the first time: Before beginning the synchronization process, you must first be connected to the Internet. When you login to SOS DL Parent for the first time, the Synchronization Setup window automatically displays: Type the appropriate School Server URL in the blank textbox, if necessary. If you must type in the School Server URL, type in the example above, replacing with the IP address or domain name provided by your school. Step 5: Click Add. A small Add Student pop-up box displays: Type the student s user name and password in the User Name and Password textboxes. Click Ok. Repeat Steps 3 through 5 for any additional students that need to be added. Step 6: Click Synchronize. The Select Term to Synchronize pop-up window displays. Step 7: Select the correct term, using the drop-down arrow if necessary. More than one term may be available in the drop-down box. Contact your school to determine the appropriate term if it was not provided with your student username, password, and school URL. Step 8: Step 9: Click Ok. A Synchronize progress window displays, indicating the synchronization process is underway: Repeat Steps 7 and 8 for any additional students that need to synchronize. Step 10: Step 11: Step 12: Click Close when a box similar to the one below right appears, indicating the synchronization process is complete Click the X in the upper right-hand corner to close the window. Close the Synchronize window. The first time you login, you may see a message advising you your SOS database requires an update. If this happens, simply click OK to continue and then, click OK to confirm the update. FINISHED: Once the synchronization is complete, your student can now use SOS Student Synchronization for schooling and synchronization. 263

60 USING SOS DL PARENT SYNCHRONIZATION Subsequently To use the synchronization feature in SOS DL Parent, you must first be connected to the Internet. Then: : Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: Click Application on your Home screen in SOS DL Parent. Click Synchronize on the menu that appears. Check the box beside the appropriate student(s) for whom you want to synchronize data. Click Synchronize. The Select Term to Synchronize pop-up window displays. Select the correct term, using the drop-down arrow if necessary. More than one term may be available in the drop-down box. Contact your school to determine the appropriate term if it was not provided with your student username, password, and school URL. Click Ok. A Synchronize progress window displays, indicating the synchronization process is underway: Click Close when a box similar to the one below right appears, indicating the synchronization process is complete Click the X in the upper right-hand corner to close the window. Step 9: Close the Synchronize window. Once your students have been added and synchronization has been performed once, the Synchronize Setup window will always display with the student name. If you want to remove students, you can do a reset. RESETTING SYNCHRONIZATION CHOICES IN DL PARENT Resetting previous synchronization choices removes all students and all of their work from the local database and is done in DL Parent. After resetting, a full synchronization must be performed before students will be able to log in to the student application. To reset any previously entered synchronization information and completely clear all of your students and their work: Click Application on your Home screen in SOS DL Parent to display the Application menu. Click Synchronize. The Synchronize window (as shown above top) displays. Click Reset. The warning box to the right displays. Click OK to proceed with clearing all data or click Cancel to stop all actions. Install Curriculum INSTALLING CURRICULUM TO YOUR HARD DRIVE To install curriculum from discs to your hard drive see page 214 for instructions. 264

61 Check for Updates The last option available from the Application button is Check for Updates. SOS automatically checks for application updates every 30 days. To check for updates sooner: Click Application on your Home screen. Select Check for Updates from the menu that appears. When the Check for Updates screen appears, Click Ok to start the process. A list of available updates displays. You may select the ones you wish to download. * Close the notification message box when you are finished. Reports This section teaches you how to view and print a Grade Report for your student(s). The Grade Report is created from fully completed units only. If a student has not submitted all required work in the unit or a teacher has not fully graded all assignments in the unit, it is not included in the Grade Report. To create a grade report that tells what grades your students are receiving in their subjects, units, and assignments: Click Reports on your Home screen. Select Grade Report from the menu that appears.. When the Grade Report window opens (see example on the next page), select a school term from the Terms drop-down menu. The grade report you create lists only subjects, units, and assignments from within this school term. Select Report by Term or Report by Date Ranges. You cannot select Report by Date Ranges unless you selected a full year term in Step 3. If you select Report by Date Ranges, start and end date fields appear below the selection Step 5: Choose one of the three following options, subject only, subject and unit only, or subject, unit, and assignment in the Level of detail options section: 265

62 Step 6: In the Grade display options section, choose one of the three options, show letter grade, show percent grade, or both: Step 7: Click Preview to see a preview of the grade report you have created. Step 8: Click Print to print the grade report. It will print exactly as you have set it up and exactly as it appears on the Preview screen. 266