Difference between revisions of "Tools: SoftChalk"

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''SoftChalk is no longer available or supported at Durham Tech.'' (1/11/2018)
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[[Image:SoftChalk_Logo.jpg|right|http://softchalk.com/]]
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==SoftChalk==
 
==SoftChalk==
  
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===What is SoftChalk?===
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==What is SoftChalk?==
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[[Image:SoftChalk_Logo.jpg|thumb|http://softchalk.com/]] [http://softchalk.com/ SoftChalk] is a powerful, award-winning e-Learning authoring solution that lets you easily create and share engaging, interactive content. If you can use a word processor, you can create interactive learning experiences with SoftChalk. Designed for educators and content experts, SoftChalk allows you to spend your time developing course content, not learning how to use complex software. And, content developed in SoftChalk is portable for use in virtually any learning management system or on any web server. Create. Engage. Share. "If it's not easy, it's not SoftChalk."
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==Getting Started with SoftChalk==
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Get up to speed with SoftChalk quickly by watching short [http://www.softchalk.com/lb_demo3.html video tutorials] provided by SoftChalk(5 minutes or less!)
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SoftChalk offers free hands-on, online training. Check out the SoftChalk [http://softchalk.com/training/ training calendar & register] for online training workshops.
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Sign up for the [http://softchalk.com/about/news/ SoftChalk E-Newsletter] to receive info about upcoming webinars and other news.
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===Recommended workshops:===
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====SoftChalk Basics====
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* Overview of SoftChalk (1 hour)
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* Graphics, Links and TextPoppers (1 hour)
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* Navigation Features and the Sidebar (1 hour)
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[http://softchalk.com/training/ Register for SoftChalk online workshops]
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===Optional workshops:===
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====SoftChalk Advanced Features====
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* Embedded Media (1 hour)
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* Interactive Learning Activities The Presentation Group (1 hour)
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* Interactive Learning Activities The Scoring Group (1 hour)
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[http://softchalk.com/training/ Register for SoftChalk online workshops]
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==Online Help Resources==
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===SoftChalk Support Center===
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Whether you’re looking for a quick way to learn more about SoftChalk or to get the answer to a question you have, SoftChalk’s online [http://support.softchalk.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=15143 Support Center] is the place for you.
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From the [http://support.softchalk.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=15143 Support Center], you can easily:
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* Access [http://support.softchalk.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=15143 User Guides and Learning Management System Integration]
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* Search for information in the FAQs/Knowledge Base
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* Subscribe to a specific question to be notified by email if an update is made for the question
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* Enter a help request
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* Access the [http://support.softchalk.com/FileManagement/Download/f63c73ce33fb45f091657ba93a4d92b0 Student Guide to SoftChalk Lessons] (SoftChalk PDF)
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===SoftChalk Ideas===
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Need ideas or interactive content for your SoftChalk Lessons? Check out these resources to see how instructors are using SoftChalk. Also, search instructional materials that are made available for instructors and/or learners to use for free.
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* View [http://softchalk.com/lb_examples.html sample lessons]
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* [http://softchalk.com/showcase/challenges-winners SoftChalk Lesson Challenge Winners]
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* View SoftChalk [http://www.softchalk.com/lb_archives.html Innovators in Online Learning] presentations (1 hour each)
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* [http://courses.durhamtech.edu/wiki/index.php/Open_Educational_Resources Open Educational Resources]
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==Where Can I Use SoftChalk?==
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===Durham Tech Site License Info===
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Durham Technical Community College owns a site license for SoftChalk that allows the product to be installed on any college-owned computer. Under the terms of the license, full and part-time employees of the college may also install SoftChalk on their home computer(s) for their own use. [http://courses.durhamtech.edu/softchalk/ SoftChalk installation info]
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===On Campus===
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SoftChalk is installed & accessible to all full-time & part-time instructors in two campus locations:
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* 321 Phillips (faculty/staff work center beside the TLC)
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* 952 Tech Center (faculty/staff training center)
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==Durham Tech StyleBuilder Template==
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Give your lessons a consistent, professional branded look by using the Durham Tech style template.[http://courses.durhamtech.edu/wiki/images/4/46/DTCC_template.png View the template]. Follow these three easy steps to use the DTCC StyleBuilder template in your SoftChalk Lessons:
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# '''Save:''' Save the [http://courses.durhamtech.edu/wiki/images/2/2a/Softchalk-style-DTCC.zip Softchalk-style-DTCC.zip] file to your computer by right clicking on the link and choosing Save Link As...
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# '''Import:''' Open SoftChalk, go to the Tools menu and choose StyleBuilder, click Import, find the ''Softchalk-style-DTCC.zip'' file saved to your computer
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# '''Add the Template:''' Open SoftChalk, go to the Properties menu and choose Style Properties, choose the DTCC template
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Watch this short [http://www.softchalk.com/tours/stylebuilder_export_import/stylebuilder_export_import.html video] for more help with StyleBuilder.
  
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With SoftChalk you can....
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==Methods for Publishing SoftChalk Lessons==
  
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* Create interactive web pages for your e-learning course. It's easy, quick, and your lessons will look like a professional designer created them.
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===Publishing SoftChalk Lessons in Sakai Courses===
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* [[Media:PublishingSoftChalkLessonSakai.pdf|Publishing SoftChalk Lessons in Sakai]] (DTCC)
  
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* Engage your students with lessons that include pop-up text annotations, self-assessment quizzes, and interactive learning games.
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==Receiving SoftChalk Lesson Completion Results==
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Instructors can choose options that allow students to Print Certificates of Completion and/or Print Score Summary reports. Instructors can choose Email Completion Results to receive the student scores via email.
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<b>Note:</b> In order to produce completion results, instructors must insert quiz questions or graded activities into lessons
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[http://courses.durhamtech.edu/wiki/images/6/66/CompletionResults.pdf step-by-step handout] ''(instructions written by DTCC)''
  
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* Package your lessons for delivery via CD-ROM, Intranet, Internet, or integrate with your LMS (Learning Management System).
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==How YouTube Videos Can Enhance Your Teaching (from SoftChalk)==
  
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If you can use a word-processing program, you can use SoftChalk. Designed for teachers and content-experts who don't have time to learn complex software, SoftChalk is simple, yet powerful, with only the features you need to create exciting, interactive, content for your online course.
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A recent study hosted by Babson Survey Research Group found that professors consider YouTube the most useful social media tool for both teaching and non-classroom professional use. Nearly a third of respondents said they instructed students to watch online videos as homework, and about 73 percent said they thought YouTube videos were either somewhat or very valuable for classroom use, regardless of whether they use them currently.
  
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===Getting Started===
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This isn't news to most SoftChalk users, as many of you are already utilizing YouTube videos in your lessons. Just in case you're not familiar, it's very easy to integrate YouTube videos directly into your content without leaving your desktop using SoftChalk's Media Search tool. Here's the simple process:
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Get an '''[http://www.explorethelor.org/documentation/NCLOR_Orientation/index.html overview]''' of the NCLOR in this online tutorial.
 
  
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===Online Resources===
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5 Easy Steps to Embed a YouTube Video:
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Learn how to use the NCLOR with online, self-paced, step-by-step '''[http://www.explorethelor.org/training_resources.html training tutorials]'''.
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# In SoftChalk, use the Media Search tool (Tools/Media Search) to search YouTube for a video you want to use.
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# Select a video by clicking the text for the item under the Result column.
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# Click Insert to put the video into your lesson.
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# Click Close to return to your main editing window when you're finished with your searches.
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# When you insert an item from a site such as YouTube a Widget placeholder appears in your main editing window. <P>Note: When you preview the lesson in your browser, your content will be coming from the originating site (e.g. YouTube).
  
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===Adding NCLOR Content to Blackboard Courses===
 
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Learn how to search the NCLOR for content and add to your Blackboard courses:
 
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* Tutorial: '''[http://www.explorethelor.org/documentation/Blackboard_Integration/index.html Blackboard and the NCLOR]'''
 
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* Handout: '''[http://courses.durhamtech.edu/wiki/images/e/e7/Quick_Tips_NCLOR_Bb.pdf Quick Tips for using the NCLOR with Blackboard]
 
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===Technical Support===
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--->
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Having problems with the NCLOR? Report issues encountered while using the NCLOR '''directly to the NCLOR staff''' by completing the '''[http://www.explorethelor.org/contactus.html NCLOR Online Support Form]''' or email at '''[mailto:nclorstaff@gmail.com nclorstaff@gmail.com]'''.
 

Latest revision as of 10:52, 11 January 2018

SoftChalk is no longer available or supported at Durham Tech. (1/11/2018)


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