Tools: SoftChalk

What is SoftChalk?

SoftChalk is a powerful web lesson editor that lets you easily create engaging, interactive web lessons for your e-learning classroom. 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.

With SoftChalk you can....

• Create interactive web pages for your e-learning course. It's easy, quick, and your lessons will look like a professional designer created them.
• Engage your students with lessons that include pop-up text annotations, self-assessment quizzes, and interactive learning games.
• Package your lessons for delivery via CD-ROM, Intranet, Internet, or integrate with your LMS (Learning Management System).
• View the SoftChalk Overview
• Learn about the features of SoftChalk by taking the feature tour

Getting Started with SoftChalk

Master SoftChalk quickly by watching short video tutorials (5 minutes or less!) SoftChalk offers free hands-on, online training. Check out the SoftChalk training calendar and register for online training workshops.

Recommended Online Training Workshops:

SoftChalk Basics

• Overview of SoftChalk (1 hour)
• TextPoppers, Images and Hyperlinks (1 hour)
• Navigation Features and the Sidebar (1 hour)

Register for SoftChalk online workshops

SoftChalk Advanced Features

• Interactive Learning Activities (1 hour)
• Quizzes and SoftChalk Score Tracker (1 hour)

Register for SoftChalk online workshops

Online Help Resources

SoftChalk Support Center

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 Support Center is the place for you.

From the Support Center, you can easily:

• Access the user guide
• Search for information in the FAQs/Knowledge Base
• Subscribe to a specific question to be notified by email if an update is made for the question
• Enter a help request

SoftChalk Ideas

Need ideas? See how other instructors are using SoftChalk.

• View sample lessons
• View SoftChalk Innovators in Online Learning presentations (1 hour each)
• Check out brief SoftChalk Vignettes (5 - 10 minutes)

Durham Tech StyleBuilder Template

Give your lessons a consistent, professional branded look by using the Durham Tech style template. Follow these three easy steps to use the DTCC StyleBuilder template in your SoftChalk lessons:

1. Save: Save the Softchalk-style-DTCC.zip file to your computer by right clicking on the link and choosing Save Link As...
2. Import: Open SoftChalk, go to the Tools menu and choose StyleBuilder, click Import, find the Softchalk-style-DTCC.zip file saved to your computer
3. Add the Template: Open SoftChalk, go to the Properties menu and choose Style Properties, choose the DTCC template

Watch the StyleBuilder video for more help with StyleBuilder.

How Can I Use SoftChalk

Durham Tech has a limited number of licenses available for full-time instructors to use on campus computers. SoftChalk is accessible in two locations on campus: