Tools: SoftChalk

What is SoftChalk?

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."

• View the SoftChalk overview
• Take the SoftChalk feature tour

Getting Started with SoftChalk

Get up to speed with SoftChalk quickly by watching short video tutorials (5 minutes or less!) SoftChalk offers free hands-on, online training. Check out the SoftChalk training calendar & 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.View the 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 this short video for more help with StyleBuilder.

Where Can I Use SoftChalk at Durham Tech?

Currently, Durham Tech has a limited number of SoftChalk licenses available for full-time instructors to use on campus (office) computers.

SoftChalk is installed & accessible to all full-time & part-time instructors in two campus locations:

• 325? Phillips (TLC faculty/staff workroom)
• 952 Tech Center (faculty/staff computer training center)