SCHOOLKIT INTERNATIONAL
User Guide PDpoint
PDpoint User Guide
User Guide for
PDpoint An Online Professional Development Content and Management System
SchoolKiT International 9 Lake Bellevue Drive • Suite 105 Bellevue • WA • 98005 Phone 425.454.3373 • Fax 425.467.0580
T able of Content
CHAPTER 1 I NTRODUCTI ON TO PDPOI NT 1 1 1 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 Introducing PDpoint Using this Guide Accessing the Website Member Login Components of PDpoint The Learning Center Changing Your User Details Changing Your Password Roles Establish a Nickname
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PDPOI NT
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COURSES 7 7 7 8 8 9 10 10 10 11 13 14
About PDpoint Online Courses PDpoint Course Enrollment Enrolling in a PDclass Course To Cancel a PDclass Enrollment Enrolling in a PDnow Course To Resign from a PDnow Course Enrollment Entering an Enrolled PDpoint Course Class Home Learning Elements Interact Closing a PDclass Course Closing a PDnow Course
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DEVELOPMENT Self-Paced Library Accessing the PDplanner Bulletins Academic Credit 15 16 22 23
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ACTI VBOOK
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activBook Reader in Lite Mode activBook Reader in Enterprise Mode About ActivBooks Install activBook Reader Start the activBook Reader Close the activBook Reader Open an activBook from the PDpoint Website Open an activBook on Network Open an activBook by Book Number Navigate Through an activBook Launch Embedded Templates and Files Work with activBooks and Applications Access activBook Project Files PDpoint Online
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About the activBook Desktop Save an activBook to the Desktop (Off-line) Remove an activBook from the Desktop Export activBooks Import activBooks Getting More Help
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Introducing PDpoint
Using this Guide
I C O N K E Y
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PDpoint is a web-based learning management system that provides educators with tools and resources needed to meet the professional development needs of educators.
Important Information Handy tip
Background information
This guide explains how to use the basic features of PDpoint and the activBooks. In most cases, the guide identifies a task that you may want to perform, and then presents a series of steps to be followed.
The icons listed in the table above will help you to identify the types of information being presented. activBook Reader is also supported by two additional documents in the Support Center of PDpoint, 'activBook Reader in Lite Mode' and 'activBook Reader in Enterprise Mode'.
Accessing the PDpoint website
To access the PDpoint Professional Development website: Launch your Internet Browser software. PDpoint will work with Internet Explorer. In the Address text box, type: www.pdpoint.com. Click the Go button. This will display the PDpoint Home Page. Click the Member Login link.
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You will see the PDpoint login screen.
Member Login
To log in to the PDpoint website, you need to have a valid Account Id:, User Id: and Password. To log in: Click in the Account Id: field and type your account Id. Click in the User Id: field and type your username. Click in the Password: field and type your password.
You will be logged in to PDpoint and the Member Home page will be displayed. can retrieved with the Forgotten your password? Lost passwordsAgencybeAdministrator can also supply your user id and feature. Your
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password or you may email support@pdpoint.com.
Components of PDpoint
The PDpoint system offers many tools and resources to help teachers manage their own Professional Development. The following provides a brief description of each of the major PDpoint components: The Learning Center The Learning Center provides access to professional development learning resources and tools. Here you can register for and take online courses, use the PDplanner, download activBook Professional Development modules and much more. If you need help or support when using PDpoint, use the Support Center as your first port of call. The Documentation link will provide a selection of resources about PDpoint and activBook Reader. activBook Reader can be downloaded from the Support Center.
Support Center
in as an you will see extra If you are loggedand SystemAdministrator, use of these tools istools such as Agency Admin Admin. The explained in the 'PDpoint Administrator Guide'. The Learning Center On entering PDpoint, you are taken immediately to your own personal Learning Center 'desktop'. From the Desktop you are just one click away from the other components within PDpoint. The following provides a brief description of each of the Learning Center components: Desktop The Desktop provides easy access to On-demand and Instructor-led courses for which you are enrolled, new bulletins from your administrators, and other current information. The Course Enrollment page allows you to decide to enroll in either PDnow courses that are offered On-demand, or PDclass courses which are Instructor lead courses. The Self-Paced Library provides access to our activBook Professional Development modules. You can download and use these modules at any time. Please note that you must have activBook Reader installed in order to use these modules. activBook Reader may be downloaded from the
Course Enrollment
Self-Paced Library
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Support Center. Reference Library The Reference Library is a database collection of professional development references, such as books, articles and websites that can be used to support your learning. The PDplanner enables you to establish professional development goals, document goal completion, request feedback from your peers, and create your own library of professional development links (resources). Bulletins offer Administrators a tool for communicating information to users pertaining to professional development within your organization. The Academic Credit page will keep you informed of the options you have in receiving credit for completed PDclass courses.
PDplanner
Bulletins
Academic Credit
Changing Your User Details
The Agency or System Administrator enters user Profile information when they establish the user Login details. To change your details: From the Learning Center Desktop in the User Profile: section, click the Profile link.
This will display your user profile with your current details. Modify details as required. You may choose to have email sent in HTML or plain text format.
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If you want others to be able to see your details from a PDclass course Study Group page, including the ability to email you, select the Yes, option.
Click the Update button to update your details.
Changing Your Password
Your password may be changed to something that is meaningful for you. It is recommended that you include a numeral or non-alphabetical character in your password. To change your password: From the Desktop in the User Profile: section, click the Password link.
In the New Password: field, type the new password you want to use. In the Confirm Password: field, type the new password again. Click the Submit button.
Roles
This is a 'read only' page that will identify your role as a Standard User, an Administrator or a System Administrator. The role reflects the level of access to the PDpoint system. The User Roles Profile page is also useful for identifying who the system and agency administrator is for your account.
Establish a Nickname
If you wish to simplify the login process you may establish a Nickname and eliminate the need to enter an Account Id and User Id. From the Desktop in the User Profile: section, click the Nickname link.
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In the New Nickname: field, type the Nickname you want to use. Click the Submit button.
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PDpoint Online Courses
How to enroll and navigate through PDpoint online courses
Chapter
About PDpoint Online Courses
PDpoint offers two different ways to take online courses. PDnow provides immediate access to many courses on-demand. PDclass offers courses based upon a calendar schedule with specific dates listed for facilitation by an instructor.
PDpoint Course Enrollment
From the Learning Center, click the Course Enrollment link.
Enrolling in a PDclass Course
Click the Go button in the PDclass description.
This will take you to the PDclass Instructor-led Class Schedule.
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To read a description of the class, click the Info question mark icon for the desired class.
To enroll in a class, click the Enroll Me button. You may enroll in a class only if the Status is 'Open'.
Verify the class details on the confirmation page and click the Enroll Me button. You may view your PDclass course registrations from your Desktop.
To Cancel a PDclass Course Enrollment
While a PDclass course is still Pending, it is possible to cancel your enrollment. To do this: From the Desktop, locate the enrolled PDclass. Click the I wish to cancel my enrollment in this class action icon.
class has started, Once ayour enrollment. you will be asked to resign from a class rather than cancel Enrolling in a PDnow Course Click the Go button in the PDnow description.
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This will take you to the PDnow On-demand Courses page.
The Info question mark provides a brief synopsis of the course.
To enroll in a class, click the Enroll Me button.
You may view your PDnow course registrations from your Desktop.
To Resign from a PDnow course enrollment
You may choose to either resign or complete (close) a PDnow course.
To complete a PDnow course see - Close a PDnow course.
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From the Desktop, click the Close class action icon. In the On-demand Course Completion page indicate that you wish to resign from the course then proceed to Resignation Details section. Unlike your completed course information, course registrations are not recorded in your PDplanner. Click the Submit button.
Entering an Enrolled PDpoint Course
Once you have enrolled in a PDnow or PDclass course, the name of the course and the icon to enter the course will appear on your Desktop. To enter an enrolled course: From your desktop under the Current Classes: section, click the Enter icon to the left of the course name.
The course will open to the Class Home window. There are three section tabs in a PDclass course: Class Home, Learning Elements and Interact. PDnow courses do not have an Interact tab as it is not needed.
Class Home
This page offers some important notes for you to review prior to starting either the PDclass or PDnow course. PDclass course messages from the instructor will be found here.
Learning Elements
As you progress through the Learning Elements you have the option of marking each section as Complete or Incomplete using the Flag icon. You may choose to disregard this option and simply mark the whole course as complete at the very end from the Complete page. The Information button provides details pertaining to the course such as, course discipline, synopsis, course developer, and skill level.
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Journal entries of your thoughts, comments and queries may be made by selecting the PDplanner Journal icon that is present on each Learning Element Page. Journal entries may also be made via the PDplanner. See Using the Journal.
Introduction
The Introduction explains the key learning elements within the course, what the course objectives are and how to apply the new skills in the classroom. The presentation is presented in a multi-media format and should start automatically as you enter the page. At the start of each topic the key points and/or diagrams are displayed. An index is available in the Presentation window where you can click on a heading to replay a topic. Practice modules are provided as an example of how to apply what was learnt in the Presentation section. activBook Reader needs to be installed prior to downloading a learning module. See the chapter activBook Basics for how to install activBook Reader. all be PDclass coursestherequire Boxcompleted worktab. submitted to the course instructor using Drop in the Interact Ideas and questions are provided for you to consider as you reflect on the learning focused within the workshop. The Journal is a good resource to document your reflection. Once you have finished the course, check the course completed check box and then click the Submit button. The course window will close automatically.
Presentation
Practice
Reflect
Complete
Interact
As you progress through a PDclass course there are several communication options available for instructor and/or participant interaction. They are as follows:
Chat Room
The Chat Room is a 'real-time' means of communication that may be used when other course participants are logged in at the same time. To chat with other participants: In your chosen PDclass course, select the Interact tab.
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Click the Chat Room link.
A message will appear informing you that the 'Flash-based Chatroom is loading. Click OK to open.' Click the OK button. The Chat window will open and will show you that you have arrived at the chatroom. All course participants are listed in the right panel of the window. Select the person you wish to chat with by clicking on their name, enter your message in the message box and then click the OK button. Your messages to each other are recorded in the left panel of the Chat window.
To print a chat transcript: Click on the Transcript button and proceed to print from the Browser.
Forum
The Forum is a threaded discussion board where participants can post and reply to messages. To post a new thread: In your chosen PDclass course, select the Interact tab. Click the Forum link. Click on the Create new thread icon to post a message. In the Title: text entry box, enter a title for the message. In the Message: text entry box, enter the text for your message. Click the Create Thread button to post the message.
The most recent messages will always appear at the top of the Class Forum window. To read and reply to a thread: Single click on a message title to read a thread. Click on the Reply to this thread icon. You may choose to reply directly to the author by email by clicking on the Email the author icon unless the user has chosen not to disclose their email address.
To modify a thread: A message may be modified or deleted by the author up until an additional reply has been added to the thread. Click on the Modify this post or Remove this post button.
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Drop Box
The Drop Box is used to send completed course documents to the instructor for evaluation. To send a document: In the PDclass course, select the Interact tab. Click the Drop Box link. Click the Browse button to select a file from your computer. In the Document Description: section, provide a description of the activity and other details you wish to share with the instructor. An instructor may choose to send a reply. This may be viewed in your PDclass course Messages from your Instructor: section found within the Class Home page.
Study Group
The Study Group window provides information regarding names of your instructor and other course participants. You may contact your instructor or another participant by clicking on the Send email to instructor/user icon. Email addresses for course participants will also be available if they have chosen to reveal this information. See Changing your user Profile.
Closing a PDclass Course
Once you have been awarded your certificate you can close the course from your Desktop. At this point the course Stage will be Closed and the certificate will show as being Awarded or Awarded & Issued.
From your Desktop under the Current Classes: section, click the Complete evaluation and close class icon for the course you wish to complete. Complete the Course Evaluation section. Click the Submit button.
Notice that the course no longer appears on your Desktop. A record of this course completion is now stored in the PDplanner. See - Completed Classes. awarded for PDclass A certificate of completion isissued. This process courses only. A certificate is first awarded and then will be flagged on your
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PDpoint Desktop. See also - Your Certificates.
Closing a PDnow Course
Once a PDnow course has been completed you can close the course from the Desktop. From your Desktop under the Current Classes: section, click the Close class (resign or complete) action icon for the course you wish to complete. In the On-demand Course Completion page indicate that you wish to complete the course and then proceed to the Course Evaluation section. Completed PDnow courses are recorded in the PDplanner. Click the Submit button.
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Managing Your Professional Development
Additional Professional Development Tools & Resources
Chapter
Self-Paced Library
The 'Self-Paced Library' provides additional resources for your professional development. The library provides three different types of learning modules:
10 Minute Lessons
10 Minute Lessons focus on presenting new skills in a short amount of time within the context of a curriculum application. Curriculum Integration modules present more involved technology integration principles, weaving together new technology skills and curriculum concepts. Getting Started is a series of learning modules that provide the help and guidance with the basic skills of new software. To review the Self-Paced Library: From the Learning Center, click the Self-Paced Library link. The three different categories will be displayed in folders. Select a desired folder and click through the sub-folder system until the learning modules are displayed.
Curriculum Integration Getting Started
Each activBook module name is a hyperlink to a more in-depth synopsis of the activity and the download links for the application version.
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be to host and manage activBook Reader mustwell installed course activBooks forthe Self-Paced Library activbooks as as the PDnow and PDclass. Accessing the PDplanner The PDplanner has been designed to help you plan, implement and manage your own professional learning. In this way you are building a portfolio that may be used to demonstrate your own learning and growth in collaboration with peers or administrators. To access the PDplanner: From the Learning Center, click the PDplanner link.
This will display your PDplanner home page.
PDplanner Components
The following provides a brief description of each of the PDplanner components:
PDplanner Summary Page Goal Manager
The Summary Page provides background information about you as an educator, shows current goals, identified links and completed PDpoint courses. The Goal Manager allows you to identify, plan and communicate learning goals that you would like to achieve in your professional development experiences. You will be able to select timeframes, learning models and resources for how you plan to meet each individual goal.
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Links Manager
The Links Manager allows you to create your own personal list of website links that you use in furthering your work as an educator and learner. The Journal can be used to document progress and completion of professional development goals. You will find a link in all online courses to your journal. The PDplanner will record and document a list of completed PDnow and PDclass courses. All certificates awarded through successful completion of all PDclass courses will be recorded and stored for your convenience.
Adding Your Background
Your Journal
Completed Classes Your Certificates
You can add your own background information about yourself and your teaching career. To create a Background introduction: In the PDplanner Icon Toolbar, click the Edit your background icon.
In the Background: text box, type your background information.
If you have an image of yourself saved as a GIF image (recommended size approx. 180x240 pixels), you can upload this to be included with your background. To upload the image: In the Display Image: section, select Yes. In the Image Position: section, select Left to left align the image, or Right to right align the image. Click Browse… and navigate to the image file you want to upload.
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Click Open. Click the Update button to record the changes made to your Background.
Adding a Goal
One of the primary functions of the PDplanner is to enable you to add and manage your own professional development goals. Goals are added and updated in the Goals Manager page. To add a goal: From the PDplanner Icon toolbar, click the Goals Manager link. This will display the PDplanner: Goal Manager page. Click the Add Goal button. From the PDplanner: Add Goal - Select Description page, select a goal description by clicking on the add goal icon to the left of the goal.
From the Model: drop-down list, choose the professional development model that is most appropriate to achieve this goal. In the Stage: section, select what stage you are at for this goal. I.e. if you are still formulating a goal then you would select 'Developing Plan'. While you are in the process of achieving your goal you would return to this page and select 'Implementing'. Finally, when your goal has been realized you select the 'Completed' option and enter the date this was accomplished. From the Timeframe: drop-down list, choose the period within which you hope to realize your goal. Include suitable Started: and Target Finish: dates.
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In the Extended Description: text box, include specific indicators to narrow the focus of the goal for specific learning. Click the Add button.
Linking Goal Resources
In order for you to achieve a goal you will need to identify, locate and use resources. These might be books, people, websites, software, and many other items. To help you plan and complete a goal, the PDplanner allows you to record goal resources that will be used, or have been used, against a goal. This provides a useful reference for that goal. To link a resource: From the Goals Manager page, click the Edit Goal Resources icon for the goal you are working on. This will display the Goal Resources page. Click the New Item button in the Goal Resource Items section. This will display the Add New Resource Item page. In the Name: text box, type a suitable name for the resource e.g. Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST). In the Description: text box, type a description of the resource. E.g. This site includes an annotated list of software able to accommodate different learning styles, information about learning resources, plus effective teaching strategies that accommodate the needs of a wide range of learners. If the resource is available via a link to a website, in the Link: text box, type the appropriate URL for the resource e.g. http://www.cast.org.
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You can also choose to add Resource Items from either the Self-Paced Library or from the Reference library. Click the appropriate library link to open the library.
Click the Add button.
Posting a Request
If you wish to have others comment and reflect on one of your Goals, you can post a request. Posting a request will send an email message to that person, with a small message you have added and a link to open the goal and provide feedback. This is a great way to get peer review, work with critical friends, and find extra resources. To post a request: From the Goals Manager page, click the Requests & Feedback icon for the goal you are working on. Click the New Request button in the Goal Feedback Items section.
In the Email To: fields enter up to 5 email addresses for the people you want to provide feedback.
In the Comments: text box, type any comments you want to go to the person or people who will be providing the feedback. Click the Send button. Recipient replies are recorded in the Goal Feedback Items page.
Attaching Evidence
Supporting documentation may be recorded against your goal as evidence of your learning. This may be almost any information, a conference report, your own feedback, a template you have created, student work and many other items. Evidence can be applied against a goal that is either being implemented or complete.
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To attach evidence to a goal: From the Goals Manager page, click the Evidence icon for the goal you are working on. This will display the Goal Evidence page. Click the New Item button in the Goal Evidence Items section. In the Evidence: text box, type (or copy and paste) any supporting text. This may be a report, description or any other text. If you wish to add a link to a file stored on a school or public server, in the URL: field, type the URL for the file or page. Use the Effective Date: drop-down list box to add a different effective date. Click the Add button.
Adding Links
You can record and save common or favorite Professional Development links in your PDplanner. To add a link: From the PDplanner Icon toolbar, click the Links Manager link. This will display the PDpoint: Professional Development Links page. Click the Add New Link link. In the Name: text box, type a suitable display name for the link. In the URL: text box, type the URL for the link.
In the Notes: text box, type any notes you want associated with this link.
Using the Journal
The Journal provides an easy way for you to record your own reflections, notes and ideas. These are stored as a web page that can be printed. Journal entries may be made from two different areas of PDpoint: Via the PDplanner or as you progress through the Learning Elements of a PDnow or PDclass course. See - Learning Elements To add a Journal entry: From the PDplanner: Summary View page, click the Your Journal icon. This will display the PDplanner: Journal page. Click the New Entry button. In the Entry: text box, type your journal entry. Click the Add button to add the entry.
If you wish to print your Journal:
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From the PDplanner: Journal page, click the Report button. Enter the Start Date: and Finish Date: for the Journal report. Click the Create Report button. From the Report Window, print the report.
Completed Classes
The Completed Classes page provides an up to date record of all courses completed in PDnow and PDclass. To see your completed class list: From the PDplanner: Summary View page, click the Completed Classes icon. This will display the PDplanner: All Completed Classes page.
Your Certificates
All certificates of completion for PDclass courses are recorded and stored within the PDplanner. To see your complete certificate list and document links: From the PDplanner: Summary View, click the Your Certificates icon. This will display the PDplanner: Your Certificates page.
Bulletins
Your PDpoint System and/or Agency Administrator may send out messages regarding professional development information. These messages will appear on your Desktop below the Unread Bulletins: section.
To read a Bulletin message: Click the View/Hide Bulletin icon to view the bulletin.
To remove the message from your Desktop: Click the Mark as read icon to archive the bulletin.
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To read archived bulletins: From the Learning Center, click the Bulletins link. Provide a range of dates to retrieve past bulletin messages and click the Search button.
Academic Credit
SchoolKiT works with several providers offering continuing education credit for completion of PDclass courses. The Academic Credit link will provide information regarding the various possible offerings for participants. Requests for information regarding any one of the options offered should be sent to ceu@schoolkit.com. It is the responsibility of the PDpoint user to verify with his or her school or district that the credit being applied for is appropriate for any salary or certification advancement. To read about the various credit offerings: From the Learning Center, click the Academic Credit link.
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activBook Basics
How to open activBooks from Web sites, navigate through activBooks, and use their special features
Chapter
activBook Reader in Lite Mode
To use an activBook, you must first have the activBook Reader software installed on your computer. With the activBook Reader operating in 'lite' mode, you can open activBooks from Web sites, and store a small collection of activBooks off-line for easy reference. Using the activBook Reader software in Lite Mode, you can: Open and read activBooks from a Web-based library Temporarily store activBooks on your local computer Open and read activBooks that are stored on your local computer
activBook Reader in Enterprise Mode
The activBook technology makes it easy to access, store, exchange and open activBooks in different settings. In 'enterprise' mode, organizations host a library of activBooks on a network server. Users connected to the network use software called the activBook Reader to access and open activBooks from the server. Usually, the activBook Server is setup by a network administrator and often that person also installs and configures the activBook Reader clients. Using the activBook Reader software in enterprise mode: When you are connected to your organization's network, you can open and read activBooks from its server-based library When you are connected to the Internet, you can open and read activBooks directly from PDpoint. With an activBook open (from a network server or a website), you can temporarily store a copy of that activBook 'off-line' on your local computer
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Without being connected to your organization's network or to the Internet, you can open and read activBooks that you have stored on your local computer If activBooks are to be used on a single stand-alone computer, that computer can act as both the activBook Server and the client. More information about this is provided in the 'activBook Enterprise Setup Guide.'
About activBooks
As their name implies, activBooks are small, interactive e-books. You will find activBooks in all PDpoint workshops and in the Self-Paced Library.
Install activBook Reader
activBook Reader may be installed on your school computer as part of an enterprise server based installation. You may choose to install activBook Reader in Lite Mode for home use. To install activBook Reader from the PDpoint website: 1. Select the Support Center tab. 2. Click the activBook Reader link. 3. Follow the download and install instructions for activBook Reader.
Start the activBook Reader
To start the activBook Reader: 1. From the Start menu, choose All Programs and then activBook Reader
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The activBook Reader Desktop will appear. If the activBook Reader is operating offline from the server installation of activBook Reader, the reader will open to the Desktop view.
Close the activBook Reader
To close the activBook Reader: 1. On the activBook Reader title bar, click the Close icon
Open an activBook from the PDpoint Website
activBooks are available in PDpoint workshops or from the Self-Paced Library. When you locate the activBook, it will be presented to you as a hyperlink. To open the activBook: 1. If the activBook Reader or an activBook is already open, close it. The activBook Reader is purposefully designed so that only one activBook can be open at any one time. This design feature makes opening, running and managing activBooks simpler for most users. It does, however, mean that prior to attempting to open an activBook, you should ensure that you do not have any other activBook or the activBook Reader open.
2. Click the hyperlink corresponding to the name and edition of the activBook that you want to open
The first time you download an activBook, you will be shown a File Download dialog box like this:
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3. Un-check the Always ask before opening this type of file option With the option Always ask before opening this type of file not checked, the next time you open an activBook, you will not see this dialog box. As a security precaution, only download activBooks from trusted sites to which you are subscribed.
4. Click the Open button The activBook will be downloaded and then it will automatically open on your computer.
Usually, activBooks are opened directly from a website and optionally, the Reader Desktop is used to store them off-line. It is possible, however, to download an activBook file (with its .abx extension) and save it to disk.
Open an activBook on a Network
When you are connected to your organization's network, you can open and use the activBooks that are stored on that organization's activBook Server. To open an activBook: 1. Start the activBook Reader If you are connected to your organization's network, the Reader will start in 'Library View,' and you will see one view of one of the available libraries.
1. To select a different library, from the activBook Reader drop-down menu, choose Open Library and then the library of your choice
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2. The current library may have multiple views available. To select a different view of the library, from the activBook Reader drop-down menu, choose Library View and then the view of your choice
3. Use the Explorer-like folders (tree-view) to navigate down to the names of activBooks that are of interest to you
4. Click on a book title to see a short synopsis of that book at the bottom of the Reader When you select a book title the synopsis shown in the lower window of the activBook Reader will show its activBook Number. If you need to access this book on a regular basis, note this Book Number. Using the number you can quickly locate and start the book again.
5. Double click on the book title to open the activBook
Open an activBook by Book Number
Each activBook has a unique Book Number. If you are connected to your organization's network and you know the Book Number of an activBook you want to start: 1. Start the activBook Reader 2. In the text box next to the Open Book: label, enter a Book Number
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3. On the keyboard, press Enter The activBook will be open on your computer.
Navigate Through an activBook
An activBook may contain a contents page and various other pages that include text, graphics and interactive elements. The book contents should guide your use of any elements that need additional explanation. To navigate through an activBook: 1. To go forward a page, on the activBook toolbar click the Forward icon 2. To go back a page, on the activBook toolbar click the Back icon 3. To close the book, on the activBook title bar click the Close icon
Launch Embedded Templates and Files
An activBook may contain additional templates or other files that can be launched from within the book. For example, an activBook about writing business letters could supply one or more Microsoft Word letter templates. In activBooks, such embedded files are usually linked to a button. To launch an embedded file: 1. Click the button within the activBook page The template or other file is usually launched into the application with which it is associated. For example, a Microsoft PowerPoint file is opened in PowerPoint. In some cases, a file may open in a different application than the one that you wish to use to work on the file. For example, a bitmap graphic may launch into Windows Paint, but you may want to manipulate it using Paint Shop Pro. In most cases, using the associated application you can save the file to disk. You can then start your preferred application and use it to open the target file.
Important Macro Security Information Some PDpoint activBooks provide Microsoft Office templates that contain macros; small procedures that automate tasks. Within a PDpoint template, a macro can be very useful; it can make the template more interactive, and can provide a customized learning feature in a form appropriate to the developmental needs of the student. In
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order to function correctly, when you launch a Microsoft Office template that contains macros, the macros must be enabled. Following is general information about launching Microsoft Office templates that contain macros. For more details, contact your technical support staff. Prior to making changes to your security settings, you should discuss the settings with your school administrators. Your technical administrators may be implementing alternative security strategies and settings. The PDpoint templates that contain macros are signed by SchoolKiT.com Inc., the makers of PDpoint. When you see that a macro has been signed by SchoolKiT, you will know that the macro has come from a publisher that you trust. Microsoft Office Security Settings - An appropriate way to use Microsoft Office templates that contain macros is to set your Microsoft Office Security Level to Medium. To do this: a) Start Microsoft Word (or another Microsoft Office application) b) On the Tools menu, choose Options… c) Click the Security tab d) In the Macro security section, click the Macro Security… button e) Click the Security Level tab f) Select Medium
g) Click OK to leave the Security dialog box h) Click OK to leave the Options dialog box i) Close Microsoft Word (or the other Microsoft Office application) Launching a Template with Macros - With the Security Level set to Medium, when you next start a PDpoint template that contains macros, you may be shown this Security Warning dialog box: that identifies SchoolKiT.com Inc. as the publisher. To start the template:
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a) Click the Enable Macros button Check 'Always trust macros from this publisher,' so that SchoolKiT.com Inc. is added to your list of Trusted Publishers. The next time you start a PDpoint template, you will not be shown this Security Warning dialog box..
Work with activBooks and Applications
Often, you may want to use an activBook alongside another application on your computer. For example, you may be reading an activBook and taking notes in Microsoft Word. Or, the book may be showing you, step-by-step, how to format a spreadsheet and you may want to open Microsoft Excel and work alongside the book. Like all applications, an activBook can be temporarily minimized. There are, however, additional features that make activBooks easy to manage alongside other applications. 1. To temporarily hide (roll-up) an activBook, on the activBook toolbar click the Hide page icon
2. To show (roll-down) the activBook, on the activBook toolbar click the Show page icon
With the activBook 'rolled-up,' you can move it out of the way by clicking on its title bar and dragging it to another location. To quickly show the book back at the top right corner of your screen, click the Dock icon.
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Access activBook Project Files
An activBook can contain additional 'Project Files.' For example, an activBook that explains techniques of digital photograph enhancement may be delivered with a series of photograph files that you can access and use as you read the book. activBooks that contain Project Files will usually explain how they are to be used. To access the Project Files in activBook: 1. On the activBook toolbar, click the Tools icon 2. From the Tools menu, choose Project Files
3. In the Project Files dialog box, select the files you want to access and click the Save Selected button
4. Use the Browse for Folder dialog box to navigate to the location where you want to save these files and then click OK At the location you specify, a new folder - labeled with the name of the activBook you are using - will be created. A copy of the Project Files selected will be saved into that folder. 5. To access the saved Project Files, use Windows Explorer or an application to access and open the saved files as you would for any other file
Carefully note where you save the files. An activBook may direct you to save Project Files, and then ask you to access those files sometime later in the book.
PDpoint Online
The activBook Reader drop-down menu will show an additional menu item that links to this website. For example, when using the PDpoint, the Online link shows like this:
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The activBook Reader Desktop
How to manage activBooks off-line using the activBook Desktop
Chapter
About the activBook Desktop
You can store up to twenty activBooks on your local computer (or in a network folder) so that you can use them when you are not connected to the Internet. Local books are stored in the activBook Reader Desktop.
Save an activBook to the Desktop (Off-line)
The following procedure steps through the process of opening an activBook from a website, saving it locally in the activBook Reader Desktop, and then accessing it. 1. While connected to the Internet, open an activBook from a website 2. Click the Tools menu icon
3. From the Tools menu, choose Copy to Reader Desktop
4. Close the activBook 5. Disconnect from the Internet (optional) 6. Start the activBook Reader You will be shown the activBook Reader Desktop. The activBook that you copied to the Desktop will be listed along with other books you have on your Desktop.
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7. In the activBook Reader Desktop, double click on the name of the activBook The activBook will open. This activBook is running from your local computer. You don't need to be connected to the Internet to use this book.
Remove an activBook from the Desktop
1. Start the activBook Reader 2. Right-click on the activBook Reader Desktop 3. From the Desktop pop-up menu, choose Remove from Desktop
4. In the Remove Books from Desktop dialog box, in the Book Title column, check the names of the books you wish to remove
5. Click the Remove button You will be returned to the Desktop. The activBooks you removed will no longer be showing on the Desktop.
Export activBooks
You can open activBooks directly from a Web site, store and use them off-line with the Reader Desktop, and remove them from your computer without ever seeing an actual activBook file itself. It is possible, however, to manually save, copy and open activBook files, and to manually add and remove activBooks to and from the activBook Desktop. For example, another user may provide you with an
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activBook file on disk or via email, or you may download an activBook file from an Internet site and save it onto your computer's hard drive. Provided that you are licensed to use the activBook Reader software and the activBook content in question, you may use your activBook Reader to open the file from the disk, or you can import the file so that the book is available in your activBook Reader Desktop.
While a single activBook can provide you with multiple files (including embedded templates and Project Files), the activBook itself is just one file with the extension *.abx.
To export activBooks from the activBook Reader Desktop: 1. Start the activBook Reader 2. Make sure you have at lease one activBook already stored in your Reader Desktop 3. Right-click on the activBook Reader Desktop 4. From the Desktop pop-up menu, choose Export to Disk
5. In the Export Books to Disk dialog box, click Browse…
6. Use the Browse for Folder dialog box to navigate to the location where you want to save these files and then click OK 7. In the Export Books to Disk dialog box, in the Book Title column, check the names of the books you wish to export 8. Click the Export button You will be returned to the Desktop. Copies of the files for the activBooks selected are in the folder specified.
Import activBooks
To import activBooks into the activBook Reader Desktop:
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1. Start the activBook Reader 2. Right-click on the activBook Reader Desktop 3. From the Desktop pop-up menu, choose Import from Disk
4. In the Import Books from Disk dialog box, use the navigation facilities to locate a folder that contains at least one activBook file
5. In the Book Title column, check the names of the books you wish to import 6. Click the Import button You will be returned to the Desktop. The activBooks you imported will now be showing on the Desktop.
Getting More Help
If you require assistance using PDpoint or addressing technical issues, your first point of contact can be the Support Center in PDpoint. The Support Center offers several documents and tools to assist in your use of PDpoint. For technical issues please use the Diagnostic test found in the Support Center. For additional assistance with suggestions and solutions found from the Diagnostic test, please see your technology support staff and administrators at your school. SchoolKiT works closely with your technicians to provide them with all of the technical support that they require. If you have any problems, please do contact them so that the issue can be resolved quickly for you and for other teachers at your school. If you would like to contact us about a particular activity or about a technical issue regarding the functionality of the activBooks or the activBook Reader, please email support@schoolkit.com.
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