Texas instruments CONNECT-TO-CLASS Reference Guide

Connect-to-Class™ Software
Reference Guide
This guidebook applies to Connect-to-Class™ software version 1.4. To obtain the latest version of the documentation, go to education.ti.com/guides.

Important Information

Texas Instruments makes no warranty, either express or implied, including but not limited to any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, regarding any programs or book materials and makes such materials available solely on an "as-is" basis. In no event shall Texas Instruments be liable to anyone for special, collateral, incidental, or consequential damages in connection with or arising out of the purchase or use of these materials, and the sole and exclusive liability of Texas Instruments, regardless of the form of action, shall not exceed the purchase price of this product. Moreover, Texas Instruments shall not be liable for any claim of any kind whatsoever against the use of these materials by any other party.

License

Please see the complete license installed in C:\Program Files\TI Education\Connect-to-Class.
© 2009, 2010 Texas Instruments Incorporated
Microsoft® and Windows® are trademarks of their owner.
ii
Contents
Important Information................................................................... ii
License............................................................................................. ii
Sample Hardware Setups .......................................................1
Connect-to-Class™ Configuration Requirements......................... 1
Sample Configuration diagrams.................................................... 2
Getting started .......................................................................5
Installing the software .................................................................. 5
Setting up the hardware................................................................ 5
Starting the Connect-to-Class™ software..................................... 5
The Connect-to-Class™ software home screen ............................ 6
Connect-to-Class™ software computer tools ............................... 7
Current Class .................................................................................. 9
Class Record .................................................................................... 9
Classroom tab .............................................................................. 11
Creating and managing your teacher account .......................... 12
Upgrading the software and handheld OS ................................ 14
Managing classes..................................................................25
Creating classes............................................................................. 25
Selecting a class ............................................................................ 28
Beginning and ending class sessions........................................... 29
Logging in to Connect-to-Class™ (student instruction)............. 30
Changing the class view .............................................................. 33
Arranging the seating chart ........................................................ 34
Removing items from the Class Record....................................... 35
Removing classes ......................................................................... 37
Managing student accounts.................................................39
Adding students to classes........................................................... 39
Checking student login status ..................................................... 41
Sorting student information........................................................ 41
Resetting student passwords....................................................... 42
Changing student classes............................................................. 45
Changing student names and identifiers.................................... 47
Moving a student to another class.............................................. 48
Copying a student to another class............................................. 49
Removing a student from a class................................................. 49
Exchanging files with students ...........................................51
Sending files ................................................................................. 51
iii
Connecting handhelds for file transfers......................................51
Sending files (student instruction) .............................................. 56
Managing Unprompted actions...................................................58
Collecting files...............................................................................61
Receiving files (student instruction) ...........................................64
Redistributing files from a collect action....................................66
Deleting files from TI-Nspire™ handhelds ..................................66
Checking the status of file transfers............................................69
Canceling file transfers.................................................................69
Viewing file properties.................................................................70
Using Portfolio...................................................................... 71
Viewing Portfolio..........................................................................71
Saving an item to Portfolio..........................................................72
Sorting information in Portfolio..................................................74
Deleting files from Portfolio........................................................74
Opening a Portfolio item .............................................................75
Redistributing a Portfolio item .................................................... 75
Renaming a Portfolio item...........................................................75
Collecting missing files from students......................................... 76
Sending missing files to students.................................................76
Importing a .tns file into a single cell of Portfolio .....................77
The Transfer Tool................................................................... 79
Opening the Transfer Tool ...........................................................79
Adding files or folders to the transfer list...................................80
Removing files from the transfer list...........................................81
Changing the destination folder ................................................82
Viewing transfer status ................................................................82
Deleting handheld folders and files before transferring files... 83
Stopping file transfers..................................................................84
Closing the Transfer tool..............................................................85
Troubleshooting ................................................................... 87
Error messages ..............................................................................87
Connectivity Issues........................................................................88
Glossary ................................................................................ 89
Terms .............................................................................................89
File types........................................................................................90
Texas Instruments Support and Service............................. 91
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Sample Hardware Setups

Two four-port hubs and two USB extension cables are included with your product. The extension cables allow you to set up the hubs away from
your computer. Using these cables is recommended but not necessary. However, be sure to use only the two four-port hubs provided.
This section shows some sample hardware setups and how you can use the cables to configure your system. The section also describes the minimum configuration requirements for operating Connect-to-Class™ with the TI-Nspire™ handhelds.

Connect-to-Class™ Configuration Requirements

TI-Nspire™ family handhelds (with OS version 1.4 or higher)
A computer with the minimum system requirements (See the Connect-to-Class™ Readme file for system requirements.)
Compatible USB cables (Standard A to Mini B) of appropriate length, used in combination with the two USB extension cables provided with the product
USB cable length between the computer and USB hub or
between the TI-Nspire™ handheld and USB hub should not exceed 16 feet.
USB cables between the TI-Nspire™ handheld and USB hub
should consist of Standard A and Mini B connectors. You can use the USB cable that came with the handheld or any Standard A to Mini B USB cable.
The two four-port USB hubs supplied with the product, connected to a personal computer
Warning: Use only the supplied hubs with Connect-to-Class™. In addition, do not connect any other product or non-TI-Nspire™ device into these hubs.
Please contact TI by e-mail at ti-cares@ti.com for additional hub details.
Sample Hardware Setups 1

Sample Configuration diagrams

4-port, direct connect

USB Extension Cable
Warning: Use only the supplied hubs with Connect-to-Class™. In addition, do not connect any other product or non-TI-Nspire™ device into these hubs.

(2) 4-port, daisy-chained

USB Extension Cables
Warning: Use only the supplied hubs with Connect-to-Class™. In addition, do not connect any other product or non-TI-Nspire™ device into these hubs.
2 Sample Hardware Setups
(2) 4-port, direct connect
USB Extension Cable
USB Extension
Cable
Warning: Use only the supplied hubs with Connect-to-Class™. In addition, do not connect any other product or non-TI-Nspire™ device into these hubs.
Sample Hardware Setups 3
4 Sample Hardware Setups

Getting started

Use Connect-to-Class™ software to transfer files to and from your students:
Transfer documents between your computer or TI-Nspire™ handheld and your students’ TI-Nspire™ handhelds while a class is in session.
Transfer files to connected TI-Nspire™ handhelds outside of a classroom session.
Manage files (arrange collected files by class, delete files from student TI-Nspire™ handhelds)
This section provides basic information about Connect-to-Class™ software and using the software with the student’s TI-Nspire™ handheld.
Installing the software
1. Close any applications that are open.
2. Insert the Connect to Class ROM drive.
The CD should launch automatically. If the CD does not launch, double-click the file named doubleclickme.html on the CD.
3. Click Connect to Class
4. Click Install Connect to Class instructions that appear.
TM
Software CD into your computer’s CD-
TM
Software on the left side of the screen.
TM
Software and follow the

Setting up the hardware

Before you send files to your students, you must connect TI-Nspire™ handhelds to your computer. You can connect multiple handhelds using
TM
one of the supported hub configurations. See Connect-to-Class Configuration Requirements on page 1 to verify that your hub configuration is supported.

Starting the Connect-to-Class™ software

Start the software from your computer’s Start menu or from a desktop shortcut.
Getting started 5

To start Connect-to-Class™ software

f Click
Start > Programs > TI Tools > Connect-to-Class >
Connect-to-Class
Note: If you have not used Connect-to-Class™ software before, a
prompt asks if you want to set up your classroom. You can set up your classroom or continue on to the Connect-to-Class™ software home screen.
.

The Connect-to-Class™ software home screen

The home screen provides the tools and options you need to run the software. Here are the main areas of the home screen, followed by explanations of each labeled part.
À
Á
Â Ã Ä Å
À Current Class
Á Class Record
 Classroom tab
à Tools tab
Ä Portfolio tab
Å View Selector
6 Getting started

Connect-to-Class™ software computer tools

The Connect-to-Class™ software classroom learning system contains tools that you can use to interact with your students from your computer. This section describes the tools, and tells you how to launch them.

The Connect-to-Class™ software computer tools

Send to Class – Lets you send TI-Nspire™ handheld-compatible
files to your students’ handhelds from your handheld or from your computer. You can send files to the whole class, to students who are currently logged in, or to individual students.
Collect from Class – Lets you collect TI-Nspire™ handheld-
compatible files from your students’ handhelds to your computer.
Delete from Class – Lets you delete files from your students’ handhelds. You can delete files from the whole class or from individual students.
Transfer Tool – Lets you transfer document files and Operating System (OS) files to a succession of handhelds, without requiring students to log in.

To launch Connect-to-Class™ software computer tools

1. Click the Too ls tab.
The Tools tab opens.
Getting started 7
2. If the tool you want to launch is inactive, begin the class session.
3. Click the icon of the tool you want to launch.
Note: You can also launch many of these tools from the Too ls menu.
8 Getting started
Current Class
This area lets you select classes you have created, as well as begin and end class sessions for the selected class. Below you can see an example of the Current Class area with its main parts labeled.
À
Class list. A drop-down list where you can select a class from the ones
À
you have created. The Class list is disabled when you have a class session running.
Á Begin/End Class button. Lets you begin or end a class session.
Á

Class Record

The Class Record contains both the current and historical activity for the selected class. The following example shows a Class Record with its main parts labeled.
À Á
Â
Ã
Å
Æ
Ä
Unprompted actions. A folder that contains the files students have
À
sent to you that were not part of a collect action.
Á File transfer. The transfer of files between your computer and your
students’ TI-Nspire™ handhelds. Arrow icons under the Actions column and beside files indicate file transfers.
Getting started 9
Files that have been sent to your class’s TI-Nspire™ handhelds
Files you have received from your class’s TI-Nspire™ handhelds
File transfers remain current until all students receive the file, you stop the transfer, or you end the class session.
 Status. The progress of an action. For example, “23 of 25” indicates
that 23 out of 25 students have received a file.
à File deletion.
This symbol under the Actions column indicates that a file has been deleted from your students’ TI-Nspire™ handhelds.
Ä
Save to Portfolio and Remove from Record buttons. When an item
is selected, these buttons become active.
Save to Portfolio enables you to save items to the Portfolio.
Remove from Record lets you remove selected historic or active
actions from the Class Record. You can remove a single action or multiple actions.
Å Current action. An action (for example, send) that is still active.
Æ Historic action. An action (for example, send) that is inactive.
10 Getting started
Classroom tab
From the Classroom tab, you can view the students in the selected class and add, remove, or edit students. The Classroom tab has two views, the Seating Chart and Student List views. In the Seating Chart view, you can view your students by their display name and an icon. In the Student List view, you can view your students listed in a table with some of their account information. Below you can see an example of the Classroom tab with its main parts labeled.
Note: The example below shows the Classroom tab in Student List view.
À
Á
À Classroom toolbar. Lets you add, edit, and remove students.
Á
Student roster
Seating Chart view - Shows students listed with display names and student icons. In this view, you can arrange your students in the Classroom tab as they are seated in your classroom.
Student List view - Shows students listed in a table with some of their account information. In this view, you can sort students by display name, first name, last name, user name, and student ID.
View selector. Lets you toggle between the Seating Chart and
Â
Student List.
Â
Getting started 11
Creating and managing your teacher account
You can create your teacher account in Teacher Preferences. Your teacher account lets you log in to the Connect-to-Class™ software network from your TI-Nspire™ handheld. After you create your teacher account, you can change your password or your user name at any time.

To create your teacher account

1. If you have a class session running, end it.
2. Click
3. Type a user name.
4. Type a password.
5. Select or deselect the preference for the teacher icon to appear in
6. Click OK.
Tools > Teacher Preferences or click Teacher Preferences .
The
Teacher Preferences dialog opens.
the classroom view.
If you select this preference, the teacher icon will appear in the classroom view, and you will be included as a recipient in Send to Class, Collect from Class, and Delete from Class operations.
12 Getting started

To change the password of your teacher account

1. Make sure you are not logged in to the Connect-to-Class™ software
network on your TI-Nspire™ handheld.
2. Click
Tools > Teacher Preferences or click Teacher Preferences .
The Teacher Preferences dialog opens.
3. Click
Reset.
Connect-to-Class™ software clears the current password.
4. Type a new password.
5. Click
OK.
Getting started 13

To change the user name of your teacher account

1. Make sure you are not logged in to the Connect-to-Class™ software on your TI-Nspire™ handheld.
2. Click
3. Select the current user name, then type a new user name.
4. Click
Tools > Teacher Preferences or click Teacher Preferences .
The Teacher Preferences dialog opens.
OK.

Upgrading the software and handheld OS

From your Help menu, you can perform a number of important tasks and get useful information to help you use the product more productively. You c a n :
Register your product
Check for updates to the software and OS (handheld OS updates are available only in Connect-to-Class and TI-Nspire™ Computer Link software)
Download the latest guidebooks
Visit knowledge sites on the Internet to improve your proficiency with the product
Check the current software version you’re using
Note: Aside from viewing your current software version, you must be
connected to the Internet to perform any of these tasks. You do not need to be connected to the Internet to view your current version of software as shown in the
The images shown in this section are representative of Help menus available. They may vary, depending on the TI-Nspire™ software you use.
About command.
14 Getting started

Registering your product

To register your product:
1. Start the desktop software. Make sure you have access to the Internet.
2. Click
The Internet browser opens, opening the link for registering your software.
Help > Register.

Downloading guidebooks

Downloading your product guidebook can help you:
Find information easily and quickly
Learn how to perform new tasks more easily and efficiently
Improve your proficiency with the TI-Nspire™ applications
Eliminate frustration and the need to keep track of a printed book
To download guidebooks:
1. Start the desktop software. Make sure you have access to the Internet.
2. Click
Help > Download latest Guidebook ...
Getting started 15
The Internet browser opens, opening a web page that will direct you in downloading the latest guidebook.

Accessing knowledge sites on the Internet

Your software contains quick links to the following sites. On these sites, you can find information about how to use TI products as well as lessons, quizzes, and other instructive activities shared by educators.
The TI Education Technology site at http://education.ti.com
The Activities Exchange, a forum where you can browse by subject matter the learning activities shared by educators
The Knowledge Base, an online troubleshooting forum
Visiting the TI Education Technology site
1. Start the desktop software. Make sure you have access to the Internet.
2. Click Help > Visit education.ti.com.
16 Getting started
The Internet browser opens to the Education Technology home page.
Visiting the Activities Exchange
1. Start the desktop software. Make sure you have access to the Internet.
2. Click Help > Visit Activities Exchange.
The Internet browser opens to a web page where you can select a language and country setting. Based on your selection, the Activities Exchange page will open.
Note: Activities may vary depending on the participants of the Activities
Exchange in the language you select.
Exploring Online Troubleshooting
1. Start the desktop software. Make sure you have access to the Internet.
2. Click Help > Explore Online Troubleshooting.
Getting started 17
The Internet browser opens to the home page for the Knowledge Base.

Updating your handheld OS

Preparing to update your handheld OS
Warning: Upgrading the operating system will delete all TI-84 applications and files. Before installing an OS upgrade, you should use TI Connect™ to back up all TI-84 applications and files to a computer. You can copy them back to the handheld when the OS upgrade is complete.
OS upgrade operations do not delete user documents. If there is not enough room on the receiving handheld for the upgrade, the sending handheld is notified. The only time documents can be affected by an OS installation is if the receiving handheld has a corrupted OS. In this situation, documents may be affected by OS restoration. It is a good practice to back up your important documents and folders before installing an updated operating system.
See the important information below concerning batteries before performing an OS upgrade.
Important download information
You should always install new batteries before downloading a software or OS upgrade.
When in OS download mode, the Automatic Power Down™ (APD™) feature does not function. If you leave your handheld in download mode for an extended time before you begin the downloading process, your batteries may become depleted. You will then need to install new batteries before downloading.
Downloading handheld OS updates automatically
Here are some important notes to remember about upgrading your OS:
You must have a TI-Nspire™ Computer Link session active for your system to automatically notify you when a newer OS is available. However, you can use TI-Nspire™ Computer Link or Connect-to­Class™ software to check for OS updates manually.
You cannot check for a newer OS while a class session is running.
If you are connected to the Internet, your system will automatically notify you of any TI-Nspire™ software updates when you connect your handheld to the desktop software.
The automatic check occurs once during any TI-Nspire™ Computer Link™ session when a handheld is first connected. If you disconnect
18 Getting started
the handheld and then reconnect it during the same session, the check is not performed.
If your system is up-to-date, you will receive no notification.
You can turn off this feature if you don’t want to receive notifications automatically.
After the system has checked for an OS update, it displays the following dialog box if a newer version is available:
To install the OS upgrade and manage your upgrade notifications:
1. Check to make sure you’re connected to the Internet.
2. Select the options you want. You can do any combination of the following:
Install the OS
Save a copy of the OS for later installation or for your own use
Change your Automatic Notification setting
3. To turn off automatic notifications, de-select
for updates
.
Automatically check
4. Click Browse if you want to change the location for saving a copy of the OS. Use the file browser to select a new location.
5. Click Continue to save the settings and begin the download.
A progress message box opens to show the download progress.
6. After the download is complete, you will be prompted to proceed with the installation of the OS on your handheld.
Getting started 19
Note: If you receive a connection error, check your Internet connection
and try again.
Downloading handheld OS updates manually
To check for handheld OS updates:
1. Check to make sure you’re connected to the Internet.
2. Connect the handhelds you want to update.
Note: The system can search for only one type of OS at a time; that
is, either a TI-Nspire™ handheld OS or TI-Nspire™ CAS handheld OS. It can search for multiple devices of the same type.
3. Open the TI-Nspire™ Computer Link or Connect-to-Class™ software.
4. If you are already running a Connect-to-Class™ class session, end the session.
5. Select the handheld you want to update.
6. Click
Help > Check for Handheld OS Updates.
The software checks for updates. If the system is up-to-date, the following dialog box displays.
7. Click OK to close the box.
20 Getting started
8. If a new version is available, the following dialog box displays.
9. Select the options you want. You can do any combination of the following:
Install the OS
Save a copy of the OS for later installation or for your own use
Change your Automatic Notification setting
10. To turn off automatic notifications, de-select Automatically check
for updates
.
11. Click Browse if you want to change the location for saving a copy of the OS. Use the file browser to select a new location.
12. Click Continue to save the settings and begin the download.
A progress message box opens to show the download progress.
13. After the download is complete, you will be prompted to proceed with the installation of the OS on your handheld.
Note: If you receive a connection error, check your Internet connection
and try again.
Downloading software updates automatically
Here are some important notes to remember about updating your software:
If you are connected to the Internet and you have automatic notification enabled, your system will notify you of any TI-Nspire™ software updates when you open the desktop software. You can also check for updates manually.
Getting started 21
The automatic check occurs once each time you open the software.
If your system is up-to-date, you will receive no notification.
You can turn off this feature if you don’t want to receive notifications automatically.
After the system has checked for an update, it displays the following dialog box if a newer version is available:
To install the software update and manage your update notifications:
1. Check to make sure you’re connected to the Internet.
2. To turn off automatic notifications for software updates, de-select
Automatically check for updates.
3. Click Update to save the settings and begin the download.
A progress message box opens to show the download progress.
Note: If you receive a connection error, check your Internet connection
and try again.
Downloading software updates manually
To check for software updates:
1. Check to make sure you’re connected to the Internet.
2. Open the TI-Nspire™, TI-Nspire™ Computer Link, or Connect-to­Class™ software.
3. Click
22 Getting started
Help > Check for Software Updates.
The software checks for updates. If the software is up-to-date, the following dialog box displays.
4. Click OK to close the box.
5. If a new version is available, the following dialog box displays.
Getting started 23
6. Click Update to begin the download, or Close to abandon the upgrade.
A progress message box opens to show the download progress.
Note: If you receive a connection error, check your Internet connection
and try again.
24 Getting started

Managing classes

To use Connect-to-Class™ software, you must create a class for each class period that you teach. This section contains the information you need to create and effectively manage your classes.

Creating classes

When you start using Connect-to-Class™ software, one of the first things you should do is create your classes. Make sure you create a class for each of the class periods you plan to teach with the software.

To create classes

1. If you have a class session running, end it.
2. Click
3. Enter a class name.
4. Click
File > Add Class or click Add Class .
The Create a Class dialog opens.
Note: You can use a mix of TI-Nspire™ handhelds and TI-Nspire™ CAS handhelds in the same class.
Add Class.
Managing classes 25
The new class appears in the Create a Class dialog.

Importing students into the class

You can import students into a class when you create it, using a comma­separated value (.csv) file or comma/tab delimited text (.txt) file.
Be sure that the fields in the file you import are structured to correspond with fields in existing class records. For example:
First Name,Last Name,User Name,Password,Display Name,Student ID
James,Jones,Jjones,123,Jjones,555-1212 Cindy,Albert,Cabert,456,Cabert,444-1212
Note: These instructions explain how to add students when you create a
class. You can add students individually to a class at any time after creating it. You can also add students when you create a class by importing them.
1. Click the class to select it.
2. Click
Import Students.
26 Managing classes
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