Texas Instruments TINAVWNA2, TINAVAP3 Users Guide

Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher
Software

The TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ System provides the hardware and software tools
needed to set up a wireless classroom network. In a wireless classroom
environment, the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software enables you to:

• Use Quick Poll to send polls to students, receive student responses, and
review the poll results with students.

• Use Screen Capture to capture screens from student handhelds or
computers automatically, or at specific time intervals.

• Use Live Presenter to display work as it is being performed on your
handheld screen, or on a student handheld screen.

• Use the Review Workspace to collect and review student assignments,
watch results in real time as students answer questions, and analyze data
for the entire class or for individual students.

About the Hardware

Depending on classroom requirements, your TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ System
may include the following hardware, which is used to create a wireless
communications network so that your computer can communicate with student
handhelds:

Hardware

Name

TI-Nspire™
Wireless
Network
Adapter

TI-Nspire™ CX
Wireless
Network
Adapter –

DRAFT

v2

Image Use

Attaches to the TI-Nspire™ CX
and TI-Nspire™ CXCAS
handhelds to enable wireless
communication over a 2.4GHz
band.

Attaches to the TI-Nspire™ CX
and TI-Nspire™ CXCAS
handhelds to enable wireless
communication over a 2.4GHz or
5GHz band.

Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software 1

Hardware

DRAFT

Name

TI-Nspire™
Navigator™
wireless cradle

Image Use

Attaches to all TI-Nspire™ CX
and TI-Nspire™ handhelds to
enable wireless communication
over a 2.4GHz band.

TI-Nspire™
Navigator™
access point

TI-Nspire™ CX
Navigator™
access point

2 Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software

Connects to the teacher
computer to provide a 2.4GHz
wireless communication link.

Connects to the teacher
computer to provide either a

2.4GHz or 5GHz wireless
communication link.

Before You Begin

DRAFT

When you launch a new version of the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher
Software for the first time, the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ System Startup wizard
opens and guides you through the automated process to set up your wireless
classroom. Before you begin the wireless set up process:

• Make sure you have installed and activated the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™
Teacher Software on your computer.

• If you are using TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ wireless cradles, make sure each

cradle is charged ( LEDis solid amber or solid green).

Note:If you are using TI-Nspire™ wireless network adapters, you do not

need to charge them. The wireless network adapters are powered by the
handhelds.

• Disconnect the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ access point or TI-Nspire™ CX
Navigator™ access point from your computer.

Automated System Startup

When you launch the software, the Startup wizard will guide you through the
steps needed to:

• Update all student and classroom handhelds to the latest operating system
(OS)version. The OS on the handhelds must match the software version
installed on your computer.

Important! When updating the OS, handhelds must be connected to the

computer using a USB cable or TI-Nspire™ CXDocking Station.

• Connect the access point and, if needed, update the access point
firmware.

• Name the class network.

• If required, select a channel for the access point.

• Add wireless clients to your network.

• Create a backup copy of the class network configuration.

Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software 3

Charging the Cradles

DRAFT

The TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ wireless cradles contain rechargeable batteries.
You must charge the batteries overnight before using them in class. When the
cradles are fully charged, they will function all day under continuous use. You
should recharge them each night.

The TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Cradle Charging Bay can hold from one to five
cradles. After you place the cradles in the charging bay, they are charged
simultaneously until all are fully charged. If the batteries are fully discharged, it
may take up to 12 hours to fully charge the batteries.

Note: You cannot damage the batteries by leaving them in the charging bay

beyond the time needed to fully charge them. Also, it is not necessary to fully
discharge the batteries before recharging them.

Make sure you have enough (3 to 4) power outlets for the equipment you
received. If necessary, obtain a power strip so that you have plenty of grounded
outlets.

1. Insert the small end of the AC9940 power adapter cord into the charging
bay’s power jack.

4 Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software

2. Plug the other end of the adapter into a power outlet.

DRAFT

3. Insert each TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Cradle into the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™
Cradle Charging Bay. Make sure the LED is amber.

Note: You can charge a single wireless cradle using an AC9926 adapter (sold

separately).

Checking the LEDs

Two LEDs (small lights) at the top of each TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ wireless
cradle blink or change colors to indicate various operations or status.

LEDs

The LED indicates network activity. The LED indicates battery­charging status.

When the cradles are still in the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Cradle Charging Bay:

• A solid amber LED means the wireless cradle is currently recharging.

Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software 5

• A solid red LED means the wireless cradle does not have good

DRAFT

contact with the charging bay. Reposition the cradle to establish good
contact and the LED turns amber.

• A solid green LED means the wireless cradle is fully charged.

Updating the Handheld Operating System

When installing or updating the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software, the
Startup dialog box opens when you launch the software for the first time. You

must update all student and classroom handhelds to the latest operating

system.

Complete the following steps to ensure all handhelds are updated.

1. Disconnect the access point if it is connected to your computer.

2. Connect the handhelds to the computer.

6 Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software

You must connect handhelds using a USB cable or connect multiple

DRAFT

handhelds using TI-Nspire™ docking stations.

3. Click Detect handheld OS.

• If the OS for all connected handhelds matches the software version,

the Handheld OS Update dialog box is displayed informing you that
all handhelds are up to date. Click Close to return to the Startup dialog
box.

• If the OS on the connected handhelds is not current, the Handheld

OSUpdate Required dialog box is displayed. Click Update OS.

The Add to Transfer List dialog box opens.

The matching OSfiles are transferred to the connected handhelds.
You can update TI-Nspire™ CX handhelds and TI-Nspire™ handhelds
at the same time. If you cannot connect all handhelds at one time,
connect as many as possible and update the OS. After the OS update
is complete, disconnect the handhelds and repeat the OS update
process until all handhelds are updated. The software will detect the
OS needed and begin the transfer as you connect the handhelds.

• Click Done to stop the transfer process when all handhelds are

updated.

Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software 7

- The Add OS Transfer List closes.

DRAFT

- The Start Up dialog box is displayed.

4. Select the All my handhelds are updated to version 3.6 check box.

5. Click Next.

The ConnectAccess Point dialog box opens.

Connecting the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Access Point

When the operating system update on all handhelds is complete, the next step
in the system startup process is to connect the access point. When you connect
the access point to your computer, it is powered on and ready to communicate
with wireless network adapters and cradles.

1. Connect the access point to the computer using a USB cable.

a) Connect the small end of the USB cable to the access point.

Connect the access point directly to your computer. Do not connect
the access point to a USB hub or docking station.

b) Connect the other end of the cable to the USB port on your computer.

c) Make sure the access point power light is on. The power light

indicates that the access point is receiving power from the computer.
The signal light indicates wireless link activity.

8 Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software

TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ access point TI-Nspire™ CX Navigator™ access point

DRAFT

Note:If the software does not detect a connected access point within one

minute, an error message is displayed. Close the error message, and then
disconnect and reconnect the access point.

2. Click Next.

The software detects the access point type and checks the firmware
version on the access point. If a newer firmware version is available, the
software updates the firmware.

Note: It may take up to 60 seconds for the software to detect the access

point.

Important! Do not stop the update process or disconnect the access point

until the firmware update is complete.

When the update is complete, the software checks the access point for a
configured classroom network.

• If classes exist, the software asks if you want to keep the current setup

or make changes.

• If no classes exist, the Class Network Setup wizard opens.

Note: You can set up a network at any time, or make edits to an existing

network, by using the Network Manager.

Troubleshooting

If the firmware update fails, the OSWarning dialog box opens.

Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software 9

To resolve the problem, disconnect and reconnect any cables connected to the

DRAFT

access point, and the software will automatically start the update process. If this
does not resolve the issue, contact Customer Support.

Confirming Handheld OS Version

If you did not update handhelds during startup, the wizard asks you to confirm
that classroom and student handhelds are updated to the latest OSversion.
The OS version on the handhelds must match the software version before you
can set up the class network.

To check the OSversion on a handheld,

10 Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software

1. Press c to turn the handheld on.

DRAFT

2. Select Settings >Status to open the Handheld Status window.

3. Make sure the OSon the handheld matches the software version on your
computer.

• If the OS version is current, select Yes.

• If the OS version is not current select No.

4. Click Next.

• If the OS version was not current, the Handheld OSUpdate Required

dialog box is displayed. Click Update OS to open the Add OSTransfer
Tool and update the handhelds.

• If the OS version is current, the Class Network Name dialog box opens

and you can continue the process to set up the class network.

Naming the Class Network

When the Class Network Name dialog box opens, complete the following steps
to name your class network.

Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software 11

1. Type the name you want to assign to the class network in the TI-NAV-N

DRAFT

field.

Use a name that is unique, easy to remember, and easy for you to identify.
The class network name can be up to 22 characters long. Names can
consist of letters, numbers, and spaces; but cannot contain special
characters such as ?"$\![]+.

2. Click Next to configure the access point with no changes.

—or —

3. Click Advanced to select a different band or operating channel.

• If the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ access point is

connected, you can select a different operating channel.

12 Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software

• If the TI-Nspire™ CX Navigator™ access point is connected, you

DRAFT

can select either a 2.4GHz band or 5GHz band, and you can select a
different operating channel.

Note: Operating channels available for selection are determined by the

installed software version.

Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software 13

Important! If you are using the TI-Nspire™ CX Navigator™ network adapter

DRAFT

–v2adapters, you can select either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz band. If you have
a mixture of wireless network adapters, you must select the 2.4GHz band.

4. Click Done.

The Configuring the Access Point dialog box opens and the software
configures the access point and applies the class network name.

Important! Do not disconnect the access point while it is being configured.

14 Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software

When the configuration process is complete, you can associate your wireless

DRAFT

clients.

Adding Wireless Clients to the Network

After you assign a name to your class network and the access points are
configured, you must associate your wireless clients (wireless adapters and
wireless cradles) with the network. How you complete this process depends on
whether you have docking stations that enable you to work with multiple
handhelds and wireless clients at one time.

• If you have a docking station, attach the adapters to the handhelds, and
then insert the handhelds into a docking station that is connected to your
computer. You can link two additional docking stations to the connected
docking station.

• If you do not have a docking station, attach the wireless adapters or
cradles to the handhelds.

Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software 15

1. When the wireless adapters or cradles are attached to the handhelds, click

DRAFT

Next.

The Add Wireless Clients to Class Network dialog box opens.

The access point finds the available clients and lists them in the Available
Clients box. It can take up to six minutes for the access point to find all
available clients. Check the number of available clients to ensure all
clients are listed.

16 Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software

2. Select the wireless clients you want to add to the class network.

DRAFT

• To add all available clients listed, click Add All.

• To add specific clients, select one client ID at a time, and then click

Add.

Important! Clients are not part of the class network until you complete this

step to add them.

3. Click Next to associate the wireless clients with the classroom network.

Setting up the TI-Nspire™ Navigator™ Teacher Software 17