Switched-On Schoolhouse
Frequently Asked Technical Questions?
If you need technical assistance, please call Technical Support at: 1-800-735-4193. (Open Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST)
Click on any title below to learn the answer.
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- What kind of computer do I need to run Switched-On Schoolhouse?
- How will my student send completed schoolwork to Odyssey's teachers?
- Can I synchronize from two different computers?
- What does it mean to "reset" a synchronization student?
- I'm having problems synchronizing. What should I look for?
- How do I synchronize?
- How can I prevent problems with Remote Access?
- How can I move a sync or remote student to another computer?
- Does my student have to be connected to the Internet while doing schoolwork?
- How do I regenerate (modify) my student's lesson plan?
- Can I make a copy of my SOS CDs?
- What does it mean when I have a "browse for folder" message?
- Do I need to download curriculum revisions?
- What should I do to keep our computer running smoothly?
- How can I protect my computer and student while online?
XP Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3* (32 or 64 bit and English versions of Windows only)
• Microsoft IE 7 or higher
• 600 MHz or higher processor (1 GHz or higher processor recommended)
• 512 MB Memory (RAM)
• 600 MB hard drive space
• 1024 X 768 or higher resolution monitor, 16 bit color
• Adobe Reader
• CD-ROM drive
• Internet Service required if using the DL version
• Printer recommended
* If you have Windows XP but do not have Service Pack 2 or 3, you can download it from from Windows Update. If you do not have internet access at home, but can get access from another computer you can either download it and copy it to a flash drive or burn it to a CD to take home. You also can have Microsoft mail you the Service Pack on CD. Click here to download it.
Vista (32 or 64 bit and English versions of Windows only)
• Microsoft IE 7 or higher
• 1 GHz or higher processor (1.5 GHz or higher processor recommended)
• 1 GB Memory (RAM) (2 GB Memory or higher recommended)
• 600 MB hard drive space
• 1024 X 768 or higher resolution monitor, 16 bit color
• Adobe Reader
• CD-ROM drive
• Internet Service required if using the DL version
• Printer recommended
You will connect with our school via one of these options:
Remote Access
Remote Access connects directly to our school database and updates as you work through the Internet. If the student’s computer were to crash, the student’s data would be safe since it resides on the school computer. It is more reliable and has fewer things that can go wrong with it. Due to the nature of remote access,the student/teacher must actually be connected to the school over the Internet to use this feature. Remote access can be installed on more than one computer for the student without running the risk of losing data like you can with the synchronization version.
Synchronization
Synchronization allows the student to work offline. The student’s work is stored on their computer and sent to the school when they synchronize daily. The advantage of synchronization is that the computer does not require a connection to the Internet while doing work. You would only need to connect while synchronizing. The disadvantage is that the student’s work is not as safe since it is stored on the student’s computer only until they synchronize. If the student’s computer were to crash before synchronization, the work could be irretrievably lost. The synchronization version should only be installed on one computer for a student. If it is installed on more than one computer, you also run the risk of data loss if certain protocols are not followed every time you switch computers. Click here for more information on using synchronization on two different computers for the same student.
In brief, Sync has more flexibility (you can work on or offline work) but the student’s work is not as secure. With Remote Access, the work is safe but has less flexibility (on-line only).
Online
We now have a completely web-based option which does not require an application installation. You must be online
We strongly recommend you do NOT using synchronization on two different computers for the same student. If you sync a second computer before syncing the computer the student had been using, you will lose the data on the first computer the next time you sync that computer.
When the school server syncs, it notes the location from which the last sync occurred. If it is a different location, it will issue a warning that says you are trying to sync from a different location. If you sync the other computer anyway, the work done on first computer won't be sent to the second computer (since it was never synced to the school in the first place. When you go back to the first computer, you will get the same error (since the last sync was from a different computer). When you sync the first computer now, you will have to do a full sync which replaces the data in the database with what the school has so any work don but not synced will be erased.
If you still decide to sync on two different computers for the same student then you must always, and without exception, sync before switching locations otherwise you will run the risk of losing work. To install on the second computer, make sure you successfully sync on the first computer first. After it succeeds, install sync on the second computer just like you installed on the first computer.
If you forget to sync the first computer than sync the second, the only way to recover the work is to open the Parent DL program on the first computer WITHOUT SYNCING. You will have to print the lessons that are on the first computer. After all the lessons that were never synced are printed, you should do the required full sync from the Parent DL. Once it is done, you can then re-enter the answers. If you sync the first computer before printing the work, it will be gone for good.
This will will delete all student data from the computer but it should be done if a Sync ever fails. You should print out the lessons your student has done since the last Sync so the answeres can be reentered rather than have the student do the problems again. Then, open Parent DL and click the reset button on the Synchronize screen.
If you have a broadband internet connection you may want to switch to Remote Access for your connection. Remote Access is more reliable and has fewer things that can go wrong with it. Even if you have a dial up connection, you can use Remote Access but understand that the phone line will be tied up as long as the student is connected and it would be quite slow. Click here for more information on the differences between Sync and Remote Access. If you want to change, you will need to call the Odyssey Administration Office before installing Remote Access as we must complete some setup steps on the server.
To find out more about possible synchronization issues and how to resolve them, Click here.
1. Login in to the Sync DL program
2. By default, the sync screen should appear. If it does not you can click on the Application button and choose the Synchronize option.
3. Click on the Synchronize button.
4. When it is done, click OK
Notes:
• The first time Sync is installed for a student, you have to sync from the Parent program. On the Parent Sync screen, click the Add button then enter the student's username and password. After it is added, click the Synchronize button. Once it is done, the student can sync from the Student DL program.
• Students should sync before they begin working for the day to retrieve anything from their teachers. They should also sync again after they have finished for the day to send the completed work back to the school's computer.
Remote Access is the least likely connection to have problems. The most common error occurs during installation when the URL is typed incorrectly. There are issues that can occur, but our experience is that the product is very stable But, there are computer-related issues that can cause problems i.e. firewall settings, adware, spyware and viruses. Click here to learn more.
Sync Student
1. Make sure the student that is moving syncs successfully before doing anything on the other computer. If you don't all work done since the last successful sync will be lost.
2. Install the Sync version of SOS on the other computer.
3. Once the sync completes, go to the other computer and open Parent DL.
4. On the Sync Window, click on the Add button and enter the student's Username and password, click the box next to each student then click Synchronize.
Remote Access Student
1. Install the Remote Access version of SOS on the other computer.
2. Open the Student DL on the new computer and login.
If you are using remote access, you need to be connected to the Internet so your student can do his schoolwork, as it requires a live connection. If you are using the synchronization option, you do not need to be connected to the Internet while your student is working. You only need to connect when synchronizing. Synchronization must be performed at the beginning of each school day and at the end of each school day. Synchronizing infrequently could cause technical issues and result in lost schoolwork. If you are using our Switched-On Online program, you must also have a continuous Internet connection.
Note: If you are using SOS 2009, the instructions assume you are in the classic theme. For help changing to the classic theme, click here.
Open Parent DL
1. Click on the Lesson Book button then the Lesson Plan tab
2. Select the Student from Select Student Drop down box and click the Regenerate at the bottom.
3. When the Regenerate Due Dates dialog box appears, select the subjects for which you’d like to regenerate due dates (all are already selected by default).
4. Make sure the start date is today it does not default to today's date as it does in the home version then click the Regenerate button.
You may make one copy for backup purposes but it may not be given or sold to anyone else.
If you are getting a window that says "Browse for Folder" at the top, make sure you have the correct disk in the drive. The message at the top will say something like:
"Select the subject CD (Disk A) or installation directory of the subject AOP.COM.BIBLE.0800.2009"
1. Make sure it is the correct subject (in the above example 8th grade Bible) and the correct disk (in the above example Disk A)
2. If it is, in the Browse for Folder window, click on My Computer (in Windows Vista it is just called 'Computer') then on the name of the CD-Rom drive then click OK. If you have the 2006 application installed, you need to click on the CD-Rom drive that has the subject disk in it then click on the name of the folder under that with the subject name then click OK.
3. If you have a second CD drive, try it there. Again, in the Browse for Folder window, click on My Computer (in Windows Vista it is just called 'Computer') then on the name of the CD-Rom drive then click OK. If you have the 2006 application installed, you need to click on the CD-Rom drive that has the subject disk in it then click on the name of the folder under that with the subject name then click OK.
4. If you have the correct disk in the drive, make sure it is not damaged or dirty. If it is dirty, try using a very soft, slightly damp cotton cloth to clean it off. Make sure you don't rub in circles but in straight lines from the center hole toward the outside edge. Once the CD is completely dry put it back in the drive and try to open the subject again.
5. If the disk is not damaged or dirty, it may be a problem with the dust in the drive. Open the CD-Rom drive blow into it. You may also want to get a CD drive cleaner as well.
6. If the curriculum had been copied to the hard drive, browse to the location on the drive to which it was copied and make sure it is present.
If you need further help, contact Technical Support at 1-800-735-4193 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST - Monday through Friday.
The publisher of our curriculum will make changes to the curriculum on a quarterly basis. The Revisions contain the data necessary to update lessons, quizzes or tests. Only those who are enrolled in our CD-Based Recordkeeping Program need to be concerned about revisions. The revisions are automatically applied for those in our full-service program.
For those using the homeschool application, the revision files install in the same way as the Curriculum disks.
DOWNLOADING REVISIONS
1. Click here to acces the revisions page. Note: You should download and install all of the revisions for the particular year you have (they are NOT cumulative).
2 .Click on the revision you want to download. After you click on it a window will popup called File Download.
3. Once it opens, click on Save and then a window will open that says "Save As" window.
4. On the left hand side click on the icon called Desktop then click on the Save button. Once it is done downloading, the file will appear on your desktop.
EXTRACTING REVISIONS
1. Double-click the SOS Revision file you have downloaded. If you get an "Unknown Publisher" warning, click on the "Run" button (a window called WinZip Self-Extractor will appear).
2. Click on the "Unzip" button (This will unzip all files it contains to folder C:Revision).
3. When the "unzipped successfully" box appears, click on the "OK" button. Then click the "Close" button on the "WinZip self-Extractor" window.
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 until you have extract all of the revision files which you downloaded.
INSTALLING REVISIONS
Each revision will need to be installed into SOS from the server computer. The following install should be done for each update file:
1. Remove any Curriculum CDs from your computer.
2. Double-click on the SOS Teacher icon.
3. Click on the Classroom button then click on the "Curriculum Setup" tab.
4. Click on the "Install" button.
5. Browse to C:Revision and locate the Revision.sosd file in its respective folder (Example: C:RevisionSOS 2.0 Revision 1).
7. Double-click on the Revision.sosd file to install. You will be returned to the SOS Curriculum setup screen after the revision has been installed.
8. Repeat steps 5 through 8 if you need to install further revisions.
In today’s world of computer hacking, viruses and adware/spyware, it is vitally important that proper precautions are in place in order to protect your computer from these harmful programs.
It is also important that general and regular maintenance is done on a regular basis (once a week). If the warnings and recommendations below are heeded you will go a long way in
protecting your computer and maintaining optimal performance. Click here to download our recommended computer maintenance tips so your computer will be happy and healthy.
If your computer has internet access, there are several steps you should take to protect it and your students. One good source of information that can help you protect children on-line is Be Safe Online.
http://www.besafeonline.org/
In addition to knowledge, you should at least use the following types of programs: AntiSpyware, AntiVirus, Firewall and Content Filter. These programs should be looked at as an aid and not a substitute for close parental monitoring.
Click here for more information.
