Microsoft Class Server 4.0, MVL, WIN, x32, CD, DUT F97-00980 User Manual
Product codes
F97-00980
The ability to obtain, create, edit, and share standards-
aligned learning resources is one of the most compelling
features of Class Server. Class Server “plays” content and
assessments from many different vendors and can be
connected seamlessly with other open-standards-based
systems in your school region.
aligned learning resources is one of the most compelling
features of Class Server. Class Server “plays” content and
assessments from many different vendors and can be
connected seamlessly with other open-standards-based
systems in your school region.
Electronic resources can be purchased or created
at the school or regional level, giving schools an
unprecedented level of control and economies of
scale. However, teachers retain the ability to offer
individualised instruction because lessons can still be
tailored to the requirements of their students. Finally,
because the resources are electronic and not paper-
based, there are always enough to go round. They won’t
wear out or get damaged, and they can be amended
over time.
at the school or regional level, giving schools an
unprecedented level of control and economies of
scale. However, teachers retain the ability to offer
individualised instruction because lessons can still be
tailored to the requirements of their students. Finally,
because the resources are electronic and not paper-
based, there are always enough to go round. They won’t
wear out or get damaged, and they can be amended
over time.
Most Class Server solution providers offer data
integration or data import services to ensure that your
student, teacher, and class data is properly loaded into
Class Server at the start of each new term, as well as
ensuring that grades are imported or exported into
or from the system. In technical terms, Class Server
has a bulk import/export capabilities, a SIF* agent (for
interoperability with other systems that also employ
the Schools Interoperability Framework). It also allows
Microsoft solution partners to populate or collect
data in real time by directly accessing its APIs. See our
Administrators Guide for more information.
integration or data import services to ensure that your
student, teacher, and class data is properly loaded into
Class Server at the start of each new term, as well as
ensuring that grades are imported or exported into
or from the system. In technical terms, Class Server
has a bulk import/export capabilities, a SIF* agent (for
interoperability with other systems that also employ
the Schools Interoperability Framework). It also allows
Microsoft solution partners to populate or collect
data in real time by directly accessing its APIs. See our
Administrators Guide for more information.
Individualised Instruction
Class Server helps teachers create, edit, and manage
curriculum resources so that they can provide targeted
and individualised learning experiences for their
students. These learning experiences encourage
self-paced learning and the use of a range of media
and resources.
curriculum resources so that they can provide targeted
and individualised learning experiences for their
students. These learning experiences encourage
self-paced learning and the use of a range of media
and resources.
The reporting capabilities of Class Server give teachers
dynamic, real-time access to student achievement
information, facilitating individualised and group-based
feedback. This enables teachers to spot issues and
address them before they become problems.
dynamic, real-time access to student achievement
information, facilitating individualised and group-based
feedback. This enables teachers to spot issues and
address them before they become problems.
Finally, because teachers using Class Server can
automate time-demanding administrative tasks,
they can spend more time adding value to students’
learning experiences.
automate time-demanding administrative tasks,
they can spend more time adding value to students’
learning experiences.
Return on Investment
If you standardise on Class Server as your learning
management platform, content, assessments, and
instructional resources can be integrated into one
system. This will allow your schools to obtain scale
efficiencies through:
management platform, content, assessments, and
instructional resources can be integrated into one
system. This will allow your schools to obtain scale
efficiencies through:
•
The central purchasing of content;
•
Training teachers on only one platform;
•
Support and management costs.
In addition to these benefits of scale, Class Server is built
on open-standards with interfaces that aid integration
with existing systems. This means that you can still get
the most from existing investments.
on open-standards with interfaces that aid integration
with existing systems. This means that you can still get
the most from existing investments.
Parental Involvement
For parents, Class Server lets them be more involved in
their child’s education by providing secure access to their
child’s assignments and completed work. They can do
this at a time and place of their choosing, knowing that
the information is current and comes direct from the
teacher. Not only is this important to parents, but it gives
greater value to the limited face-to-face time they have
with their child’s teacher.
their child’s education by providing secure access to their
child’s assignments and completed work. They can do
this at a time and place of their choosing, knowing that
the information is current and comes direct from the
teacher. Not only is this important to parents, but it gives
greater value to the limited face-to-face time they have
with their child’s teacher.
Improving Communication
Class Server comes with its own basic portal—right out
of the box (no Microsoft SharePoint® required). The
portal is a straightforward and very easy-to-use feature
to communicate news, events, and other information
to the school community.
of the box (no Microsoft SharePoint® required). The
portal is a straightforward and very easy-to-use feature
to communicate news, events, and other information
to the school community.
•
The portal is fully Web-based, and can be used with
or without the Teacher Client;
•
There is a single School Page that an administrator
edits and a Class Page for every Class that is modelled
in Class Server. The teacher(s) of each class are
responsible for publishing class news, events, and
other information;
in Class Server. The teacher(s) of each class are
responsible for publishing class news, events, and
other information;
•
The School Page is available without authentication;
Class Pages are only available to authenticated
teachers and students who are teaching or taking
that class.
teachers and students who are teaching or taking
that class.
The Teacher Experience
The Basic View
After the teacher has logged in, the Basic View main page
appears as below. This mode is for when student access to PCs
is scarce and assignments will be completed on paper. The Basic
View can also be useful for teachers who are new to e-Learning
and don’t want to be overwhelmed with features. In this view,
teachers can create, print, grade, and report on assignments.
Class Server will save summary scores and comments, which
can be printed or included in reports.
appears as below. This mode is for when student access to PCs
is scarce and assignments will be completed on paper. The Basic
View can also be useful for teachers who are new to e-Learning
and don’t want to be overwhelmed with features. In this view,
teachers can create, print, grade, and report on assignments.
Class Server will save summary scores and comments, which
can be printed or included in reports.
The Complete View
Access to the Complete View is obtained using the toggle in
the top right of the screen. The complete view is shown in the
next screenshot. As well as showing more information, this view
assumes that the students will be completing assignments online.
the top right of the screen. The complete view is shown in the
next screenshot. As well as showing more information, this view
assumes that the students will be completing assignments online.
Teachers can use Complete View to create, save, edit, and
share their learning resources. They can divide their class
into groups, and use these groups to distribute different
assignments. Teachers can also create, grade, print, and report
on assignments, like in Basic View.
share their learning resources. They can divide their class
into groups, and use these groups to distribute different
assignments. Teachers can also create, grade, print, and report
on assignments, like in Basic View.
Learning resources & assignments
From the main page, the teacher can choose to create a new
learning resource or select one from the library of existing
resources, as shown here.
learning resource or select one from the library of existing
resources, as shown here.
Learning resources and assignments can contain questions
just like those on a traditional paper assignment. Many types
of questions, such as multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank, can
be automatically graded (auto graded) in Class Server. For
assignments that contain writing elements, you can include
rubrics to help you grade manually.
just like those on a traditional paper assignment. Many types
of questions, such as multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank, can
be automatically graded (auto graded) in Class Server. For
assignments that contain writing elements, you can include
rubrics to help you grade manually.
These windows show how learning resources can be edited using
an easy-to-use wizard.
an easy-to-use wizard.
The Complete View allows users to do more.
The Basic View provides intuitive access to key information.
This screen shows the Assignment Wizard and learning resource
library in the background.
library in the background.