Instructor Tips for Using NetSupport School in Dewey Lab

STARTING NETSUPPORT SCHOOL

To start NetSupport School double-click the NetSupport Tutor icon on the desktop. Instructors will choose their profile from the list that appears when NetSupport School starts. See below for creating profiles.

NetSupport School is configured to try to connect initially to all the computers in Dewey lab. The computers may show up, for example, as "DEWEY03" or as a previously logged in student.
 
OVERVIEW OF THE INSTRUCTOR CONTROLS

The icons toward the top of the NetSupport window offer quick access to several key functions. These functions and more can also be accessed through the menus at the top of the window.

Normal View The icons down the left of the window allow you to change views quickly. These options are also available under the View menu.
Web View
Application View The Web View and the Application View are described below in the APPROVING AND RESTRICTING APPLICATIONS AND WEBSITES section.
Survey View
 

 
GETTING STUDENT LOGIN NAMES

Click on the Get Name icon to determine the student login names. A pop-up window will show who is currently logged in. The Get Name option is also available under the School menu.
 
SHOWING THE INSTRUCTOR'S SCREEN

To show the screen (the instructor's screen) to the students in the lab, first click the Show icon (or use the Show... command under the Client menu). In the Show panel that appears, you will see the clients to whom your display will be shown. An IMPORTANT step at this point is to make sure that the Set Show Mode at Client option is checked!

You have the option to show to specific students. You can also show your display in one of two modes: Full Screen or Windowed. 

In the Full Screen mode your display will take over the Full Screen of the students' monitors. The students will not have control of their computer during the show.  

In the Windowed mode, your display will be seen by the students inside a window on their monitors.  The students will be able to resize the window and they will maintain control over other applications on their computers.

To ANNOTATE your screen, press this icon, , in the bottom right corner of your screen. This brings up the annotation control panel from which you can select typical drawing tools.

To END your SHOW, double click this icon, , in the bottom right corner of your screen. This actually suspends your show. You can then end or resume it.
 
VIEWING STUDENTS' SCREENS

There are several equivalent ways to view student screens. 
  • Select a student (single click) and the press the View Client button
  • Double click on a student in the main window in any of the four views (Normal, Web, Application, or Survey).
  • Click on a student in the Quick View bar: 
  • Click the Scan button to automatically move from student to student. The Scan panel allows you to adjust the time between scans and to display either one student at a time or multiple students in either a 2x2, 3x3, or 4x4 grid.
  When viewing a student (not in Scan mode), there are three possible modes of observation:

Share:  Both the student and the instructor can control the mouse on the student's machine.

Watch: Only the student can control the mouse on the student machine.

Control: Only the instructor can control the mouse on the student machine.

 
EXHIBITING ONE STUDENT SCREEN TO OTHER STUDENTS
To show the screen of one student to the rest of the class, first select that student in the main view. Then in the Client menu, select Exhibit this client. You can also right-click on the student in the main view and select Exhibit this Client from the pop up menu.

Once you are exhibiting a student's screen, you have access to the Exhibiting controls.  One important control is the red square which is the STOP button.
 
APPROVING AND RESTRICTING APPLICATIONS AND WEBSITES
To restrict or allow access to specific websites, first click the Web View icon. You can either approve a set of sites or restrict a set of sites. You can add or subtract from either list by clicking on the appropriate + or - button.

Once you have a list of approved websites, you can allow access to them by clicking the world check icon at the bottom of the window. If you are using the restricted list, you can deny access by clicking the world x icon next to the world check icon.

Approve:        Restrict: 

To restrict or allow specific applications in the student lab, click on the Application View icon. You can either approve a set of applications or restrict a set of applications. You can add or subtract from either list by clicking on the appropriate + or - button.

Once you have a list of approved applications, you can allow access to them by clicking the application check icon at the bottom of the window. If you are using the restricted list, you can deny access by clicking the application x icon next to the world check icon.

Approve:         Restrict:

CHATTING WITH STUDENTS
To send text messages back and forth with students, you can use the Chat feature. You can select one or more students in the main view, and then click the Chat icon. In the Chat panel that appears you can enter text messages and view student messages.

 
 
CREATING INSTRUCTOR PROFILES
  Instructors can create their own profiles to save their names and such things as web and application restriction and approval lists. To create a profile, select the Configuration... option in the School menu. In the Administration section select Profile. Click the Add button, enter your profile name, select a profile from which to copy (if any), and click OK.

Instructors can change their identification and set a PASSWORD in the General section of the Configuration panel.
 
STUDENT OPTIONS
Students have a NetSupport School icon in their system tray in the Windows task bar. Double clicking this will bring up the NetSupport School student window.

Students can Chat or Request Help.  The Join a Class feature will not be used in the Dewey lab configuration.