Category:
Cameron University Case Study
March 1st, 2023 by admin
Tell us a little about Cameron University…
Cameron University is located in Lawton, Oklahoma. The university provides affordable education to local Oklahoma residents as well as international students from around the globe. We offer nearly 50 degrees through two-year, four-year, and graduate programs.
What challenges were you trying to solve?
Trying to distribute an installer file to a computer lab to expedite the install and update process.
What SoftLINK features do you find are used the most and why?
For us we use the file distribution, launch app buttons, and screen monitoring. We use the first two features to updates machines in mass. We use the last one to monitor testing labs and provide remote support to classrooms.
How has SoftLINK helped you?
It has helped us work on updating machines on a large scale remotely, provide a more broad proctoring service for our testing centers, and to provide immediate remote assistance in the classroom.
How would you describe Applied Computer Systems’ customer service?
I have spent years using the product and never contacted support. When I finally did, I received a solution to a problem I had been dealing with all those years in a matter of hours. It was wonderful!
What would you say to other organizations facing the same challenges?
It is a fantastic solution that is easy to implement and use. It has utility both for ITS staff as well as instructors and tutors.
Would you recommend the SoftLINK software to others?
Absolutely!
In-house learning: good for employees, good for your organization
February 21st, 2023 by admin
When the Covid curveball hit, the world had to act fast. One such arena for radical re-thinking and rapid change was the workplace, with industries everywhere needing to adopt wide-ranging transformations to remain operational in the face of massive global challenges. Some of these changes were temporary; some have become permanent – and some are forming the roots that will grow into new kinds of work altogether.
Technology is the common denominator in the majority of the adaptations in the corporate space over the last two years. It has enabled businesses to continue manufacturing or trading, with teams operating remotely, collaborating online and with delivery (of either physical or online products) powered by a myriad of IT solutions and applications.
The way we work is always in a state of flux, but companies are now working at an accelerated pace to ensure that:
- they can leverage the powers of technology to help employees create, innovate and be as efficient as possible, and
- they are fully prepared for an uncertain future.
If the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that we are all learning together – from CEOs down to the newest recruits. Companies can use learning to their advantage in two ways: to ensure their employees have the tools and knowledge at their disposal to work efficiently and creatively, and also to stimulate team spirit and a sense of involvement in the business. This is especially important for remote workers, and it ensures everyone has equal access to training to grow their skills and boost their careers.
Dedicated learning is a smart move for organizations to nurture their employees’ skills and help them to put them to best use for the company’s benefit. Gone are the days, however, where being sent on a course and taking pen-and-paper notes that are forgotten a week later will deliver the results organizations need. Relevant training, delivered onsite by a trainer who understands that learning needs to be interactive and engaging if it is to stick, will provide real value to employees. And if it is tech-based, so much the better, as this will be an extension of the digitally-led learning experienced by younger employees in school – and will be equally as engaging for older employees, too.
Our corporate training solution, SoftLINK, has helped businesses across a variety of industries to provide engaging training sessions. To read more about how it could help your company, check out our white paper here.
Supporting Staff Wellbeing in Your School
January 20th, 2023 by admin
Wellbeing isn’t just an issue for students, but for teachers and technicians too. High workload, lack of work-life balance, lack of resources and feeling unsupported by leaders can all combine to negatively impact the wellbeing of staff. With so much technology now on board in schools, it’s time to think about how this can not only benefit teaching and learning, but staff wellbeing too. Our classroom management solution, SoftLINK, and IT management solution, DNA, can provide schools with a combination of tools to deliver shortcuts to make technicians’ lives easier, save teachers’ time and alleviate anxieties around technology use…
Making classroom technology accessible
Many teachers struggle to use classroom technology effectively; sticking to a few tried and tested tools. Others simply fear using it much at all and the thought of it causes anxiety and stress. SoftLINK offers three graded ‘user modes’ (Easy, Intermediate and Advanced) to make it more accessible and help them to gain confidence as they progress – or, if the investment has already been made, can enable student digital leaders to assist in supporting others in the class.
Tech takes the strain
Spotting areas where costs or time can be saved is important for schools. Using DNA’s Efficiency view, IT teams can see at a glance if technology is being used effectively and have the opportunity to reduce any wastage. Plus, having to solve problems under pressure isn’t ideal for anyone, so by proactively monitoring hundreds of scenarios for changes, DNA can alert technicians to issues before they become problematic, giving them the opportunity to solve them before they take hold.
To read more about staff wellbeing, access our full PDF here.
Five ways to start the new year with SoftLINK Class Monitoring & Management Software
January 5th, 2023 by admin
One of our most popular products in our portfolio, SoftLINK is our easy-to-use classroom management tool that gives you the right tools to make sure that learning and teaching in your classroom with technology has impact you want.
Whether you’re new to the product or could do with a refresher for the start of the academic year, in this blog post, we’ll share 5 of our customer’s favorite features to help you hit the ground running.
#1 Start at the beginning
If you’re new to SoftLINK, we strongly recommend you start with the ‘Easy Mode’.
Complete with some of our most regularly used features to support instruction in the classroom via a simple-to-use interface, ‘easy mode’ gets you up and running with tools to support behavior for learning such as the ‘lock all’, ‘blank all’ and ‘block all internet’ options along with the ‘feedback and wellbeing’ option to help you take the temperature of learning in the classroom.
#2 Share your screen
While presenting, the teacher’s device can show its desktop to connected student devices which is the perfect way to help demonstrate a particular point or show students how to complete a particular task.
This is great for live teaching using technology, so whether you’re demonstrating a Maths technique using OneNote, running through a presentation in PowerPoint or utilizing a visualizer on your desk to live mark a piece of work – SoftLINK is a great tool to support your teaching and their learning.
#3 Share their screen
Just as the ability to share your screen with learners provides opportunities for you to teach, so sharing a student’s screen to other students in the classroom provides lots of opportunities for learning. Whether you’re peer assessing, unpicking misconceptions, or simply discussing a particular response to a question you’ve asked the class, the ability to share the screens of students to other students is great functionality to explore with your classes.
#4 Keep students on task
SoftLINK provides you a monitor view which enables you to see whatever is on any of your student’s screens on your teacher device. You can monitor your entire class in a single view, adjust thumbnail size and even overlay helpful information such as the name of the tool they’re using or the URL of the website they’re viewing. If you spot a student off task, it’s a simple task to then intervene, lock their screen, or even send them a message to direct them back on task, without interrupting the flow of learning with your other students.
#5 Improve efficiency
Using the application and internet metering feature in SoftLINK you can use single action opening of websites or applications from your teacher console, thus saving you and your learners plenty of time taken in finding the right URL or correct application.
For more hints and tips like this, be sure to visit Applied Computer Systems, Inc. website.
New whitepaper: Building learner engagement
January 4th, 2023 by admin
Building learner engagement…
The training and onboarding landscape has changed drastically in the past five years. With a shift towards hybrid and remote working environments, professionals in the Learning and Development field have had to evaluate their approaches to onboarding new employees and conducting continuing training.
Find out how using classroom management and instruction tools, like SoftLINK can help trainers leverage technology to build learner engagement and boost learning outcomes. This new whitepaper discusses just that and highlights the true benefits of implementing the right tools to support your objectives and create a positive learning environment.
Choosing the right tools to boost engagement…
Using solutions like SoftLINK can help organizations enhance training by bridging the gap video conferencing solutions lack and offer a solution that aligns with the needs of their learners. SoftLINK provides a wide range of possibilities for collaborative instruction, assessment and group working – as well as allowing trainers to guide and present directly to staff devices.
Plus, to increase engagement, SoftLINK also offers tools to allow trainees to interact, question and assess any information presented. It also provides each person with a journal of content from the training session for them to refer to afterwards – for maximum retention.
Find out more about SoftLINK below to see the full benefits. Plus, you can try it for free for 30 days to see how it works in your training environment.
Thermal Equipment Sales Case Study
April 21st, 2022 by admin
What challenges were you trying to solve?
Thermal Equipment Sales is an HVAC manufacture rep and we use the SoftLINK software. I teach service and troubleshooting classes and I use SoftLINK to watch our two labs in real time or project my computer screen. When the opportunity presents itself, I share a trainee’s screen to the projector and we talk about the issues or problems they see.
What SoftLINK features do you find are used the most and why?
Watching and sharing trainee screens, it is very easy to use.
How has SoftLINK helped you?
It’s been very helpful. I can watch the two labs we have set up and I am able to pin point those individuals that need help and can assist them.
How would you describe Applied Computer Systems’ customer service?
My account executive, Monica Broceus, has been great!
What would you say to other organizations facing the same challenges?
I would recommend they call Applied Computer Systems and speak to Monica (1-800-237-5465).
Would you recommend the SoftLINK software to others?
YES!
SoftLINK helps to support social distancing!
October 22nd, 2021 by adminIt is crucial teachers are provided the proper tools to lead lessons safely with vulnerable children still attending school across the country.
SoftLINK, ACS’s classroom management and instruction solution, incorporates a variety of features well suited for supporting social distancing. With teaching aids like SoftLINK, school districts can create safer learning environments and help to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
SoftLINK’s award winning features include:
- Sharing the teacher’s screen – students can see explanations without needing to crowd around a single desk/screen
- Sending out and collecting work automatically – minimize the need to handle books and collect papers
- Using a virtual whiteboard – students can collaborate and share ideas without being in close proximity
- Remote control – teachers can remotely assist students without the need to use the students’ keyboards
To find out more ways that SoftLINK can help support social distancing in your classroom, read the PDF below.
ESSER II Funding and SoftLINK: Support for Classroom and Long-Term Remote Learning
March 12th, 2021 by adminCOVID-19 has had a major impact on everyone’s life since the pandemic’s onset in the spring of 2020. No aspect of our day-to-day life has been left unaffected, including our educational infrastructure. Schools have had to abruptly switch from in-person teaching to hybrid or remote learning, or a combination of each.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Education has provided more than $13 billion in assistance funding to elementary and secondary schools across the United States under the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund is a small part of the CARES Act. ESEER funding is available to help states and their local school districts address the learning loss and impact of the national school closures. It is also intended to assist with the implementation of measures to safely reopen schools.
An additional $54.3 billion was allocated in December 2020 for the ESSER II Fund. This additional financial support is meant to continue to support schools and students as the pandemic continues. This equates to roughly $1,000 per student in the public school system. Currently, these funds will be available for school districts through September 2023.
What technology can your school purchase*?
ESSER and ESSER II lists three major stipulations for the potential purchase and use of learning technology solutions, which are summarized below:
- Planning for and coordinating during long-term closures, including for how to provide meals to eligible students, how to provide technology for online learning to all students, how to provide guidance for carrying out requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) and how to ensure other educational services can continue to be provided consistent with all Federal, State, and local requirements.
- Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the local educational agency that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors, including low-income students and students with disabilities, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment.
- Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental afterschool programs, including providing classroom instruction or online learning during the summer months and addressing the needs of low-income students, students with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care.
*Reference section (d) USES OF FUNDS, subsections (8), (9), and (11) of Certification and Agreement for Funding under the Education Stabilization Fund Program Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund
Does SoftLINK qualify for ESSER funding?
SoftLINK, along with Applied Computer Systems’ other EdTech solutions, qualify for ESSER funding. SoftLINK’s unique feature-set “provides classroom instruction” capabilities to teachers, regardless of the student’s electronic device, be it Surface Pro, Chromebook or another device. ACS also offers a remote learning solution that can provide school districts with “online learning during the summer months” or “during long-term closures.”
How does my school apply for funding**?
State Education Agencies (SEAs) must apply directly to the U.S. Department for Education for ESSER funding. Local school districts must apply to their appropriate SEA for their ESSER funding.
** Reference Frequently Asked Questions about the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER Fund)
Additional resources from the Office of Elementary & Secondary Education:
Using SoftLINK in a Remote Desktop (RDP) Environment
October 30th, 2020 by adminDoes your school currently have a virtual environment? Were you aware you could use SoftLINK to provide remote learning to your students while they are working from home?
Many school districts have already implemented virtual environments for remote access and administration of their technology. Many teachers are surprised to learn that SoftLINK can be ran in these environments and can be used just as it would be in a conventional classroom.
During this unprecedented time, teachers and students can experience some semblance of a normal teaching regiment. Using SoftLINK, teachers can continue to interact with students as if they were sitting together in a classroom. The teacher can discretely observe students’ progress and ensure they stay on task. Teachers are also able to share their own desktop space and limit access to applications and websites to prevent access to inappropriate content. SoftLINK also encourages class participation via its Question and Answer mode, surveys, and student feedback mode.
Can SoftLINK be configured to be invisible on the student computers?
October 29th, 2020 by adminYes, SoftLINK can be configured to conceal its presence from the students. By default, several visual indicators are present on on the student’s PC when connected to a teacher. The Student Toolbar appears across the top of the student’s screen and a SoftLINK icon appears in the student’s system tray.
In many cases, teachers may not want their students to know they are able to view their screens. To learn how to make SoftLINK invisible on the student workstations, please view the knowledge base article Configure SoftLINK Client to be Transparent.