Using Resources

  • Click Browse.

ConnectED displays the Resources page and default Browse results (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Menu Bar: Browse

Browsing

On the Menu bar:

  1. Click Browse.

ConnectED displays the Browse page. By default, ConnectED displays top-level of the hierarchy.

  1. Click Chapter and Lesson links to browse and view associated Resources (Figure 7).

Figure 6. Browse Resources

Figure 7. Browse Hierarchy

Filters

ConnectED displays available Filters along with your Search results.

Filters identify the type, and may include the number, of associated Resources.

Figure 11. Browse Filters

Applying Filters

  • Click an available Filter.

ConnectED applies the selected Filter and displays (1) the new Browse Results, (2) the Current Filter, and (3) any remaining available Filters.

NOTE:Filters interact dynamically, and selecting one Filter may eliminate others because they no longer apply to the new Browse results.

Removing Filters

  • Under Current Filters, click the X icon to the right of the Filter to be removed (Figure 12).

ConnectED removes the selected Filter and displays (1) the resulting Browse Results, (2) the Current Filter(s), and (3) any remaining available Filters.

Figure 12. Remove Filter

You can mark, or "star," a Resource as a Favorite. Selected Resources appear immediately in My Favorites.

My Favorites are easy to find and use when you explore your Resource Library, edit a Lesson Section, or make Assignments.

Tip: Mark My Favorite Resources first, then edit a Lesson or Make an Assignment if those tasks involve Resources.

Making a Resource a Favorite

To add Favorite Status (star) to a Resource:

  1. Search, Filter, or Browse to find a desired Resource.

ConnectED displays thumbnail images of selected Resources (Figure 15).

Figure 15. Thumbnail Image, Unstarred

  1. Click the outlined Star icon at the lower left to activate My Favorite status.

ConnectED highlights the Star icon, and the Resource is immediately accessible in My Favorites (Figure 16).

Figure 16. Favorite Resource Indicated by Star

NOTE: Starred Resources appear in My Favorites and in All Resources (or any subset).

Removing From Favorites

To remove Favorite Status (unstar) from a Resource:

  1. Search, Filter, or Browse to find a desired Resource.

OR

Click My Favorites to display all currently Starred Resources.

ConnectED displays thumbnail images of selected Resources.

  1. Click the highlighted Star icon.

ConnectED removes the highlighted Staricon, and the Resource is immediately removed from My Favorites.

View Favorites

  • On the Menu bar, click the Star icon (Figure 17).

Figure 17. View Favorites

Adding Your Own Content

You can add your own Content to ConnectED to augment your Lesson Plans and instruction.

Allowable File types include a wide variety of common text, spreadsheet, program, image, audio, and video Files.

ConnectED stores your added Content in a special location, My Files, that you can access at any time.

Access My Files

To access My Files to add, view, edit, or delete a File:

On the Menu bar:

  • Click My Files.

ConnectED displays My Files (Figure 19 and Table 2).

Figure 19. My Files

NOTE: Click on a column heading (e.g., Resource Title) to sort the Files by the selected attribute.

Table 2. Key to Resource Information Page
Resource Title / File name; click to add or edit Resource title, Tags, Description, Teaching Level, Target Audience
Tags / Self-selected keywords to help you identify the Resource
Type / Type of File; based on analysis of uploaded File
Teaching Level / Select from the following: English Language Learner, Approaching Grade Level, On Grade Level, Beyond Grade Level, Strategic
Target Audience / Select from the following: Students, Families, Teachers, Administrators,
Last Modification Date / The system date/time stamp when File was last modified.
Delete / Click to delete selected File.
Storage Space / Reported as a percentage of your total 250 MB storage space.

Upload New Files

You can add new Files up to the 250 MB storage limit.

To upload a File, on the My Files page:

  1. Click Upload New Files at the upper right.

ConnectED displays the File Upload dialogue box (Figure 20).

Figure 20. File Upload Dialogue Box

  1. Click Select File(s) at the lower left.

ConnectED interacts with you local computer to display your local Folder/File structure.

  1. Locate the desired File and click Open (or similar command based on your computer's operating system).

ConnectED populates the File Upload dialogue box with information about the selected File. Upload status is pending.

NOTE: Repeat steps 2 & 3 to add more Files.ConnectED displays a scroll bar when the number of Files exceeds the size of the dialogue box. To delete a File before uploading, select a File and click Remove Selected File. Click Cancel to abandon the action.

  1. Click Upload.

ConnectED uploads the File and displays a progress indicator.

When the File registration is complete, click Select More File(s) or Done.

By default, ConnectED assigns the following File attribute values (Table 2):

Table 2. Default File Attribute Values
Attribute / Value
Teaching Level / On Grade level
Target Audience / Teachers

View Files

You can view Files that you upload to My Files.

To view a Resource:

  1. Display My Files: Resource Information.
  1. Locate the desired File and click the Resource Title to view.

NOTE: Click a column heading to sort the Files by the selected attribute (e.g., Resource Title).

  1. Click View at the far right.

ConnectED launches the needed application and displays the selected File in new window.

Add or Edit File

You can add or edit descriptive information about your Files after you upload them.

To add or edit information:

  1. Display My Files: Resource Information.
  1. Locate the desired File and click the Resource Title to select.

NOTE: Click a column heading to sort the Files by the selected attribute (e.g., Resource Title).

ConnectED displays the Edit [Resource Title] dialogue box (Figure 21 and Table 3).

  1. Complete the editable fields and click Save.

Tip:ConnectED displays Files alphabetically by Resource Title.

Figure 21. Edit File Dialogue Box

Table 3. Editable Fields
Resource Title / The default title is the File name. You can rename the File;ConnectED displays the first 42 characters of the Resource Title.
Tags / Enter your own Tags (File descriptors).
Description / Enter a description of the File.
Teaching Level / Default is On Grade Level. Select from English Language Learner, Approaching Grade Level, On Grade level, Beyond Grade Level, Strategic.
Target Audience / Default is Teachers. Select from Students, Families, Teachers, Administrators.

NOTE:ConnectED retains and displays the Resource Type, original File Name, and File Size.

You can make and manage Assignments for Students and track Student completion over time.

Your Assignments can include any combination of the following:

  • Lessons
  • Resources
  • My Files
  • Instructions

Creating an Assignment from the Manage and Assign Page.

On the Menu bar:

  1. Click Manage and Assign.

ConnectED displays the Manage and Assign page (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Manage and Assign Page

  1. In the Recently Created Assignments panel, click Make an Assignment at the upper right (Figure 1, above).

ConnectED displays the Make an Assignment page (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Make an Assignment Page

Assignment Name (Required)

You must name each Assignment.

  • Enter Assignment Name is designated text box.

NOTE: The Assignment Tracker lists and sorts Assignments by Name.

Tip: Use Assignment Names that will help you find and track Assignments over time.

You may add Instructions for your Students(optional).

  • Enter Instructions in the designated text box. Use text editing tools to format your instructions.

Select Students and Class (Required)

Assignments pertain only to the selected Class and Students.

To select a Class:

  • Use the Class-selection drop-down menu (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Select Class and Students

To select all Students:

  • Check the box on the header row.

To select individual Students:

  • Check the box for each Student who is to receive the Assignment.

NOTE: You must select at least one Student to receive the Assignment.

Select Dates (Required)

Choose the Dates for your Assignment.

Click the Calendar icon to select the following (Figure 4 and Table 1):

Figure 4. Assignment Dates

Table 1. Assignment Dates
Start Date / Date Assignment appears to Students; default is the current date.
Due Date / Assignment Due Date appears to Student; default is current date.
Expiration Date / Date Assignment is no longer accessible by Teachers or Students; default Expiration Date is the next day.

Add Resources and Content (Optional)

You can assign selected Resources and Student Lesson Content.

In the Resources and Content panel:

  • Click Edit.

ConnectED displays the Edit Resources and Content dialogue box (Figure 5).

NOTE: My Starred Resources displays by default.

Tip:Starring Resources before making Assignments makes it easy to find what you want.

Figure 5. Edit Resources and Content Dialogue Box

You can browse or search for Resources or Lesson Content to add to your Assignment. Click the tabs at the top to view My Starred Resources (default), My Files, the Student Edition, or to search the Resource Library.

Some ConnectED programs allow you to assign Lessons from the Student Edition.

To assign a Lesson, from the Resource Library:

  1. Click the Student Edition tab.
  1. Use the Chapter- and Lesson-selection drop down menus to select the desired Lesson (Figure 6).
  1. Click Add.
  1. ConnectED adds the selected Lesson to Current Resources.

Figure 6. Add Student Edition Lesson to Assignment

When you have completed the Make an Assignment page (Figure 7):

Figure 7. Sample Completed Make an Assignment Page

  • Click Assign at the upper right.

ConnectED displays the Assignment Assigned dialogue box (Figure 8).

Figure 8. Assignment Assigned Dialogue Box

From here you can:

  • Go back to the screen from which you originated the Assignment, either (1) the Manage and Assign page or (2) the Resource Library
  • Make another Assignment
  • View Assignment Details

You can assign selected Resources from the Resource page(click link for full description of the Resource Library).

NOTE: You cannot assign Teacher Resources to Students.

From the Menu bar:

  1. Click Resources.
  1. Identify the desired Resource thumbnail and click the Tools menu.
  1. Click Assign this Resource.

ConnectED displays the Make an Assignment page.

After you make an Assignment, you can:

  • Track Assignment completion by Class and by Student
  • Communicate with individual Students about an Assignment
  • View Student Questions and Answers

To view the Assignment Tracker, on the Menu bar:

  1. Click Manage Classes.
  1. Click Assignment Tracker.

ConnectED displays the Assignment Tracker (Figure 17).

Hover your mouse pointer over highlighted areas for more information.

Figure 17. Assignment Tracker

Changing Views

You can adjust how the Assignment Tracker presents information.

Select a Different Class

  • Use the Class-selection drop-down menu at the upper right.

Change the Date Range

  • Click the Calendar icons to select a different Start Date or End Date,then click Apply.

NOTE: The default Date Range is one month from the Current Date.

Tracking Assignment Completion

For each Assignment, you can track Student Assignment completion.

To track Assignment completion, from the Assignment Tracker:

  1. Click the Assignment Title.

ConnectED expands the Assignment Title to show:

  • Students with this Assignment
  • Submitted Status; blank if not Submitted, otherwise, Date Submitted in the format [mm/dd/yyyy]
  • Teacher Comments indicator; blank if no Comments, otherwise, Comments indicator
  • Student Details link; click Details to open the Student Details page (Figure 19).

Figure 19. Student Details

On the Student Details page you can:

  • Quickly review Assignment Instructions, Dates, and Resources
  • Write and post a Comment to the Student
  • Review Student-submitted Questions and Answers

You can edit, copy, or delete an Assignment at any time, starting from any of the following locations in ConnectED:

Manage and Assign Page

To display the Manage and Assign page, on the Menu bar:

  1. Click Manage Classes.

ConnectED displays the Manage and Assign page.

  1. Click Details.

ConnectED displays the Assignment Details page.

Editing an Assignment

NOTE: You can edit an Assignmentonly if no Student has submitted the Assignment.

To edit an Assignment:

  1. Click Edit on the Assignment Details Dashboard.

Networks displays the Edit an Assignment Dashboard (Figure 10).

Figure 10. Edit an Assignment Dashboard

  1. Edit the Assignment as desired and then click Assign at the upper right.

OR

Click Cancel to make no changes.

Networks displays the Assignment Details Dashboard.

Copying an Assignment

You can copy an Assignment and use it as the basis for another Assignment, which you can assign to another Class or Student(s).

To copy an Assignment:

  1. Click Copy on the Assignment Details Dashboard.

Networks displays the Copy an Assignment Dashboard (Figure 11).

Figure 11. Copy an Assignment Dashboard

  1. Edit the Assignment as desired and then click Assign at the upper right.

OR

Click Cancel to make no changes.

Networks displays the Assignment Details Dashboard.

Deleting an Assignment

NOTE: You can delete an Assignmentonly if no Student has submitted the Assignment.

To delete an Assignment:

  1. Click Delete on the Assignment Details Dashboard.

Networks displays the Delete Assignment? message (Figure 12).

Figure 12. Delete Assignment Message

  1. Click OK to delete the Assignment.

OR

Click Cancel to make no changes.

Networks displays the Assignment Details Dashboard.

Assignment A

Assignment Tracker

On the Menu bar:

  1. Click Manage and Assign.
  1. On the submenu bar, click Assignment Tracker.

ConnectED displays the Assignment Tracker (Figure 13).

  1. Identify the desired Class and click Details at the right.

ConnectED displays the Assignment Details page.

My Planner helps you plan and manage your teaching activities on a weekly calendar.

You can add and view the following on My Planner:

  • Lesson Plans and Lesson Resources
  • Important Events such as testing days or parent/teacher conferences
  • Non-Teaching Days

NOTE: You cannot schedule Lessons on Non-Teaching Days.

When you add a Lesson to My Planner:

  • You can view Lessons on My Planner to help you plan and manage your preparation and delivery.
  • You can open a Lesson from My Planner.
  • ConnectED displays Today's Lesson on the Home page or the Manage and Assign page for one-click access to the Lesson and the associated Lesson Presentation.

NOTE: You must first create a Class before using My Planner.

Accessing My Planner

You can access My Planner at any time.

To access My Planner, on the Menu bar:

  1. Click Manage and Assign (Figure 1).
  1. Click My Planner on the submenu (Figure 1).

ConnectED displays My Planner for (a) the selected Class and (b) the current week .My Planner displays weekdays, Monday-Friday.

Figure 1.My Planner

  • Use the Class-selection drop-down box at the upper right to display My Planner for another Class.
  • Use the Calendar icon or Directional Arrows to select a different week.

Adding a Lesson Plan or Resources

You can add a Lesson Plan or a set of Lesson Resources to My Planner at any time.

Tip: Add known Non-Teaching Days to My Planner before adding Lesson Resources.

To add a Lesson Plan or Lesson Resources:

  1. Display the desired Lesson Plan.
  1. Click Add to My Planner at the upper right (see Figures 2 and 3 for examples; your ConnectED Content may look different).

ConnectED displays the Add to My Planner dialogue box (Figure 4).

Figure 3.Add to My Planner: Lesson Resources

  • Select a Class.
  • Select a Start Date. The default Start Date is current date; click the Calendar icon to change the Start Date.
  • Note the suggested duration of Lesson.
  1. Click OK to add Lesson to My Planner.

ConnectEDadds the selected Resources to My Planner beginning on the Start Date.

Tip: If you added Resources with multi-day Duration, your added materials may extend beyond the Start Date.

View, Reschedule, Remove Lessons

You can view, reschedule, or remove any Lesson that you have added to My Planner.

On the Menu bar:

  1. Click Manage and Assign, then click My Planner.

ConnectED displays My Planner open to the current week.

  1. If necessary, use My Planner navigation tools to display the desired Lesson (Figure 5).

Figure 5.Navigation Tools

  • Click Left or Right Arrows to move back for forward by week.
  • Click the Calendar icon to jump to a specific date.

NOTE: My Planner displays by week, Monday through Friday.

  1. Identify the desired Lesson and click the Gear icon.

ConnectED displays the Actions menu (Figure 6).

Figure 6.My Planner Tools Menu

You can now View, Reschedule, or Remove the selected Lesson.