SoftchalkDemonstration

Downloading the Software

Softchalk should be loaded on your computer. You can get the program at

Once the software is downloaded, look for a green icon with the number 5 in a picture of a chalkboard on your desktop. This is your shortcut to the program.

Getting Started

  1. Open Softchalk
  2. Choose “New” from the tool bar. You will see a blank white work space.
  3. Copy and paste a Word document in Softchalk. We have provided a word document for you if you need one at
  4. Look for “Monkey Business.” Copy/paste the document onto the white work space in Softchalk
  5. Softchalk has a spell check under “tools”

Adding/Changing a Template

  1. Under properties choose Style Properties. Choose a template. You can always go back and change it at any time.

6. In order to start viewing what your project is looking like, you must save it. Softchalksaves in HTML so do not use spaces in your file name. Your file name must look like-monkey_business orpractice_softchalk_monkey

  1. Choose the “View in Browser” (world icon). You can see how your project is starting to

look. Close out the browser window to return to your working project.

Adding Headings and Sub Headings

  1. To make a heading and subheading, highlight the titles, go to the menu bar, choose Heading One for main headers, and headings two, three or four for sub headings.
  2. The headings you choose determine what the table of content will look like.

Adding Page Breaks

  1. Determine some page breaks. Use Control Enter to add a page break. Use delete to remove.
  2. Click the world icon to view your project. You will get a prompt to save. Click yes.

Changing Font, Bolding, Using Italics

  1. Choose a piece of your text. To bold, use italics, underline, or change color, font, or style of text, highlight and use the tool bar like in Word.

Using Style Properties

  1. Go to “Style Properties” and open. Click the “Title and Layout” tab
  2. Add a title, rollover, numbers, etc here. Take some time to play and get your project looking like you want.

Adding Sidebars

  1. Go to “Properties” and choose “Sidebars”
  2. Type the title of a handout here. You can right click on the text to hyperlink to a handout.
  3. Add a “Learn More” side bar to your last page. In this side bar add a hyperlink to a website. Remember you right click in a sidebar to link.
  4. Add a link to another site. Type the Title. Highlight. Right click to add a hyperlink.

Adding an Image if Softchalk is Blocked from your Pictures

  1. To add an image go to the tool bar and choose insert.
  2. Choose image, select image.
  3. Choose an image
  4. Click insert

Using Media Search

  1. Add a YouTube video by selecting one about Spider Monkeys using the Media Search

Tool.

24. Add an image using Media Search to the Introduction page.

Adding Charts or Tables

  1. Insert a table (on tool bar) somewhere so you can see what it looks like. Click save and take a look at your project.

Adding Interaction in Text

  1. Highlight a piece of your work. Right click and choose “Text Popper.” Type the highlighted text in the top frame and type a definition or direction in the bottom frame. Click OK. Save your project. Open in the browser window. Roll over the text that you choose. A pop up occurs.
  2. Choose an area on a page. Right click. Choose “Quiz Popper.” Add a question of your choice. Click OK. Save your project. Go to the browser and look at your questions on the selected page. Play with this feature adding different forms of questions so you can see what they look like.
  3. Choose an area in your project. Right click and choose “Activity.” Choose “Crossword.” Add some words and definitions related to your project. When you are done, click OK. Save your project. Open in your browser. Find the page you added the crossword to. Click on it and see how it looks.
  4. Play with some of the other activities in Softchalk such as “Drag and Drop” for ordering items, “flash cards” for study purposes, or “Ordering” for placing items or actions in the correct order. Please note that included in this area are choices for math including writing equations and characters. Choose this feature and see how it works.

More on Sidebars

  1. Choose sidebar again. Choose More Resources. Add video or audio files.

To Load Your Softchalk Package into a Learning Management System

  1. To save your project to be uploaded into your Learning Management System, you have to save as a zip file.
  2. In Blackboard, link to fill under browse, then choose special action, unpack age this file
  3. Once uploaded into the LMS, choose the entry point with the extension .index
  4. If the package is saved as a SCORM file, the file will directly link to the gradebook in Blackboard. The SCORM file does not load with color and is somewhat bland looking.

Other Information

  1. Don’t forget that Softchalk has videos and webinars for you to learn how to use the software.
  2. Click “Help” on the tool bar. Choose “Help Topics”
  3. You can choose “online help”to get to online assistance, video lessons, or manuals.