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Using SynchronEyes for Instruction - Rm 516

Used in conjunction with G516's permanent interactive display, the Synchroneyes software developed by Smart Technologies enables instructors to:

• coordinate delivery of lecture material between the projector, the Interactive Display, and the workstations. This allows students to follow along at their own workstation, and clarifies any part of the projected image typically obscured by G516's first row of monitors
• project the lecture material onto each student's workstation
• monitor each student's progress with the lecture material or lab assignment
• control the student's desktop from the instructor's workstation in order to assist without having to move to their workstation and subsequently share that personal tutorial with the class
• monitor the content of each student's workstation in order to prevent websurfing/ emailing during classtime

This functionality is not limited to Gund 516. Similar scenarios can be established in the studio environment. Execution will reflect either student or instructor demand.

In order to use the software most efficiently, it is necessary to first be familiar with the interactive display interface. Help is available.

Examples

Described below are the basic software features most useful for GSD instructors. Synchroneyes has additional capabilities, including chat, quizzes, etc., as well as the degree of control the instructor wishes to exert. These topics, and a more in depth explanation of features and settings are covered in either the software's help or in the Synchroneyes User Manual (pdf). Most of the explanations in this documentation are from the pdf manual; page numbers cited are in the format: pdf file page [manual page].

• Teacher interface
• Student interface
• Broadcasting teacher and student desktops
• Show your desktop to the class
• Show a student’s desktop to the class
• Annotate over a desktop broadcast
• Monitoring student workstations
• Controlling the student's desktop
• Disconnecting a student workstation
• Controlling student disconnect

Teacher Interface 12-13[9-10]

In the thumbnails view the student workstations that are logged in show up as smaller screens, or thumbnails, within the interface. These thumbnails display the students' current activity, refreshing every few seconds or so. From this interface the instructor can determine what information is displayed on the student workstations, oversee the students' progress, aid students, etc.

Student Interface 16[13]

From the student's point of view, Synchroneyes software keeps a very low profile. The only indication that student activities are being observed will be a pair of icons in the System Tray located at the right side of the Task Bar.

The student software communicates with the teacher software through the network, thereby providing a direct means of broadcasting material in both directions. Students also have access to chat features provided the instructor deems it beneficial to grant such privileges.

Broadcasting teacher and student desktops 39-41[36-38]

You can easily broadcast your own or a student’s desktop to the entire class or to a selected group. When you are broadcasting a student’s desktop, both you and the student can control the presentation via mouse or keyboard. Note: If a student logs in after you begin broadcasting a desktop, they will not be able to view the broadcast. The message "Hello, you are late" will appear on their monitor, and the student will not be able to use their computer until the broadcast is over. While broadcasting, you can annotate over the broadcast desktop and view [but not answer] student questions.

Show your desktop to the class 39-40[36-37]

Some students have voiced a preference for having the instructor's lecture material be broadcast directly to their displays. This overcomes some of G516's projector limitations [primarily the first row monitors partly obscuring the image].

1. Launch desired application [Powerpoint, etc.]
2. To have your desktop broadcast, click the Thumbnails tab. The Thumbnails view will open in the All Students tab. To broadcast to all students, leave your view as it is, or to broadcast to a group, click a Group tab.
3. Click the Broadcast button. A message will appear, asking if you want to broadcast your desktop to the class.
4. Click the Yes button. Your desktop will be displayed on all student monitors or the monitors of a selected group. During the broadcast, a six-button My Desktop toolbar will appear in the upper-right corner of your screen. The Broadcast button will be depressed.

   

5. To stop the broadcast, click the Class button in the My Desktop toolbar. You’ll be returned to the Thumbnails view.

Show a student’s desktop to the class 40-41[37-38]

As a means of displaying exceptional work to the rest of the class, it is possible to broadcast individual student workstations.

1. Click the Thumbnails tab. The Thumbnails view will open on the All Students tab. To broadcast to all students, leave the view as it is, or to broadcast to an individual group, click a Group tab.
2. Select a student thumbnail.
3. Click the Broadcast button. The student desktop will be displayed on student monitors.
4. To stop the broadcast, click the Class button in the My Desktop toolbar. You’ll be returned to the Thumbnails view.

Annotate over a desktop broadcast 41[38]

1. While broadcasting a desktop from a SMART Board interactive whiteboard, click the Pen button in the My Desktop toolbar.
2. When you’ve finished, click the Left-mouse button in the My Desktop toolbar to restore default leftmouse click behavior. The annotation will disappear from the screen.

Monitoring student workstations 26[23]

In order to keep an eye on student progress, or simply ensure that class time is not devoted to improper computer uses, all student monitors can be broadcast to the ID or the instructor's laptop.

1. If you're at your desktop or working in an application, access the Thumbnails view by clicking the Thumbnails tab. The Thumbnail views of all connected student desktops will appear.
2. For a full-screen view of any thumbnail, double-click on the thumbnail, or select the thumbnail and click the Observe button.

Controlling the student's desktop 26-27[23-24]

It is possible to provide help to the student without having to physically wade through the G516's close quarters.

1. Click the Thumbnails tab.
2. Click the student's thumbnail.
3. Click once again, or click the Observe button. After a moment, the student’s desktop will appear full-sized on your monitor. You'll notice the appearance of an enlarged pointer enclosing the regular mouse pointer. This represents the mouse control you now share with the student. A six button toolbar will also appear in the top-left corner of your view. Use this toolbar to broadcast the student’s desktop to the class or to return to Thumbnails view. The student’s name will appear in the title bar.
4. You can now add information to the student's active application via your own keyboard, scroll to another page, etc. – in short, modify the application just as if it were your own. The changes you make are seen the student's monitor. The student can also actively share mouse and keyboard control with you, providing instant feedback to your changes and suggestions.
5. To deliver a demonstration to the class based on this student's desktop, broadcast the desktop as described above, or to return to the Thumbnails view, click the Class button.

Disconnecting a student workstation 31[28]

The need may arise when broadcasting the instructor's desktop to not broadcast to all of the student workstations. Simply disconnecting those students will allow them to continue working.

1. Click the Thumbnails tab.
2. Select the thumbnail of the student you want to disconnect.
3. Select Disconnect from the Edit menu.
4. Click Yes when the confirmation message appears. At the student's workstation, SynchronEyes student-station software will automatically exit.

Controlling student disconnect 31[28]

The instructor has the option of disabling the student's ability to disconnect from Synchroneyes; this prevents them from disconnecting in order to be unobserved [ie emailing during class], or from rendering themselves unable to be helped from the instructor's workstation [see controlling the student's desktop above]

1. Click the Thumbnails tab.
2. If the Allow Student to Disconnect command in the Options menu is checked, select the command to remove the check mark.