CambridgeEnglish Language Teaching

Frequently Asked Questions

Whiteboard Software CD-ROMs general

Q: Are the CD-ROMs designed for a particular brand of interactive whiteboard?

A: No. The Whiteboard Software CD-ROMs will work with any interactive whiteboard. We recommend Hitachi interactive whiteboards - please contact your local office if you are interested purchasing whiteboards as well as the software.

Q: Can I use the software if I don't have an interactive whiteboard?

A: Yes, you can use the Whiteboard Software CD-ROMs without an interactive whiteboard, although some of the tools (such as writing with a pen on-screen) are easier to use with a whiteboard pen than with a mouse or track pad. You can use the software with a computer that is linked to a data projector, or even on individual computers, provided that you have purchased enough copies of the CD-ROM.

Q: Do I have to install the software on my computer in order to use it?

A: Yes.

Q: Can I use the software on a Macintosh?

A: No. Currently the software can only be used on a PC.

Q: Will the software run across a network?

A: Yes, but you will need to purchase the Whiteboard Software Network versions, which are designed for use across a network.

Q: What plug-ins will I need to use the software?

A: You will need Adobe® Reader® and Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher to use some of the features of the software. These are included on the CD-ROM, and if you don't have them already installed you will be asked if you would like to, at the same time as installing the software. Depending on the software, there may also be links in the program pointing to the appropriate files on the CD-ROM.

Q: Can I use the tools with other programs (e.g. Word documents)?

A: No, you cannot use the tools in the software to annotate other programs. However, you should be able to use the tools provided with your whiteboard software to do this.

Q: How do I know which areas of the screen can be written on with the software tools?

A: Some elements of the screen are active, such as buttons for feedback and navigation, or the audio player. When you move the pointer over those elements with a tool selected, the pointer will change back to a cursor or hand to show that you can't annotate these areas. There is a border around the screen when viewed in 1024 x 768 screen resolution which can't be written on using the tools. This is because 800 x 600 is the minimum screen resolution needed for the software, and only the area which fits on an 800 x 600 screen can be annotated.

Q: Can I import to or export data to or from the software?

A: Unfortunately, you cannot import or export data to or from the software. This is related to copyright issues and therefore most software programs are 'closed', meaning that you can't just import a text or a picture to a notes page for example. However, you can always prepare additional material and open it in another program (such as Word or the software which came with your whiteboard) and 'jump' between your software and that program using ALT + Tab. Alternatively you can use the 'scale' function of your software and then access other programs through the operating system's navigation panel.

Q: I have turned off the feedback sounds and moved the navigational panel to the left side of the screen. Will the software remember this when I next use it?

A: Yes. Provided that you use the same login, the software will remember where you left the navigational panel and that you turned off the feedback sounds, so you only need to change the default settings once.

Q: Are there any Teacher's notes to support the software?

A: Yes. You will find notes on how to use the software in the booklet which comes with the CD-ROM. This booklet is also available as a PDF from the Teacher's notes button on the Main Menu screen. Keep checking our web site for general information on best practice for teaching EFL using an interactive whiteboard.

Q: Can the Learning Objects be edited?

A: Unfortunately, it is not possible to edit individual Learning Objects, but you can annotate Learning Objects and their notes pages, and then save and name each state, to load again later. You can also use the Lesson builder to choose the order in which the lessons appear and to create your own lessons, and even add the saved states of Learning Objects which you have already customised with your own annotations and notes pages. Please see the Teacher's notes for full details on how to make the most of the Lesson builder functionality.

Q: The pen doesn't work at the very top of the screen!

A: The tools are restricted to the main part of the screen where you find the activity. Outside this area, the pointer will change to the arrow cursor or the hand cursor to show that the tool is no longer active.

Q: In 800 x 600 screen resolution, where is the navigational toolbar? In 1024 x 768 screen resolution, why is there so much space around the main activity when I can't use it for annotations?

A: If you are running the program in 800 x 600 screen resolution, no border will be shown and the navigational toolbar will slide in when you move the cursor to the edge of the screen. If you are running the program in 1024 x 768 screen resolution, you will see a border around the screen where you will find the main navigational toolbar. In order for the software to run effectively in both 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768 screen resolutions, the border of the screen can't be used for annotations. The program will automatically detect your screen resolution when you start it up. To change your screen resolution, you will need to alter the Display settings in Windows®.

Q: Does this software run on an RM network?

This software does not support Community Connect 3 or other RM products.

For further information, please contact technical support at techsupport@cambridge-hitachi.com.

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Whiteboard Software CD-ROMs standalone version

Q: How do I install the standalone software on my computer?

A: Put the CD-ROM in the drive - it should autorun. Follow the onscreen instructions given by the InstallShield® Wizard. You will also be asked if you want to copy the program content to your hard disk. While this is not essential to the operation of the software, it will help the program to run more smoothly and we therefore recommend it. If the CD-ROM does not autorun when placed in the drive, navigate to the CD-ROM in Windows® Explorer and click on the file named setup.exe to launch the installation.

Q: When I have installed the software, will I need to have the CD-ROM in the drive when I use it?

A: Yes. For security reasons, you will need to have the CD-ROM in the drive when using the standalone version of the software, so make sure that you keep it safe!

Q: I am teaching the same course with more than one class. How do I keep my annotations and notes for each class separate within the software?

A: We suggest that you create a login for each class to keep your notes separate. Your annotations and notes for each login are automatically saved by the software, so you can refer to the notes from the previous lesson as a warm-up at the start of your class. On the Main Menu screen, you can see which class you are logged in as (for example, "Logged in as: Class A") - remember to switch users (using the button on the Main Menu screen) if you are switching between classes on the same computer!

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Whiteboard Software CD-ROMs network version

Q: How does the Whiteboard Software Network version work?

A: The network version of the Whiteboard Software can be installed on to a network server and then the contents accessed from a shared folder by several users on different computers in the network simultaneously. The simple interface of the Administrative Module allows the administrator to add or delete users and courses as well as control the selection of installed courses and who has access to them.

Q: How does the administrator install the network software on the server?

A: In order to install the software on the network server the administrator needs to put the CD-ROM in the drive of the computer selected as the network's server, navigate to the CD-ROM contents (most easily done via Windows® Explorer), and then launch the setup.exe. It is a simple case then of following the onscreen instructions given by the InstallShield® Wizard. The network version should be installed into a shared directory which the other computers in the network can access. The administrator then will need to set up accounts for the users, using the Administrative Module (the shortcut will be created in the Windows Start menu), and issue them with a user name and password so that they can log in to the program on one of the computers in the network.

Q: What is the Administrative Module?

A: The Administrative Module is the software interface which enables the administrator to add or delete users or courses to or from the network. It also allows the administrator control over which users have access to which installed courses. The shortcut to the Administrative Module will be created in the Windows menu after installation on the server of the Whiteboard Software Network version.

Q: Is it possible to install the Whiteboard Software Network version on another operating system than mentioned in the minimum system requirements (Windows® 2000 Server or Windows® 2003 Server)?

A: The Whiteboard Software Network version can be installed, for example on Windows® NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows® 2000 Professional or Windows® XP operational system as well, but only a maximum of 10 concurrent users will be able to work on the program at the same time. In order to connect a larger number of concurrent users you will need to install a different operating system e.g. Windows® NT 4.0 Server, Windows® 2000 Server, Windows® 2003 Server.

Q: I have more than 10 computers in my network and I want them all to be able to use the software. How can I do this?

A: You will need to purchase another copy of the Whiteboard Software Network for every 10 computers you want to use the software with. This will "top up" the number of concurrent users allowed on your network. Please contact your local office to discuss purchases for large numbers of concurrent users.

Q: Is it possible to add several users to Administrative Module in one go?

A: Yes. The administrator can create a .csv file with the user names and passwords and then import them by a single click on the 'Import' button in the Administrative Module. To create a .csv file the user must open MS Excel and create a list of users in three columns: login, name, password.

A user 'Name' is the name by which the Administrator wishes to recognise that particular user (generally the user's name). The user 'Login' and 'Password' are required by the user to access the program on a client computer. The 'Login' is not case sensitive and spaces before or after the name are ignored to save these being input by mistake. Passwords are case sensitive and spaces are also recognised.

Q: How can I uninstall the Administrative Module?

A: The Administrative Module stores important information concerning users' data from each installed network course, so it cannot be removed automatically together with content of the Whiteboard Software Network. To uninstall the Administrative Module you have to go to: \\amch\uninstall and then run the Uninstall.exe file. It is then possible to delete the program folder from the amch directory.

Q: How do I add a new course in the Administrative Module?

A: In order to do this, you need to select 'Courses' in the Administrative Module and then click on the New course button. In the window that appears, type in the full http URL address to the new .course file (located: \\amch\Content\program_folder_name) and then click on the 'Add course' button. It is also possible to add a new course using the Start menu 'Add course' shortcut. After adding the new course, you will need to register the CD-ROM before any users can log in.

Q: I removed the course from the Administrative Module and then added the course manually. Why can't I access the client version now?

A: Any time the administrator adds a new course, he or she will need to register the CD-ROM in the Administrative Module before users can log in.

Q: Why are there two links to a course, one with and one without an (e) at the end?

A: The (e) stands for embedded fonts. This is a version of the courseware which is required when it is necessary to recognise embedded fonts, particularly when using operating systems with different characters sets to those used in English.

Q: Why are there empty pages when I click on 'Browse course structure' in the Administrative Module?

A: This could be for one of two reasons: either you have uninstalled the content of the Whiteboard Software Network or you need to install Shockwave Flash Player 7 or higher.

Q: How do I install the network software on a 'client' computer?

A: Installation of a network client version is possible only after the Administrative Module has been successfully installed on the computer intended as a server.

To install the network software, you will need to access the directory located on the server ("\\server_name\Clientamch\program_name") and then run the setup.exe. Then follow the instructions on the screen.

Q: After installing the network version of the software on the client computer, how can I start it?

A: After installation a shortcut to start the software is created on the desktop (double click) and in the programs menu (single click), via which you will be taken to the log-in screen. You must enter a login name and password that have been previously created in the Administrative Module.

Q: When I have installed the network version of the software, will I need to have the CD-ROM in the drive when I use it?

A: You do not need to have the CD-ROM in the drive for the network version of the software.

Q: I can log in to a client version of the Whiteboard Software Network, but after log-in, each page is empty. Why?

A: Probably the content of the Whiteboard Software Network has been removed by the Administrator. Please contact your administrator for more information.

Q: I am teaching the same course with more than one class. How do I keep my annotations and notes for each class separate within the network software?

A: We suggest that you ask the system administrator to create a login and password for each class to keep your notes separate. Your annotations and notes for each login and password are automatically saved by the software, so you can refer to the notes from the previous lesson as a warm-up at the start of your class. On the Main Menu screen, you can see which class you are logged in as (for example, "Logged in as: Class A") - remember to switch users (using the button on the Main Menu screen) if you are switching between classes on the same computer!

Q: While I was working on a client version of the Whiteboard Software Network, I received the following information: 'This session had been closed'. What does it mean?

A: This could be for one of two reasons: either the Administrator has closed the session in the Administrative Module, or another user logging in on a client computer with the same login name and password has closed the session. Please contact your administrator for more information.

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