Keep it simple. Make it better. That's the approach our Development Team used in this new release. We've worked diligently to pack some new, robust educational features with improved services into this new upgrade.
The new Global Chalkboard now takes the design of the Lesson Creator (released last year) and applies it to all operations. The end result is a new user interface that's both logical and consistent.
Here's an example. Throughout the Global Chalkboard you will see lists that operate in the same way. If you click on any heading in a list, the items in the column are sorted alphabetically; and if you click on a heading, then click on a letter in the alphabet bar, all items in the column that begin with that letter are listed alphabetically.
We've worked diligently to pack some new security and educational features into the Global Chalkboard. And, we've also improved operations and made installations for larger school districts easier.
Here are the new enhancements you will have:
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| New Improved Operation |
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- A single interface—
gcb.bascom.net—streamlines all Global Chalkboard operations.
All the functions from admin.bascom.net, install.bascom.net, and diag.bascom.net are now accessible by entering gcb.bascom.net into the Web browser. Here is the main menu you will see after you log into the Global Chalkboard.
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Note: On the Login screen, enter admin for User Name and your existing administrator password for Password.
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- Large districts can now add workstations faster using ranges.
When a school has a large number of workstations and all of them are used for the same purpose, the workstations can now be added quickly using a series of ranges. Ranges are defined by a starting and ending IP address. By using ranges, each workstation no longer has to be added individually. Now large districts that have multiple schools can quickly add the workstations they need for a single building by creating ranges for each location. Also, if a school is organized as separate computer labs, ranges can be defined for all workstations within a lab.
- More flexible integration into existing networks.
New functionality has now been built into the Global Chalkboard to make it easier to install into a variety of existing networks. Now the Global Chalkboard can be installed as a proxy server or a transparent bridge, and it also supports CISCO's™ URL filter commands. When using the Global Chalkboard, proxy settings are no longer required (though still recommended) since it can act as a transparent proxy. We've added all of these features to make the Global Chalkboard easier to install.
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| Increased Security & Smoother Operation |
- Blocking of uncategorized sites.
From its beginning, the Global Chalkboard has been built to offer you maximum security. Now there is increased protection while using the Research Zone; we've built in the option of blocking all uncategorized sites.
- Allowing all Web Library sites.
For smoother operation, we've also built in the option of allowing all Web Library sites while using the Research Zone.
- The Global Chalkboard now offers more refined filtering.
In addition to blocking file extensions, the Global Chalkboard can now also block specific files.
- A new and improved firewall makes it easier to create and edit firewall rules.
For added security, all red-to-amber traffic must be allowed in the firewall. Previously, the firewall permitted this traffic, but for added protection, this traffic is now blocked unless explicitly defined as allowed.
- New Use Safe Search option improves the security of search engines.
When creating a lesson, security has now been improved by offering a setting within the Lesson Creator to enforce the Safe Search option in Google™ and Yahoo®. The Safe Search option causes the search engine to NOT display objectionable sites from their search results.
- Global Chalkboard now filters cached pages when using search engines.
When performing a search, the cached pages in the search results are now filtered by the Global Chalkboard. A cached page is a snapshot of a Web page that's collected and stored when a search engine is crawling the Web. Even if the search engine has been allowed, the Global Chalkboard can recognize when the cached page originates from a Web site that has been blocked and it will filter that page.
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| A Variety of New Reports for Analyzing Internet Use |
CAUTION: BASCOM strongly recommends that you backup your existing log data before migrating to the new Global Chalkboard Release 5.0. When your Global Chalkboard is upgraded to the new system, all of your existing log data will be lost.
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- New Workstation Reports for analyzing Internet use for a workstation.
- New Lesson Reports for locating a lesson by specific criteria.
- New User Reports for finding individuals that are misusing the Internet.
The Global Chalkboard is now able to integrate with LDAP-based directory services—such as Novell or Active Directory—to add User Names to reports.
- New Access Reports for analyzing Internet use by specific requests.
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| New Educational Tools in the Lesson Creator |
- Lessons can now be mapped to State Standards.
A lesson can now be mapped to multiple state standards and used across curriculum topics to satisfy teaching requirements.
- Student Start Pages offer icons and can be previewed.
To assist younger students in locating the correct Web site and to improve the appearance of the Student Start Page, the Global Chalkboard now offers an icon library to apply a graphic to the site. Also, a preview option now exists to view your Student Start Pages as you're creating your lesson. Because of these improvements, students will now have a more productive learning experience.
- Lessons can be stored under multiple categories.
Since many lessons can be used across curriculums, a lesson can now be stored in as many categories as you like.
- BASCOM lessons can now be used immediately.
It is no longer necessary to copy a BASCOM lesson before using it. Now BASCOM lessons can be used immediately. With over 300 lessons built by our in-house panel of certified teachers, it's the fastest way to get immediately online with quality lessons.
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Note: This capability must be activated by you.
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- Improvements in searching within the Lesson Creator.
BASCOM recognizes that a teacher's time is valuable. That is why we've implemented your suggestions for improved searching. We are sure that you will enjoy the new granular approach to locating a lesson.
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| New and Improved Help |
- Selecting the HELP button on the top, right-hand corner will immediately launch you into a dynamic HELP system. It will also bring you directly to the step-by-step instructions for the screen you're using. Our new HELP is all about convenience; you always have online instructions available whenever you need them.
Also, if you want printed instructions, located at the bottom of each screen is a PDF of the entire Administrator's manual that can be output at any time.
If you have any questions or concerns about this new release, please contact us at 1-888-922-2726 (select Option 3 for Technical Support) or email us at support@bascom.com
BASCOM is always looking for new ways to fine-tune the Global Chalkboard to achieve maximum productivity for your time! As always, we welcome your input and suggestions for improving our products.
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