TECHNOLOGY
The Global Chalkboard is a reliable, robust, and scalable solution for schools. Its flexibility enables it to fit into almost any infrastructure with minimal maintenance. To meet these needs, the Global Chalkboard offers the following technological features and benefits:
- Simple, Web-based administration.
- Configurations can be applied to individual computers and/or groups of computers.
- Server-side solution with no proprietary client software.
- Easy integration into a wide variety of existing TCP/IP networks and major operating systems, including Windows, Macintosh, and Linux. It even works with mixed network configurations.
- Works with any form of Internet access from dial-up to T1, wireless, cable, and DSL.
- Does not require any client-side software aside from an industry standard browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape.
- Includes necessary network infrastructure components optimized for schools including Internet gateway router, firewall, Web cache system, and remote administration.
- Professional Development is available.
- Automatic software and content updates and back-up every night.
The Guardian can manage or turn-off other Internet services such as AOL and FTP.
The Guardian is an integrated firewall that completes the instructional approach to Internet management found in the Global Chalkboard by governing other types of Internet services such as AOL, FTP, and IRC — far exceeding the capabilities of a traditional filter. The Guardian also provides an extra layer of protection for your school's network by integrating with an existing firewall or operating independently as the primary firewall for your school's network.
The Accelerator speeds access to learning resources, maximizing learning time.
The Accelerator is an integrated Web caching system that allows for faster retrieval of Web pages used in class lessons. This maximizes valuable classroom time by speeding access to frequently used online content and enables educators to overcome unexpected network congestion and slow connection speeds.
The Accelerator enhances the efficiency of your classroom by complementing your existing caching infrastructure or operating independently as the primary Web cache system.
When it comes to Internet safety, the Global Chalkboard guarantees peace of mind. For proof that the Internet is not being misused, the Global Chalkboard delivers a variety of reports for analyzing use. They can locate those sites allowed, those sites blocked, and provide access information by workstation, user, and lesson.
The Virtual Administrator is automatic, remote administration of software upgrades, configuration backups, and saved lessons.
The Virtual Administrator allows schools to realize the full instructional value of the Global Chalkboard by making it simple to manage. Rather than bogging down technical staff in time-consuming maintenance, the Virtual Administrator remotely automates the delivery of system upgrades, backs up configuration files and teacher-created lessons to an off-site disaster recovery facility, updates content to the Web Library, School Zone, and Research Zone, and adds new BASCOM lessons.
To ensure that your Global Chalkboard has the latest technological innovations, the Virtual Administrator furnishes automatic technology upgrades of new product features and versions as they're developed. These occur through an encrypted channel over your existing Internet connection.
The Virtual Administrator also provides automatic, remote back up of all Global Chalkboard related configuration files. All lessons that have been created, settings, and configurations are safe and secure and your school doesn't need to do a thing!