SOS Parent DL - Sync - Alpha Omega Academy

© 2007 Alpha Omega Publications, Inc.
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are registered trademarks of Alpha Omega Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Welcome to Switched-On Schoolhouse® 2007
Academy Edition
Switched-On Schoolhouse® 2007 School Edition (SOS) is a powerful educational tool that has been
designed to engage students in learning and enhance the educational experience. It combines a
traditional approach with multimedia, allowing students to build a solid educational foundation
while interacting with the curriculum in a dynamic, hands-on way. It also uses a Christian curriculum
that integrates Scripture and a biblical worldview throughout the activities and assignments.
How to Use This Guide
This reference guide has been designed to help you quickly and easily find what you need. As you
thumb through it, you will see pictures and buttons along with quick explanations and handy tips.
You will also be able to walk through step-by-step instructions that show you how to accomplish
different tasks. Keep this guide handy, using the table of contents to skip ahead to the pages you
need.
The overall reference guide is divided into four parts:
Remote Access Users Guide – Become familiar with system requirements and installation options
and learn how to install and use SOS's remote access distance learning features.
Sync Access Users Guide – Become familiar with system requirements and installation options and
learn how to install and use SOS's synchronization distance learning features, as well as the Parent
DL functions specific to sync users.
SOS Parent DL Users Guide – Become familiar with the functions and screens you, as a parent,
need to support and assist your student.
SOS Student DL Users Guide – Take a look at the screens and actions you, as a student, will use as
you do your schoolwork.
If you need assistance, you can also contact Alpha Omega Publications Technical Support team by
calling toll-free 1-800-585-4216 or visiting www.aop.com/faq to see a list of Frequently Asked
Questions. From this website, you can choose to link to the main Technical Support site, filling out a
support request e-mail form.

Table of Contents
Switched-On Schoolhouse® 2007 DL (Distance Learning)
General Program Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Program Installation Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Synchronization Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Items Needed for Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Attention Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
SOS Parent DL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Just for Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Logging In – 10
Using SOS Parent DL Synchronization for the First Time – 10
SOS DL Parent Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
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Switched-On Schoolhouse® 2007 (SOS) DL General Program
Information
System Requirements
The recommended minimum system requirements for the client computer are:
■ Pentium ® III class processor, 500MHz or better
■ Windows ® XP, Windows ® 2000, Windows ® 98 Second Edition
■ 256MB of memory
■ 200MB of hard disk space
■ 800 x 600 or higher resolution monitor, 16-bit color
■ CD-ROM drive
■ Modem
■ Printer is also highly recommended
The requirements listed above are minimum. Depending on your computer’s figuration, you may
NOTE:
find it more beneficial to use Switched-On Schoolhouse ® 2007 on a computer exceeding the above
requirements; i.e., faster processor speed and more memory.
Program Installation Options
IMPORTANT! Read this section carefully before proceeding.
As agreed upon with your guidance counselor and based on the needs of your family, you have chosen to connect with our
servers through one of two methods, either “synchronization” or “remote access.”
1. If you chose to use “Synchronization,” This guide will walk you through the Sync installation process and initial
synchronization with the Academy servers. This process installs both the student application and the parent application.
Both icons will appear on your desktop once the process is complete.
2. If you chose to use “Remote Access,” you should have printed the installation instructions for Remote Access
users. This installation process will guide you through installation and connecting to the Academy servers. This
process installs both the student application and the parent application. Both icons will appear on your desktop
once the process is complete.
NOTE:
Once the process of installing and connecting to our servers is completed, parents and students will want
to familiarize themselves with the program by accessing and reading the guides on the student and parent
applications. Please proceed to those guides to read and follow the given instructions once installation is
complete.
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Synchronization
SOS 2007 DL Synchronization Installation
NOTE:
Be sure you have read the Program Installation Options section on the previous page before you
proceed.
Items Needed for Student Synchronization Installation
Please make sure you have the following items available before beginning to install SOS 2007 DL Synchronization – Student:
❑ Remote Access & Synchronization – Student Installation disc
❑ Subject discs
❑ Student username and password
Parent Synchronization is automatically installed when Student Synchronization is installed.
NOTE:
NOTE:
See the Parent Guide for instructions on installing curriculum to your hard drive using SOS DL
Parent.
Working with multiple computers? Moving to a new computer? You must sychronize when switching
computers. If you have any questions or are unsure if you need to sync, please call Technical
Support toll-free 1-800-585-4216.
Attention Parents:
NOTE:
If your student installs the software, we strongly recommend that you immediately change and
secure the Parent password before the student begins working on lessons. Instructions for changing
your password are found on the last page of this guide.
Follow the steps below to install the Student DL Synchronization feature:
Step 1:
Start from the SOS 2007 Setup window, shown below.
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Step 2:
Click the second option, Student DL (Synchronization). The SOS 2007 Installed Products window displays.
This window, similar to the one on the following page, indicates which of the required applications are already
installed and which you need to install before continuing the installation process.
Step 3:
Click the Install button. A small Confirm Installation pop-up box, similar to the one shown below, displays,
indicating which programs will be installed.
Step 4:
Click OK. The SOS 2007 Installed Products window displays, indicating which product is currently being
installed.
Step 5:
Click Install.
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Description of Installed Components
Depending on which programs are already installed on your computer, some or all of the following components will be
installed.
Microsoft Windows® Installer 2.0
Immediately after you click OK (on the Confirm Installation pop-up box), Microsoft Windows ® Installer 2.0 begins installing
automatically. While this piece is installing behind the scenes, you see very small progress arrows on your screen.
Microsoft® MDAC 2.8
If Microsoft ® MDAC 2.8 is not already installed on your computer, the application automatically installs. You again see the same
small progress arrows you saw while Microsoft Windows ® Installer 2.0 installed.
Microsoft® Internet Explorer (IE) 6
The next application to install is Microsoft ® IE 6. If you do not currently have Microsoft ® IE 6 on your computer, follow these
steps to install this application after the License Agreement displays:
Step 1:
Step 2:
Click next to “I accept the terms in the license agreement.”
Click Next. Microsoft ® IE 6 begins installing.
After Microsoft ® IE 6 has successfully installed, your computer automatically restarts.
Microsoft® .NET Framework 1.1
After your computer restarts, the SOS 2007 Setup window displays again, with the phrase “Finding Prerequisites” flashing
across the screen. Your computer is now searching for the next installation piece, Microsoft ® .NET Framework 1.1. If necessary,
Microsoft ® .NET Framework 1.1 installs automatically. Once more, you see the same small progress arrows you saw while
Microsoft ® MDAC 2.8 installed.
Macromedia Flash Player 9/Shockwave 10
The next application to install is Flash Player 9/Shockwave 10, which is installed automatically. You again see very small
progress arrows on your screen.
SOS 2007 MSDE 2000 Server
The next application to install is SOS 2007 MSDE 2000 Server, which is also installed automatically. You again see small
progress arrows on your screen. After SOS 2007 MSDE 2000 Server has successfully installed, your computer may automatically
restart without warning or ask you to restart the system.
After your computer re-starts, the SOS 2007 Setup window displays again, with the phrase “Finding Prerequisites” flashing
across the screen. The last application you need to install is Switched-On Schoolhouse ® 2007 Student Synchronization. While
this application does not install automatically, it does contain an InstallShield ® Wizard, which takes you though the installation
process step by step.
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Step 6:
Start from the SOS 2007 InstallShield ® Wizard screen, shown below.
Step 7:
Click Next. The License Agreement displays.
Step 8:
Step 9:
Click next to “I accept the terms in the license agreement.”
Click Next. The Destination Folder window displays.
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Step 10:
Click Next, if no changes are necessary. The Setup Parent Account screen displays.
NOTE:
Step 11:
Step 12:
Just for Parents: The username and password here must be entered by the parent, as it secures
the parent application from the student. Take care to note, the username should contain no spaces.
Complete the Username, Password, and Confirm Password textboxes.
Click Next. The Synchronization Access URL screen displays.
Step 13:
Click Next. The Ready to Install the Program screen displays.
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Step 14:
Click Install. The InstallShield ® Wizard Completed screen displays after all of your new files are copied.
Step 15:
Click Finish. The Installation Complete pop-up box displays.
Step 16:
Step 17:
Click OK. A new SOS 2007 Setup window displays, showing checkmarks next to all of the applications that
you installed.
Click Close.
SOS Parent DL - Sync
Just for Parents
Before students can sync to the school’s database, they must first be set up in SOS Parent DL. This section has been designed
to help you find your way around the Parent DL application as well as teach you how to set up and use the synchronization
option.
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Logging In
The SOS Parent DL Login is the first screen you see. You need to login each time you open SOS. Below is a picture of the SOS
Parent DL Login screen.
When you arrive at your SOS Parent DL Login screen, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Type your username and password that you established during installation in their respective textboxes. For
security reasons, your password displays only as dots rather than letters.
Step 2: Click the button to finish logging in. (SOS gives you unlimited attempts to log in and does not
lock you out after a certain number of failed attempts.) Your SOS Parent DL Home screen displays.
NOTE: Every time you log in to the Parent application, a synchronization window appears over the Home
screen.
Using SOS Parent DL Synchronization for the First Time
Before a student can sync to the school’s local database, a parent must first set up the sync feature and the student through
the SOS Parent DL application, which is discussed in the SOS DL Parent Guide. Follow the steps below to use SOS Parent DL
Synchronization for the first time:
NOTE:
Step 1:
Before beginning the synchronization process, you must first be connected to the Internet.
Start from the Home screen in the SOS DL Parent Synchronization application. Since this is your first time synchronizing,
the Synchronization Setup window (shown below) automatically displays:
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Step 2: Type the appropriate School Server URL in the blank textbox, if necessary (see Step 12 on page 8).
Step 3: Click the button. A small Add Student pop-up box displays:
Step 4:
NOTE:
Type the student’s username and password in the User Name and Password textboxes.
The student username and password were created and issued by the Academy. They are not created
as the parent username and password are.
Step 5: Click .
Step 6:
Step 7:
Repeat Steps 3 through 5 for any additional students that need to be added.
Click Synchronize. The Select Term to Synchronize pop-up window displays. (See next page.)
Step 8:
Select the correct term, using the drop-down arrow if necessary.
Step 9: Click . A Synchronize progress window displays, indicating the process is underway:
Step 10:
Repeat Steps 8 and 9 for any additional students that will synchronize.
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Step 11: Click the button when a box similar to the one below displays, indicating the synchronization
process is complete:
Step 12:
Step 13:
NOTE:
NOTE:
Click Close to close the window.
Click X in the upper right corner of the window to close the Synchronize window.
The first time you, as the parent synchronize, a small message box appears on your screen to
advise you that an application update must be run before the student application can be opened.
Click OK to run the update, then click OK when updates are completed. Once these steps are complete,
the student may now log in to the Student application and Synchronization.
Sync Parents, find additional valuable information in the SOS DL Parent Guide, available at
www.aoaacademy.com/resources.
NOTE:
Once the process of installing and connecting to our servers is completed, parents and students will want
to familiarize themselves with the program by accessing and reading the guides on the student and parent
applications. Please proceed to those guides to read and follow the given instructions once installation is
complete.
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SOS DL Parent Passwords
Below is a picture of the Change Password window and a short description of each section:
1
2
3
4 5
1 – current password – Type your current password in the current password field.
2 – new password – Type your new password in the new password field.
3 – verify new password – Type your new password a second time in the verify new password field to confirm the new
password you just entered.
4 – Save – Click the button to save any password changes you have made.
5 – Cancel – Click the button to cancel any changes you have not yet saved.
CHANGING YOUR SOS PARENT DL PASSWORD
To change the password used to log into SOS, follow the steps below:
Step 1:
Start from your Home screen.
Step 2: Click the button. A small submenu displays to the right, giving you various options from which
to choose.
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
Click Change Password. The Change Password window (shown above)
displays.
Type your current password in the current password field.
Type your new password in the new password field.
Type your new password a second time in the verify new password field to confirm the new password you
just entered.
Step 7: Click the button to save your changes.The pop-up window disappears and you are back at your
Home screen.The next time you start SOS, you are required to log in using your new password.
Step 8: Click the button if you believe you have made an error or have decided against changing your
password at this time.
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