SoftLINK and Google Chromebooks

1:1 Initiative Solutions

Has your school district implemented Chromebooks? Do your teachers need a way to monitor their students' screens, block websites, or even show their teacher's screen on the students' Chromebooks?

As schools continue to invest in the latest mobile devices and setup a 1:1 initiative, effective solutions to support these resources are becoming even more critical. SoftLINK, used in conjunction with Chromebooks, helps educational institutions facilitate the effectiveness of their information technology resources while improving the quality of 1:1 instruction.

SoftLINK is the best software for monitoring students' Chromebooks. It delivers the tools instructors need to help maximize the effectiveness of computer-led training. SoftLINK provides teachers with the ability to interact effortlessly with their students individually, as a group, or even as an entire class.

SoftLINK for Chromebooks Key Features and Benefits

Manuals and Brochures

  SoftLINK Chromebook Brochure
  SoftLINK Chrome Manual
  Installation Guide - Windows or Chrome Teacher
  Installation Guide - Mac Teacher
  Centrally Configurating Student Extension for Chrome
  Using SoftLINK in a Chrome Environment
  Integrating SoftLINK with Google Classroom

Show Teacher's Screen

The best way to show the teacher's screen to the class is to broadcast the teacher's screen to the students' Chromebooks. Every student is guaranteed a perfect view regardless of their seat because the instructor's presentation is shown directly on the students' screens! Simply select the 'show' icon to send the teacher's screen to the students' screens. The teacher has the option to show their screen to an individual student, a group, or the entire class. Students love the fact that they can see every detail up-close and directly in front of them.

Freeze Student's Chromebook Keyboard and Mouse

When an instructor is broadcasting their desktop to the students Chromebooks the mouse and keyboard are automatically locked. However, there may be instances where the teacher needs the students attention and finds that locking their keyboard/mouse is the best way to maintain focus. Once you feel the student is back on track you can then unlock their keyboard and mouse.

Block Internet Access and Apps

Block non-educational websites or define approved only websites - with SoftLINK's simple drag and drop feature. View any student's current or past internet history. Open or close websites on any student Chromebook. View background websites running on all Chromebooks.

SoftLINK for Chromebook Key Features

Show Teacher's Screen

Broadcast the Teacher's Screen - The best way to show the teacher's screen to the class is to broadcast the teacher's screen to the students' Chromebooks. Every student is guaranteed a perfect view regardless of their seat because the instructor's presentation is shown directly on the students' screens! Simply select the 'show' icon to send the teacher's screen to the students' screens. The teacher has the option to show their screen to an individual student, a group, or the entire class. Students love the fact that they can see every detail up-close and directly in front of them.

Logs Student History - One of the top questions teachers ask is... "Does SoftLINK keep a history log of my students' Chromebook activity?" The answer is Yes!

Teachers want to know how their students are using their Chromebooks. The SoftLINK Chromebook history log does that and more. Now teachers will know exactly which websites and Google apps their students have opened. SoftLINK's web log records the date and time of not only when a website and app is opened, but when it is closed or inactive as well. If the student has five tabs open and they sequentially click on each one, one after another, the history will show each being opened for a second as they tabbed through.

Block and Disable Features - Teachers can block unauthorized websites, disable internet access and block FTP access on student Chromebooks to ensure students are utilizing the web for educational purposes only. Instructors can also remotely manage students' web access by launching a website on each student's Chromebook. This saves time and ensures all students are on the same site and ready to learn.

Control Students Keyboard and Mouse - When an instructor is broadcasting their desktop to the students Chromebooks the mouse and keyboard are automatically locked. However, there may be instances where the teacher needs the students attention and finds that locking their keyboard/mouse is the best way to maintain focus. Once you feel the student is back on track you can then unlock their keyboard and mouse.

Monitor Students Screens - An instructor can monitor all student Chromebooks using the student thumbnail view within SoftLINK. Easily monitor student screens and detect on-the-fly if students are on task or need assistance.

Student Surveys - Easily gauge your students' comprehension by electronically sending a question to the students and receiving the results back in real time.

Discreetly Request Assistance - Students can discreetly request assistance from the instructor by selecting the help icon. The help request automatically alerts the instructor to the student's need.

Message Students - Type an attention grabbing message or send a reminder out to the students' Chromebooks. This is an effective way of communicating instantly with your students. For example, near the end of class send a message saying "10 minutes remaining until end of class, please log out."

Collaborative Discussion - Open a discussion box that all or selected students can enter their comments in and that can be viewed by the rest of the class, all while under the instructor's supervision. The Chat feature is ideal for conducting class forums.

Access Students Device - Teachers can instruct and assist their students by remotely accessing any of the students' Chromebooks. If the instructor finds a student is not on task, the instructor can elect to lock the student's keyboard and mouse.

Why Choose SoftLINK for Chromebook?

Focused Learning

SoftLINK has been designed with one primary goal, to keep students focused and on task. Many distractions exist in this digital age, but SoftLINK provides the tools to eliminate many of those distractions. Encourage and emphasize effective learning by blocking websites and applications that do not pertain to a class. Lock out computers in the back of a classroom to prevent students from gravitating toward the rear of the room. Monitor users' screens and immediately respond to student questions or block inappropriate use of resources.

Classroom and Internet Safety

Using SoftLINK's features an instructor can be proactive in providing a safe learning environment. Block website that have unsuitable content and monitor students to prevent inappropriate behavior. Designate approved websites and allow students access to only those sites. SoftLINK provides the ability to discreetly monitor, in real-time, what students are typing. The implementation of these policies provides virtual boundaries that will greatly increase internet safety in the classroom.

Scalable Solution

SoftLINK classroom management software utilizes compression and employs other methods to limit the bandwidth requirements on your network. This provides unparalleled video performance without straining network resources, regardless of the number of connected workstations.

Instant Feedback

SoftLINK provides a means to immediately assess student comprehension. Using the Survey feature, ask a question on the fly and immediately receive feedback from each student along with a distribution of the class results.