FAQs - Using Dynamic Learning
What technical requirements do I need to use Dynamic Learning?
How do I export Dynamic Learning to my VLE?
What happens to VLE packs I’ve created when our subscription expires?
My subscriptions are all up to date, but the lesson I exported and uploaded to our VLE still contains limited trial versions of some resources. Why?
Will the Assessment Engine in some Dynamic Learning titles work in the VLE?
Can Dynamic Learning resources be imported directly into Smart Notes?
How do I save out images?
How can I add my own resources to Dynamic Learning?
What happens to resources I’ve created when our subscription expires?
How can I create lessons?
What are the different levels of access to Dynamic Learning?
I would rather not have to remember yet another login and password. Is there anything I can do?
How do I manage users?
How do I manage groups?
What happens if our school has recently merged with another school?
What technical requirements do I need to use Dynamic Learning?
All you really need to use Dynamic Learning is an Internet Connection!
You'll need a modern web browser with JavaScript and CSS support, and the Flash plug-in. For the best experience you'll need a fast broadband connection. Dynamic Learning works on the majority of browsers but if you are unsure give our Technical Support line a ring.
How do I export Dynamic Learning to my VLE?
You can export Dynamic Learning to your school VLE at the click of a button. You can export every resource from a title by clicking on Manage Dynamic Learning and following the instructions. Alternatively you can export your lessons, in the form of URLs, to your VLE using the icon provided in the Lesson Builder.
It really is that simple but if you have questions
we’re always on hand to help.
What happens to VLE packs I’ve created when our subscription expires?
When your subscription expires you will no longer be able to access the resources in the VLE pack but will instead see a message alerting you to the expired subscription. Should you resubscribe, Dynamic Learning resources in the VLE will be accessible once more.
My subscriptions are all up to date, but the lesson I exported and uploaded to our VLE still contains limited trial versions of some resources. Why?
If you created your VLE pack while you were trialling the title concerned, the links will be to the trial versions of certain resources. Simply re-create your pack now that you've subscribed, and re-upload.
Will the Assessment Engine in some Dynamic Learning titles work in the VLE?
Yes, assessments can be accessed via the VLE window, but the marks and reporting tools will reside in Dynamic Learning so teachers will need to log in to Dynamic Learning to view reports.
Can Dynamic Learning resources be imported directly into Smart Notes?
No, unfortunately not.
How do I save out images?
Unfortunately, due to third-party copyright restrictions, most images from Dynamic Learning cannot be saved. Images which can be saved have a small “floppy disc” Save icon displayed at the top left.
How can I add my own resources to Dynamic Learning?
Integrating your own resources into Dynamic Learning is very straightforward. All you need to do is use the control panel in the Lesson Builder.
What happens to resources I’ve created when our subscription expires?
We’ll retain resources you’ve created and uploaded for a grace period after your subscription ends, in case you later decide to renew your subscription. At the end of this grace period your files will be removed permanently.
How can I create lessons?
The Lesson Builder in Dynamic Learning is a handy tool that allows you to play our ready-made lessons as well as edit and customise them. You can also create your own lessons and can and even integrate your own digital resources too. All you need to do is click on the Lesson Builder and then use the control panel to create as many lessons as you’d like!
What are the different levels of access to Dynamic Learning?
Until your institution nominates a
Super Admin, all users of Dynamic Learning are in 'trial mode'. Once your
Super Admin is in place, you can start to create individual users and access some of the more exciting features of Dynamic Learning, creating groups, sending messages to users with lessons or assessments, viewing reports and statistics, and creating VLE content packs.
The Dynamic Learning site offers four main levels of access:
-
Students have access to a wealth of pages, resources, lessons and assessment.
-
Teachers can, in addition, see all the teacher resources on the site, make groups and assign lessons and tests.
-
Teacher Admins can do all this, and also create new users and manage access to different titles.
- At the top is the
Super Admin, who can also delete data.
A grid showing the capabilities of each type of user is available here.
To get the most from Dynamic Learning, we strongly recommend that each Dynamic Learning user be given a unique login. These can be created by the
Super Admin, or by
Teacher Admins.
Teachers and
Teacher Admins can have access to all Dynamic Learning titles your institution is trialling or has subscribed to, at all times.
Students can access only titles specified by the
Super Admin or a
Teacher Admin.
The management of users is done from the ‘Manage DL’ part of the website. The
Super Admin and
Teacher Admins can import CSVs containing student and teacher data or manually create users individually, and can assign students access to Dynamic Learning titles.
The
Super Admin will be emailed when any new trials or subscriptions are taken out in the name of your institution.
Shibboleth/ATHENS access
From September 2010, Dynamic Learning will be Shibboleth and ATHENS enabled and you will then be able to allow all your students to self-register to use the Dynamic Learning site, if you wish.
I would rather not have to remember yet another login and password. Is there anything I can do?
When you sign up you can make your username and password the same as any other log ins you use. However we
strongly recommend you do not use the login details you use elsewhere for any personal or financial data as they may be visible to other teachers within your institution and will be visible to your Super Admin.
From September 2010, Dynamic Learning will support Shibboleth and ATHENS. If your institution uses either of these systems your system administrator can easily set up Dynamic Learning so that your details are automatically recognised when accessing the program from your institution.
Please note: This is not available currently – we will update you.
How do I manage users?
If you want to take advantage of Dynamic Learning to the fullest extent, you should set up individualised logins using
Manage users. For data security reasons, this function is available only after your institution has nominated a Super Admin, who can create new users. Teacher Admins may also create new users; however, Teachers may only view existing users. Students do not have access to
Manage users at all.
Hover over the different parts of the screen to see the information in tooltips and i-texts, or use the guidelines below:
1) Go to Manage DL, by clicking the tools icon 
at the foot of any screen, or the button 
at the right side of your screen
2) Click the Manage users button 
3) Click Import CSV 
to populate your database rapidly with data from your institution’s information system, and follow the onscreen instructions
4) Click Add student 
or Add teacher 
to open a new User details screen and add users one-by-one. Validation tips are provided where applicable
5) The list of users is arranged in alphabetical order, by default, by last name. You may click on the different headings to reorder the list by first name, username or password, and use the triangle icon on the selected column to rearrange alphabetical order
6) The titles to which each user has access are displayed to the right of their details
7) Use the radio buttons on the left to select a user, and View or Edit (depending on your login) their details. This includes assigning access to titles for individual students. (See the Manage my titles pane if you want to assign access to multiple users at one time.)
8) Usernames and passwords are visible as follows:
- Student logins can be seen by all teachers.
- Teacher logins can be seen by Teacher Admins.
- Teacher Admin logins can be seen by the Super Admin only
9) Use the link ‘View/edit your user details’ 
at the top of the screen to change your own login, if your Super Admin has authorised this feature
10) You may filter the list of users in two ways:
- by using the two dropdowns to narrow the display to only those users who already have access to a given title or who are members of a particular group
or
- by using the filters at the foot of the list 
11) Teacher Admins and the SuperAdmin may create a CSV of the user details in the list, to view or edit as necessary. This CSV can also be used to re-import users, adding additional group information if necessary
12) Only the Super Admin may permanently delete users
How do I manage groups?
Groups provide a quick way to select multiple users to assign access to titles, lessons, and assessments (where applicable). Teachers, Teacher Admins and the Super Admin can all create groups.
Students can belong to any number of groups, and automatically belong to the group ‘All students’. They may only have access to one title, or to all, depending on choices made when title access is determined, on
Manage my titles.
Teachers automatically belong to the group ‘All teachers’, and have access to all titles. They therefore do not belong to any other Groups.
Hover over the different parts of the screen to see the information in tooltips and i-texts, or use the guidelines below:
1) Go to
Manage DL, by clicking the tools icon
at the foot of any screen, or the button
at the right side of your screen
2) Click the
Manage groups button
3) Click
New Group .aspx)
to open a new group screen and name and describe your group
4) The list of groups is arranged in alphabetical order, by default, by name. You may click on the different headings to reorder the list by description, created by, or date modified, and use the triangle icon on the selected column to rearrange alphabetical order
5) Select a group by using the radio buttons on the left. Depending on your login, and the creator of the group, you will
6) Use the radio buttons on the left to select a group, and then the buttons on the right to View members or Copy the group. Functions available to you will depend on your login, as follows:
-
View members and
Copy group are available for all groups
-
Rename group,
Assign students and
Delete group are only available if you are the creator of the group
-
Delete group student data is only available to the Super Admin
7) Use the link ‘View/edit your user details’
at the top of the screen to change your own login, if your Super Admin has authorised this feature
8) You may filter the list of groups by using the filters at the foot of the list
What happens if our school has recently merged with another school?
Please get in touch with us at
dynamic-support@hodder.co.uk