Microsoft Class Server 4.0 Product Overview
Updated: February 15, 2005
Microsoft Class Server 4.0 builds on the foundation of Microsoft Class Server 3.0. The new Class Server includes a richer set of tools that technology providers and customers can use to customize their assignment workflow solutions.
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What's New
Class Server 4.0 is:
More Accessible
| • | For students and parents, Class Server continues to be available to Macintosh and Microsoft Windows users through a Web browser. |
| • | For teachers, Class Server is now available to both Macintosh and Windows users. |
More Scalable and Manageable
| • | Offers new multi-server, multi-school configuration tools. |
| • | Includes automated school site creation for SharePoint users. |
| • | Provides scriptable import and export tools to support provisioning, end of year archiving, and other administrative duties. |
More Powerful
| • | View, assign, and track e-learning content directly from SharePoint document libraries. |
| • | Take advantage of the SharePoint collaboration functionality with self-service class site creation. |
More Flexible
| • | Flexible, configurable SharePoint Web parts allow users or their technology providers to customize the learning environment and workflow quickly and easily. |
| • | Enhanced programming interface makes it easier than ever to incorporate Class Server functionality into a partner-provided solution. |
Benefits
Find out how Class Server 4.0 can benefit your educational institution.
Data-driven decision making | | • | Delivers lessons and assessments over the Web that are aligned to state or district curriculum standards. | | • | Enables teachers to view student achievement reports and to target areas for student improvement. | | • | Provides real-time comparison of achievement and standards data that helps reporting tools plot trends and address Adequate Yearly Progress goals. | | • | Delivers information over the Web that enables students and parents to access information on academic achievements. |
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Flexible use | | • | Macintosh and Windows users can access Class Server anytime, anywhere over the Web. | | • | Windows users can access Class Server offline using the local Teacher Client. | | • | Class Server Web parts can be deployed to suit the specific end-user requirements. |
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Supports established IT standards | | • | Deploy less costly, easier to maintain application architecture through compliance with open standards, such as schools interoperability framework (SIF) and instructional management systems (IMS). When used in conjunction with the Class Server SIF Agent, Class Server 4.0 is certified as SIF Compliant. | | • | Establish a single-source to access numerous and disparate data sources throughout the district, including student information systems, data warehouse systems, and content from multiple suppliers. |
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Promotes curriculum standards-based teaching and learning | | • | Delivers best practices and district-approved curriculum to teachers digitally, saving time and money. | | • | Gives teachers dynamic, real-time access to student achievement information, facilitating individualized and group-based feedback. | | • | Enables teachers to share and collaborate on their best practices for improving student learning outcomes. | | • | Improves deployment speed through use of Web-based IMS or shareable content object reference model (SCORM) documents, imported Microsoft Word documents, and over 5,000 resources from publishers. | | • | Offers personalized learning resources for students, groups, and classes based on areas of strengths and weaknesses. |
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Built on Microsoft technology with partner-ready capabilities | | • | Uses Windows Server technology already familiar to most IT staffs. | | • | Offers fast Active Directory integration and authentication. | | • | Includes 12 SharePoint Web parts ready for deployment. | | • | Provides a complete software development kit (SDK) that enables partners, integrators, and school districts to integrate Class Server with other applications through XML Web services in a scalable manner using advanced security. |
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System Requirements
To use Class Server 4.0, you need:
| • | Personal computer with an Intel Pentium III or compatible 733-megahertz (MHz) or faster processor. |
| • | 512 megabytes (MB) of RAM. |
| • | 122 MB of available hard disk space plus additional space for Learning Resources and student assignments. |
| • | Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition. |
| • | Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or later. |
| • | Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 3 or later or Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine. (MSDE). MSDE can be used for single school systems. |
| • | Super VGA (800x600) resolution monitor. 1024x768 resolution is recommended. |
| • | Network connection. |
| • | Internet connection required for viewing online help and documentation. |
| • | Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 is required for Web part use. |
To use Microsoft Class Server 4.0 Offline Teacher, you need:
| • | Personal computer with an Intel Pentium or compatible 600 MHz or faster processor. |
| • | 64 MB of RAM, 128 MB required for Windows 2000 or Windows XP. |
| • | 50 MB of available hard disk space. |
| • | Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Microsoft Windows 2000, or Microsoft Windows XP. |
| • | Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or later. |
| • | Super VGA (800×600) or higher-resolution monitor. 1024x768 resolution is recommended. |
| • | Network connection. |
| • | Internet access to use some Teacher functions from home. |
To use Microsoft Class Server 4.0 Online Student or Teacher, you need:
| • | Windows-compatible or Macintosh computer. |
| • | Internet Explorer 5.0 or later, or Netscape Navigator 7.1 or later. |
| • | Internet or intranet access to Class Server. |
