Depending on the devices you have available in the classroom, different configurations of settings may be more or less useful for teaching with Imagine Sonday System Digital. Assess the devices you have available and choose the scenario below that best fits your setup, then follow the instructions to achieve the optimal configuration of settings and tools for your needs.
See also:
- System Requirements for Imagine Sonday System Digital
- Display methods in Imagine Sonday System Digital
- Extending your display in Imagine Sonday System Digital
- Remote clicker information for Imagine Sonday System Digital
In this configuration, you have two or more screens—one controlling device and one or more additional screens connected to it. For example, a laptop for controlling the lesson and a second monitor or a large screen attached to it directly by an HDMI cable. This setup allows you to view instructional content and control the student display content directly from one device, while the students only see display content on the other screen. The direct connection between the devices makes this the fastest method for lesson delivery.
Recommended Hardware & Software Specifications:
- Computer Type: desktop or laptop
- Operating System: Windows 10 & 11 or Mac OS X
- Web Browser: Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox
- Second Screen: interactive whiteboard, projector, or monitor
Recommended Teacher Profile Settings:
- Display Student-Facing Content Via: New Window
Instructions:
- Before the lesson, make sure the controlling device settings are set to extend the display onto the second screen so that different content can be displayed on each screen.
- You should begin the lesson with only you being able to view the content of the lesson on the control screen.
- Use the New Window pop-up to display student content. If the setting is turned on in your teacher profile, the pop-up will initiate when the Forward/Next arrow on the Slide Controller is clicked to display the first slide.
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You should move the new window to your second screen, which will be the student-facing screen. On an extended display, you can drag the window off the control display (to the right, by default) and it should show up on the second display. You can then make it full-screen.
Note
In the event the new window does not "pop up," you may need to enable the functionality in your browser. In Chrome, pop-up windows may be blocked by default; check the top right of the screen to see if there is an alert. If pop-ups are enabled and the window is still not working, see the troubleshooting tips.
- If you're using a clicker, ensure it's functional by progressing through a slide, then back to the previous slide, via clicker. If this does not work, refer to your clicker's technical support to ensure it is active and functioning. Please note, the "active" window on your device (the one you most recently interacted with) must be the teacher-facing primary browser window for the clicker to work, since it's the window that controls slide movement. The New Window is a passive view of the slide shown on the teacher screen in the Slide Controller.
- Slides (all products) and lesson content choices (SS1, SS2) will display in the Slide Controller next to the teacher instructions and can be navigated via mouse click, Forward/Back arrows, or a clicker.
In this configuration, you have a primary device (typically a laptop or desktop computer) and a second device (possibly connected to an interactive whiteboard) that operates independently from the primary device and has internet connection and a web browser. Follow Along is designed to be used in this setup, as it allows for an independent device to display student-facing content via the internet. You'll will need to set up access to the display device using a code and then use the primary device to run the lesson and view instructional content.
Recommended Hardware & Software Specifications for Both Devices:
- Computer Type: desktop, laptop, or tablet (Chromebook, iPad, Android)
- Operating System: Windows 10 & 11, Mac OS X, Apple iOS (tablet), ChromeOS, or Android
- Web Browser: Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox
Recommended Teacher Profile Settings:
- Display Student-Facing Content Via: Follow Along
- Follow Teacher Name: The name students call you (e.g., Ms. Smith)
- Follow Teacher Pin: A six-digit pin of your choice (e.g., 122333)
Instructions for Primary, Teacher-Facing Device:
- Select the class and lesson to be taught. The Follow Code will be visible on the Class Level Overview page.
- Configure the second device (refer to the instructions below).
- Begin the lesson on the primary control device. Students should not be able to see this display.
- If configured properly, the slide showing the system name and current level should appear on the second, student-facing screen. If not, click the refresh button in the FOLLOW CONTROLLER region at the bottom of the primary screen. This will attempt to send a refresh to the second device screen.
- If using a clicker, ensure it's functional by progressing through a slide, then back to the previous slide, via clicker. If this does not work, refer to your clicker's technical support to ensure it is active and functioning. Please note, the "active" window on your device (the one you most recently interacted with) must be the teacher-facing primary browser window for the clicker to work, since it's the window that controls slide movement. The Follow Along window is a passive view of the slide shown on the teacher screen in the Slide Controller.
- Slides (all products) and lesson content choices (SS1, SS2) will display in the Slide Controller next to the teacher instructions and can be navigated via mouse click, Forward/Back arrows, or a clicker.
Instructions for Secondary, Student-Facing Device:
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On the device that will be displaying content to students, teacher should navigate to student.imaginesonday.com.
Caution
Do not sign in to your Sonday System Digital teacher account on this second device. Doing so will log you out of the primary device, as your account is only allowed to be signed in on one device at a time.
- Via either QR code, bookmark, copying from an email or message, or typing in the code, enter the Follow Code for this class into the prompt field. Clicking Next will display the student selection screen.
- On the student selection screen, select For Teachers in the bottom right corner (all the way down in the footer). This will display a new field for the teacher to enter their PIN (create or check your PIN in the teacher profile settings).
- Enter the PIN and click Next. The Imagine Learning logo will display as a placeholder until the lesson begins.
- The display device is now ready to display lesson content. Return to the Primary Device Instructions above for the next steps.
In this configuration, you have a primary device and students either have their own devices or a set of shared devices. Follow Along is used to display student-facing content on the student devices while you run the lesson from the primary device. You'll need to help students access the Follow Along display window using either the QR code or a typed code.
Recommended Hardware & Software Specifications for All Devices:
- Computer Type: Desktop, laptop, or tablet (Chromebook, iPad, Android)
- Operating System: Windows 10 & 11, Mac OS X, Apple iOS (tablet), ChromeOS, or Android
- Web Browser: Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox
Recommended Teacher Profile Settings:
- Display Student-Facing Content Via: Follow Along
- Follow Teacher Name: The name students call you (e.g., Ms. Smith)
- Follow Teacher Pin: A six digit pin of your choice (e.g., 122333)
Instructions for Primary, Teacher-Facing Device:
- Select the class and lesson to be taught. The Follow Code and QR code will be visible on the Class Level Overview page.
- Confirm all student devices have been configured to follow along with the lesson (refer to the Student Instructions below).
- Begin the lesson on the primary control device. Students should not be able to see this display.
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If configured properly, the slide showing the system name and current level should appear on the second, student-facing screen. If not, click the refresh button in the FOLLOW CONTROLLER region at the bottom of the primary screen. This will attempt to send a refresh to the second device screen. Any students who do not see updated screens should start over on their device and attempt to reconnect. On your primary device, you can click the refresh icon repeatedly until all students see the slide on their device.
Note
Some school networks do not allow student devices to hit unknown websites and/or use Web socket technology. If this is the case, consult with your IT director and/or Imagine Learning Product Support staff to confirm if this is the source of the issues you may be having.
- If using a clicker, ensure it's functional by progressing through a slide, then back to the previous slide, via clicker. If this does not work, refer to your clicker's technical support to ensure it is active and functioning. Please note, the "active" window on your device (the one you most recently interacted with) must be the teacher-facing primary browser window for the clicker to work, since it's the window that controls slide movement. The Follow Along window is a passive view of the slide shown on the teacher screen in the Slide Controller.
- Slides (all products) and lesson content choices (SS1, SS2) will display in the Slide Controller next to the teacher instructions and can be navigated via mouse click, Forward/Back arrows, or a clicker.
Instructions for Student Devices
- If student devices have cameras and can utilize QR codes, students can scan the code directly from the primary device screen, or you can print copies of the QR code in advance using the print icon in the Follow Along box on the Class Level Overview page.
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If the student devices do not have a camera or QR capabilities, they will need to navigate to student.imaginesonday.com and enter the text code for the class. Students can copy the URL from an email or bookmark it. The Follow Code may also be copied from an email or typed in.
Note
Students do not have individual accounts in Sonday System Digital, so they don't log in individually. The Follow Code is the same for all students in the class, regardless of how many devices are being used to access it.
- Once the code is entered, the next screen will display the names of all students in the class (as set up by the teachers). Each student should select their name, then wait for further instruction.
- If the product being taught has Readers, the student may see a "What would you like to do?" screen with the choices of Follow a Lesson or Read a Book. Instruct them to select Follow a Lesson and then wait for you to begin instruction.
- The student devices are now ready to display the lesson content. Return to the Primary Device Instructions above for the next steps.
In this configuration, you only have one device and both the instructional information and the student-facing content will need to be displayed on your one screen. For example, a small group setting where you only have a single laptop, or a classroom setting where you can only project an exact copy of your screen to the class. This setup is not ideal because it requires you to alternate between displaying content and hiding it from students. For example, when students are spelling from teacher dictation, the students must not see the your screen because it will display the words being dictated.
Recommended Hardware & Software Specifications:
- Computer Type: Desktop, laptop, or tablet (Chromebook, iPad, Android)
- Operating System: Windows 10 & 11, Mac OS X, Apple iOS (tablet), ChromeOS, Android
- Web Browser: Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox
Recommended Teacher Profile Settings:
- Display Student-Facing Content Via: Follow Along or Preview
Instructions:
- You should begin the lesson with only you being able to view the content of the lesson.
- When slides need to be presented, allow students to view your screen.
- Slides (all products) and lesson content choices (SS1, SS2) will display in the Slide Controller next to the teacher instructions and can be navigated via mouse click, Forward/Back arrows, or a clicker.
- If using a clicker, you should ensure it's functional by progressing through a slide, then back to the start slide, via clicker.
- When dictating for spelling (Steps 2, 4, and parts of 5), do not allow students to view your screen.