Legacy "Teacher Module" Support Page
Last Updated 3-2-07

This support page focuses on topics regarding use of Micrograms' software shipped from January 2000 through January 2007.

Using Windows XP, 2000, NT / ME, 98, 95

Using Macintosh

Network Issues

About Class Files

The Teacher Module

Easy Track Support

Tech FAQ's

I installed the network version on the server, but the program is still asking for the CD. What should I do?

I want to run the program from workstation local hard drives but save the class file data to the network server. Can I do that?

I want to import student names into my class files. How do I do it?

I'm using iMac's that have no floppy disk drives. How do I install the Net/Site License version?

On my Mac network, only the first user gets sound. How do I get sound to everybody?

Using Windows XP, 2000, NT / ME, 98, 95

With one exception, Micrograms products run under all the Windows operating systems listed above. Network versions can be served off of Windows 2003, Windows 2000, Windows NT, and Novell (>3.x) servers; or they can be run from the local hard drives of individual workstations and/or stand-alone machines. We offer nothing, at present, designed for Cytrix, other terminal servers, or the "CD tower" environment. We offer no web-based products.

Starting in May, 2005, Micrograms began shipping Windows version 5.12 of Wild West Math. This version crashes on many Windows 98 machines although it has no problems on Windows 2000 and Windows XP. Also, this is the version circulating on the Micrograms Fall Trial CD which was sent to 58,000 elementary schools throughout the Unitied States. Since early October, 2005, Micrograms has been shipping Wild West Math version 5.14. This latest version runs successfully on all Windows machines from 95 on. Purchasers of Wild West Math Network/Site Licenses experiencing difficulties with Wild West Math version 5.12 may request a free net/site license upgrade.

Using Macintosh

Presently, older Network / Site License versions of our software run well on all current Macintosh machines normally found in elementary schools using recent OS's up through 10.2.8 Classic. None of our OS 9 software (old or new) runs properly on OS 10.3 Classic (e.g., OS 10.3 eMacs running in Classic mode).

Micrograms has released OS X native versions for seventeen of its Network / Site License products. These run fine in OS 10 native up through OS 10.3.9 Panther and OS 10.4.6 Tiger (e.g., iMacs, eMacs and Mac minis running PowerPC code in OS 10 native mode) and OS 10.3 Server. Micrograms' OS 10 native programs also run fine on Apple's new OS 10.4 Universal Binary Intel Core Duo machines with Rosetta (e.g., new iMacs, Mac minis, and MacBooks). No Micrograms software has been converted to Universal Binary. Micrograms OS 10 native products also contain a Classic OS 9 version that runs on all legacy OS systems back to OS 8.6, except for the OS 10.3 Classic simulation.

Most single station program versions released prior to 2004 do not function correctly with OS X Classic. The issue is that though the CD-ROM drive functions under OS X Classic to install the single station version, the single station CD is not recognized as being in the CD-ROM drive [required] when the single station version is run. Our programming department has overcome this issue, and the solution has been incorparated into our new CD releases which contain both OS X Native and OS X Classic program versions. See Upgrades.

Network Issues

We are not running on Novell 3.x. No substantial problems have been reported under later, more current, versions of Novell (i.e., 4, 5, and 6).

In late February, 2004, several schools using Macintosh OS 10.2 Server and Macintosh OS 10.3 Server reported that student names were not available when class files were opened unless they "browsed" to the class file (i.e., navigated manually to it) and opened it. The names of the class files appeared in a drop down menu following the program's title screen as they should; but when a class file was selected, it was not loaded into the workstation. Because the class file had not been located and loaded, student names did not appear, and the class file loaded was reported as "None." This was a significant issue, which was resolved in late April, 2004. Schools receiving OS X materials after April, 2004, should not experience this problem. Micrograms would like to thank Sarah in Connecticut, Dave in Delaware, Debs in Colorado, and Nita in Missouri for the time and expertise they kindly extended to us in verifying on their networks that our update solved the issue at their schools, too. However, schools experiencing this issue should e-mail Micrograms requesting the free update. We will verify your licensing and purchase dates, and mail you new program enabler disks which eliminate the problem.

Inability to print Award Certificates, Reward Posters, and Sticker Pages (bitmapped graphics) to certain network printers has been reported by several schools. Printers mentioned have been the HP2200, the HP4050N, and a "new in 2003" HP color laser printer. In these cases, the student records do print out; but bitmapped graphics pages do not. A Mac school has reported being unable to print to their Epson network inkjet printer, though printing successfully to their network laser printer. Micrograms feels these are driver and network configuration issues over which we do not have control. If, when you connect a printer directly to a workstation, the output is printed successfully, thereafter it is up to the network and its drivers to get that output over the network and out through the printer. Everything works here at Micrograms with our printers in our network environments. But, we cannot know everything will work with all printers everywhere in every possible network configuration. It's a big country with lots of hardware, lots of software, and new hardware and softrware being developed every day. Working reliably everywhere in the Windows and Macintosh worlds all the time is our goal. But...

About Class Files

Remember: In a network environment, when a class file is created, it must be saved to a "public area" or "data share point" (choose your terminology) of the network. That is, it must be saved to a single place on the network to which all students in the file have read/write/modify rights. This is because, as students work, their workstations frequently modify the class file by adding the latest student performance data to each student record.

Sixteen Micrograms programs now have Class File record keeping and the new Micrograms Teacher Module which provides added convenience, security, and management features in the network environment and on stand-alone machines. Ten or more of these programs exist in older versions with Class File record keeping, but without the Teacher Module per se. Let us first discuss the use of Class Files in both program versions.

By using class files teachers can collect student performance data from around the computer lab onto a single printout. While the exact nature of the printout varies from program to program, printouts usually contain performance data from the current session for each student, and class totals. Cumulative performance data from all sessions for each student together with cumulative class totals also can be printed. Printouts can be made for individual students, too. Since the previous work session is treated as the current session until a student actually begins work anew (in a future session), teachers can load up the class file after school and print out reports of the present day's activities, rather than making printouts while children are present.

By using class files teachers can set program options for all students or for individual students so that when students begin, program options already are configured as the teacher wishes. Teachers also can deactivate students' name entry screens so that children must select a name already entered in the class list. When this is done, the student simply opens the program, chooses the teacher's class list, then chooses his or her own name in that list to begin work.

To create and utilize class files, our newest program releases include a Teacher Module (found under File on the Menu Bar). Prior program releases function with the Micrograms Class File Manager which is described immediately below. The new Teacher Module contains most features of the Class File Manager plus added network security options. It is described further on down this page. Programs with version numbers having a 1 (one) in the hundredths place use the Class File Manager. Programs containing the new Teacher Module have a 2 (two) in the hundredths place of their version number and do not use the Class File Manager.

The Micrograms Class File Manager can import student lists to make Class Files or use a Class File of one Micrograms program to make a Class File for another Micrograms program. For example, if you already have student names in a Wild West Math Class File, you can use that file to make a Chuck Wagon Bill Class File (and a Pondering Problems Class File, etc.), thus saving you from typing in all the names again. Version 1.1 includes importation of existing student lists (first name last name tab delimited .txt file format). Thus, almost no typing at all.

The Class File Manager does a few other things too (move a student record containing data, back up a Class File, delete a Class File, change a Class File name [V 1.1] ). Both a beta Windows version (V 1.1) and a beta Mac version (V 1.1) are available free for the downloading below.

Note, however, that this utility only works with certain program versions. These program versions have a 1 in the hundredths place of the version number. (For Windows, look in About under Help on the Menu Bar. For Mac, click the Apple icon at the left end of the Menu Bar.) Click below for the highest version numbers of programs using the Micrograms Class File Manager. Subsequent releases and current releases are incompatible with the Class File Manager, but include the Micrograms Teacher Module, which adds most Class File Manager functions and more security features into the programs themselves.

Last Net/Site License Versions using the Class File Manager

Micrograms Class File Manager (Windows Version 1.1)(64k)

Micrograms Class File Manager (Mac Version 1.1)(32k)

Last Net/Site License Versions using the Teacher Module

Using The Teacher Module

The Teacher Module is fairly new. It now has been introduced into all Micrograms programs containing class file record keeping. Sixteen programs are being shipped with Teacher Modules. Since some of these programs previously used the Class File Manager, schools choosing not to upgrade may have programs of both types during the next few years.

Basic information about using the Teacher Module to create and manage class files is included in both the Micrograms Network + School Site License 2005 Users' Guide and in specific programs' documentation. Do not hesitate to call or e-mail if you have questions. (800-338-4726 ext.12)

Here is a point about the Teacher Module (TM) that is important to know. The TM can both import and export student lists that are in first name, last name tab delimited format. That is, the entry should consist of the student's first name, a tab, the student's last name, and a carriage return. This point is referred to in the written information shipped with the programs, but its implications are not fully discussed.

It means that if you can export a class list in first name, last name, tab delimited format from your attendance program in the school office, for example; you can then import that file into your program with the TM to make a class file. Thus, no typing of student names. Likewise, you can import that file into other Micrograms TM programs to make class files for them. And, you can use that same exported file and the Micrograms Class File Manager to make class files for older Micrograms programs.

On the other hand, if you decide to type student names into a class file using the TM, you can export those names to make a file which you can then import into other TM programs or use with the Class File Manager to make class files for older Micrograms programs. Thus, you would need to type the student names for a given class only once, even though you were setting up class files for several Micrograms programs.

Here is another important point. Class files made by Teacher Module programs are different in format than those made by older programs that are compatible with the Class File Manager. This means that you cannot load a class file made by an older (1 in the hundredths place of the program version) program into a TM program (2 in the hundredths place of the program version) and vice versa. We had to change the file format in order to incorporate the desired improvements.

The Teacher Module is designed to be intuitive and easy to use. So go ahead and experiment. More information will be added here, though, if a need for it becomes apparant..