Frequently
Asked
Questions
Help with the KDS Professional Development Library
The following are a few of the most frequently asked questions we receive about
the KDS Professional Development Library. If you have a question that isn't
answered here, please contact us.
Q. How do I register for the KDS Professional Development Library?
A. You can register with a credit card or purchase order over the phone (800)
728-0032, via fax (212) 825-1315 or through an email to sales@kdsi.org
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Q. What is included in the KDS Professional Development Library?
A. The KDS Professional Development Library consists of 49 individual lectures
with over 75 hours of content, providing you with access to 75 CEUs per
user for a 1-year site-license period. Course materials are delivered through
the KDS Classroom and include: pre-assessments, archived live lectures,
post-assessments, resources and Continuing Education Unit certification.
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Q. What are the System Requirements to participate in the live lecture?
System Requirements:
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Q. How can my institution incorporate the KDS Professional Development
Library into our curriculum?
A. For specific suggestions on how to best incorporate the KDS Professional
Development Library into your curriculum, please call us at (800) 728-0032 to
speak with a KDS Curriculum Consultant
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Q. What's the difference between a KDS Live Webcast
and the KDS On-Demand Library?
A. A KDS Live Webcast is a live broadcast of the speaker -- schools generally
watch this in groups of 20 -- it is $380 for 20 teachers at a site ($19 per
additional participant). This is exciting because the teachers are able to
interact with a speaker in real time, sending text questions, etc. Often,
programs are broadcast for both East and West Coast viewers. Each webcast
becomes an archived lecture approximately 2 weeks after a live broadcast. The
interactive teacher questions asked during the lecture are incorporated into
this on-demand version.
The KDS Library consists of archived lectures -- these are available ON DEMAND,
anytime anywhere. Schools and districts purchase can build customized seminars
or lecture series for their staff. These lectures can be accessed for 1 year
from home or school computers.
You can also download the 2006 KDS Brochure
in PDF format by clicking here.
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Q. Does KDS have customer support for KDS
Professional Development Library users?
A. KDS offers full technical/customer support in every step of the process,
from registration to archival viewing. Both are available online and over the
telephone. Please call us at: (800) 728-0032
-or-
Email us at: support@kdsi.org
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Help with the KDS Classroom
The following are a few of the most frequently asked questions we receive about
the KDS Classroom. If you have a question that isn't answered here, please
contact us.
-
How do I access the KDS Classroom?
-
What are the System Requirements and Settings to access the KDS
Classroom?
-
Will the KDS Professional Development Library work with firewalls and
proxy servers?
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I am hearing a clicking sound in the KDS Classroom, is there a way to
disable it?
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What is the "Media Index"?
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Are the pre- and post-assessments graded?
-
I can't hear the speaker, but can see them talking in the video,
what's going on?
-
The video is choppy or not playing at all; it either keeps buffering
every few minutes/seconds or buffers for a long time, What can I do?
-
What are the different options for viewing/listening to the lecture?
-
I've watched parts of the lecture, including the end, but I still
can't get my CEU. What am I doing wrong?
-
How can I get lecture notes or a printable version of the slides?
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Do I have to watch the entire lecture in one sitting?
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What is the "chat text" that appears beneath the lecture in the KDS
Classroom?
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Some of my lectures list Session A and Session B, what does this
mean?
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When I attempt to view the KDS Classroom in Real Player, I get an
error message that says "File Not Found." Is there anything I can do?
-
I'm having trouble seeing the parts of the KDS Classroom (log-in
page, chat text and portions of the powerpoint presentation), what can I do?
-
Is the system difficult to use? Do my teachers need extensive
training?
-
Does my district need a facilitator to implement a KDS Professional
Development program?
-
Do you need a sophisticated computer setup to use the product?
-
What are CEUs and PDUs and what is the difference between the two?
-
How many CEUs/PDUs can teachers earn through a typical KDS course?
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How do you adjust the computer screen so I can view the entire KDS
Classroom?
-
What sets the KDS Classroom apart from other online professional
development systems?
Q. How do I access the KDS Classroom?
A. All participants can login to the KDS Classroom by going to our website
homepage and clicking on the blue Classroom Login button. This will launch the
login page where you can enter your login information in the format shown
below.
KDS CLASSROOM:
http://www.kdsi.org
LOGIN INFORMATION:
- User Name
- Password
- School Number
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Q. What are the System Requirements and Settings to access the KDS
Classroom?
System Requirements:
System Settings:
-
Adjust your screen resolution to at least 1024x768
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Q. Will the KDS Professional Development Library work with firewalls
and proxy servers?
A. In order to play the real media files within the KDS Classroom, you must
open port 554 (incoming and outgoing) for real media or port 1755 for windows
media. If you are connecting from home, ensure that one of these ports is open.
If you are connecting from within your school, contact your network
administrator and ask him/her to ensure that port 554(for real media) or
1755(for windows media) is open (incoming and outgoing). IF ONE OF THESE PORTS
IS NOT OPEN, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO VIEW ANY OF THE MEDIA FILES.
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Q. I am hearing a clicking sound during the lecture, is there a way to
turn it off?
A. Please follow to the simple procedure below to disable the clicking sound in
Microsoft Internet Explorer:
Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Sounds and Audio Devices
("Sounds & Multimedia" in Windows 2000)
Choose "Sounds" Tab
Scroll down in program events until you see "Windows Explorer" and then click
on "Start Navigation"
Change the sound on "Start Navigation" to "(None)"
Click OK
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Q. What is the "Media Index"?
A. A list of the key topic areas within each lecture. These areas are linked to
specific portions of the lecture and should be used when you have completed the
lecture, but would like to review certain aspects of the information that was
covered in the lecture itself.
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Q. Are the pre- and post-assessments graded?
A. The pre- and post-assessment questions are not graded, but completion of
them is required in order to receive your CEU. The questions are used to get
you into the lecture topic before it begins and also to jog your memory after
the lecture is finished.
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Q. I can't hear the speaker, but can see them talking in the video,
what's going on?
A. Make sure your computer's volume settings are at a high-enough level and
that your speakers/headphones are properly connected.
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Q. The video is choppy or not playing at all; it either keeps buffering
every few minutes/seconds or buffers for a long time, What can I do?
A. Please follow the instructions below for your internet connection type.
For connection speed of 56K modem:
Please follow the instructions below.
Note: If you are working with a 56k modem or slower, we recommend that you take
the lecture in Audio Only mode. Click here to find out more
about the different lecture modes.
For connection speed of DSL/Cable:
Please follow the instructions below.
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Q. What are the different options for viewing/listening to the lecture?
A. The KDS Professional Development Library has RealPlayer video, Windows Media
Player video and Audio Only capabilities.
Real Media video: requires RealPlayer, downloadable here
Windows Media video: requires Windows Media Player, which you can download
here
Audio Only: requires either of the above players to play.
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Q. I've watched parts of the lecture, including the end, but I still
can't get my CEU. What am I doing wrong?
A. You're not doing anything wrong. Our system requires that you view the
entire lecture (but you can stop and start as you please) before you can
download your CEU. Simply complete the lecture and all the necessary assessment
questions and you will be able to download your CEU.
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Q. How can I get lecture notes or a printable version of the slides?
A. Follow the below diagrams:
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Q. Do I have to watch the entire lecture in one sitting?
A. No, as long as you sign out, you can come and go in the KDS Classroom as you
please.
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Q. What is the "chat text" that appears beneath the lecture in the KDS
Classroom?
A. Chat text represents the best questions asked during the lecture when it was
initially filmed as a live KDS Webcast.
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Q. Some of my lectures list Session A and Session B, what does this
mean?
A. Several of our lectures were presented to various educator groups more than
once and have been made available in their entirety for those users who may
have attended either Session of the lecture. If you wish to receive full CEU
credit for a lecture, you must view either session in its entirety.
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Q. When I attempt to view the KDS Classroom in Real Player, I get an
error message that says "File Not Found." Is there anything I can do?
A. Check to make sure your firewall isn't blocking Real Player. In many
instances, a network firewall will block Real Player and not Windows Media
Player. So, a way to get around the firewall is by using the Windows Media
version of the KDS Classroom. If neither Windows Media Player nor Real Player
works, then you will need to open few ports on your firewall. For more
information on opening ports on your firewall, click here.
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Q. I'm having trouble seeing the parts of the KDS Classroom (log-in
page, chat text and portions of the powerpoint presentation), what can I do?
A. Check to make sure your screen resolution is set to AT LEAST 1024 x 768. You
might have to close and reopen internet explorer for the changes to take
effect. If screen resolution is any lower, then you will be unable to properly
view the KDS Classroom on your monitor.
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Q. Is the system difficult to use? Do my teachers need extensive
training?
A. The KDS Classroom is very simple to use. Teachers basically have to login
(username and password) and click on the lecture they'd like to view. Call
1-800-728-0032 or email info@kdsi.org to request a demo pass and free product
walkthrough.
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Q. Does my district need a facilitator to implement a KDS Professional
Development program?
A. Schools or districts can choose to use the KDS Classroom in one of two ways.
Self-Paced: Teachers can independently complete courses from
home or school computer labs--they can print their own certificates when they
have successfully completed the coursework for each assigned lectures.
Administrators can track their progress and monitor the entire process.
Facilitated: Schools or districts can utilize their own
facilitators to set up group training sessions, using an LCD Projector setup to
broadcast lecture materials to authorized participants. KDS may provide
consultants to act as facilitators to school districts in your area -- contact
KDS for more information.
For more information you can contact us at info@kdsi.org.
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Q. Do you need a sophisticated computer setup to use the product?
A. No, you just need a computer and hi-speed internet. If you have dial-up, you
can view the audio lectures instead of video (should the connection be slow).
The lectures are "streamed" and not downloaded so this doesn't require a long
wait to start or take up memory on the hard drive, etc. (PC and Mac
compatible). On a school network, you need only have PORT 80 open (this is
standard and should not cause any security issues).
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Q. What are CEUs and PDUs and what is the difference between the two?
A. The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized measure of
participation in an approved non-credit continuing education program. One
Continuing Education Unit (1.0) is defined as: Ten contact hours of
participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible
sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.
The Professional Development Unit (PDU) was established by PMI as the
educational metric for project management educational activities. One PDU is
earned for each contact hour spent in structured learning, which is relevant to
project management.
For conversion purposes, one (1) CEU equates to 10 PDUs.
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Q. How many CEUs/PDUs can teachers earn through a typical KDS course?
A. Each KDS course includes approximately 1.5 hours of video content with
additional activities including pre- and post-assessment questions and
interactive discussion boards. Schools often grant teachers 2 CEUs/PDUs if they
include time spent with course activities, although some grant 1.5 CEUs/PDUs if
only lecture time is counted.
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Q. How do you adjust the computer screen so I can view the entire KDS
Classroom?
A. Go to "Control Panel" and then "Display/Settings" and change your screen
resolution to 1024 by 768 pixels, which is our default Classroom
settings. You can also set it to a higher resolution, just as long as it
is 1024x768 or higher.
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Q. What sets the KDS Classroom apart from other online professional
development systems?
A. KDS provides a host of advantages over other PD systems:
Dynamic Speakers
: KDS seeks out only the nation's top educators for our vast speakers bureau.
KDS lecturers are the most sought-after by school districts across the country.
Most requested speakers include: Carol Ann Tomlinson, Debbie Silver, Bruce
Campbell, Rick Wormeli, Susan Winebrenner, Todd Whitaker, and Clifton Taulbert.
Practical Content
: Teachers learn classroom management and teaching techniques to immediately
implement in the classroom. KDS's 90 minute lectures are bite-sized enough for
teachers to comfortably digest. Dynamic presentation of content includes
video/audio and synchronized PowerPoint slides to highlight and emphasize most
important themes and objectives. Most popular topics include: Differentiated
Instruction, Classroom Management, Assessment & Evaluation, Technology
Integration, School Leadership, Handling Difficult Students, Increasing School
Literacy, and Administrative Law.
Assessment
: Pre- and Post-Assessment questions are built into the KDS Classroom,
providing teachers with a means to show mastery of skills learned and an
opportunity to apply their knowledge through multiple choice and open-ended
Q&A. Administrators can take advantage of automatic grading features.
Educators can instantly print customized CEU/PDU certificates after completing
each KDS Course.
Accountability
: Administrators gain full accountability through the KDS Administrator's
Console -providing complete user tracking, assessment scores, and other useful
statistics.
Interactivity/Intra-District Communication
: The KDS Discussion Boards are a forum to foster intercommunication within
schools or districts. Post homework assignments and encourage teacher
interaction.
Easy-to-Use Platform
: The KDS Classroom platform is so easy to use, there is little to no training
necessary. Streaming video is instant; no downloading needed (PC and Mac
compatible)!
Downloadable Topic Resources
: Download and print comprehensive study guides corresponding to KDS lectures.
Users can take advantage of lecture transcripts -- helpful in accommodating
needs of hearing-impaired staff members.
Graduate Credit
: Participants can apply to earn graduate credit from Nova Southeastern
University, Lake Erie College, or other university partners.
Free Technical Support : Call or email KDS's technical support
team free of charge for immediate assistance (1.800.728.0032 or
support@kdsi.org).
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