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LaunchPad Adds Instructional Design View

The interactive chalkboard is accessible through the new Instructional Design View in ClassLink LaunchPad
The interactive chalkboard is accessible through the new Instructional Design View in ClassLink LaunchPad

ClassLink has released LaunchPad Instructional Desktop View, an upgrade to the company's cloud-based virtual desktop software designed for K-12 schools.

LaunchPad is a desktop virtualization tool that allows teachers and students to log in from school-based or remote systems to access all of the schools' available applications in a custom desktop environment. It also includes collaboration tools (chat, desktop sharing), calendars (with support for Apple iCal), a user manager, and file sharing capabilities. The new Instructional Desktop View is a new feature integrated into LaunchPad that lets users toggle between the traditional desktop view and a user interface that acts as a sort of hub for all course-related services and materials, including:

  • Class Pages, where instructors can create classes and add students (or allow them to self-enroll);
  • Discussions, which are instructor-moderated threaded messages organized by class, with support for embedded links and documents;
  • Chalkboard, a real-time collaborative whiteboard and media sharing system with teacher moderation;
  • Shared files, a repository of resources shared by a class;
  • Drop Box, a place where instructors can collect assignments;
  • Calendar;
  • GroupType, a collaborative environment with Typewith.me integration; and
  • Settings.

LaunchPad Instructional Desktop View is available now as a free and automatic upgrade to users of cloud-based LaunchPad. 

ClassLink also indicated that it will soon be adding cloud-based classroom management features to LaunchPad, including the ability to observe, lock, and take shots of students' screens; push the the instructor's screen out to students; view running applications and Web sites; run applications; chat; integrate with Active Directory; and manage users from a browser.

LaunchPad is available on a subscription basis as a fully hosted service or in an on-premises configuration for self-hosting. Further information can be found on ClassLink's site.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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