Lake Elsinore Unified School District
Instructional Support Services
Secondary Curriculum & Instruction
PLATO Learning Environment
(PLE) 2.0
Policies & Procedures
Teacher User Guide & Manual
Lake Elsinore Unified School District Board of Trustees
Dr. Frank Passarella, Superintendent
Jeanie Corral
Stan Crippen
Heidi Dodd
Sue Scott
Tom Thomas
Version 8/4/2011
Starfish Story
A little boy walked along the seashore after a
big storm. Walking toward him from the
opposite direction is an older man shaking his head at the
boy’s actions. The shore is strewn with thousands of
starfish washed up on the beach by the heavy surf. One by
one the boy picks up each starfish and throws it back into
the sea. When the man reaches the boy he calls out, “Why
are you doing that? There’s too many! These starfish are
dying. You can’t possibly make a difference. Without
looking up the boy bends over and with both hands picks
up a starfish in each. He flings one into the sea with his
left hand, looks over his shoulder at the man and says, “it
made a difference for that one.” The boy turns around,
tosses the other starfish into the sea, turns back to the man
who by this time has bent over to pick up a starfish.
Together they say, “and that one!”
You make a difference. Thank you for working with and inspiring your
colleagues to make a difference every day for the students in Lake Elsinore
Unified School District.
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Table of Contents
PAGE
1. Introduction to PLATO
2. Getting Started in PLATO
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5
Log-in Instructions
Password Instructions
PLATO Administrators
Technical Implementation
3. PLATO Naming Conventions
4. Steps to Set Up a Class
5. Steps to Create Assignments
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12. PLATO PLE 2.0 User Guide
13. Appendix
COMING SOON
6. Steps to Customize a Course
7. Grading Policies & Template
8. Adding / Dropping Students
9. PLATO Resources
10. Troubleshooting
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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INTRODUCTION TO PLATO
The PLATO (Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations) Learning System was
initially developed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the 1960’s. The rights to
PLATO are now owned by PLATO Learning, which delivers managed course content over the
Internet. It has continued to evolve, modernize, upgrade, and align its courseware to state and national
content standards. PLATO is considered the premier online courseware curriculum source by The
College Board.
The PLATO system operates on yearly licensing fee. Prior to August 2008, PLATO was used
first by Alternative Education and then LEUSD purchased academic courseware titles and 160 licenses
(user access) to the system as a credit recovery solution. In 2010, LEUSD upgraded to PLATO
Learning Environment (PLE) 2.0 – the web-based version of PLATO – and purchased an additional 50
user licenses.
The PLATO instructional system can be used to support several kinds of learning. LEUSD has
set these priorities for use of the PLATO system. The priorities are these:
1.
2.
3.
4.
High School Credit Recovery
Virtual School
Adult High School Diploma
Classroom supplemental instruction
LEUSD teachers are required to complete a minimum of six (6) hours of training before
receiving a PLATO log-in name and password. After the initial 6-hour training, teachers are allowed
to set up classes and begin using the system. It is strongly encouraged that users participate in a
second 6-hour training prior to attempting course customization; however, this requirement is optional.
Ongoing training on a variety of topics is available as well as on-site support and assistance.
Additional training includes the following:
 Plato Course Customization
 CAHSEE Test Packs
 Online Course Tools
 College Test Prep Assistance
 Plato Course Best Practices
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GETTING STARTED IN PLATO
Link to PLATO: ple.platoweb.com
Log-in Instructions
Log in:
leusd
PLATO name:
john.smith (use your LEUSD protocol)
Password:
virtual
(generic assigned password, all instructors MUST change and customize)
Forgot your password? Passwords are not stored and cannot be viewed by PLATO Account
Administrators. If you forget your password, contact your PLATO Site Administrator or a PLATO
District Administrator to reset the password on your account.
Note: Teachers cannot utilize the PLATO system until they have completed the required minimum
6-hour training course – PLATO Overview / Beginning PLE 2.0
PLATO Administrators
Site
Role
Contact
District
Account Administrator
(Curriculum, Courses, Program)
Account Administrator
(Database, Technical Issues)
Site Administrator
Site Administrator
Site Administrator
Site Administrator
Site Administrator
Site Administrator
Site Administrator
Lorie Reitz
253-7000 Ext 5217
Ryan Mulvanny
253-7000 Ext 5238
Robbin Hamilton
Sandy Marquez
Sonia Jimenez
Sandy Marquez
Veronica Godinez
Lambert Merlo
Sandy Marquez
District
EHS
KMA
LHS
OHS
SCOA
TCH
VAS
Student Log-in Instructions
Log in:
leusd
PLATO name: 123455
Password:
(students will use their District ID number)
welcome1 (generic default password)
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Student Password Information
The system assigns all students a generic default password (welcome1). Students cannot
change their password. It is suggested that Instructors consult with students for a suggested
password or assign a password as each student is added to the class. A suggested practice is to
assign the student’s birth month/date/year as a numerical password.
Sample: Student birthday is January 26, 1993
PLATO password: 01261993
If a student’s password is compromised or if they forget their password, the Instructor is the
person to provide the remedy.
Instructions to Change Student Password

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


From the Home Screen, click on the Classes app
Select the class that contains the student
Click on Manage Class, the class roster will open
Select the student
Click the Reset Password button
Note: It is suggested that Instructors create a PLATO Guide for students that contains log-in and
important information about navigating the system. A sample can be located in the Appendix.
Technical Implementation
Add Plug ins & how to locate and download - COMING
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PLATO NAMING CONVENTIONS
A naming convention is a formal agreement that all parties adhere to in order to promote consistency,
formalize expectations, and ensure universal smooth operation.
All Plato users who receive accounts do so with the understanding that they will adhere to the naming
conventions set forth in this document.
Users and Passwords
For teachers and administrators, the District log-in protocol is their PLATO name. Type all lower
case, first and last name in this manner: sample.name
The default password is password. Users will be prompted to change their password from the default
at the first log-in.
The student PLATO name is their student identification number. The default student password is
welcome1 (all lowercase). Student users cannot change their password.
LEUSD-Approved Custom Courses for Credit
In the PLATO Custom Course file, approved courses that students take for credit can be identified by
the District abbreviation, LEUSD, as the course prefix. Only the courses that have been both CAC and
Governing Board approved use the District abbreviation. Teachers who set up their own custom
courses or assignments for supplemental instruction DO NOT use the LEUSD abbreviation and those
courses are not published.
Classes
When a PLATO instructor creates a class in the system, this naming convention must be utilized:
1. School initials (all caps)
2. Teacher initials (all caps)
3. Name of subject with semester (follow naming conventions for subjects)
4. Period (abbreviated)
5. Period #
Sample: Mr. Robert Smith at Elsinore High School is teaching World
History, Semester 2, Period 6. The class title would be
EHS RS World Hist B PER 6
*note : see the subject abbreviations on the next page
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Subjects*
*subject to change
For uniformity, when naming classes and assignments, abbreviate all subjects in the same manner as
set forth below.
ENGLISH
Semester 1
Semester 2
English 9A
English 9B
English 10A
English 10B
English 11A
English 11B
English 12A
English 12B
Adv Eng 9A
Adv Eng 9B
Adv Eng 10B
Adv Eng 10B
CAHSEE ELA Prep
MATH
Semester 1
Semester 2
Alg 1A
Alg 1B
Alg Ess 1A
Alg Ess 1B
Int Math 1A
Int Math 1B
Geom A
Geom B
Geom Ess A
Geom Ess B
Alg 2A
Alg 2B
CAHSEE Math Prep
SCIENCE
Semester 1
Biology A
Adv Bio A
Zoo Bot A
Earth Sci A
Chemistry A
Semester 2
Biology B
Adv Bio B
Zoo Bot B
Earth Sci B
Chemistry B
HISTORY / SOCIAL SCIENCE
Semester 1
World Hist A
US History A
US Govt
NON-DEPARTMENTAL
Health (no A or B)
Semester 2
World Hist B
US History B
Economics
FINE ARTS
Art App
ELECTIVES
Career Aware
Comm Svc
Assignments
Assignments are what the students see when they log into PLATO. An assignment is an entire course
OR parts of a course you are using as supplemental curriculum. The naming convention for
Assignments is similar to what a student would write as a heading on a paper to be turned in for a
classroom assignment.
Assignment Naming Convention: Teacher Last Name, Subject, Period #
Example: Mr. Scott is teaching Algebra 1A Period 4
When you set up your assignment, the title will be Scott Alg 1A Per 4
Separate abbreviations with one space, you may use all caps or lower case at your option. The lower
case option is shown in the example.
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STEPS TO SET UP A CLASS
1. From the Home Screen, click on Create a Class or choose the classes mini app icon located across
the top of the Home Screen.
2. Select Location.
3. Click Create a Class button.
4. Enter the Class Name. You must follow the LEUSD Naming Conventions for Classes (see Section 3).
Sample: Lakeside High School, Teacher: Lorie Reitz
Class: English 9, Semester 1, Per. 2
LHS LR English 9A PER 2
Sample: Southern California Online Academy, Jackie Powell, Health Course
SCOA JP Health
There is no period number or first/second semester so that information is omitted
5. Enter the Class Description - In this area the information is prescribed as follows:
Line 1: state the nature of the course
Line 2: state the school name
Line 3: name of course
Line 4: name of teacher
Line 5: class period
Credit Recovery
Elsinore High School
Sample: (Class Description box)
World History B
Mr. Smith
Period 6
6. Scroll down to the Add Learners To This Class section, click on Add Existing Users
7. The Location Selector screen will open. You should see two locations, you school site and the
Training location. Make sure your school site is selected by clicking the button next to the school
name. On the Active User tab is the “enter search term” box. To locate each student, you can use
the Filter option to quickly locate students. Enter the student’s last name in the Enter Search Term
box. Select the student by checking the box next to the student’s name when it comes up. You can
also filter or search by the student’s ID number.
8. Click Add Users to Class and repeat for EACH student individually.
*Note: The “create a user” function is disabled.
Can’t find the student in Plato database to add to your class?
SCENARIO
Student transferred from another DISTRICT school
Student is brand new to any District school
Duplicate name or Plato ID for the same student
WHO CAN HELP
Your Site Plato Administrator
District Plato Administrator (Jason Scott)
District Plato Adminstrator (Scott or Reitz)
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If you are setting up a class for the first time, skip this section and go to
Steps to Create an Assignment (p. 13).
If your class is already set-up, follow these steps to add additional
students:
1. Log on and click on CLASSES
2. Scroll to Location, select your location.
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3. A list of classes will open. Select the class the student needs to add. Then
click “Manage“ (look for blue hyperlink next to instructor’s name).
4. Now select “Add Existing Users”
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5. The location selector will open again, select your school. Put your cursor on the
Active Users Tab and in the “Enter Search Term” box type the last name of the
student . The student or a list of students will appear.
6. Select the correct student by clicking the box next to the student’s name. Make
sure there is a check mark in the box. Scroll down to the bottom of the page
and click “Add Users to Class”
7. Repeat this process for each student. Only one student can be added at a time.
If you cannot locate a student, contact your site Plato administrator
REMINDER NOTE: For each student added to your class, YOU MUST go to the
Assignment tab and LOCK THE UNIT POST TESTS & END OF COURSE TEST.
(see instructions in the Appendix)
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STEPS TO CREATE ASSIGNMENTS
Note: You must set up a class and add users to the class before you can create an
assignment.
1. On the Home Page, click on the Assignments button. On the left side of the page that opens, click
the “Create Assignment” button.
2. Follow the naming convention for Assignments on the title line (see p. 8): Teacher Last Name,
Subject, Period #
3. Every time your students log into your course, they will see what you type into the “Instructions for
Learners” box. It is optional to complete this, but an important tool to guide your students.
Suggested best practice Suggested text for Credit Recovery and/or Grade Improvement:
Complete each Pre-Test with your best effort. This is important because you can exempt (skip)
assignments by demonstrating mastery on the Pre-Test. Any assignments that are exempted
will be tested on the Unit Post Test and the Semester Final. Complete all non-exempted
tutorials, assignments, offline activities and mastery tests (quizzes). All Unit Post Tests are
locked and must be taken via proctor with your Instructor. Contact your Instructor when you
are ready to take a Unit Post Test.
Suggested text for Initial Courses:
Begin working in Unit 1 and complete all learning activities in the order assigned. Complete
all tutorials, assignments, offline activities and mastery tests (quizzes). All Unit Post Tests are
locked and must be taken via proctor with your Instructor. Contact your Instructor when you
are ready to take a Unit Post Test.
4. Select learners for this assignment by clicking the PLUS sign in the Select Learner box. Click on
the name of your class. If you select the box next to the class name, all the learners in your class
will be selected to receive the assignment OR you can scroll through the class list and select the
students you want to receive the assignment. When you are finished, scroll down to the next
section, Select Content.
5. First, select the category of content you are using for this assignment from the buttons on the left
side: Favorite Content, My Content, Local Content, Plato Content, Other Content. If you are
setting up a Credit Recovery/Grade Improvement Course, you must select Local Content. The
customized, LEUSD-approved courses are in this section. In order to see all the courses/titles in
any section, make sure you have selected the “show all content” box.
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6. Navigate to the Plato or LEUSD custom course you want to assign and select it by clicking the
button next to the course. You can also select only parts of a course by clicking on the plus sign
and drilling down to the Unit or Modules you want to assign.
7. Scroll down to the next section Set Assignment Policies. There are three questions to answer:
1. Do you want learners who are added to this class to receive this assignment?
If you have set your Plato class up to have one class with different assignments
depending on the course the student is taking, then click NO. If you are setting up a
separate class for each Plato assignment, then click YES.
2. Do you want learners added to this assignment to retain mastery and exemption data from
overlapping activities they completed in previous assignments?
If you answer YES students will receive “credit” for previously mastering a standard in
a Plato course. The student must still demonstrate mastery on Unit Post Tests and End
of Course tests in your course. Also, if you answer YES, the student will not have to
repeat any work done if he is continuing a Plato course in a different school year or with
a different teacher. When you answer YES, Plato then asks a follow up question so you
can also decide how far back to allow mastery data into your course.
3. How many times should a learner be allowed to unlock a mastery test by completing the
tutorial for this assignment?
Be careful about the number of times you choose. Plato gives you the option up to
“unlimited.” However, if you choose that option, then students do not have to contact
you to unlock a mastery test. As the teacher, you will want to provide “live”
instructional support and/or intervention if a student is simply cycling through mastery
tests without learning and/or retaining the standards or material.
8. Scroll down to the last section and set the end date for the assignment. The default start date is the
day you create the assignment unless you change it to a date in the future (it cannot be a date in the
past).
9. Click DONE. If you cannot click done, then you have missed a step. Scroll back up and make sure
everything is in place. When the word DONE is bold, then your assignment is ready. You will
receive a confirmation message after you click DONE that your assignment has been created.
NOTE: After you create an assignment, you MUST LOCK EVERY UNIT POST
TEST & END OF COURSE TEST!
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STEPS TO CUSTOMIZE A COURSE
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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PLATO GRADING POLICIES
GRADING TEMPLATE
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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ADDING / DROPPING STUDENTS
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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FINDING PLATO RESOURCES
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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TROUBLESHOOTING
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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PLATO PLE 2.0 USER GUIDE
Note: This is a PLATO Learning Inc. publication
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1.3 Homepage
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You can see if a learner is logged
in. A blue icon will appear next
to the learner’s name. To log out
a learner, click the icon or the
check box next to the name and
then click the Forced Logout
button.
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2.2 Create a Class
Make sure you search for
existing learners first. That will
reduce
the chance
of
NEVER
CREATE
A
accidentally creating new
NEWwho
LEARNER!!
learners
already exist in
the account.
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2.3 Quick View – Class Learner Usage Summary
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3.9 Threaded Discussion
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The Edit Profile feature allows you
to save your preferred search
options and is available to use from
any page.
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promotion at a time.
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Set access control
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INSTRUCTIONS TO LOCK UNIT POST TESTS AND END
OF SEMESTER TESTS FOR CLASSES
1. Click on the Assignments Mini-App
2. Click the My Assignments Button
3. Navigate to the Assignment, click Manage and the screen below will open
4. Click the Edit Status All Learners Button
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5. The 3-step Edit Status box will open. In the STEP 1 box, click the plus sign to open the
course modules for your assignment.
6. Open each module one by one and select the Unit Post Test. The STEP 2 box will open –
Select the new status desired. Choose LOCK.
7. Each student in the class will have a check mark next to their name. At the bottom of the
STEP 3 box, click the UPDATE STATUS button.
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8. The system will give you a confirmation message. Repeat Step 6 & 7 for each module.
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INSTRUCTIONS TO UNLOCK UNIT POST TESTS AND
END OF SEMESTER TESTS FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS
1. Click on the Assignments Mini-App
2. Click the My Assignments Button
3. Navigate to the Assignment, click Manage and the screen below will open
4. Find the student whose test needs to be unlocked and click the box next to the student’s name. 5.
Click the Edit Status Single Learner Button
6. The Edit Individual Status box will open. Choose the Unit that needs to be unlocked and
click the EDIT STATUS link.
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7. The 3-step Edit Status box will open. In the STEP 1 box, click LOCK STATUS.
8. In the STEP 2 box, click UNLOCK.
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9. In the STEP 3 box, click UPDATE STATUS.
You will see a confirmation screen.
10. When a student completes any test that has been manually unlocked, and logs out, the
test automatically locks again.
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