Explore Learning
Logging In: Safari is the browser of choice. Navigate
to http://www.explorelearning.com/ and click the login
button. Enter your user name and password. If you do
not know this information, it can be obtained from your
Technology Trainer.
My Home Page: Your account opens to a welcome message on your home page. You can
return to your home page at any time by click on the Home button in the upper right
corner of the screen.
Edit your Class Names: Click on edit
class names. Here you can change the
names of the tabs and the descriptions,
which are the headings for your classes. The tab can only have 9 characters, whereas
the description can have 30 characters. The tabs on your homepage are not ordered
alphabetically; therefore, editing a class name or names will not result in a change in the
edited tabs' order of appearance. Specific information about the classes can be included
in the descriptions. Your students have already been uploaded, so be sure your tab names
correspond to the correct section number. After changing the names of your tabs and
your descriptions, click the submit button.
Viewing Tabs and Descriptions: Click on a tab to view the description of that class. A
button bar appears below the class description that will allow management of the classes.
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Explore Learning
Searching for Gizmos: First we want to find the Gizmo, then we can add it to a class (or
multiple classes.) Gizmos can be found in four different ways. Use one of the methods
below to find a Gizmo.
Click Browse Gizmo. Here you can Browse the Catalog to search by grade, topic, or state
standards. Choose the Gizmo by selecting the “Add Gizmo to Class” link found beneath
the title of the Gizmo.
Click on Import Gizmo to import from another class. This feature allows you to set up
one class and copy it to another. This is great for those teaching multiple sections of the
same course.
You can also search through Gizmos
that have been correlated to the
Virginia state standards. Click State
Correlations. Select VA from State.
Select your content area. The
standard will be listed with
corresponding Gizmos beneath.
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Explore Learning
If you know what you are looking for, the fastest way to find a Gizmo is through the
search feature. Use a keyword or phrase to search all math and science Gizmos.
Adding Gizmos to Classes:
Once you find a Gizmo, launch it to see
what the students will see. The
Exploration Guide will assist you with
your planning. Some Gizmos will also have
assessment questions and accessibility
options. If you are pleased with this
selection proceed to the next step.
Adding Gizmos to Classes (Continued):
Click Add Gizmo to Class. Select the
class(es) you would like to add this Gizmo
to. If you plan to set up one class and
Import to your other classes, it is only
necessary to select one class. Click the
add to class button. You will receive a
confirmation message, at which point you
can return to searching or go straight to
your class page. You may add as many
Gizmos as you like.
Return to My Home Page: Click on the Home button in the upper right corner.
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Explore Learning
Managing your Gizmos: As you add more Gizmos to your class list you may find that you
want to organize them by topic or unit. Click on Manage Gizmo List.
Enter the heading title in the field in the left column and press the blue right arrow
button. To move headings up and down the list click once on the heading to highlight it,
then use the blue up and down arrows to move the heading. Gizmos can be moved in the
same manner. The blue “X” button will remove any heading or Gizmo you do not want in
your list.
Student Registration: Most students have already been registered for your class. If
you find a student that is not registered, they can register themselves using the Class
Code. See you technology trainer for assistance.
Class Code: By registering for an individual class, students will have direct access to the
Gizmos you select for them. Students that are not registered for a class may have
limited access to Explore Learning. If there are assessments linked to the Gizmo,
student progress can be tracked as well. See your Technology Trainer for an update on
limitations to the assessment feature. Each class will have a unique code. Click on the
tab for your first class. Click on Class Code.
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Explore Learning
Be sure to click on each tab and open the class
code window. Give this code to your students so
they can register for your class. Each class
allows 35 users.
Sample Code
Student Registration - Enrolling in a Class: See last page for directions you can
copy and use with your students. You will need to copy and paste or write your
class code into the box in the center of the page.
Managing Student Accounts: You can access students user names and passwords if they
forget them. You can also delete students that are no longer on your roster. Click on a
class tab. Click on Manage Roster.
Students are
listed in bold last name, first
name, followed by
their user name
and password.
Students can be
deleted here, but
must be added
using the student
registration
process.
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Explore Learning
Zap Class: The Zap Class feature will remove all students and Gizmos from the class of
the tab you have selected. This feature should only be used if you are cleaning out your
Explore Learning account to start a new year.
Teaching Tips: The creators at Explore Learning want teachers to use the resources on
the site to create additional assessments as they are needed. Here are some of the tool
provided and permissions granted in order to enhance the quality of instruction we
provide when we use this service.
• Exploration Guide: Use the exploration guide to help establish a plan for use in your
classroom. Use the suggested questions to help guide your students to those “ah ha” moments. Modify as needed to support the needs of your classroom.
• Assessment Questions: We have permission to copy and paste assessment questions
from the exploration guide. Copy and paste the questions and modify them as
desired. Use these questions to create additional practice, quizzes or tests.
• Camera Feature: Many of the screens have a camera. Click on this camera and it
takes a picture of the portion of the screen that is connected to the camera. This
snapshot is stored in the clipboard and can be pasted into a word processing or
presentation document.
• Clipboard Feature: Some of the screens have a small clipboard in the window.
Selecting the clipboard will copy the entire window to the clip board. It can be
pasted into a word processing or presentation document.
• Export Command: Many of the data tables can be exported to a spreadsheet or
word processing document. These data sets can be used for additional graphing
practice and enhance analytical skills.
• The Camera, Clipboard and Export features are great for creating supplemental
assessments. We have permission to use the snapshots and screen shots to create
worksheets for homework or quizzes. What a great way to quickly generate graphs
or scenarios for evaluation and analysis.
Additional questions regarding the use of or the services provided by Explore Learning,
should be directed to your Technology Trainer.
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Explore Learning
Register for an Explore Learning Science or Math class
Launch Safari
Navigate to http://www.explorelearning.com/
Click on Enroll in a Class
Log in with your virtual share username and password.
If your virtual share username and password do not work, click
Enter this code into the Class Code field
Click Submit.
Verify you have entered the correct class.
Complete these fields only if your virtual share username and password do not work.
Enter your First and Last Names
and
Create Your Account Login Info
Use your Virtual Share Username
Use your Virtual Share Password
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