OIS

Welcome to the CSTL's Online Instructor Suite page.  OIS is a suite of Internet applications for Web-based and Web-supported courses that can be used to enhance the teaching and learning experience in the online environment.

Learn more about the OIS client applications (requirements, screenshots, technical notes, etc)
OIS Server Extensions


Download the Client Software (Instructors Only):

Online Instructor Suite (Full) - includes all the modules: Manager, GradeA, UTest, Forum and DropBox.

OIS Installation

Download the Manuals:

Introduction to OIS - In this manual, you will be introduced to the applications as a whole: what a client application is and how it interacts with a server, what OIS does and does not do, how to download and install the applications, how to create links from course Web pages to the OIS servers, and where to get help.	Introduction to OIS
Course Manager: The "heart" of the software package, it controls the user database and general properties used by all other modules.  The Course Manager can import rosters from another server, database or text file, and allows instructors to divide students in sections of a same class and groups, among other features.	Manager Basic Manager Advanced
UTest: UTest lets the instructor administer tests over the Internet easily.  It packs an impressive array of features that provide flexibility and security to online tests, yet it is so easy to use.  Tests can be taken using a standard browser or using the UTest Secure Browser, and grades can be automatically sent to GradeA for publishing.	UTest Basic UTest Intermediate UTest Advanced
Forum: Asynchronous discussion forums that can be used to increase interactivity among students and the instructor. A class forum is divided in discussions and topics, and instructors have full control over the entire area through a powerful interface that allows them to read, create, reply and even grade posts.	Forum Basic  Forum Intermediate Forum Advanced
Calendar:  Important dates, announcements, test times, and other information can be shared among all members of a group or class.  Anything instructors enter in the Calendar will appear in each student's personal calendar page. Students can add or remove items using a friendly Web interface.	Calendar Manual
DropBox: This module controls the upload and download area, where students can store files and submit assignments for grading.  The easy-to-use instructor interface retrieves files from the server for viewing, changing and grading.  Like other modules, grades can be sent to GradeA for publishing with a click of a button.	DropBox Basic DropBox Advanced
GradeA: The spreadsheet-based gradebook that is easy yet powerful.  GradeA provides instructors with a flexible way to create gradebooks that are securely accessible by students over the web, and since it uses Excel-like spreadsheets to store grades, instructors are not restricted by a "one-format-fits-all" gradebook.	GradeA Basic GradeA Intermediate Reporting Grades with GradeA
Archiving and Reusing OIS Classes: Class content created in OIS for one semester often needs to be re-used in a future semester. This booklet will cover the changes one needs to make to each OIS module in order to prepare a previously used OIS class for a new semester.	Archiving and Reusing OIS Classes
Chat: This module is a synchronous communication tool for OIS classes. This allow instructors and students to communicate with each other in real-time.	Chat Basic
FrontPage Manuals: These are the handouts provided during the Class Web Site Authoring workshops that illustrate the use of FrontPage and OIS to create class content.	Basic Course Web Page Development with FrontPage Additional Course Web Page Features with FrontPage