Tts Easi-ears User manual

WARNING: Do not dispose of this product in

household waste. Hand it over to a collection point

for recycling electronic appliances.

WARNING! Not suitable for children under

36 months due to small parts – choking hazard.

Made in China, on behalf of the TTS Group Ltd.

TTS Product Code:

EL00295

Support & Warranty

This product is provided with a one-year warranty for problems found during normal

usage. Mistreating the Easi-Ears or opening the unit will invalidate this warranty. Any

data stored on the unit and any consequential loss is not covered by this warranty.

All out of warranty repairs will be subject to a replacement fee.

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Warranty is void if the product casing is opened for any reason

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The warranty does not cover any data loss from the unit nor any

consequential loss of information

Technical Support

Please visit www.tts-group.co.uk for the latest product information.

Email [email protected] for technical support.

TTS Group Ltd.

Park Lane Business Park

Kirkby-in-Ashfield

Nottinghamshire,

NG17 9GU, UK.

Freephone: 0800 318686 Freefax: 0800 137525

Easi-Ears

Nxxxxx

N448

7.5V

TTS is proud to be part of plc

EL00295 Easi-Ears UG ENGLISH.indd 1 10/03/2015 16:30

A new listening experience

Easi-Ears®

USER GUIDE

TTS is proud to be part of plc

EL00295 Easi-Ears UG ENGLISH.indd 2 10/03/2015 16:30

Contents

Ideas for using Easi-Ears .......................................................................................... p. 3

Getting Started ........................................................................................................... p. 4

Charging the headphones and remote control unit

Installing the software............................................................................................... p. 4

Minimum system requirements

Licensing

Updates

Using the Headphones............................................................................................. p. 5

Operating the controls

Replacing the ear pads

Using the Remote Control Unit..............................................................................................p. 7

Playing MP3 Files

Transmitting Audio to the Headphones

Controlling the Headphones

Recording Audio Files

Using the Software...................................................................................................p. 10

Setting Up Library Files

Connecting the Headphones

Copying Files

Teacher Menu (Configuration)

Library Organisation

Playlist Organisation

Copying Playlist to Devices

Loading and Saving Playlists

Importing New Files

Importing and Converting Files

Ripping CDs

Recording Files

Editing ID3 Tags

Frequently Asked Questions...................................................................................p. 20

Support and Warranty.............................................................................................p. 24

Technical Support....................................................................................................p. 24

Please read all the instructions carefully before use.

EL00295 Easi-Ears UG ENGLISH.indd 3 10/03/2015 16:30

Thank you for purchasing Easi-Ears

Easi-Ears brings a new listening experience to your classroom! It couldn’t be easier

to create your own recordings or download audio content, then transfer this onto the

wireless headphones so that children can listen individually or as a group, inside or

outdoors.

Easi-Ears is designed for primary schools and nursery settings. The headphones

are rechargeable and extremely robust. The software allows you to put the same or

different audio content on the headphones and is straightforward to use.

We hope you enjoy using Easi-Ears. We welcome feedback. If you’d like to get in touch,

drop us a line at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

Ideas for Easi-Ears

Easi-Ears can be used to support teaching and learning in lots of different ways, both

across the curriculum and across the school. Here are a few examples: of what you

could listen to:

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stories, rhymes, poems and non-fiction text

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recordings done by other children

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instructions, e.g. add features to a map from a description

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creative music, e.g. be inspired to write stories, make models or paint

pictures

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information to extract answers or to help create a presentation

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clues, e.g. treasure hunts, maths shape trails

For more suggestions and sample audio files to help get you started visit our website,

www.tts-shopping.com/easiears

Important Information

Please read carefully:

n

Easi-Ears has non-replaceable rechargeable batteries

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The foam pads can be removed and replaced with new ones. For

instructions on how to replace, see p.6. To order new foam pads call 0800

318 686 or visit www.tts-shopping.com/easiears

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Easi-Ears is an electrical product and should not be immersed in water or

used outside during wet conditions 3

Easi-Ears®

EL00295 Easi-Ears UG ENGLISH.indd 4 10/03/2015 16:30

Getting Started

Charging the headphones and remote control unit

The Easi-Ears headphones and remote control unit are fully rechargeable. These

rechargeable batteries are however not user replaceable.

It’s advised that the headphones and remote control unit are fully charged before use.

To do this ensure that the headphones and remote control unit are properly docked in

the docking station and plug the docking station into a mains power supply.

It will take approx 16 hours to fully charge the set.

When the headphones require more charge the red light will flash slowly. You will know

when the remote control unit needs more charge because a low battery symbol will show.

The red LED light on the headphones and the remote control unit will flash slowly during

charging and will stay on when fully charged.

Installing the software

The Easi-Ears software enables you to manage the audio tracks you want on each

headphone – uploading the same content to all of them, or differentiating each

headset. More on using the software on p.10

To install the Easi-Ears software: ......

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Insert the CD into your PC and the installation will begin. If it doesn’t start,

browse to the CD and click on setup.exe.

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There are no options to select during installation, simply press “Next” to

progress from one screen to the next one.

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When installation is complete click “Finish”, and the Easi-Ears application will

start

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Minimum system requirements

The minimum system requirements for Easi-Ears software are:

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Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7

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100MB free disk space

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At least 1GB memory

Updates

Please check the website www.tts-group.co.uk/easiears for new version update

information and the latest downloads.

Licensing

The Easi-Ears software is a site licence and licensed for use on any PC in school.

Using the Headphones

Operating the Controls

The headphones operate independently and audio content is uploaded to them via the

docking station and Easi-Ears software (see p.10). They can also receive signals from the

remote control unit as they contain an infra-red wireless receiver and are rechargeable

(see p. 4). The headphones have also been carefully designed so that the headband

easily adjusts to comfortably fit different head sizes.

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To switch the headphones on, simply extend the headband and they will be

ready to play. The best way to do this is to put them on. After a few seconds

they will have booted up.

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To switch them off again, close the headband up. This will happen

automatically when you take them off

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The headphones have an automatic pause feature. When removed (e.g.

they may be taken off temporarily for a short break) they change to a low-

power “standby” mode for 20 minutes. This allows them to start playing

again immediately when you put them on again. After 20 minutes, they will

switch off completely.

Easi-Ears®

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The coloured LEDs on the headphones

indicate:

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Red light is ON indicates normal

use. It flashes slowly in standby

mode and when charging

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Green light is ON when playing It

flashes when paused

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Amber light is ON when the remote

control unit is transmitting to the

headphones (more on p.7)

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Press to play the current track, or to pause

it if already playing

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Press the or buttons to move to the

previous or next track

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To adjust the volume on the headphones use

the thumbwheel on the side of the headphones

near the USB socket

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To charge the headphones place them firmly

into the docking station, ensuring that the

docking station is connected to power. The red

light will flash slowly during charging and will

stay on when fully charged.

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The headphones are designed to be extremely

robust and no damage is caused when the headband is twisted.

Replacing the Ear Pads

The foam pads can be removed and replaced with new ones. To order new foam pads

call 0800 318 686 or visit www.tts-shopping.com/easiears

Please note that what is removed and replaced is the complete earpiece assembly

including the plastic clips and the material that holds the foam on.

n

To remove: Grip the ear pad firmly and rotate anticlockwise 1/8th turn. The

whole ear pad assembly can then be removed

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To replace: Locate the lugs on the ear pad assembly into the headphones,

and then rotate clockwise 1/8th turn until it clicks.

Rewind

Play/pause

Forward

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Using the Remote Control Unit

The remote control unit is an MP3 player, with an MP3 recorder, and has an infra-red

wireless transmitter so that the teacher can collectively control the headphones. With

this unit you are able to:

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Play MP3 files through the built-in speaker, or plug in a pair of

headphones

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Transmit audio content to the headphones. This content could be:

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uploaded to the remote control unit via the Easi-Ears software (see p. 10)

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streamed MP3: transmitted directly from a microphone or other audio

device that’s plugged into the unit.

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Control the headphones’ play, pause and next/ previous track functionality

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Record audio directly into MP3 format using the built-in microphone, or an

external microphone plugged into the microphone socket.

Rewind

Transmit

Record

Forward

Power on

Play/pause

Easi-Ears®

EL00295 Easi-Ears UG ENGLISH.indd 8 10/03/2015 16:30

Playing MP3 Files

n

Ensure the Source switch is set to MP3 and the Control switch is set to

LOCAL. Press and hold the button until the LCD display turns on

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Use the and buttons to select the required track then press

to start playing

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Press the button again to pause the track

Transmitting Audio to the Headphones

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Ensure the Control switch is set to LOCAL

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Select the source you want to transmit from: external audio device (“

LINE-IN”), external microphone (“MIC”) or local MP3 file (“MP3”) on the

remote

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If using a local MP3 file, ensure that it is playing

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Press the button to start transmitting. The Green LED will light up

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Press the button again to stop transmitting

The transmission will be sent to all of the headsets in use. The audio cannot be

transmitted to individual headsets.

Transmission range

The range between the headphones and remote control unit is about 12m (depending

on the environment) to receive a transmission. If used outdoors or in rooms with high

ceilings, the transmission will only be line of sight.

Controlling the Headphones

n

Ensure the Control switch is set to REMOTE

n

Use the and buttons to select the track you want to play on

the headphones. Note that the same track number will be played on the

headphones, even if the content of that track is not the same as on the

remote control unit. When controlling the headphones, it is usually best to

ensure that the same tracks are on the headphones in the same order as

Control switchSource switch

EL00295 Easi-Ears UG ENGLISH.indd 9 10/03/2015 16:30

the remote control unit, so there’s no confusion.

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Press the button to start the audio playing on the headphones

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Press the button again to pause the audio

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The headphones controls will continue to work, so pupils are still free to

change and pause tracks. However the next controlling signal sent from the

remote control unit will revert the headphones to that currently selected on

the remote control unit.

The transmission will be sent to all of the headsets in use. The remote control unit

cannot control individual headsets.

Recording Audio Files

The recording feature on the remote control unit is extremely useful. You can:

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Record directly into the remote control unit using the built-in microphone

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Plug an external microphone into the microphone socket and record directly

into the remote control unit

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Plug in any external audio device to the “Line In” socket, e.g. a cassette

player, CD player, radio, TV, MP3 player and record, and record the tracks

onto the remote control unit. This means that if the file format wasn’t in MP3

format it will neatly be converted

Any recordings captured by the remote control unit will be evident when the unit is

synchronised via the docking station with the Easi-Ears software (see p.10). From here

the MP3 recordings can be saved locally on your PC.

To record:

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Ensure the Control switch is set to LOCAL and the Source switch is set to the

required input (Microphone or Line-In)

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Press the button to start the recording, then press again to finish

the recording. The audio file will be saved as an MP3 file with the name

VOICExxx.MP3 where the xxx is replaced by the next filename in sequence,

starting from 001. This file name will be evident in the remote control unit

panel in the Easi-Ears software, next time you dock the remote control unit

and open up the software (see p.11).

The remote control unit can be charged by placing it firmly onto the docking station

and ensuring that the docking station is connected to power. The red LED light will flash

slowly during charge and will stay on solidly when fully charged (see p.4).

Easi-Ears®

EL00295 Easi-Ears UG ENGLISH.indd 10 10/03/2015 16:30

Using the Software

The Easi-Ears software has been purpose designed to work with Easi-Ears. It’s

straightforward to use and enables you to add and remove tracks on the headphones

and remote control unit.

See p.4 for software installation and minimum system requirements.

The software will run without any devices (Easi-Ears headphones or the remote control

unit) attached to your PC. However, should you wish to upload or remove audio from

the headphones or remote control unit, these will need to be docked in the docking

station and the docking station plugged into your PC via USB connection.

Once installed, click on the icon on the desktop to open the software.

Alternatively go to Start | All Programs | TTS Group | Easi-Ears.

Initially, the “My Library” will contain a folder called “The New Playground” (a sample

audio book title from the Kids & Co series by Rising Stars), “My Playlist” will be empty

and all the devices will be greyed out and disabled as shown below.

Setting up Library Files

Before creating a library of useful stories or music, you should first set up the location of

your library files. From the main screen, press <Ctrl-T> (ie. press the “Ctrl” key and the

“T” key on your keyboard simultaneously). This will open the “Teacher Menu” that allows

you to change a variety of settings. You can password protect this menu if you want.

Select the folder that you want to use for your library and click “Done”. This can be a

network folder to enable all users to access the same library of tracks.

You will note that the headphone panels

are colour coded to reflect the colours of

each of the headphones.

The idea is that you access MP3 files on

your PC through “My Library” and from

here then select files in “My Library” to

create individual play lists, by simply

dragging and dropping the files into the

“My Playlist” folder. From here, you can

then copy to all headsets or select specific

tracks for specific headphones.

Figure 1

EL00295 Easi-Ears UG ENGLISH.indd 11 10/03/2015 16:30

Connecting the Headphones

Copying Files

To copy files to any of the connected devices, you can drag an MP3 file from any open

window on your PC (not just within the Easi-Ears software) to the device in the Easi-Ears

software that you require. You can also drag and drop from any list to any other list

within the software, so it is simple to copy a file from one device to another, from the

library to a device or from a device (e.g. remote control unit) to the library.

If you right-click on a file, a menu will pop-up allowing you to copy, paste, rename,

delete and play files directly.

Hold down the ‘Shift’ or ‘Ctrl’ keys to select multiple files to copy, paste or delete.

At the end of the copy process, the software will set the headphones to play

continuously if the “Continuous play” checkbox in the Teacher Menu is ticked. Otherwise,

the headphones will be set to play one track then stop.

See “Copying Playlist to Devices” (p.14) for a quick and easy way to create the same

content on several devices simultaneously.

Headphone capacity

The headphones and remote control unit contain 256Mb of Flash memory, which is

enough to store more than 2 hours of MP3 recordings.

Ensure that the docking station has power

and connect the USB lead to your PC.

When you dock the headphones or

remote control unit in your docking

station they will appear in the software as

enabled devices, and the audio contents

will be shown. See Fig 2 - the orange

headphones have been connected, but

all other devices are not connected.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Easi-Ears®

EL00295 Easi-Ears UG ENGLISH.indd 12 10/03/2015 16:30

Teacher Menu (Configuration)

Pressing <Ctrl-T> will open the “Teacher Menu” Configuration dialog:

n

Allow Library deletes: Check this to enable files to be deleted from the

Library. This is a transitory setting and will need to be checked each time

you run the program if you want to delete files from the library. Deleting

from the devices or the current playlist is not affected.

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Allow ripping: If you want to allow ripping CDs into MP3 files, then check

this box. “Ripping” is the term used to convert CD audio tracks into digitised

computer tracks in some format. The software only supports the conversion

of CD audio directly into MP3.

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Allow importing: Check this to enable importing of external files into the Library,

e.g. files elsewhere on your PC or on the network. This function also allows you to

convert from other audio formats into MP3 while you are importing.

n

Allow Continuous Play: Check this to enable the files copied across to the

headsets and RC unit to be played as a single file. Pressing play once on the

headset or on the RC unit will play all tracks without stopping between each

track. This function can only be applied to a whole playlist at any one time

n

To enable the “Teacher Menu” to be password protected, check the “Enable

password” box and enter your new password twice. If the password is

accepted, then this will need to be entered the next time you access this

menu. There is a master password if you forget yours, you will need to

email [email protected] for this.

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Click “Done” to save your new settings and return to the main screen.

n

Classic Windows: With this

checked, the standard Windows

dialogs will appear with a title bar

across the top containing the usual

Minimise and Maximise buttons.

When it is un-checked, borderless

windows with rounded corners

are displayed. When you have a

borderless window, use the mouse

near the top of the dialog to drag

it around the screen, or click and

drag the bottom right corner to

re-size the window.

Figure 3

EL00295 Easi-Ears UG ENGLISH.indd 13 10/03/2015 16:30

Library Organisation

The Library can contain files or folders. You can create a new folder within the Library by

right-clicking within the Library area and selecting “New Folder”.

There is no limit on the number of new of folders, or the depth of the folder structure,

so you should use this to create a well-structured storage area for your content. For

instance, your top level folders could be for Numeracy, Literacy, MFL, etc. and lower

level folders for Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, etc.

Within the Library area, there are different symbols used at the start of each line:

This allows you to return to a higher level within the Library structure. Double-click

to select.

This indicates a lower level folder that you can access. Double-click to select

This indicates a valid MP3 sound file. Single-click to show the properties, or

double-click to play the file.

Playlist Organisation

The “My Playlist” panel allows you to select a number of files from anywhere on your PC

and place them in the order in which you want them to play on the devices.

You can drag and drop MP3 files from “My Library or the devices panels into the “My

Playlist” panel, or copy and paste them. You can also play, rename, or delete by right-

clicking and selecting the required action.

The files will play on the devices in the order shown (top to bottom). There are two

methods of changing the playing order:

1. Select a file and use the sor tbuttons to move it up and down the list

2. Drag and drop a file within the list to the required position

The playing order is set by data within the files, called the “ID3 Tags”. Whenever you

adjust the order within the Playlist or on the devices, these ID3 tags are re-written with

different information so that the playing order is correct.

Easi-Ears®

EL00295 Easi-Ears UG ENGLISH.indd 14 10/03/2015 16:30

Copying Playlist to Devices

Easi-Ears software makes it simple to copy your playlist to whichever selection of

devices you require.

Once you have collected all the files you require within your “My Playlist” panel and

settled on a playing order, simply select the required devices and click “Copy to

Headsets”. In Fig 4, the orange, green and blue headphones as well as the remote

control unit have been selected and copying is in progress (see highlighted boxes with

strike through ticks).

Figure 4

This method of copying files to the devices will duplicate the playlist to each selected

device. Therefore all existing files on the selected devices will be deleted before the new

files are copied across. If you click “Cancel Copy” after the copying process has started

on a particular device, all the original files will still have been deleted. However, devices

are updated one at a time, so all devices that have not been processed yet, will still

contain their original files.

At the end of the copy process, the software will set the headphones to play

continuously if the “Continuous play” checkbox in the Teacher Menu is ticked. Otherwise,

the headphones will be set to play one track then stop.

EL00295 Easi-Ears UG ENGLISH.indd 15 10/03/2015 16:30

Loading and Saving Playlists

When you are happy with your playlist, you can save it.

Click the “Save” button in the “My Playlist” panel and name the folder (playlist) that you

want to store. If you are using an existing playlist you will be asked if you want to over-

write it.

You can also load a saved playlist, by clicking the “Load” button within the “My Playlist”

panel and selecting the folder (playlist) that you require.

Another way of loading a playlist is to click on the on the “My Playlists” tab in the Library

panel. You can then browse the folders within the playlist structure in the same way that

you browse the Library. Click on the “My Library” tab to return to the Library view.

Figure 5 - My Library view Figure 6 - My Playlists view

How to play a track

You can play a track by double clicking on it and selecting play, or selecting it and

playing it through the play panel (see Fig 7).

Figure 7

Easi-Ears®

EL00295 Easi-Ears UG ENGLISH.indd 16 10/03/2015 16:31

Importing New Files

There are various tools provided within the software to enable you to import sounds,

voice and music from a variety of sources into your Library, e.g. you may have

purchased some books that have an audio CD or you want to record your own story.

All files to be used on the Easi-Ears devices must be in MP3 format, so these tools will

automatically convert the files for you to MP3 if necessary.

The options available are:

1. Import MP3 files from outside the Library

2. Convert WAV, WMA and other sound formats into MP3

3. Record sounds directly from a microphone or line-in socket and these

sounds will be automatically converted to MP3

4. Rip tracks from an audio CD

To access any of these functions, click the “Import Tools” button on the main screen.

Note that some of the functions may have been disabled by the teacher from within the

“Teacher Menu”.

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