Do students Have to Download Software to Use Blink Lesson?
With Blink Lesson your students will never have to install software as it runs 100% in the browser. Most other video-conferencing products, such as Zoom, Webx, GoToMeetng, and Skype, require everyone on the call to download their specific software. Plus, when it's time to join an online lesson with those products, your student needs a specific meeting-room link you have to create every time.
With Blink Lesson, your students simply login and click one button to begin! And Blink Lesson is compatible with multi web browsers including: Chrome, Firefox, or Safari on any computer with a mic and camera, iPad (with iOS 11 or later), or other tablet.
What Countries Does Blink Lesson Work in?
Blink Lesson VIDEO works peer-to-peer which means it will find the shortest distance between you and your student (does not route through the U.S.). You and your student will need a good and reliable Internet connection and, of course, the further away your student is the more likely you might experience video hiccups, but that is the case with any video-conference software you choose.
Blink Lesson will work in any country world-wide except, due to U.S. embargo laws, we cannot serve users in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria.
Does Blink Lesson Use/Require Flash?
No, Blink Lesson does not require any plugins including Adobe Flash. Flash was one of the first ways websites were able to include animation, but because of security and reliability concerns, is has become obsolete. It was never supported by iPhones, iPads, or natively by Android. For those reasons, we have always been committed to making Blink Lesson 100% flash and plugin free.
Answer Page for: Does Blink Lesson Use/Require Flash?What Languages Do You Support?
The Blink Lesson platform does not support languages other than English. That said, the amount of English your Students need to know to navigate their dashboard is minimal. We have several companies using Blink Lesson with non-English speaking Students. You will need to determine if you believe your Students will be able to navigate the platform without any knowledge of English. Your staff users should have a command of English.
Answer Page for: What Languages Do You Support?White Label is part of our Enterprise services. With our white-labeling service, Blink Lesson will appear 100% as your company’s software. Colors, logo, domain name, emails, and other features all appear with your company branding creating a brand-seamless experience for your Students. This service is way beyond simplying allow your company to have its logo on the dashboard. It provides a truely brand-seamless experience for your Students or students. Contact us for more information about white labeling
Answer Page for: What is "White Label"Do You Offer a Branded Portal?
Blink Lesson is one of the only platforms to offer custom development service which bolts on seamlessly to our core software. Bolt-On Module development is a Enterprise service of Blink Lesson. Check out our Enterprise to learn more.
Answer Page for: Do You Offer Customization?We have made invoices in Blink Lesson as flexible as possible. The only information required is charge, tax rate (if applicable), what the invoice is for, and due date. Once you create the invoice, we automatically email and notify your student within Blink Lesson. If you have setup to take card payments in Blink Lesson, they can pay invoices one or multiple at a time within Blink Lesson. Once an invoice is paid, we notify you and mark it paid.
Answer Page for: How Do Invoices Work?Does Blink Lesson Charge For Credit Card Payments Made By Stuents?
No, Blink Lesson does not charge any fees for credit or debit card transactions. To accept payments, you will need a Stripe account, which is easy to setup. Stripe, as with every credit card processor, does charge fees (Though Stripe's fees are some of the lowest). With Stripe, your payments will be processes through the country you setup your Stripe account in, so no need to worry about currency conversion.
Answer Page for: Does Blink Lesson Charge For Credit Card Payments Made By Stuents?Can I Share Resources With Other Staff on My Team
How Many Resources Can I Upload / How Much Space do I Have?
Every document you upload to Blink Lesson you can download to your computer. Depending on the type, you can add and remove pages/cards, but you cannot edit the actual document as that would require the software you used to create it (Word, PowerPoint, etc.). If you make changes, you can always upload a fresh copy. The resource limit for most plans is 350 resources per staff, but you can always purchase more space.
Answer Page for: How Many Resources Can I Upload / How Much Space do I Have?What Kind of Documents Can I Upload?
With Blink Lesson you can upload PDF, Word, PowerPoint, MusicXML, Flat Scores, Audio (mp3/wav), Google Docs, Sheets & Drawling. You can also upload images (jpeg, png, bit) into card sets or to create a memory game. All files you upload are saved in your resource list and available to use in any online lesson.
Answer Page for: What Kind of Documents Can I Upload?Once I Upload a Resource File, can I Edit or Download it?
Every document you upload to Blink Lesson you can download to your computer. Depending on the type, you can add and remove pages/cards, but you cannot edit the actual document as that would require the software you used to create it (Word, PowerPoint, etc.). If you make changes, you can always upload a fresh copy.
Answer Page for: Once I Upload a Resource File, can I Edit or Download it?Can I Score Resources in an Online Lesson?
Yes, any resource you upload to Blink Lesson, or add from the resource store, can be scored. You can also save the score and add a note. Saved scores are attached to the student's record. Also, with on click, you can bring up all past saved scores for the student you are in an online lesson with. This makes it quick and easy to keep track of how your students are doing on a specific resources (e.g. music).
Answer Page for: Can I Score Resources in an Online Lesson?Can I Upload Files to A Student's Record?
Yes! Blink Lesson allows you to upload any file to a student's record. You can also view uploaded files in an online lesson. Plus, you can share files with your Students. Never worry about violating HIPAA or other security standards by emailing sensitive files, share them in Blink Lesson. Lastly, Students can upload files to share with you and all this can be done from the dashboard or during an online lesson.
Check out this video showing how easy it is to upload/share/view files with your Students.
How Does the Notes/Documentation Feature Work?
The aim of Blink Lesson's documentation feature is to increases your productivity by enabling you to view previous and write new notes while you are in an online lesson (or outside). Also, with Blink Lesson you can securely share notes with your students so they appear for them on their dashboard. Further, if a new teacher/staff/etc takes over a student they have access to all previous notes. Because Blink Lesson is committed to flexibility, there are not templates or goal tracking tools specific to any discipline.
Answer Page for: How Does the Notes/Documentation Feature Work?Keeping track of goals is important. With our new Goal Tracking feature, add, update, and share goals with your Students from your dashboard or during an online lesson. This is a great way to encourage your Students toward progress.
Answer Page for: Can I Track Goals?Does The White Board Work With Touch Screens?
Yes, the white board is fully touch screen capable and works well on any touch screens including iPads or other tablets.
Answer Page for: Does The White Board Work With Touch Screens?If I Share my Screen Can My student Control it?
Can I Conduct Group Online Lesson?
Yes, group online lessons are available in Blink Lesson and they are super easy to setup and connect.
Answer Page for: Can I Conduct Group Online Lesson?How Many Student's Can I Have in a Group Online Lesson?
Group Online Lesson can technically conducted with up to 100 students, though we recommend not more than 10. Over 10 can be difficult to manage with everyone having the ability to talk. If you need to connect a lesson that is more of a presentation/class, we recommend looking at webinar solutions.
Answer Page for: How Many Student's Can I Have in a Group Online Lesson?What is the Minimum Bandwidth Required?
Blink Lesson video dynamically adjusts based on the strength of a your's and your student's Internet connection. The faster and more stable the connection the better the video quality will be.
When planning for all the tech requirements of virtual services, it is important to understand bandwidth is only one factor that will influence video call quality.
Can I add students I Don't See On line?
Yes, you can use Blink Lesson to manage all of your Students. They will get an email to create an account so they can see any lessons you've scheduled with them, their invoices, and make payments.
Answer Page for: Can I add students I Don't See On line?How Would I add A Student/student?
When you add a student to Blink Lesson they are emailed an invitation to create an account which states that "your name" has invited you to join Blink Lesson. Once they register by adding a password, all they need to do is login to join online lessons. If you utilize the schedule, Blink Lesson automatically sends them lesson reminders 24 hours before their lesson.
Answer Page for: How Would I add A Student/student?Can I Change the Video Size & Layout?
Blink Lesson has the most flexible, yet easy to use, layout of any video conferring software. We don't believe in fixed layouts. Thus, our interface allows users to infinity change the size of the resource/screen share section verses the video section. If you're not using resources or screen share, teachers can completely hide it for both them and their Students. With our design, you have the most control over layout while still keeping everything in one window.
Answer Page for: Can I Change the Video Size & Layout?How do People Join Online Lessons?
In Blink, the default way to have an online lesson is to add your student into the system first. In that case, they can join online lessons right from their dashboard. No software to download! Sometimes an online lesson "link" is easier when you need to meet with someone for a quick connect.
With our Join-by-Link feature every Blink staff user has a personal meeting link. Need to meet with a non-student? Simply send them your join-by-LINK and you are notified when they request to join an online lesson. Need to meet with multiple people this way? No problem, the same link will work for everyone in your meeting. Need to have a group meeting with a student and a join-by-Link person? Yes sir, it's all possible with Blink Lesson.
All regular Blink Lesson plans are month-to-month, cancel at any time. You will be able to use Blink Lesson through the end of the month you cancel in. The only plans that might not have the option to cancel anytime would be custom pricing where your organization has agreed to a specific price for a predetermined amount of time.
Answer Page for: Can I Cancel anytime?Do You Accept Payment by Check and or Purchase Orders (PO)?
We can accept payment for your Blink Lesson subscription by check, with or without a purchase order.
Answer Page for: Do You Accept Payment by Check and or Purchase Orders (PO)?When and How are Automated Reminders Sent?
Blink Lesson sends lesson reminder emails 24 hours before your Student's scheduled lesson. Reminder emails are sent to every student login that is linked to the student the lesson is for. For example, if mom and dad both have a login, they will both be an email reminder. If the student login is linked to multiple students with lessons the next day, it will create an agenda of all the lessons for the next day. lesson times in the reminder emails are based on the timezone you set for the student.
Answer Page for: When and How are Automated Reminders Sent?How Are lessons Adjusted for Different Timezones?
If user chooses free plan AFTER signing up for a payed plan, update their plan to free and direct to dashboard.
Blink Lesson's schedule is designed make it easy to set lessons with students in different timezones. When your schedule loads, it will automatically display lessons according to the timezone you are currently located in, or you can select a different timezone.
Also, when you add a new staff user or student, you are required to select their timezone. That way, when reminders are sent, they are printed in the notification (email, etc) according to their timezone.
If you use the, "Self Schedule" feature, Blink Lesson also automatically converts your availability according to timezone. Thus, if you add an available slot for 8am Central Time U.S. but one your students is in Eastern Time, they will see it as 9am. Super Easy!
Who Has Access to My Schedule?
Staff users have access to any lessons on their schedule. Other staff users in your organization which have been granted the "Schedule Admin" permission may view, edit, and add to another staff user's schedule. Student's can view all their lessons (past and future) from their dashboard, or by click "Open Details" within a online lesson.
Answer Page for: Who Has Access to My Schedule?Can I add Multiple students to One lesson?
Yes. Plus, each student on the lesson will be notify of the lesson time in their timezone, even if they are in different timezones!
Answer Page for: Can I add Multiple students to One lesson?Is Blink Lesson HIPAA-Compliant?
Blink Lesson offers HIPAA compliance if needed includingBusiness Associates Agreement (BAA). Contact us if you need HIPAA compliance.
Answer Page for: Is Blink Lesson HIPAA-Compliant?What Security Measures Does Blink Lesson Take?
Blink Lesson is committed to you and your Student's security and privacy. We utilize many security measures to protect confidential information including at-rest encryption and 256-bit in-transit data encryption. We also follow all HIPAA polices including those related to personal identifiable information. For specific security questions, contact us. Please understand, in order to protect against phishing, we might request you complete a short background check before we discuss specific security measures with you.
Answer Page for: What Security Measures Does Blink Lesson Take?Does Blink Lesson Comply With GDRP?
Yes! The General Data Protection Regulation is a regulation enacted in 2018 for the data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). It also addresses the export of personal data outside the EU and EEA area. Blink Lesson is both internally compliant with GDRP and has developed security and user permission features to help your organization stay compliant with this regulation. Please note: The standards you have in place for how your organization uses Blink Lesson must also follow GDRP standards. We recommend consulting qualified legal counsel or compliance experts.
Answer Page for: Does Blink Lesson Comply With GDRP?Is Blink Lesson FERPA Compliant?
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a U.S. federal laws that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. The Blink Lesson platform providers security and data protection measure that go beyond FERPA requirements, but we also help you stay compliant with user-permission and other features. Please note: The standards you have in place for how your organization uses Blink Lesson must also follow FERPA standards. We recommend consulting qualified legal counsel or compliance experts.
Answer Page for: Is Blink Lesson FERPA Compliant?Is Blink Lesson COPPA Compliant?
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a U.S. regulation/law related to websites that allow persons under 13 years old to sign up and use their service. Blink Lesson does not allow persons under the age of 18 to sign up for a subscription. If your company serves persons in the U.S. under 13 years old, you could be obligated to abide by COPPA. For further information on this, please contact qualified legal counsel.
Answer Page for: Is Blink Lesson COPPA Compliant?What Level of Support Do You Provide?
At Blink, we recognize how important support is to the delivery of your virtual services. We are often asked: "What level of support do you provide?" We like to respond with: "What do you mean by support?"
There are many tech components involved in virtual service operations, including:
1) Computer/tablet/phone hardware (battery,screen, processor, keyboard, mouse, etc.)
2) Internet connection
3) Local network, including WiFi
4) Operating system (Windows,OSX, iOS, Android)
5) Potential viruses, malware, or poor configurations
6) The software, or in the case of Blink Lesson, the browser you are using to access the service (Chrome, Firefox, etc.)
7) The cloud software itself
8) The user's knowledge of how to use the software
Each of these require a different type of "support". At Blink, the main focus of our support is keeping the platform up and running. We guarantee 99% up time, but usually reach 99.9% or higher each year.
Support request related to how to use features or potential platform problems are answered within 24 business hours. We recommend that our customers retain qualified IT employees (or outsourced) to help with day-to-day issues, including troubleshooting computer or internet issues.
How Does the Waiting Room Work?
When your Students join an online lesson, you will see a pop-up and hear a sound. If you are not ready to join them, you can text chat with them. The chat box will also give you a link to move to the online lesson with them. This is great if you have students back-to-back.
If a person joins by your personal Join-by-LINK, you will be notified also and can approve or deny their request. If they join before you login, their request will pop up when you login.