What should I do first?

What are the system requirements for using the Searchlight online courses?

What is a Shockwave Player? How do I get a Shockwave Player?

Is the Searchlight Virtual School Character Education Online part of the Diocese of Palm Beach?

Can a classroom teacher or technology lab facilitator purchase the materials for use with a group?

Who issues the Certificate of Completion?

Can my child  work on the course using different computers in different locations?

What is an "Orientation Conference?"  Why is this needed?

I sent in an Enrollment Application, but haven't been contacted by a Searchlight Representative. What should I do?

I am having trouble using the "Auto Submit" button on the forms. What should I do?

How do I register my child for the Growing Up: A Character-Building Approach course?

How can I get the class materials needed for the course?

How do I save a copy of an electronic form on my computer?

How do I attach a form to my e-mail?

What should I do first?

The first place to visit is the "Enrollment Process" page.  Whether you are enrolling in the Adult or the Youth Division, start there.  This page clearly outlines the steps of the Enrollment Process and also provides audio instructions.

What are the system requirements for using the Searchlight^® online courses?

•   High Speed Internet Connection: Do not try to use these programs online with a dial-up internet connection.

•   You will also need three of the most current browser plug-ins installed on your computer:

•   Playback Efficiency: How well these programs function online is affected by the speed and power of the computer used to access them. Allow extra loading time when accessing the Searchlight Programs with older or slower computers.  If the buttons flicker when you try to click, allow a little more download time, then try again.  Also consider the following:

What is a Shockwave Player?  How do I get a Shockwave Player?

The Shockwave Player is a "plug-in" for your internet browser, and it is a free download from the Adobe web site.  Most of the online tutorials are created with a software application which makes interactive web-based "Shockwave Movies."  In order for your internet browser to make it possible for you to see and interact with a Shockwave Movie, the Shockwave Player must be "plugged in."

If you aren't sure whether or not you have a Shockwave Player installed on your computer, go to the Enrollment Process page, then listen and follow the directions in Step 1.  This information will also explain what to do if you need to download the player.

Is the Searchlight Virtual School Character Education Online part of the Diocese of Palm Beach?

The Searchlight Virtual School is a division of Ocean East Publishing, which is a privately owned company.  We do serve the Diocese of Palm Beach by offering online faith formation and religious education courses.  Character Education ... Online is a separate division. The program is non-religious and is appropriate for all educational settings.

Can a classroom teacher or technology lab facilitator purchase the materials for use with a group?

Yes, for those who would like to use the Growing Up: A Character-Building Approach in a group setting, for example, a classroom teacher or technology coordinator, a "Group Subscription" Plan is required.  This necessitates a different type of licensing agreement. Please call us to discuss this option and to obtain the licensing agreement.  A one-time Group License is $49.95.  This license allows unlimited reproduction of the print materials on an "as needed" basis for the group established by the license, and is non-transferrable.  For contact information, click here.

Who issues the Certificate of Completion?

For the Character Education ... Online Division, the Searchlight Virtual School issues the Certificate of Completion.

Can my child work on the course using different computers in different locations?

Yes.  The online tutorial portions of the course are online and available 24/7, so a student can access them from any computer that has high speed access to the internet.

What is an "Orientation Conference?"  Why is this needed?

After we receive an Enrollment Application, we contact the Adult Facilitator and request an "Orientation Phone Conference." Before a prospective student purchases a Searchlight Subscription, we want to be sure he or she can access the online tutorials.  This conference also establishes an opportunity for us to get to know the Adult Facilitator and the Adult Facilitator to know us. During the conference, a Searchlight representative will show the Adult Facilitator how to access the online tutorials, introduce him or her to the operating features of the tutorials, answer questions, and offer help in any other areas with which a student may need assistance.

I sent in an Enrollment Application, but haven't been contacted by a Searchlight Representative. What should I do?

If you sent in an electronic enrollment form and you have not received an e-mail confirmation within 24 hours, please call our office: 772-563-9457. Also, please review the information provided in the next question.

I am having trouble using the "Auto Submit" button on the forms. What should I do?

If your computer is not responding well to the auto-submit buttons we have embedded in the electronic forms, you can use an alternate method for submitting the forms.  Use File > Save As and save the form on your local computer.   Access the form, fill it out, and save it again.  Then send us an e-mail and attach the form to that e-mail.  Send the e-mail to: info@searchlightvs.com.  An e-mail link can be found at the bottom of each page in the web site,  as well as on the "Staff/Contact Us" page

How do I register my child for this course?

Click on the "Register/Download" button at the top of the screen.  The page provides audio and written directions about registering for courses.

How can I get the class materials needed for a course?

To receive course materials you must:

• Be enrolled in the Searchlight Virtual School
• Complete the "Orientation Phone Conference"
• Purchase a Searchlight Subscription Plan
• Submit a class registration form

When the above steps are complete, your class materials are sent to you as an attachment to an e-mail.

How do I save a copy of an electronic form or PDF on my computer?

Open the electronic PDF, then go to File > Save As.  Replace the name of the document without removing the .pdf extension.  Designate the folder on your computer into which you want to save the document.  (If you do not designate a specific folder on your computer, the document will be saved to your default location. For Windows users that is the "My Documents" folder.  For Mac users it will be saved into the folder where you last saved a document.)

How do I attach a form to my e-mail?

In your e-mail program you should compose a simple message and address it to: oepub@mpinet.com.  Give the message a "subject." Then click the "attach" icon (typically looks like a paper clip). Choose "Browse." The "Browse" feature allows you to find and choose the folder containing the document you want to attach. When you locate the appropriate document, highlight it, then choose "attach."  A PDF icon should pop into your e-mail. Once it does, you can send the e-mail.

If you have any questions which have not been answered here, please call us. We are always happy to lend assistance.