This document will walk you through some of the most common questions and answers related to the Toon Boom Animation StartingPoint Courseware. To see more about the courseware and pricing, visit the Animation StartingPoint Courseware page.
About the Courseware
What is the Toon Boom Animation StartingPoint Courseware?
The StartingPoint Courseware is a teaching tool that provides a solid foundation for the future generation of animators, storyboard artists, and creatives. The following courses are available:
| Course Name | Number of Lessons | Course Duration |
| Intro to Animation with Harmony | 25 | 106 Hours |
| Intro to Storyboarding with Storyboard Pro | 25 | 95 Hours |
Does a school have to purchase and teach both courses?
No. A school can choose to purchase and teach just one of the courses, or both.
Which schools can purchase the StartingPoint Courseware?
Institutes from middle schools, high schools, and universities can purchase and use the Toon Boom StartingPoint Courseware to teach an introduction to animation and storyboarding using Toon Boom software.
Does Toon Boom offer trials of the Animation StartingPoint Courseware?
Yes. You can try a limited version of both courseware for 30 days. Please contact sales@toonboom.com.
Does a teacher who is teaching the courseware need to have animation or storyboarding knowledge or industry experience?
No. Both courses were developed to walk teachers and students through the material step by step. Teachers are also provided with additional supporting teaching materials. If a teacher would like to gain more knowledge, the teacher (or school) can purchase a Train the Teacher online course. See our online courses for more information.
How are the courses delivered?
Both courses are accessible via an internet connection through an online learning platform that makes it easy for teachers and students to join their class and follow along. The courseware can be used by teachers teaching remotely or in a classroom with a lab setup.
Do I need to be connected to the internet to access the StartingPoint Courseware?
Yes, you need to be connected to the internet to access the Animation StartingPoint Courseware via the courseware website.
Do the teachers need to prepare anything for these two courses?
No. Both courses have all the assets needed to work with Harmony and Storyboard Pro software. Both courses include lesson videos, documents, rubrics, quizzes, homework/work assignments, and interactive activities for the students. If a teacher would like to gain more knowledge, the teacher (or school) can purchase a Train the Teacher online course. See our online courses for more information.
How does a teacher learn to use the courseware platform?
When your school is set up on the platform, you will receive a welcome email with links to step-by-step guides in the Help Centre, including topics on how to add students, reset passwords, and view reports. An optional onboarding call can also be arranged with a dedicated courseware expert. See How do I get started with the courseware as a teacher? for an overview.
How long does my courseware access last?
Your access is valid for 12 months from your start date.
How many students can I add?
Each courseware purchase includes up to 30 seats (including teachers). If you need additional seats, please contact your Toon Boom sales representative at sales@toonboom.com.
Do my students have to complete all the lessons?
Our courses feature a standardized curriculum, meaning individual lessons cannot be hidden or removed from the learner's journey. However, you have full flexibility in how you teach! You can absolutely instruct your students to skip any lessons that aren't relevant to your current class goals.
Important Note: To earn a Certificate of Completion, students must complete 100% of the course material. If they choose to skip a lesson, they will not be eligible to receive a certificate.
About Student Management
How do I add students to my class?
As the Team Lead, you can add students directly from your dashboard, either one by one or in bulk using a CSV spreadsheet. See How do I add students to my courseware class? and How do I add students in bulk using CSV import? for step-by-step instructions.
My student cannot log in. What should I do?
Reset their password from your Team dashboard and share the new password with them directly. Many school email servers block external emails from the courseware platform, so the login email may not have been delivered. See How do I reset student passwords? for instructions.
Can I add students later in the semester?
Yes. You can add students at any time during your 12-month access period.
Can a teacher easily follow the progress of their students?
Yes. As the students progress through each lesson, both the teacher and students can see their progress via the student's individual dashboard and the teacher's Team dashboard. See How do I view student progress and reports? for details.
Where can I find the quiz results for my student roster?
- After logging in, locate the Team Reports section on your dashboard.
- Select the Team Activity Reports button.
- A view of your students' activities will appear.
- Under the Activity Type column, type "Quiz" to filter for quiz results.
How do students deliver homework to their teacher?
Students deliver their homework via the school portal, email, or other method as decided by the school. Lessons that require submissions contain reminders.
Can students earn a certification to confirm their learning?
Yes. Students can take the Toon Boom Associate Certification test for either Harmony Premium and/or Storyboard Pro, virtually delivered through a third party. Certification exams can be purchased through a Toon Boom sales representative. For more information, please contact sales@toonboom.com, or visit the Toon Boom Associate Certification page.
Alternatively, if students complete 100% of the courseware, they will receive a courseware completion certificate.
About Privacy and Data
What student information do I need to provide?
A student account requires a first name, last name, and email address. However, you decide what to enter in these fields. You can use student IDs, anonymous names, or generic emails, whatever aligns with your school's privacy requirements. Students only need a username and password to access the courseware. See About Student Privacy and Data Guidance for more details.
Does Toon Boom have access to my students' information?
You manage all student data directly on the platform. Toon Boom holds administrative access to the courseware platform for the purpose of setting up schools and providing technical support. We do not request or collect student personal information, but our administrative access does provide visibility into user records on the platform. We recommend using anonymous identifiers or student IDs to minimize the amount of personal information stored. Please do not email student data to Toon Boom.
What protocol must be adhered to for ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations?
You are in full control of your students' information. You add and manage all student accounts directly from your Team dashboard. Toon Boom does not request or collect student personal data. You can use anonymous identifiers or student IDs instead of real names, and generic or placeholder emails instead of personal ones. We recommend minimizing the use of real student information on the platform. Please do not email student personal information to Toon Boom. See About Student Privacy and Data Guidance for your full range of options.
About Technical
What should I do if I'm experiencing system errors, features not functioning as expected, or access issues?
To ensure the platform operates at full capacity, we recommend whitelisting the following IP addresses:
- 54.212.38.51
- 44.242.96.169
- 44.235.138.0
- 35.81.127.209
As the platform uses standard communication ports, no additional ports need to be opened on the school's network to maintain full functionality.
If you happen to be experiencing an issue with a single lesson element, or information that seems incomplete or incorrect, contact us at courseware@toonboom.com.
How do I access the teaching materials?
Teaching materials are available in a separate section of the platform, visible only to teachers. Once you log in, you will see both the student courseware in your dashboard, and the teaching materials in the left-hand navigation.
Who can I talk to to get more information before purchasing the Toon Boom Animation StartingPoint Courseware?
To get more information, or to speak to a sales representative, please contact sales@toonboom.com.