|
CSC 105 FAQ’s |
Q: What is SAM?
A: SAM stands for Skills Assessment Manager, an interactive online learning environment that helps students master Microsoft Office skills and computer concepts that are essential to academic and career success. SAM engages students in self-paced learning, provides personalized remediation and training, and incorporates fully digital text books.
Q: What do I need to purchase?
A: Students need only purchase a SAM access code either online using the link on the instructor’s home page or from the UNCW bookstore. Once their SAM account is set up (per instructions sent out by the instructor) the student will have access to the two eBooks for the course as well as all of the required training and testing material.
Q: Do I need to purchase SAM on the computer I plan on using for this course?
A: SAM is a fully online system, so the access code gives you an account which can be accessed from any computer having Internet access.
Q: Can I use a Mac?
A: Yes, everything is Mac compatible except for Microsoft Office projects which require Office for Windows. It is strongly recommended that Mac users either get a two button mouse or configure the track pad (if applicable) to right-click. See also my tips for Mac Users: http://people.uncw.edu/mferner/CSC105OL/SAM/MacTips.htm
Q: I can't find the assigned readings. How do I access them?
A: The readings are at the bottom of the Activity List in SAM. Make sure the Always Available tab is checked. For details about using the MindTap reader go to: http://www.wadsworthmedia.com/tlc/MindTap/MindTap_BasicNavigation.html
Q: My quiz answers aren't being saved, and/or I don’t
have a Save Answer button, and/or I can’t scroll down to see the entire
question. What's going wrong?
A: There should be a Save Answer button at the bottom of each question page which saves your answer. If you aren't seeing it, make sure you have Flash Player installed. Go to https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ to install (or re-install) flash player. Then, check your screen resolution. The minimum screen resolution for a standard desktop monitor is 1024x768. However, 1280x1024 works better than the minimum, which might still cut off the scroll bar on the right. For wide screen monitors, the minimum resolution recommended is 1280x768. However, for best performance, 1440x900 should be used (if available). Also make sure your browser zoom is set to 100%. This is one of the most common reasons why things aren’t displaying correctly. The keyboard shortcut (in most browsers) for the View menu is Alt+v. You can adjust the zoom level by using this feature. If the keyboard shortcut doesn’t work, hold down the Ctrl key and move the mouse wheel up and down to adjust. Lastly, review the Sam System Requirements Guide for details on specific browser settings.
Q: I took a quiz and saved my answers, but then the same question showed up again later. Why?
A: There are three attempts per question. Any questions answered incorrectly, or any that were skipped, will be displayed a second, and if necessary, a third time.
Q: On the calendar it says the orientation assignments are due on certain days, but in SAM they are due later. Which one is right?
A: Those assignments will stay open to accommodate drop/add, i.e. students might still add the course a week after it begins. They need a chance to get caught up. If you are already registered, try to follow the "posted" due dates so that you don't get behind.
Q: I set up my SAM account, but why don’t I see any assignments?
A: You probably just need to join a section. Do the following in SAM:
1.
Click the
Sections link at the top of the page[MF1]
2. Click Join a Section
3. Find your section by locating your instructor’s last name on the left
4. Click the corresponding Join Section icon on the right
5. Return to the Activities tab to find assignments for your section
Q: I’ve completed an assignment in SAM but the link is still blue.
A: That means it is available for an optional second attempt.
Q: I see assignments that say ‘FOR REFERENCE, REVIEW – NOT REQUIRED.' Are we supposed to redo those assignments again?
A: Anything that says FOR
REFERENCE, REVIEW - NOT REQUIRED is just a copy of an earlier assignment for
those who may have missed it, or want to review it. No credit is given
for those assignments. So, you do NOT need to redo them.
Q: Is there a way to make the soon to be due assignments at the top of the activity list page?
A: You can sort the assignments by
due date to show what is due next. Click the heading on the Activity List
that says Due Date, and that should reorder them by due date.