SAM (Skills Assessment Manager) is a web-based application that allows students to complete Excel 2010 skill simulations, projects, exams, and training. It guides students through the initial setup process which includes entering an institution key, creating a user profile, joining a class section, and accessing assignments. Students can then work on projects by downloading instructions and sample files, completing the project, and submitting it for grading. Exams are taken by reviewing instructions and launching the exam interface, which includes a task list, timers, and attempts remaining. Training assignments similarly guide students through observe, practice, and apply modes to demonstrate their skills.

1. SAM 2010 The Student Experience Including SAM Projects, SAM Exams and SAM Training

2. What is SAM – (Skills Assessment Manager )? SAM offers a real-world approach to learning and applying important Excel 2010 skills. SAM combines high-fidelity, multi-pathway simulations and live-in-the-application assignments SAM 2010 is a fully web-based application requiring that students have access to only Internet Explorer and FLASH.

3. Initial Set Up Ensure that you are connected to the Internet. Launch your web browser (Internet Explorer 6, 7 or 8 or Firefox 3.5). Go to www.cengage.com/sam2010; click New User

4. Institution Key V7XXXXXX You should find the Institution Key on the Access Card your received when you purchased your textbook bundle. It will contain 8 digits in this format V7xxxxxx. Once you have entered the institution key and click Submit, SAM will ask you to verify that you have selected the correct institution key for your institution. Select “OK” if this is correct.

5. Key Code Entry If your institution is using the key code version of SAM 2010, you will enter your key code here. This will be found inside the flap of the SAM 2007 package (card) you purchased with your textbooks. Click Save to go to the next screen. NOTE: This 18-digit code is case–sensitive.

6. User Profile You need to create your SAM User Profile. Enter your information in all of the required (*) fields, including a secret question and answer that will be used for security purposes should you ever forget your password. Click Save when you’re done.

7. Profile Confirmation This screen confirms the information entered in the User Profile screen. If all information is accurate, click Confirm. If it’s not correct, click Revise and go back to the prior screen to edit.

8. Terms & Conditions The SAM 2007 TERMS and CONDITIONS will display. Read them fully, and then click the I Agree button to accept the terms and conditions and continue. If you click I Disagree, SAM 2007 automatically exits.

9. Welcome Screen You should now see the SAM Welcome screen, where you will begin each SAM session. If the necessary Flash Player (v10) is not yet installed on your computer, click the links under Software to install it. (Check with your instructor first; this may already be done for you.)

10. Join a Section In order to see your SAM Assignments, you need to be enrolled in a Section (class). From the Welcome screen, click the Join a Class link or from the left navigation, click the Sections button, then Join a Section in the upper right corner. To Join a Section, click the name of the section in the “All Sections” list on the left. Click the right arrow button to move it into “My Sections” and click Save.

11. Sections to Assignments You will receive a confirmation message with the name of the section you just joined; click OK. Now you can retrieve the assignments scheduled for your section by clicking on SAM Assignments on the left navigation bar.

12. SAM Assignments From the SAM Assignments screen, you will be able to sort based on Assignment name, type of assignment (Exam, Training, or Project), due date, and more. Simply click on the column heading to re-sort the table. Click on the name of the assignment (it should be a link) to get started.

13. SAM Projects Workflow

14. SAM Projects After you click the link to the name of the SAM Projects assignment, you will want to download or Save the Instructions personalized Start Files to your desktop or other location (USB drive, MyDocuments, etc.) We will get to the submission information later.

15. Sample Download #1:

16. Sample Download #2:

17. Submit for grading When you’ve completed your project and saved it one final time, you will revisit the SAM site and Browse for your file, then Submit it for auto-grading.

18. Graded file—Summary This is an example of what the Downloaded File will look like after it’s graded. (Go to Reports, then change the dropdown to Download Submitted Projects and click on the name of the Project to download.

19. Graded file—embedded comments This is an example of the project w/the embedded comments about what was performed incorrectly, with the specific step number to refer back to.

21. Time limit

22. # of chances at each question

23. # of retakes of entire examWhen you’re ready to begin your Exam, click OK. When you do, the exam window will launch.

24. Exam interface 7 Opened Task List 6 1 4 5 2 3 Show Task List, shown collapsed, (you can use this list to jump from task to task, in any order) Task ID number Question label with back and forward arrows to jump between tasks Time remaining (if set by instructor) Attempts remaining per question Describes the task that the student must perform. The “simulation” of the application where you will complete the task.

25. Student Reports Students visit Reports to see results on their Projects, with detailed feedback. You can also obtain Exam results here as well. If you have also purchased SAM Training, you can launch Training activities, right from this Study Guide.

27. Due DateWhen you’re ready to begin your Training, click OK. When you do, the Training window will launch.

28. The first screen will always provide a written description of the task. Along the bottom: Observe- allows students to watch and listen how to perform a task Practice- allows students to follow along with guided prompts to learn a skill Apply- students perform actions, unprompted to prove that they know the skill *You MUST complete the Apply and click Task Complete to receive credit for each task. Just like in exams, you can show/hide the task list, move between questions w/arrows. Also use controls to replay, rewind, forward or pause the movies in progress. Training interface

29. Congratulations! You have now successfully logged into SAM 2007, joined a section, and started all different types of assignments! In the future, you can log in to SAM 2007 using the username and password you just set up. You will not need the student keycode again.