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This help page covers:
Overview of Changing Usage Settings for Existing Classes
In this section all of the classwide assignment usage settings will be covered. In the sections following the overview, you will find the step-by-step processes to change various settings.
Hint - When you change the settings for an existing class the new settings will only affect students who are later assigned to the class. You will NOT overwrite the custom settings for any existing students in that class. So if you want to change the settings for existing students you will need to use View or change usage settings for a student.
The usage settings for existing classes page uses drop boxes, three groups of radio buttons, and a checkbox to change the settings.
The first two drop boxes identify the class to be viewed or changed:
Select a school drop box - Choose the school that the class is assigned to.
Select the class... drop box - Select the class whose settings you want to review or modify.
The remaining settings affect the class:
Select which assignment lists... radio buttons - Of the four choices select the one that you deem most appropriate:
• All assignments lists - The students in this class see all assignment lists, even those that aren't currently accessible (due to prerequisites, etc.), and can move though all available assignment lists at will.
• All assignment lists not completed - Students can access all assignment lists that have unfinished activities (Study, Practice, Mastery, and Essay).
• All available assignment lists - Students can only see available assignment lists, but can move through them at will regardless of whether or not they have been completed.
• Current list only - Only the selected assignment list is available. When students log on, they aren't given a choice of assignment lists. Instead, they are placed directly in the current one. Use the drop box to the right of the radio button to select the current assignment list for the whole class.
Select the current list drop box - All of the class assignment lists are displayed. You choose the one that students will work with.
The pair of language setting radio buttons - Some A+LS lessons can be displayed in the language that they were written in, some can be displayed in other languages. This set of radio buttons defines the language setting to be used.
• Match the user interface... - The lesson settings determine the language used.
• Use the student's default language... - The individual student's language setting overrides the lesson's setting.
The pair of test setting radio buttons - They define how partially completed tests are handled.
• Allow the students to return... - Enables bookmarking, permitting your students to finish partially completed tests at a later time.
• Don't save work... - Partially completed tests are discarded.
Student must complete assignment lists in order checkbox - some students work best when their lessons are carefully sequenced, others are most successful when given wider latitude. When enabled (checked) students must work on lists in the order presented to them. When disabled (no checkmark) this option gives students the choice of which list to work on.
Bookmarking Tests
If bookmarking has been enabled (the "Allow the students to return..." option listed above), when students exit a test before answering all questions, the program will remind them that they have not finished and asks if they want to come back and finish the test later. If a student clicks OK, the test will close and be marked with a Score of 0/0 in Progress, indicating it is incomplete.
Most confusion comes in when a student clicks Cancel. The Cancel button returns the student to the test, allowing the previously viewed but unanswered questions to be completed. It does not exit and score the test.
With bookmarks enabled, students are not allowed to change answers to questions answered in previous sessions. The second message students may see when exiting a test and saving a bookmark asks the student if they want to answer any unanswered questions they have already viewed. If they view a question but do not answer it and exit the test, that question will be scored with 0 points, as though an incorrect answer had been provided.
Teachers can see what is happening by viewing the student's progress on a specific lesson in Check and Set Progress. Each time the student enters and exits their bookmarked test, the activity is logged in the database. If your student is complaining that the program is forcing them to take the same test over and over again, select the assignment, then check the Score and Max. Score. A bookmarked test will indicate "0" for both since the test has not yet been graded. Chances are the student just needs to finish the bookmarked activity.
Changing Usage Settings for Existing Classes
Each of the settings you will be working with in this section are described above. So, as you work through the step-by-step process please consult the overview if you have any questions about the specific options.
Step-by-Step - Finding the Correct Class
If the appropriate school is already listed in the Select a school drop box at the bottom of the screen, skip to step 3.
1. Using the mouse, click on the Select a school drop box (top of the page), opening it.
2. Using the mouse, click on the appropriate school.
• If a scroll bar appears in any drop box, it means there are more options than can be shown in the box. Use the scroll bar to browse down the list until you find the correct selection, then click on it.
3. Click on the Select the class... drop box, use the scroll bar if necessary to find the appropriate class, then click on it.
4. When you have located the correct class you can either:
Work with the drop boxes, radio buttons, and/or the checkbox to change the settings (covered in the following step-by-step procedures).
OR
Click on the Finished button, save your work and return to the View or change usage settings menu.
OR
Click on the Save and Change Settings for Another Class button and select another class to view by restarting at step 1.
OR
Click on the Cancel button to return to the View or change usage settings menu.
Step-by-Step - Changing Settings Using a Drop Box
1. Using the mouse, click on the desired drop box, opening it.
2. Click on the appropriate setting, which will set the class to that value.
• If a scroll bar appears in any drop box, it means there are more options than can be shown in the box. Use the scroll bar to browse down the list until you find the correct selection and click on it.
3. Click on the next drop box you want to change, use the scroll bar if necessary to find the appropriate setting, then click on it.
4. When you have finished changing the drop boxes you can either:
Work with the radio buttons or the checkbox (covered in the following step-by-step procedures).
OR
Click on the Finished button, save your work and return to the View or change usage settings menu.
OR
Click on the Save and Change Settings for Another Class button and select another class to view and/or change.
OR
Click on the Cancel button to return to the View or change usage settings menu.
Step-by-Step - Changing Information Using Radio Buttons
Radio buttons are used to answer either/or questions with two or more options. Only one option can be enabled at any given time.
1. Carefully read the question or settings statement, then carefully consider each of the options (each with its own radio button).
2. Click on the radio button that best represents your choice.
3. Consider the next setting's question or statement, then use the mouse to select the appropriate radio button setting.
4. When you have finished setting radio buttons you can either:
Work with the drop boxes or the checkbox (covered in the other step-by-step procedures).
OR
Click on the Finished button, save your work and return to the View or change usage settings menu.
OR
Click on the Save and Change Settings for Another Class button and select another class to view and/or change.
OR
Click on the Cancel button to return to the View or change usage settings menu.
Step-by-Step - Changing Settings Using a Checkbox
Checkboxes are basically on/off switches. If you want a selection or function to be turned on (enabled), click in the checkbox and put a checkmark there. If you want to turn off a function, click on the checkmark and it will disappear, disabling the function.
1. Carefully read the Student must complete... statement, then carefully consider whether or not you want to have it turned on or off (enabled/disabled).
2. Click on the checkbox to enable or disable the function, which ever represents your choice.
3. When you have finished setting the checkbox you can either:
Work with the drop boxes or radio buttons (covered in the previous step-by-step procedures).
OR
Click on the Finished button, save your work and return to the View or change usage settings menu.
OR
Click on the Save and Change Settings for Another Class button and select another class to view and/or change.
OR
Click on the Cancel button to return to the View or change usage settings menu.
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