 |
Technical
Tips for Online Course Students |
| Using
Shortcut Keys |
|
| Most
people know how to cut and paste text or images using the "Edit" menu commands,
but not everyone knows that there is a simpler way to do it--the shortcut
key!
What
is a shortcut key? Simply stated, it is
a combination of keys that will do the same thing as a menu command. Shortcut
keys can save time if you do the same tasks frequently.
Shortcut
keys are normally listed after the menu command (for example, after the
"Find" command is the shortcut key of "CTRL+F" or "F7"). You must hit the
combination of keys to get the same function as using the menu command.
For
example, pick a program such as Notepad and find the "Paste" command. Next
to the "Paste" command, you will see "CTRL+V." "CTRL "refers to the
Control Key on the keyboard and "V" refers to the letter "V" key on the
keyboard. The "+" simply means that you should hit both keys at the same
time.
Most
programs have shortcut keys. Give them a try. You will be surprised how
much time they can save you. |
| Online
Course Problems: Questions and Answers |
|
| Q |
I
get JavaScript errors when I try to get into my course, lecture, assignment,
comment, etc. What's wrong? |
| A |
Usually
the problem is a result of not using the recommended Internet browser that
the LearningSpace courses are tested in, or not having Java or JavaScript
enabled on your Internet browser.
To
enable Java in Internet Explorer, go to the "Tools" menu. Select the "Security"
tab, then select the "Internet" picture icon. Next select the "Custom Level"
button. Look for "Active Scripting" and set it to "Enable."
To
enable Java in Netscape Navigator, go to the "Edit" menu. Select "Preferences,"
check the boxes labeled "Enable Java" and "Enable JavaScript" in the Advanced
category.
Another
possible reason for this type of error is a page has not loaded correctly
or completely when the script runs. Reload the page if this happens to
clear up the errors. |
|
|
| Q |
I
know the location, but I cannot see my course, lecture assignment, comment,
etc. What's wrong? |
| A |
The
default number of documents displayed on a page in LearningSpace is 50.
Sometimes (especially late in a module) there are more "Discussions" or
"Assignments" than 50 pages. Change the "50" in the "Documents to Display"
window at the lower left of the page by clicking on the arrow next to it
to display the drop-down menu and highlighting a higher number.
Most
of the courses have "Team Activities" and if a team permissions list has
been erroneously set up, or has become corrupted, one or more of the team
members may not be able to see the needed item. Typically your instructor,
who has higher-level permission, will be able to see it. If you believe
that your instructor is not seeing the same problem that you are, let him
or her know immediately. You should also call the technical support number
that you received in your welcome packet to report the problem. |
|
|
| Q |
My
instructor cannot open the file that I uploaded. |
| A |
Typically,
this is a result of the file being in a program that your instructor does
not have or cannot convert to his or her software. The best solution is
to save your files as a standard file type that all machines can read.
For example, if you save a word processing document as a "RTF" (Rich Text
Format) file, almost any word processing program can read it. To save your
work as a RTF file, select "Rich Text Format (*.rtf)" in the "Save As Type"
drop down box located at the bottom of the "Save As" dialog box when you
select the "Save As" command from the "File" menu.
Sometimes
you may find that no matter what you do, you cannot find an appropriate
format for your instructor to read your file. In this situation, you may
wish to take a picture of your screen (called a screen capture) so your
instructor can read the information.
To
take a picture of your screen on a PC, open your work up and make sure
the window is maximized (as big as you can make it), then hit the "Print
Scrn" button located next to the F12 key. Next, open up Microsoft Paint
located on the Programs menu under Accessories. Go to the "Edit" menu and
select "Paste."
To
take a picture of your screen on a Macintosh, open your work up and make
sure the window is maximized. Select the following keys in order:
"Command" (a/k/a the Apple key), "Shift", "Control", and "3." (Note: You
should hear a click if successful.) Open a simple word processing
program such as Word and paste ("Command" + "V") the picture.
You now
have a picture of your desktop as it appears on your computer window. You
may save this file and send it to your instructor and your instructor should
have no trouble seeing this file just as you saved it. One thing to remember
is that this file is a picture and cannot be edited in a word processor. |
| Watch
the next issue for more tips on online courses and your computer. |
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