Technical Problems

• I can't log in. I entered my username and password as directed but I can't get in.
  • Try putting the dashes in your student ID. For example, XX-XXX-XXXX
• Where do I log into the course? What is the URL address?
  • http://webtutorsummer.blackboard.com/
• My computer, Internet service provider, electric power, etc., broke, my house burned down. What can I do?
  • Remember that Delta has plenty of computers, Fedex/Kinkos rents theirs by the hour and most public libraries have them for free. You are still responsible for meeting deadlines.
• I can't download the PowerPoint viewer from links you provided.
  • The links work, last I checked, for downloading PowerPoint viewers for Windows or Vista computers (such as Dell, HP or Gateway among others) and for Macintosh computers. These links are in the Getting Started area of the course. They download in zipped form so perhaps you are having problems unzipping. I am a Mac person and don't know a lot about others. Find someone more familiar with your computer, its operating system, and unzipping files. If you use a laptop, bring it to Delta's computer lab and ask for help.
• One of the PowerPoint slides doesn't seem to download correctly. The others do just fine.
  • This occasionally happens with the Eysenck Personality Inventory scoring key. Email me and ask for a replacement. I'll send one to your Drop Box inside the Your Grades & Tools are. In Discussions, how do we post our reply?
• There is no text box available to paste my Discussion.
  • This is almost always from people who are running the Vista operating system. Here are several ways students have solved the problem.
  • A very bright student found this fix. "Log into Blackboard. On the My Institution page, under the Tools module, select Personal Information. Select text box editor options. Set "wysiwyg" to disable. Click Submit." Your computer may have the pop-up blocker turned on. Being a Mac person, I don't know much about Windows or Vista systems. However, here is another solution sent by a student last semester.
  • Another student said he had to activate the x control on his computer. I have no idea what that is but it seemed to work. "I use a gateway computer, and I run it on windows xp, and go through Internet explorer to get on the Internet (my provider is Comcast). I am not sure exactly what it said, but on the top of the screen right below where you type in the web address it gives messages. Messages like if it is blocking pop-ups for example. This message said that it was blocking Active X or scripts from running on that page (the page I was trying to type my discussion in). When I clicked it, it asked me if I wanted to allow it to run, and I said allow it to run. Then the text box below popped up for me to use."
  • Another student said this, “I believe, though don't quote me, that certain sites and applications require certain settings to be viewable. Plug-ins' I think they're called, not quite sure. Anyhow, I think that the little "Word' box we use to input our responses in the discussion requires one. I think my firewall just blocked it from automatically being installed. I noticed the Active X control pop up across the top of my screen, clicked on it to “ALLOW to RUN the Active X Controls” and after a minute or so the box came up. It installed the little plug-in to my computer so I only had to do it once.
  • When this happened to one student using a Mac, she downloaded a new Internet browser, Firefox. Don't try is on a Windows or Vista operating system. It won't work.
• What, where or how do I use the Drop Box?
  • The Drop Box is where you submit your Research Reports. Click on Your Grades & Tools on the course menu. Then click on the Digital Drop Box link. Instructions for using it can be found at this address: http://www.deltacollege.edu/class/etudes/rpayne/DropBoxInstructions.html

Access Codes And Books

• Is it possible to use the same access code that I bought for this semester in another semester?
  • Once you use your Code, even once, it cannot be used another semester but you can purchase one directly from the publisher. See the Course Information area under textbooks to see how.
• Are we allowed to share access codes?
  • Codes cannot be shared. Click the address below to see the information. http://www.deltacollege.edu/emp/rpayne/Blackboard/Bookscodesoftware.html
• Can we share books?
  • The Plotnik book can be shared but the Activities book cannot. Take your own notes to personalize the information.

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Quizzes and Exams

• I noticed that the quizzes and exams for this week are not open yet. When will they open?
  • It is probably because I goofed. Please email me and wake me up. Thanks.
• Half way through the exam (or quiz), my computer froze and I had no choice but to restart it. I tried opening the exam again but it would not let me. Is there any way I can take the exam now?
  • If the problem is verified by Blackboard, and I get an email from you immediately when it happens, I can reopen it for you. If the deadline already passed I can reset it but will require a password. I'll send it in reply to your email.
• I finished my quiz well before the 15 minutes and when I went to submit it, the website logged me off and now there's a padlock in the grade book for the quiz. What do I do now? Will I be able to retake it or has it been submitted?
  • If the problem is verified by Blackboard, and I get an email from you immediately when it happens, I can reopen it for you. If the deadline already passed I can reset it but it will require a password. I'll send it in reply to your email.
• I was done with my test. I hit the Submit button and it was taking a long so I hit Save. Well, it said to wait and I got kicked off. Now my grade say's it's locked and I already took the test, but I have no grade. Can you unlock the test so I can retake it?
  • Yes you may retake it if a padlock appears in your grade book but first I must reset it. I never advise hitting the Save Button on a quiz or exam or changing screens or tabs.
• There is no clock or timer on my screen during quizzes and exams. What is wrong?
  • Unfortunately, the timer does not appear on some browsers. I think it is a forgotten leftover from earlier versions of Blackboard. It may still work if you use Netscape but there is no guarantee. You may have to use a watch, kitchen timer, etc. Sorry.
• I went over the test time limit by 2 seconds. How will I be penalized? I also received an "!" for my score, please interpret.
  • Instructions preceding each quiz and exam are clear. They say specifically that your 15 minutes includes the time to completely transmit your answers to Blackboard. If the Internet is slow, you have only phone access to the Internet or your computer is slow, it can take two or more minutes. Allow enough time. There is a 2-point penalty per minute or part thereof for going overtime. The computer will not post your score but alerts me with an exclamation mark (!) instead. I review everyone's work periodically and manually post the adjusted score.
• If it takes two minutes to submit a quiz or exam then that means we only have 63 minutes for the test, not 65, doesn't it? Like wise for the quizzes?
  • That last five minutes is not really for answering questions but for submission. The more of that time you use for questions, the more you risk going overtime. Since different computers and service providers have different speeds, there is no other way to set it up.
• Can I have extra time on quizzes and exams?
  • Yes but only if Disabled Student Programs & Services can verify that you need extra time on tests. After each quiz or exam, you need to email a reminder to me so I don't penalize you.
• I disagree with the “Correct Answer” given for a test question. Can I get the points for my answer?
  • Yes, if you are right and do the following:
    • Copy and paste the question, your answer and the “Correct Answer” in your email.
    • Provide the page number in the text that gives your answer as correct and shows that the answer key is wrong.
• Is there any chance that when you click on submitting the exam, it would change one of your answers or anything like that?
  • There is no chance.
• Can I have other browser windows or tabs open while taking quizzes and exams?
  • It is not advised. One student said, “I was taking my exam and had another tab on at the same time. I clicked something on the other tab and it totally loaded the tab that I was taking the Exam on instead. I was wondering if I could take the Exam 2 again. Now I learned that I should never open another window or tab because it can disturb with my Exam.”
• There was a question on Exam 1 regarding McDonalds but I do not remember reading anything about a McDonalds experiment.
  • That question refers to one of three studies described in the back of your Activities Book. Sorry you didn't see the instructions to read them.
• Do we send the practice quiz scores to Mr. Payne?
  • No. They do not count for grade but I am glad when you use them.

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Grades and Make Up Work

• I was hospitalized, forgetful, on vacation, etc., for ____ days. Can I make up what I missed?
  • Unfortunate things happen during the course of the semester but late work is not allowed unless there was a verifiable technical problem on a quiz or exam. Sorry but I must stick by my policy. You might remember I drop your worst exam, quiz and discussion scores at the end of the class. Missing one of each won't hurt your grade. Also see the Course Information area under Research Reports for available extra credit.
• Is it OK to submit discussions way ahead of schedule?
  • Working week to week is preferred. It may seem easy to just jot down some comments on the posted topics but your discussions should incorporate some material from the PowerPoints or the text. So please do them as we go and after you read the chapter pertinent to the topic.
• Can I get an Incomplete and finish the course later?
  • An incomplete is appropriate when there are extenuating circumstances for not finishing the course work. It is used at the Instructor's discretion. It is reported as "INC" on your transcript and you have until the end of the following full semester to complete the work. If not completed by then, the grade earned will be posted.
  • There is no need to register again. Delta's computer system is completely separate from Blackboard and they cannot communicate. You will need to buy a new Access Code from the Publisher. Before the next semester starts, email me and I'll put you into Blackboard where you can finish your work. You will have to work according to the current course schedule. For example, you can't take Exam 4 until it is scheduled for the whole class. When your work is complete, I submit a Change of Grade form to Registration and the Incomplete will be corrected to your letter grade. I'll try keeping your scores from this semester so you don't have to redo what you had finished.
• Can I get a "non-credit" instead of a grade?
  • The Credit/No Credit option must be arranged and approved by the Campus Curriculum Committee long before the course is offered. Psychology 1 has never had that option. Sorry but there is nothing I can do. - Mr. Payne
• I have a serious issue that is that I like psychology and I always study before the test and quizzes but unfortunately, I am unable to get a good grade on my quizzes and test as well. What should I do?
  • Use the study aids. Plotnik and Cengage Publishing supplied a multitude of activities and study aids to enable your learning. You'll find these near the bottom of each instruction unit in Blackboard. Please use as many as you can. They include: * Module Summary * Learning Objectives * Module Outline * Glossary * Flashcards, very important and useful for Psychology Vocabulary. * Crossword Puzzle, moderately hard. * The practice quizzes in the Quizzes & Exams area and tutorial MC Quiz are excellent practice for required quizzes and midterms.
• What are my chances of getting a good grade?
  • There are so many variables, I can't fortell your future.
  • In the Summer of 2008, grades for 117 out of 280 enrollees finished the Course. Graddes for the 117 students who finished the course were as follows:
    

  Grade	Number of Students	Percentage
  A	22	0.17
  B	43	0.33
  C	27	0.21
  D	13	0.10
  F	12	0.09

  
  
• Please send my course grade (or grade to date).
  • Sorry but due to confidentiality issues, I do not send grades by mail, email or by phone. Toward the semester's end, I send out a grade calculator on an Excel spreadsheet that will do it after you enter your scores. Of course grades are accessible thorough Delta's main web site after the course is over.
• There is no grade for my Discussion.
  • It is a slow process especially at the start of the semester. Since they must be graded by hand and there are hundreds of students, it may take one, two or three weeks to finish. Please give it some time and then email me if your grade is not there.
• Missing Quiz Or Exam Score
  • Your score should appear immediately after submitting a quiz or exam and clicking OK on the next screen. An "In Progress" or padlock icon appearing instead of a score means there was a technical difficulty and our answers did not register with the Blackboard system. The quiz or exam needs reset and you need to retake it.
  • There are probably dozens of causes; possibly multiple tabs and/or windows open on your desktop during the quiz or exam. Clicking back and forth among them may be a cause. Resizing the quiz window may do it; so might timing out of your browser. Often we just don't know. In any case, this technical problem entitles you to a retake, so I'll reset it for you. Email me immediately when it happens. I'll reset it the same day or the next as long as there is time before the deadline. If you are one of those last minute people and there is no time left, the reset can be seen within two days of your email. Retakes after the deadline require a password that will be emailed to you with further instructions.
  • Please remember that I probably won't check my email on weekends, holidays, or late at night. Don't expect an immediate reply during those times. Be patient. I will get to you. - Mr. Payne
• I have to drop. What do I do?
  • Sorry you have to drop and thank you for letting me know. Please be sure to drop officially either in person in the Registration Office (Holt 101), over the phone system, or online through Delta's website.
• I posted my work before the 11:59 deadline but Blackboard said it was 3:00 AM of the next day. What gives?
  • Blackboard runs on Eastern Time, which is three hours ahead of our Pacific Time. Since we work on Pacific Time, you will notice the difference when posting discussions and research reports. As long as your posting shows before 3:00 AM, Eastern, Wednesday, you are OK because it is 12:00 AM, Tuesday, our time.
• I know that three extra research reports can be extra credit. Is there anything else I can do in addition?
  • Sorry no.

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Assignments

• Where do I log into the course? What is the URL address?
  • http://webtutorsummer.blackboard.com/
• Where do I start course work?
  • Start with the button on the course screen's left side that says, "Start Course Work Here".
• When are the research papers are due?
  • Please check the Course Schedule for all due dates. There is a link on the right side of your screen.
• Do I have to fill out the Activities Book and why? Are my notes graded?
  • It strongly recommended that you fill out the Activities book as you view the PowerPoint presentations. Some exam questions cover the notes you get from the presentations. I do not grade your notes.

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