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Accessibility
Cengage is committed to making its educational materials accessible to users of all abilities. Through a dedicated company-wide task force, the assistance of outside experts and consultants, and feedback from users, Cengage continuously seeks to identify and evaluate opportunities for improving the usability and accessibility of our products and services.
Accessibility of Tasks
Tasks that are not accessible in Microsoft Office are not accessible in SAM. Students using screen readers are notified if a task cannot be completed using their assistive technology. You can remove inaccessible tasks for affected students in their version of the assignment.
Account Types in SAM
Each SAM account has a role—Supervisor, Administrator, Instructor, or Student—that restricts access only to the actions needed for the role. Section creators and owners can perform additional actions for their sections.
Adding a User Account
When adding users, you can edit user information in the Properties tab. You can manage user enrollment in the Sections tab. When adding students, you can set accommodations in the Accommodations tab.
Administration Settings
If you are a designated SAM supervisor or administrator, the Administration Settings option is available on the Admin tab of the SAM Navigation bar.
Allow Cookies in Chrome
Go to chrome://settings/cookies. Select Allow third-party cookies .
Allow Cookies in Microsoft Edge
Click ⋯ › Settings . Click Cookies and Site Permissions . Click Manage and delete cookies and site data . Turn on Allow sites to save and read cookie data (recommended) .
Allow Cookies in Safari
You can't allow cookies only for specific sites. Click Safari › Settings . Click the Advanced tab. Clear Block all cookies . Click the Privacy tab. Clear Prevent cross-site tracking .
Allow JavaScript in Chrome
Go to chrome://settings/content/javascript. Select Sites can use JavaScript .
Allow JavaScript in Microsoft Edge
In Microsoft Edge, JavaScript is always enabled and you cannot disable it.
Allow JavaScript in Safari
Click Safari › Settings . Click the Security tab. Select Enable JavaScript .
Allow Pop-Up Windows in Chrome
Go to chrome://settings/content/popups. Next to Allowed to send pop-ups or use redirects , click Add and add each of the following domains: The domain used by your Learning Management System (LMS), for example, ncsu.blackboard.com [*.]cengage.com https://sam.cengage.com Related information Chrome help: Block or allow pop-ups
Allow Pop-Up Windows in Microsoft Edge
Click ⋯ › Settings . Click Cookies and Site Permissions . Under Site permissions , click Pop-ups and redirects . Turn off Blocked (recommended) . Related information Microsoft Edge help: Block pop-ups
Allow Pop-Up Windows in Safari
If not open already, open SAM in a browser tab. Click Safari › Settings . Click the Websites tab. Click Pop-up Windows . Select Allow for the following domains, if listed: The domain used by your Learning Management System (LMS), for example, ncsu.blackboard.com [*.]cengage.com https://sam.cengage.com Related information Safari help: Block pop-ups and unnecessary content
Browser Settings
Configure the following settings in your web browser.
Configure Browser Settings in Chrome
If needed, configure your browser settings in Chrome.
Configure Browser Settings in Microsoft Edge
If needed, configure your browser settings in Microsoft Edge.
Configure Browser Settings in Safari
If needed, configure your browser settings in Safari.
Configure MacOS/OS X for Keyboard Accessibility
By default, MacOS/OS X is not configured to use the TAB key to navigate to all items in Safari and Firefox.
Contact Cengage Representative
Your Cengage representative can support you in implementing your course or learning tools.
Contact Support
Contact customer support with additional questions.
Database Management
SAM maintains a list of both active (in use) and deactivated (marked for deletion) database items. These include:
Deactivating a Student's Record
To deactivate a student's record, use the following procedure:
Deactivating a User's Record
Deactivating the user's record prevents the user from logging into SAM and working on any assignments.
Deactivating an Instructor's or Administrator's Record
To deactivate an instructor's record, use the following procedure:
Definitions
This guide uses the following terms.
Deleting a Student's Assignment Take
Occasionally you might need to delete a student's assignment take to remove the grade (for example, if you offer a make-up test) or to adjust a score.
Disable Homework Help in Chrome
You can disable the Homework Help feature in Google Chrome that provides AI-generated answers to educational content.
Editing a User's Account
You can edit a user's profile, sections or student accommodations.
Editing a User's Profile
If needed, change a user's profile in SAM. You cannot reset or change users' passwords.
Editing a User's Sections
Edit a user's sections using the following procedure:
Editing Multiple Users' Accounts
You can edit the sections or accommodations for multiple users at the same time.
Editing Student Accommodations
Edit accommodations for one or more students.
Editing Student Sections
You can edit the sections or accommodations for multiple users using the following procedure:
Example Import File
A file for importing "Jane E. Smith" using all fields might look like this:
File Password and Protection Error
When submitting a project file, a File Password and Protection error displays and you are not able to submit your project.
Importing User Records
SAM enables you to import users from an external system, such as your institution's admissions or registration database, by uploading a.txt or.csv file produced by that system.
Instructor content for reuse in SAM
Enable ebook to Students Makes the ebook available to your students. Enable Chapter Level Readings Select chapters for students to read. In the navigation bar, click Sections . Your sections are listed. The list of sections includes the Microsoft Office content version for the section. Use the search menu to find matching sections. Click a section name to view more information about the section. Select a section and click Edit . The Edit Section page displays, defaulting to the Properties tab....
Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts can be used in SAM. The shortcuts cover various tasks for Windows and Mac functions.
Login and SAM Access Issues
The online help that displays on the SAM Login Page at sam.cengage.com provides help in configuring your specific browser for use with SAM and avoiding any additional warnings or pop-up boxes from appearing while using the site.
Macros Disabled in Project File (macOS)
macOS only: When you try to open a project file, you see a notification about disabled macros. Or, macros for the project file do not run and the project cannot be completed.
Maintenance
To perform system maintenance, backup and upgrade functions, we anticipate that there will be eight (8) hours of scheduled maintenance downtime per quarter. We schedule downtime during a low usage time, typically Sunday mornings. For normal maintenance, Cengage Learning will make all reasonable efforts to notify SAM instructors, administrators and supervisors of the scheduled maintenance two (2) weeks prior to the maintenance.
Maximum File Size Exceeded Error
When uploading a project file, a Maximum File Size Exceeded error displays and you are not able to submit your project.
Microsoft has Blocked Macros From Running (Windows)
Windows only: When you try to open a project file, you see the following warning: SECURITY RISK Microsoft has blocked macros from running because the source of this file is untrusted. Macros for the project file do not run and the project cannot be completed.
Microsoft Office
Cengage regularly updates SAM to remain current with Microsoft updates and the evolving learning needs of students and instructors. SAM 365 and 365/2021 Projects Windows 10 or later Microsoft 365 subscription or Microsoft Office 2021 Home, Premium, or University macOS 10.14 or later Microsoft 365 Home/Premium subscription or Microsoft Office 2021 Home/Student Not compatible with Microsoft Office Online. Office Online files have a different structure than files created on the desktop version of...
More Information
See the following resources for more information or help with specific issues.
Network Best Practices and Recommendations
Each user typically uses up to 1 Mbps of bandwidth to download and use SAM training content. Therefore, a class with 30 students should have ideally a minimum 30 Mbps of available capacity during training sessions. Exam and project sessions require significantly less bandwidth.
Network Testing
SAM provides a media rich, interactive learning experience for Cengage customer institutions and their students. The considerable size of media objects can have a negative impact on SAM's overall performance (network communications congestion and latency).
Performance Testing
From a workstation within the campus network (preferably the classroom or lab area where students use SAM), run a speed test and record the results for the download and upload speeds. Download speeds in excess of 1 Mbps produce the best SAM user experience.
proctoring-symbols
While Cengage supports our learning platform integrations with several Learning Management Systems, proctoring solutions are third party services that we do not directly support. The LMS and proctoring solution versions we have tested might not be the same versions you use. For this reason, your process and results might vary and Cengage cannot guarantee support for any third party proctoring service. Students should download the Proctorio extension ahead of time, or they will be prompted to do...
Product Architecture Review
The SAM product architecture consists of a server environment hosted by Cengage Learning and a set of executables and assets installed locally or accessed via the web at each customer site. The SAM server and the SAM Content Player communicate over the Internet using HTTPS. A user logs in to the SAM server through a browser and works with web pages to launch the SAM LMS and Content Player.
Project Errors
When you submit a project for grading, SAM might warn about one or more problems with the submitted project file.
Project incident rejection Error
When submitting a project file, a Project incident rejection error displays and you are not able to submit your project.
Recovering and Resuming from a Crash or Lost Connection
If your computer crashes or you lose your connection to SAM while working, you can restart it once conditions return to normal. Sign in as you normally do, go to the SAM Assignments page and select the assignment. The assignment displays in red. The Content Player begins where you left off and any completed questions and tasks save.
Resetting and Adjusting a Student's Assignments
Occasionally you might need to reset a student's assignment to remove the grade (for example, if you offer a make-up test) or adjust a score.
SAM is Not Responding
If SAM is not responding or working correctly, you can check its status at techcheck.cengage.com.
SAM Lab Admin Help
SAM (Skills Assessment Manager) is a web-based application that helps students become more proficient in Microsoft Office software and teaches fundamental computer concepts.
Searching for and Selecting a User Account
To edit or deactivate a user's account, search for and select the user from SAM's database using the following procedure:
Server Availability
Excluding scheduled maintenance outages, we make every reasonable effort to provide a server Availability of 99.5%. "Availability" is the amount of time SAM is available and capable of receiving, processing and responding to incoming transactions from the requesting users. If the Internet in general is having problems or a customer's Internet service provider is having problems, any downtime resulting from such problems is not deducted from SAM's Availability time.
Sites to Allow
To ensure that Cengage learning platforms work correctly, the following sites should not be blocked by firewalls. Browsers should also allow cookies and pop-up windows for these sites.
System Requirements
Supported Browsers Windows Chrome current and preceding version Edge current and preceding version macOS Chrome current and preceding version Safari current and preceding version iOS Safari current and preceding version (iPad only) Exams, Training, and Office Online Projects are supported on iPad. All other projects require an installed version of Microsoft Office. Other browsers and versions, such as Firefox, might also work but are not supported. If you have problems when using an unsupported...
Testing a Non-SAM Application
Testing a media rich application like YouTube indicates how well SAM will perform. If you see issues with YouTube, like sputtering or choppy audio/video, expect SAM users to see similar problems.
Trace Route Testing
From a workstation within the campus network (preferably in the classroom or lab area where students use SAM), run the Tracert sam.cengage.com command from the Windows command line
Troubleshooting
Sometimes, the unexpected happens. This could be the result of a technical problem, a limitation, or user error.
User Administration
As supervisor, you are responsible for entering your institution's initial set of SAM users, generally administrators and instructors. You might also need to enter or import user records for students.
User Import Format
Import files must follow a specific format:
User Import Procedure
Use the following procedure to import user records:
Virus Detected Error
When uploading a project file, a Virus Detected error displays and you are not able to submit your project.
Wrong Application Error
When uploading a project file, a Wrong Application error displays and you are not able to submit your project.
Wrong Format Error
When uploading a project file, a Wrong Format error displays and you are not able to submit your project.
Wrong Name Error
When uploading a project file, a Wrong Name error displays and you are not able to submit your project.