Buffie Schmidt, MBA, Ed.S.
Algood Hall (AH) E130
email: bschmidt@augusta.edu
office: (706) 667-4535
text: (706) 680-6123

MINF 2201: MyITLab Tips & Tricks & Macs

Be sure to complete all assignments BEFORE the deadline! Do NOT wait until the due date to begin working on a module.

This Course is Microsoft Office Based.

If Students Choose to Use a Mac it will Require a Little Extra Effort and Knowledge of Apple Products.

I Provide as many Tips & Tricks as possible for Mac and Windows Environments Below.

Main Tips:

  • If you have attempts remaining, you may work an assignment past it's due date. This is beneficial for missed assignments that may have concepts a student needs to practice. Any points earned will not be counted as the assignment deadline has passed.
     
  • Grade Tabs:
    • "GRADES" tab displays "Points Earned to Date" and "Extra Credit Points" for the semester.
    • "CUSTOM VIEW" tab individually displays each Graded Assignment for the semester.
       

CommandBar 

  • Use the "Reset" button as often as you like!
    • This is akin to erasing your buffer. It wipes the slate clean without harming your current position in the Trainer HW/Exam.
    • No points are lost from its use, and often times, Resetting is necessary in order to 'clear the slate' so the program will count your actions/key strokes as correct.
       
  • Use the "Learning Aids" button to view a video demonstration of the step or to practice!
    • This is only available in the Simulation Trainer as students are learning the material.
       
  • Use the "View All" button to move around within your assignment!
    • Questions do not have to be worked in any particular order on the Trainer or the Exam. It is a simulation, everything you need will just be there. 
       
  • Use the "Keyboard" button to display the onscreen keyboard!
    • Mac users may especially find this useful as their computer keyboards differ.
       
  • Use the "person" button to launch the accessiblity reader!  
     
  • Saving for Later:
    1. Click "Save" on the MyITLab Operation Pane.
      DO NOT CLICK THE SAVE ICON WITHIN WORD - the system will think you are trying to perform an operation for the question and respond with an Incorrect Action message.
    2. Click "OK" on the pop-up screen to confirm you wish to save for later.
    3. The next time you log in and click on your assignment it will start you at the first question that you did not complete.
      NOTE: This may be question #1. It does not mean that your assignment did not save accurately. Click "View All" to see if there are any completed questions for that attempt.
       
  •  Submitting an Assignment:
    • If you click the 'x' in the top corner, YOU HAVE SUBMITTED YOUR ASSIGNMENT.
    • If you click "LeaveThis Window" on a pop-up screen with two choices "Leave This Window" OR "Stay On This Window", YOU HAVE SUBMITTED YOUR ASSIGNMENT.
    • If you click "Submit" on the MyITLab Operation Pane, YOU HAVE SUBMITTED YOUR ASSIGNMENT.
    • If you submit your first attempt on an assignment, you must begin the second attempt from the beginning.
       
  • Viewing Submissions:
    1. Locate Your Assignment:
      • Click the "Grades" button on the left side of the Lab Screen.
      • Drill down by clicking in the appropriate folders until you find the assignment you desire to view.
        ("Custom View" tab under Grades allows one screen view of all graded assigments.
    2. View Submission:
      • Click on the drop down arrow to the right of the assignment name.
      • Click "View Submissions".
      • When the View Submissions screen comes up, click on the various submissions on the left side of the screen to populate the right side of the screen with correct and incorrect actions, completion tips, and practice launches of each question for the assignment.
      • More information can be found on the Review Submissions webpage.
         
     

Mac User Tips:

  • MyITLab 2016 is now compatible with Mac's, even for Grader Project completion.
  • Be sure to Review Your Submission immediately. Email professor about anything you believe may have been scored incorrectly due to the use of a Mac.
  • Keep in mind:
    • Mac's environment view WILL NOT match the Simulation view, as the simulation demonstrates a Windows environment.
    • Mac's functionality is different from a Windows environment. However, there are often shortcuts or substitutes for commonly used features.

    • WINDOWS MAC
      END Fn + Command + Right Arrow
      Home Fn + Command + Left Arrow
      CONTROL Command
      Ctrl + Tab Command + tilde (Switch b/w windows in app)
      Alt + Tab Command + Tab (Switch b/w all open apps)
      F Keys Hold Down Fn Key or Google how to switch keys to function as standard function keys
      F4 (absolute Value) 1. Click inside the formula bar on the desired section of the formula and use Command + t to cycle through value options.
      2. Click Apple at the top left of the Mac Menu. Click "System Preferences..." Select the Keyboard Icon. Check the "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard key functions"
         
  • Other Webpages you mind find useful as a Mac User.

All Tips will NOT apply! Assignments alternate each semester!

Tips for Specific Questions:

Module:

CH

#

Hint:
ALL     Browser: MUST be Google Chrome or FireFox
Software: MUST be MS Office 2016 VERSION Professional Plus or 365
Installation: MUST UNIINSTALL (not delete) any current version of MS Office BEFORE Installing the correct version.
ALL     Files are NOT accessible from a Downloads folder. You must save all files to a hard drive or external drive (thumb drive) location in order to save and properly utilize the files.
ALL (Macs)     Video may NOT be inserted from directly online or Download Folder Source. Save the video on the desktop and insert from there or complete the step from a Windows based computer.
Bibliography steps must be completed on a windows based computer. Points will be returned to student for this step when requested if they point total is less than 7.
Word 1 1 The document will appear blank. However, it contains formatting that is important to the project. Please begin following the instructions with the downloaded document even though it appears blank.
 
Word 1 2 Use CTRL + END to get to the end of the document.
This is stated in the Learning Aid Video
 
Word 1 6 Must correctly reset Layout Wrapping Options in previous step before doing this step. You cannot change the position of a graphic that is set to "in line with text"
 
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  • Be sure you chose the rounded rectangle - not the rectangle.
  • Be sure vertical ruler is at 8 inches (use "Page Down" if you cannot scroll)
  • Be sure horizontal ruler is at margin (0 inches)
  • Click and Drag down and to the right (to about 9 in on vertical and 1 in on horizontal) and then let go
  • Use CTRL + END together to get to the end of the document.
    This is stated in the Learning Aid Video.
     
Word (2016) 1 12 Inserting the video directly from online is not possible on a Mac. Download the Video to the Mac's Desktop and insert from there or use a Windows based PC for this step.
 
Word
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  • Word programming counts a paragraph as any letter or group of words that has a hard coded enter at the end - even if it is only one word.
  • When selecting non-continuous items use the scroll bar to go back and make sure all items are highlighted before performing the requested action.
  • MAC USERS: See CTRL Key functions above.
     
 
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  • When using the format painter double click for multiple use.
  • Be sure to highlight the entire section of like items to copy the format. Partial selection will result in nothing being changed.
     
Word 1 28 Be sure to select the ENTIRE smart art graphic and not just a portion of it. All objects in the graphic should be selected with a box around the entire area so that the size for each object adjusts simultaneously. This is true for all questions of this type.
 
Word 1 29 Use the CTRL + END key strokes to reach the end of the document. Then it will allow you to enter the video.
(This is teaching one of the fucntions of the end key.)
 
Word (2016) 2 3 Click on the Blank Line at the bottom of the entered text BEFORE clicking Backspace.
Word (2016) 2 8 CTRL + TAB feature may be difficult on Mac's in the simulations. It should work fine in the actual software. Either remap your keys or email professor after 1st submission for assistance.
 
Word (2016) 2 10 The 12pts after should be added to the NEXT cell not the SAME cell. The NEXT cell contains "'To obtain a Business Programmer Analyst position that will use my technical..."
Word 2 19 Type "PatientIT System" There is NOT a space between Patient and IT. It is not "lT" (lowercase L + T), it is "IT" - the abbreviation for Information Technology.
 
Word 2 21 Do not click on the word! If the "x" does not show up on the Thesaurus Pane for you to access the drop down menu then hover over the word and right click. Then choose insert. Email me if trouble persists......
 
Word (2016) 2 22 Put First and Last name on the SAME line as usual, no matter how it appears on the Exam.
Word (2016) 3 2 Mac users: Open the picture in a browser and save a copy of it to your documents. Then insert the picture from your documents.
All users: When instructed to a clip from office.com It IS alright to use Bing.com that pops up.
 
Word 3 5 When asked to insert a screen shot.....DO NOT use Internet Explorer if you want the screen shot to show up in the word document.
 
Word 3 15 Mac users: Bibliography will not be able to be inserted as requested. You must email the professor ifyou want these points returned to you. 
 
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  • Mail Merge instructions are particular and must be followed precisely. When it says to copy the first line - this is the first row of the table which should consist of 3 columns and several rows.
  • Also be sure that the placement is exact. You must create the manual page break as requested in Step 15 prior to beginning this step.
Word Cap 3 Instructions say left side border. Please follow the instructions. If the solution pdf shows a box, ignore the box/picture. Follow the instructions.
PowerPoint - - Several of the Trainer HWs/Exams are having difficulty with the slide content disappering. Please see Question 6 "Things not showing up? Screen Freezing" on my Help & FAQ webpage.
FYI- this is usually a result of a slow internet connection. This happens on campus when a lab is full, during peak hours of use, or sometimes in bad weather.
 
PowerPoint - - A couple of students have experienced issues with incorrect color pallets. Please see Question 6 "Color or Font not showing up in PowerPoint?" on my Help & FAQ webpage and let me know if you have more issues.
 
PowerPoint (2016) 1   MAC - INSERT A VIDEO: Video must NOT be online or in a Download Folder. Place the video on the desktop and insert from there.
MAC - INSERT SLIDES FROM FILE: Use from presentation, click 'select which slides', use Shift key to select multiple slides.
PowerPoint 1 - USING EYE DROPPER TO CHANGE COLOR: Be sure to click the picture First! It should show as being selected and have white boxes in the corners and a solid line surrounding it. Then click the dropper, and finally click the desired color.
 
PowerPoint 2 - USING EYE DROPPER TO CHANGE COLOR: There is actually a specific spot in the upper right corner of the picture that it wants you to click. You will know this spot because when you mouse over it, a small pop-up box appears that names the color. When the pop-up box appears, click and then it will work.
 
PowerPoint 2 10 Grader: Be sure to click "Keep Changes" after clicking to remove the background of the picture. Otherwise, the background will remain.
 
PowerPoint (2016) 3 25 & 27 When typing words into the cells IGNORE the 'incorrect' error and continue working the step. You will however, need to work the step with enough accuracy to not run out of attempts as the system currently counts the last letter as incorrect.
Excel - - CTRL + Fn2 = Hold down the Control Key and then the Fn2 Key. The "+" sign shows the order in which to press the keys. You should NOT actually press the "+" key.
Excel - - #### appearing in a cell means the cell is not wide enought to display contents. Simply widen the cell slightly in order to properly view cell contents.
Excel - - Percent Total Formula: (Number/Total)*100 = Percentage of total the Number represents
**In Excel this formula is often Number/Total and then the field is changed to "Percent" instead of "General".
 
Excel - - **ABSOLUTE VALUE** Absolute Value in Excel is denoted with the "$". The purpose is to prevent the Column or Row value that is preceded with a "$" from changing when being copied and pasted from cell to cell. This is EXTREMELY useful in Formulas. If you copy and paste the formula "=a5" it will change to "=a6" or "=b5" depending on the direction in which you copy it. However, if you copy the formula "=$a$5" it will copy as this formula in all directions.....It is also possible to only designate the column "=$a5" or only the row "=a$5" as an absolute value. This allows the other value to change as the formula is copied. The keyboard shortcut for applying absolute values is F4.
 
Excel - - As you click around on a chart graphic you get different areas such as chart, data series, axis, data label, data point, etc. All of these are separate from the actual sheet/slide/page. Be sure to make formatting changes to the correct area as instructed. When the Format Pane is open the name appears at the top.
 
Excel - - If a step call for labels (in a chart or graph) and they are not input, it is likely points will be lost from subsequent steps that also have to do with the labels or the formatting thereof.
 
Excel (2016) 1 2  Ignore Pixels and set Column A to 10.71pts and Columns B-H to 15 pts. (this can be seen when using review submission after the 1st submission)
Excel (2016) 1 5 and 6 Mac users: There is not a Quick Analysis Tool on Mac's Excel version, but the grader project does not count off for using the AutoSum function but you must then bold the totals.

Also, step 6 shoul read 'select the FOUR quarters' not fourth quarter. Otherwise the quick analysis tool shortcut will not show up.
Excel (2016) 1 9 Absolute Value Cell shortcut key is F4. Many keyboards require the use of a function + F4 in order for the function key to operate. Mac users please see above section for assistance or just type in the "$" symbol in the correct locations.
Excel (2016) 1 9 Calculate Percent of Sales DOES NOT EQUAL an Addition Formula. If I had 12 shirts and I sold 3 of them; I sold 25% of my shirt inventory. Google the math if you need to.
Excel 2-3 - ***Please Note: This module has TWO additional graders. One from chapter 2 and one from chapter 3.
 
Excel 2 3 Click for Video of how to perform this step.

Note, Mac users, after inserting the two columns, select the range B15:B42 and, on the Data tab, click Text to Columns. Select Other as the delimiters, and then type a hyphen (-). Set the destination cell as C15, and then finish the wizard. Continue with the remaining instructions.
 
Excel 2 7 Correct the spelling of "Tulips" on the entire worksheet in order to receive points.
 
Excel 2 8 If you receive no points for the formula, just "Copy" and "Paste" it all the way down (including the copied cell).
OR reperform the fill and do not worry about the formatting uniformity and then resubmit.
 
 
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  • *PRINTING SCREEN* If your screen resolution is not so that you can see the 'scaling' option, use the TAB key to move among options. Then, use the ARROW keys to move among specific choices within a selection.
  • If you cannot determine how many TAB key strokes are needed to reach the 'scailing' choice, open MS Excel 2013 on your computer and open the "Print" screen. This will allow you to see the order of the choices so you will know how many times you need to hit the TAB key.
  • ***Please note: The TAB key will move you around among available choices on any screen, including toolbar choices on many software options.
     
 
Excel		  
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  • If you have trouble formatting Data Labels for this question...use the Ribbon and not the right click screens to add data and format data labels.
  • Also, when adding the labels - add them and perform the requested formatting for the bolded step all at once - do not try to do it in steps.
  • If you continuously have trouble with this one please email me!
     
     
     
     
Excel 3 16 Click for Video of how to perform this step.
Be sure to use absolute values in the denominator of the formula before copying. F4 key is shortcut to absolute values or you may type the dollar signs ($) in manually.