2. Getting Started with SAM

3. Initial Set Up Welcome to SAM!
Before you start, confirm that you are connected to the Internet.
Launch your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari.)
Enter the URL to navigate to the SAM login page.

4. Logging into SAM New SAM users:
Click the New User button and follow the on-screen prompts to create your SAM account.
Alternatively, click Watch a video to view step-by-step instructions for creating a SAM account.
Existing SAM users: Enter your username and password. Click the
Login button.

5. Enter Institution Key
Enter the Institution Key your instructor provided. It contains 8 digits in the format T2XXXXXX.
Click Submit. If the correct institution name displays in the confirmation pop-up window, click OK. If the institution name is incorrect, click Cancel and enter the correct Institution Key.

6. Enter SAM Key Code
If a prompt displays, enter your 18-digit Key Code. Click Save.
NOTE: Key Codes are case-sensitive.
Depending on how you acquired your Key Code, complete one of the following steps:
If you purchased SAM from CengageBrain: Enter your Instant Access code.
If you purchased a SAM Printed Access Card: Locate your access code on the inside flap.

7. Create a SAM User Profile
When you are ready to set up your SAM User Account, enter the following, then click Save:
Data in all required fields (red asterisk.)
A valid address for your username. NOTE: You cannot change your username once you create it.
A Secret Question and Answer to use to retrieve a lost password.

8. Profile Confirmation
Review the information. Click Confirm if it is correct.
If the information is incorrect, click Revise to return to the previous screen.

9. Profile Confirmation
If the Username you enter exists in CengageBrain, a prompt displays so you can enter your password.
If you cannot retrieve your password using the Forgot your password? link, you can create a new SAM account with a different Username.

10. Terms & Conditions Read the SAM Terms & Conditions.
Click I Agree to accept and continue.
If you click I Disagree, SAM exits automatically.

11. SAM Activity Calendar
The Activity Calendar displays. You begin each SAM session from this screen.
From the Calendar, you can access your SAM Assignments and navigate to other pages. You can also view up-to-date SAM Notifications, Help and more.

12. Join a Section
To access your course Assignments in SAM, you need to enroll in a Section.
Once you enroll, your assignments display on the Activity Calendar and Activity List.

13. Join a Section Follow these steps to join a section: Select Sections.
The My Sections page displays. Click the Join a Section tab to join a section.
Select your instructor’s name from the dropdown menu. Available sections display.
When you find your section, click the blue icon in the Join Section column. Join Section Results indicates whether your enrollment was accepted. NOTE: Your instructor may need to confirm your enrollment in a section.

14. SAM Assignments The SAM Calendar displays your daily assignments.
Click to change the view.
Select an activity filter to determine which assignments display on the calendar. (Filters are ON by default.)
Click the red Notifications icon (upper right) to view SAM updates and notifications.
Click a day to view your assignments.
Click an assignment name to launch it.

15. SAM Assignments (cont.)
The Activity List displays your assignments in a list.
Click to change the view.
Select an activity filter to determine which assignments display on the list.
Select Always Available to view assignments that do not have due dates.
Click an assignment name to launch it.

16. Access MindTap Reader
Follow these steps to launch a MindTap Reader (if your SAM account includes access):
Click Always Available Assignments in your Calendar
Click the MindTap Reader title to launch your MindTap Reader within SAM. NOTE: Turn off your browser’s pop- up blockers to view the Reader.

17. Access MindTap Reader
MindTap Reader gives you access to your reading assignments and these Apps:
Flashcards
Search
Dictionary
Glossary
ReadSpeaker (Reads your text aloud)
Highlights
Notes
Media (Example: videos)

18. SAM Training: Microsoft Office
SAM offers simulated Trainings focused on Microsoft Office, Windows, Internet Explorer and Computer Concepts. To access a SAM Training:
Click the assignment name from the Calendar or Activity List.
Click Start to begin.

19. SAM Training: Microsoft Office
SAM offers Training assignments to help you master Microsoft Office, Windows, and Internet Explorer:
Intro: Provides a summary of the task (Available in SAM 2013 only.)
Observe: Provides audio and visual instructions.
Practice: Helps you perform the task using audio and visual prompts.
Apply: Allows you to perform the task on your own.
To receive credit on a Training task, complete the task in the Apply mode and click the Task Complete button.

20. SAM Training: Computer Concepts
SAM also presents important Computer Concepts with over 800 minutes of audio- visual Training labs.
SAM provides the following:
Introduction: A contextual overview of the topics covered in each Training lab.
Observe: Audio and visual instruction for Computer Concepts topics. NOTE: Both Introduction and Observe modes provide closed captioning.
Apply: An opportunity to use the concepts from the training lab with interactive reinforcement such as Drag and Drop and Matching activities.

21. SAM Projects
With SAM Projects, you work directly in Microsoft Office to complete real-world projects, following step-by-step instructions.
To launch a SAM Project, begin on your Calendar or Activity List and modify the filters to leave only Projects highlighted.
Select a Project.
Click Start.

22. SAM Projects
After launching a Project, Download and Save the Instructions, personalized Start file and support files (if available.)

23. Project Instruction File
The Project Instruction file contains the following:
Project Description: A real- world scenario.
Getting Started: Includes information about saving your Project files. (Available in SAM only.)
Project Steps: Follow to complete the Project.
Final Figure: Reference while completing the Project.

24. Project Start Files
Complete all Project work using your personalized Start file, which has your name encrypted in it.
Follow all of the Project Step instructions. Save your completed file before submitting it for grading.

25. Submit for Grading After you complete your Project, return to SAM.
Relaunch the Project Assignment. Under Assignment Submission, click Browse to select your saved Project file, then click Submit.
A confirmation screen verifies that your Project was uploaded, passed the virus scan and meets requirements for file size and format.

26. Project Reports
Click Reports after submitting your Project to view available reports.
Locate the Project Assignment in the list and click the download icon in the Reports & Files column.
The report that displays provides detailed reasons for point deductions and call-outs inserted into your submitted Project to help you identify and correct errors.

27. Project Reports – Study Guides
You can generate a Project Study Guide from the Reports tab.
Items with available Study Guides display an icon in the Study Guide column.
The Study Guide lists each step in the project with remediation that refers back to pages in your book or MindTap Reader and links to SAM Training tasks.

28. SAM Exams To launch a SAM Exam, follow these steps:
Select the filter to display Exams.
Click the assignment name from the Calendar or Activity List.
Click Start.
Review Exam details. They may include:
Instructions
Time limit
Number of chances at each question
Number of retakes of entire exam
Click Start to begin the exam.

29. Understanding SAM Examsb c d g e f
a. Task List: Use this list to jump from task to task
b. Task ID number
c. Question Label: Back and forward arrows allow you to jump between tasks
d. Time remaining (if set by instructor) and number of attempts remaining per question
e. Description of the task to perform
f. Simulation of the application where you will complete the task
g. Exit button NOTE: Once you start an exam, you cannot exit without scoring the exam.

30. Exam Study Guide Click Reports to access Exam results and Study Guide.
Items with available Study Guides display an icon in the Study Guide column.
Launch Training tasks from the links in the Study Guide.

31. Dropbox
Click Dropbox.
Select your Section from the dropdown menu. Click OK.
Click Submit New File.
Click Browse to select the file.
Click Save to submit the file.

32. Gradebook Click Gradebook.
Select your Section from the dropdown menu. Click OK.
Each type of Assignment (Exam, Project, Training) displays with assignment type weights and your score.
The number that displays in parentheses next to the assignment type indicates the number of assignments in that category.
Click + to expand your view and see assignment scores.

33. Questions?
Cengage offers Getting Started with SAM online training sessions to help with the following:
Creating a user profile
Joining a Section
Completing your assignments
Running reports
Click this link to browse and register for upcoming sessions:
For SAM help, go to