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 (Firefox)
You should always begin in your Blackboard course, and then click the link from the
individual lesson. Make sure to take note of the order of the assignments you need to
complete. The link directs you to the URL http://sam.cengage.com for the SAM login
page.

4. Logging into SAM
 Existing SAM users:
Enter your username and
password. Click the
Login button. (Your username
should be your email
address and your password
should be your 6 digit
student number)
**If you have issues logging
in, please contact your
instructor immediately.**

5. Profile Confirmation

Review the
information. Click
Confirm if it is
correct.

If the information is
incorrect, click
Revise to return to
the previous screen.

If SAM prompts you
to change your
password, change it
to your 6 digit number
again so you can
remember it easier.

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

7. SAM Assignments
The SAM Calendar displays your daily assignments.
 Your assignments will not have
due dates, so you will not be
using the calendar to launch
specific assignments. Scroll to
the next page to see how to
access a list of your
assignments.
 Click the red Notifications icon
(upper right) to view SAM
updates and notifications.

8. 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. (Your assignments will
not have due dates, so you will
need to click this each time).
 Click an assignment name to
launch it.

9. 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 Activity List.
 Click Start to begin.

10. SAM Training: Microsoft Office
 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.
*You may exit the training and
resume where you have left
off at a later time**

11. 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 Activity List and modify the
filters to leave only Projects
highlighted.
 Select a Project.
 Click Start.

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

13. Project Instruction File
The Project Instruction file contains
the following:
 Project Description: A realworld scenario.
 Getting Started: Includes
information about saving your
Project files. (Available in SAM
2013 only.)
 Project Steps: Follow to
complete the Project.
 Final Figure: Reference while
completing the Project.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. SAM Exams
To launch a SAM Exam, follow these
steps:
Select the filter to display Exams.
Click the assignment name from the
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.

19. Understanding SAM Exams
f
a. Task List: Use this list to jump from
task to task
b. Task ID number
c. Question Label: Back and forward
e
arrows allow you to jump between
tasks
a
b
c
d
d. Time remaining (if set by instructor) and number of attempts remaining per question
g
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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. Questions?
 Cengage offers Getting Started with SAM online training
sessions to help with the following:
− Completing your assignments
− Running reports
 For SAM help, go to www.cengage.com/support