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UTC Online Best Practices

 

To ensure your experience with UTC Online is as effective as possible the following is highly recommended:

Browser Check

Clearing Cache

  • Periodically you may need to clear your cache if you are experiencing issues with UTC Online (e.g. can not see the log in page, receive error messages, etc.).
    • Try clearing the web browsing cache on your computer. Step-by-step directions can be found on Google support pages. You will need to know which web browser you are using (i.e., Internet Explorer, Firefox).

Recommended Internet Browser

  • The recommended browser for UTC Online is Mozilla Firefox for Mac and PC users

Saving Files submitted via UTC Online

  • Blackboard allows files with illegal characters in the file name to be submitted to the instructor; however, the instructor often cannot access such files. The fix in this case is for the student to rename the file without the illegal character(s) and resubmit it. Allowed characters in file names are as follows: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, a "-" (hyphen), and an "_" (underscore). Do not use file names containing the following characters: #, %, ), (, or &. Also, it is highly recommended that file names with spaces, $, and @ characters not be submitted.

Submitting Google Doc Files in UTC Online

  • If you are using google docs in lieu of Microsoft Office, make sure you do the following:
    • Download Google Docs as Word files
    • Download Google Spreadsheets as Excel files
    • Download Google Presentations as PowerPoint files
    • Do NOT submit any files produced in Google Docs as an Assignment in UTC Online.

Google Docs File Conversions

Opening Files in newer versions of Micrsoft Office

  • Your instructor may upload files that are saved in a newer version of Microsoft Office that you may not be able to open. A saved file using Microsoft Office 2007 will have an "x" as part of the file extension. For example, a Word document extension would be .docx.
    • Download the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack if you are not using Microsoft Office 2007 so you can open and save these types of files.

Taking Tests in UTC Online

Follow these guidelines when taking a Blackboard test/quiz to avoid problems such as being locked out of a test/quiz.

  • Before the Test:
    • Turn off pop-up blockers in browser preferences and close all other software such as instant messaging, email notifications, or other programs which may interfere when taking a test.
    • Give yourself time to take the test, accounting for any technical problems that may occur. Once you have entered the test, do not leave the test or do anything else until you are finished.
    • It is not recommended that you connect to Blackboard using America Online as your browser or through a dial-up connection. Your connection may be terminated at any time. Recommended browser is Mozilla Firefox.
    • Do not use a mobile device's web browser to take a Blackboard test or quiz; instead, use a non-mobile device's web browser to take the test or quiz.
    • Make the Visual Text Box Editor unavailable before the test (you can turn it back on after the test): Main tab > Tools: Personal Information > Set Visual Text Box Editor Options
  • During the Test:
    • Wait for all questions to load before beginning the test.
    • Do not navigate to other websites or any other area of Blackboard while taking the test. If you do, you may be locked out of your test.
    • Single click on the arrow when advancing to the next question: avoid hitting Enter on your keyboard or double clicking on the arrow.
    • Never use the back or forward button in your browser; instead, always use Blackboard's navigational tools to navigate through the test.
    • Keep your browser active. The assessment feature in Blackboard is set to time out when there is a lot of inactivity. To keep the test active, you must save the test or individual questions periodically by clicking the "Save" button every now and then located near the end of the test. Checking boxes and typing does not keep the browser active.
    • When you have completed the test, make sure you click on the Submit button (and not the Save button). Click on the Submit button only once; there may be a delay as the test is scored.
    • If using a mouse with a scroll wheel, click on your answer and then click elsewhere in the test area, and then scroll down with the scroll wheel to avoid scrolling to a different answer.