Using SAM 2007 & Aplia
In Online Courses
Don Danner
San Francisco State University
dldanner@sfsu.edu
General Observations
Online courses are typically a good choice for students that have
the ability to manage their time effectively, work independently,
follow a schedule and display the ability to apply “critical
thinking” skills in arriving at solutions on their own.
Online courses are typically not a good idea for students that do
not possess these traits, have lots of questions, require a lot of
“hand holding” and desire personalized attention / feedback
from the instructor. For these students, a traditional class may
be a better fit for your learning style.
Online Courses - Benefits
“In an Online Class, students attend all class sessions in an
online environment. Technology is primarily used to create a
substitute for an entire course experience, and to communicate
with the instructor inside and outside of office hours.”
 Costs
 Availability / Flexibility
o Time
o Location
o Pacing
 Accommodating Different Learning Styles
Online Courses - Challenges
 Engage / Retain Students
 Communication Issues
 Time Management Issues
 Following Directions
 Technical Issues
 Meeting Student
Expectations
 Academic Integrity Issues
 Integration of Programs
General Principals – Before Classes Start
On Your Mark, Get Set … Go
Keep ‘Em Busy
Structure The Course
o Weekly Assignments
o 2-3 Weeks Per Assignment
Great Documentation
Follow Up / Remind
Be Consistent
Course Materials – Building Blocks
 Learning Management System
o Moodle – iLearn
 Aplia
 SAM 2007
 SAM 2007 Projects
 Electronic Textbooks
o Stair: Principals of Information System
o New Perspectives – Microsoft Excel 2007 Brief
Learning Management System

iLearn is the “learning management system” that is used for the course. It is an important component of the class and you
should frequently log in to check for updates and any changes to the course schedule.

iLearn log in for students is: http://ilearn.sfsu.edu/

Aplia: A link to Aplia is provided in iLearn. Aplia is a separate software application which will be used for testing &
homework focusing on Stair / Reynolds: Principals of Information Systems: 9th Edition. An electronic copy of the book is
included within Aplia.

Calendar: The calendar in iLearn will provide you with the due dates and times of your assignments and quizzes.

Course Materials: iLearn will be used to distribute the syllabus, additional course materials and general directions. You will
need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view most documents.

Forums: The “News” forum in iLearn will be used for communication and general information / updates to the course.

Grades: Your grades and general feedback will be posted into iLearn for your review as soon as possible (within one week of
the due date). Grades for SAM 2007 and Aplia must be manually entered into iLearn by the instructor so do not display
immediately.

Quizzes: Four quizzes and the final will be given in iLearn focusing on the Stair: Principals book.
What Is Aplia?
Electronic Book
Interactive Problem Sets
Weekly Homework
Assignments
Provides Analytics
Customizable
Aplia Overview
 Easy To Set Up
 Easy For Students
 Very Few Technical Problems
 Runs on both Mac’s and PC’s
 Contains E-Book
 Interactive Problem Sets
 Reporting / Gradebook
 Limited Assessment
SAM 2007
 Training
o Task Based
 Observe
 Practice
 Apply
 Assessment
 Excel 2007
o NP Excel 2007 - Brief
SAM 2007 Projects
 Chapter Projects
 Work In Excel 2007
 Immediate
Feedback
 Ability to Correct
and Learn
Assessment
 iLearn (Moodle)
o 4 Quizzes – Stair Test Bank
o Every 3 chapters
o Pooling of questions
 2 Quizzes – SAM 2007
o Every 2 tutorials
 1 Final – Comprehensive
 Quizzes / Final
o Timed
o Open 36 Hours
Communication
 Syllabus – Course Handbook
o Links
 Course Outline
o Due Dates
 Calendar – iLearn
 Clear Documentation
o Aplia & SAM
 Technical Requirements
 Weekly Updates / Reminders
 Frequent Posting of Posting Grades
Academic Integrity
 Quizzes
o Timed
o Polling
o Scheduled
 Aplia Assignments
 SAM 2007
 SAM Projects
 Final Exam
Documentation
 Syllabus
o Technical Support
 SAM 2007 Registration
Instructions
 Aplia Registration
Instructions
 SAM 2007 Student Manual
Software Integration / Updating Grades
 Excel Is Your Friend
Future Goals
 Videos
 Video Lectures
 Current Articles / Forums
 Links
 Update iLearn
 Facebook
 Camtasia Studio