If you are a credit or audit student, you know that midterms and finals weeks can be stressful enough without dealing with technology and computer problems. Make sure that you and your computer are ready by following these five easy tips:
TIP 1: Make sure your browser is up-to-date.
SU Tech Support recommends that you check to make sure that your browser is up-to-date often, preferably three times per semester--first week, right before midterms week, and right before finals week--but ideally at least once a month. We have found that keeping your browser up-to-date solves most Moodle problems. Some browsers can be set to update automatically, but it is always a good idea to check from time to time to make sure that everything is working correctly.
Not sure how to check if your browser is up-to-date? See this solution in the Knowledge Base.
TIP 2: Set a goal for completing your midterm/final assignments early and start working on these ahead of time if you can.
Many students wait until the very last minute to take exams and submit papers, feeling that it is important to take advantage of all of the time available to them. However, this can end up working against you. If you try to submit a final paper at the last minute and have problems, it may take a little time for SU Tech Support to respond to your ticket. To avoid the wait, set a goal to complete your midterm/final assignments early (at least a couple of days ahead of time). That way, if you do run into technical difficulties, SU Tech Support has more time to help you get your assignment completed before the deadline.
Not sure when your assignments are due? Check out this solution in the Knowledge Base.
TIP 3: Review the Moodle Tutorials, especially the videos and practice areas for quizzes and assignments.
If it has been a while since you submitted an assignment or took a quiz/exam, you may want to review these sections in our online Moodle Tutorial a week before they are due. Then come back to the Knowledge Base if you have basic questions as you go through the process. SU Tech Support is also here to help with any technical difficulties that may come up.
Need help with our Moodle Tutorial? Check our the Knowledge Base for more information on how to use Moodle features, then contact SU Tech Support with your specific question.
TIP 4: Wait to make major computer changes or updates until after midterms/finals.
The saying, "If it's not broke, don't fix it," really holds true for technology, especially during midterms/finals weeks. Since you are used to using your computer and Moodle in a certain way, making major updates to your computer can make it harder and more stressful for you to complete your midterm/final assignments. Unless your computer is already having serious problems that make it almost impossible for you to use Moodle, hold off on major updates and changes until after these stressful weeks have passed. The one exception to this rule is updating your browser (see Tip 1). Breaks in between semesters are a great time tackle computer updates because you have extra time to adjust the changes. If you absolutely need to fix something on your computer, find a local tech buddy who can be on-call to help you out should you have trouble submitting a major assignment. (Remember that SU Tech Support is only available to assist with problems directly related to Moodle and your course work.)
Not sure if your computer needs maintenance or if you should wait? Find a local tech buddy who can help you determine this.
TIP 5: Keep SU Tech Support contact info handy, and contact us if you need help.
As always, SU Tech Support is here to help you with all of your Moodle and course work technical problems. Check our Knowledge Base for solutions to common Moodle problems. More solutions are added every week, so be sure to search every time you need help! If you can't find an answer, here's how to contact us:
- Go to http://summituniversity.org/help.
- Fill out the online form to open a support ticket. Be sure to include as many details as you can, including:
- Course/unit/title of section where you are having the problem,
- Your browser and operating system, and
- What you have tried already along with exact details of what Moodle does in response.
NOTE: The more details you can give us, the fewer follow-up questions we will need to ask you and the faster we will be able to find a solution to your problem. - You will receive an email confirming that your ticket has been received.
- An SU Tech Support agent will contact you within 24 hours (even sooner during midterms/finals weeks).
Want a support ticket refresher? Watch this video!