Online Navigation and Technical Details

Navigation

This course is built using Canvas Modules. In our class you can think of each Canvas module as an individual web page or a quiz. Using the modules view will allow you to get from page to page in the correct order using the "Next" button at the bottom of each of the pages. For example, this is the first page and there is a "Next" button at the bottom of this page that will take you to the class syllabus, which is the next page you should look at. You can get to the complete modules list by clicking on "Modules" in the menu on the left of this page.

An abbreviated outline of the modules grouped by content is given in the course syllabus. A more detailed topic outline can be accessed from the Canvas Front Page.

Logon and Username

For some of the pages it may ask you to log on again in a red input box. This is normal and necessary to be able to correctly assign you to your homework. The username for this logon is your first initial and last name, all lower case and no spaces. If you have trouble logging on contact Dr. Burgess right away.

Security Quirks in Modules

In some browsers the content page, when viewed in modules, will be blank. There will be a heading (like Syllabus), but the box, which is a frame, will be empty. In any of the browsers you can open the module content pages in a new window by clicking on the heading of the frame page.

When using Internet Explorer you have to click on the box at the bottom of the browser that says "Show all content" in order to see the page. If a page isn't loading, look for that box! If it drives you crazy, try this:

Open Internet Explorer.
Click on the tools icon and select Internet Options.
Click on the Security tab and click on Custom level.
Under Settings go to Miscellaneous and Enable Display Mixed Content.
Then click Apply and then OK

When using Firefox you have to click on the small shield icon next to the back arrow in the location bar in order to disable blocking. If it drives you completely crazy try this:

Open a new tab.
Type: about:config into the location bar.
Scroll down the list until you see security.mixed_content.block_active_content.
Click on security.mixed_content.block_active_content.
It should change the value at the end of that line to false.
Close that tab and refresh the page with the content frame.

In Safari there doesn't seem to be a way to allow specific pages or sites, but the following seems to work (it will allow cookies from all sites):

Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner.
Click on Preferences.
Where it says "Block Cookies" change it to "Never".
The logon should now work.

In Chrome the icon is a shield icon on the far right of the location bar. Click on it and click on the option to load unsafe scripts.

In any of the browsers you can open the module content pages in a new window by clicking on the heading of the frame page.

Sound/Video Devices

Before installing or enabling anything try looking at the pages. It may be that your computer is fine as it is. If you have trouble come back to this page. I have placed a test for you on the front page of this class. There should be a welcome video at the bottom of the page. If there isn't a video you may have to "Allow All Content", "Display Insecure Pages", activate your plug-ins, or you may have to follow the instructions below.

In order to hear the audio for this class you may need Flash (for early modules with multimedia links) or Quicktime (for pages with an inline interactive box). I have actually eliminated the need for QuickTime on the normal pages, so it shouldn't be a problem. The links in the last sentence will take you to a download page in a new window. Here is what should happen for different browsers when there is an audio option:

Internet Explorer
1. Best case: A play button is available, click on it and the sound is heard.
2. If there is not a play button the "Voice" or "File" link should open your default sound device.
3. Turning off the ActiveX Filtering under Tools in IE will allow the QuickTime sound bar and play button to appear.
4. Sometimes opening the page in its own tab will allow the sound bar to appear. You can open the page in its own tab by clicking on the heading of the page.
Firefox
1. Again, the best case is that you can click on the play button. I have found that sometimes it looks like it is still loading, but clicking on the loading icon starts the player anyway..
2. If we are using certain backup files and QuickTime is properly installed there should be a play button and slider from QuickTime available to hear the sound or view the video.
3. The "Voice" or "File" link is available, but I have found mixed results with that link when in Firefox.

Enable JavaScript

As stated above you may have to install and enable a Flash reader and QuickTime. In addition some of the pages use JavaScript. The QuickTime sound slider is done with JavaScript, for example, but it is used in other ways as well. To enable JavaScript do the following:

Internet Explorer
1. In the Tools drop-down menu, select Internet Options.
2. Next, select the Security tab.
3. Then, select the earth (Internet) icon.
4. Then select the Custom Level button.
5. Locate Scripting near the bottom of the list.
6. Under Active Scripting, select Enable, then hit OK.
7. Answer yes to the following conformation box.
8. Hit OK to close the Internet Options window.
9. Finally, hit refresh on your browser.
Firefox
1. In the Tools drop-down menu, select Options.
2. Next, select Content.
3. Put a check in the box next to Enable JavaScript.
4. Click OK and refresh the browser.

That's about it! If you have questions about the details of Canvas, contact the IT help center.

To Continue

Click the Next button at the bottom right hand corner of this page to read the course syllabus.