SAM in MindTap Instructor HelpSkip to start of content.

Schedule a Project

Assign a project to your class.

In SAM projects, students download a start file and instructions to complete tasks in Microsoft Office®, then upload their completed projects. Projects are automatically graded in SAM.
  1. From MindTap, click + Add / Create > Activity > SAM-Assignment.
  2. On the taskbar, click Schedule New.
  3. For Assignment Type, click Project.
  4. Optional: Filter projects by Textbook, Chapter / Unit, Subject, or select View All SAM Projects.

    To preview an assignment, click preview beside the assignment name.

    You can download the instructions and start files given to students, and a solution file showing the correct outcome.
  5. Select a project to assign.
  6. Click Next Step.
  7. Set the options for your project.
    Assignment Name
    Unique name for your assignment.
    Instructions
    Additional instructions for students.
    Scoring and Delivery Options
    Configure your assignment.
    Pass/Fail
    Students must answer your percentage of questions correctly to receive a pass grade. Students who score below this threshold receive fail grades.
    Specify time limit
    Students have your number minutes to complete the assignment. The time begins when the student first launches their assignment.
    Project Incident File Rejection

    Students cannot submit a project that:

    • Is another student's start file.
    • Contains content that was copied and pasted from another student's start file.
    • Contains information associated with a different assignment.
    • Is a non-SAM generated file.
    • Has been opened from OneDrive, Google Drive, or other cloud-based storage.
    • Has been opened or edited with Google Docs, Google Sheets, or a cloud-based version of Office.

    Rejected projects do not count against student submission attempts.

    Receive Project Incident Notifications

    Be notified if a student submits a project that:

    • Is another student's start file.
    • Contains content that was copied and pasted from another student's start file.
    • Contains information associated with a different assignment.
    • Is a non-SAM generated file.
    • Has been opened from OneDrive, Google Drive, or other cloud-based storage.
    • Has been opened or edited with Google Docs, Google Sheets, or a cloud-based version of Office.
    Practice
    The assignment does not affect student grades.
    Maximum number of submission attempts

    Students can submit a project 1-10 times.

    Note Multiple submissions can be used to check student progress before students submit their final version for a grade.
    Issue badge at 90%

    Award a shareable badge to students who earn 90% and above.

    Available for capstone projects and MOS practice exams for Office 365®/2021 and newer content versions.

    Adjust Maximum Score and Step Weight
    Edit the point value of each step of the project and the project overall. This is not available for textbook projects.
    Project Version

    Project Version is not available for all projects.

    PC & Mac
    Allows both the PC and Mac versions of the project to be downloaded.
    Important Project files must be completed on the type of computer they were downloaded on. If students download the project files on a PC, they must use a PC to complete the project.
    PC Only
    Only the PC version of the project file will be available for download.
    Specify password for student access
    Prevent students from starting until they enter a password that you provide.
    Best Practice Leave this field blank and set a password in the Assign to Course window. Passwords set in that step are easier to retrieve and edit.
    Specify when students can view reports
    • Never make reports available to students
    • Make student reports always available beginning 12:00 AM

      Select the first date on which reports are available.

    • Make student reports available

      Select both start and end dates and times for reports to be available.

  8. Click Save.
  9. If prompted, select whether you want to adjust the total points and step weights for your activity to match those specified in the learning path, or update the total points in the learning path.
  10. In the Editing Activity window, set the activity title, description, dates, and location in the learning path to assign the activity to your course.
    Title
    Label for the activity in the learning path.
    Description
    Information or instructions displayed when the activity is opened.
    Require Password
    Password protection for scoreable activities to prevent students from accessing them ahead of time.
    Available Date
    When students can start work on the activity.
    Due Date
    When students must end work on the activity.
    Associated Topic
    Textbook topic related to the activity.
    Order Within Topic
    Position in the learning path under the specified topic.
  11. Click Add.