In this course, students develop the skills to utilize word processing and spreadsheet applications in Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) -- the industry-standard software package.  Students have the opportunity to sit for the MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) Proficiency Word and Excel Certification exams.  Certification Information

This the third course for the Business Administrative Services a CTE Completer Program. 

Students earning an A or B in MCT I earn THREE articulated college credits at FCC (CIS 111 A).   MCT Articulation Agreement Forms

Course Components

SAM (sam.cengage.com)

• • SAM is the online learning platform used for the eBooks, trainings, projects, and assessments (licenses are provided by Central Office)

    • Request SAM Codes - enter your TOTAL number of MCT students for the entire YEAR 

    • Access SAM Codes - Find your file and assign codes to your students

  • eBook Readings (NOTE:  only one book title can be turned "ON" for readings -- go to Edit Course Section)

  • Trainings (interactive skill-building in three modes:  Observe, Practice, Apply)

  • Projects (students download an instruction file & data file(s) then upload their finished product which is automatically graded by SAM)

  • Assessments (1000s of performance tasks and objective questions in the test banks)

  • eBook Activities (available at the end of each module --  data files are not available in SAM, so they have been added to Schoology)

Software Demos

• • Students need more instruction than what's provided in the SAM Trainings (they're not comprehensive)

  • Demo Options:  

    • LIVE teacher demos in class (have students simultaneously complete the activities in the group overview)

    • Pre-recorded teacher demos (capture & narrate screen recordings, then upload to your Schoology class for student reference)

    • Online tutorials, tips, & videos (from trusted sources) 

      • Microsoft (support.office.com)

        • Word:  Help Center

        • Excel:  Help Center

      • Goodwill Community Foundation (GCFLearnFree.org)

        • Word:  

          • Tutorial and Videos

          • Quick Tips and Quick Tip Videos

        • Excel:  

          • Tutorial and Videos 

          • Quick Tips and Quick Tip Videos

          • Formulas and Formula Videos

GMetrix

• • Access Codes must be purchased by each school

  • Pre-loaded Practice MOS Exams

  • Teacher-generated practice tests

Budget Challenge

• • FCPS  Budget Challenge Page

MOS Exams

• • Students will test at one of the FCPS Certiport Testing Centers (CHS/MHS)

  • Reserve testing dates for your classes on the MOS Testing Calendar

The following information and Web links will help you get started with SAM:

Computer Settings

You’ll want to ensure that your computers are “SAM Ready.”  Remember, SAM is completely online… nothing to download or install. The latest Adobe Flash Player must be installed on all computers that will access the program, designate the SAM site as a secure website, and allow pop ups at this site (refer to the SAM Admin Guide for detailed system settings).  You can update your Adobe Flash Player by clicking on the link on the right hand side of your SAM homepage titled Software.

Learn More about SAM

We have numerous resources to help you learn how to use SAM. I encourage you and any of your colleagues who will be using the program to take the time to participate in a live Web training session or review a recorded training session on your own time. Should you have questions after reviewing the resources, please don’t hesitate to contact your account manager or me for assistance.

Our SAM-specific Training site has all the resources you will need to Get Started using SAM

•  Access step-by-step Self-Training videos for SAM that will be beneficial to all instructors who will be accessing SAM. CLICK HERE to view the videos.

• You can review recorded Online Training Seminars to train you on SAM. CLICK HERE to access these trainings.

• We also have Trainings that can be scheduled specifically for your school and experience level with SAM.  CONTACT YOUR SALES CONSULTANT to request a training 

• The SAM Central website has many resources available for you: http://www.cengage.com/samcentral  (a link to this site is also accessible at the bottom of any SAM screen)

To Get Started

Review the SAM self-training videos, attend a Getting Started webinar, and/or request a SAM training session (all mentioned above in the “Learn More about SAM” section of this email). 

SAM Projects is a live in-the-application project-based assessment tool for Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.  SAM Projects do not need to be created prior to assigning… just click Projects or SAM Assignments on the left Navigation menu and schedule. To complete a Project assignment, students must download their Project “start” file(s) and an instruction file from the Projects assignment screen. They complete the Project offline and then upload back into SAM for grading.

*NOTE: Students must have access to the Desktop or Mac version of Office to complete projects because they require students to download files and work within the full version of the software. Office 365 users should download the desktop version from their 365 account. Chromebook users CANNOT complete SAM projects, because Chromebooks do not allow users to download the Desktop or PC versions of the software.

Technical Support

Please contact our Technical Support team either by phone or email if you experience any technical issues or have technical support questions

• 1-800-648-7450; Tech Support Option 2, Option 1

• Support via email at http://cengage.com/support

• 24 hours, 7 days a week

To Access Instructor Resource Center please visit: http://login.cengage.com

To Access eBooks via CourseSmart please visit: www.vitalsource.com

To submit review/desk copy request please email: order.samples@cengage.com

To Access SAM Training Guide:  https://www.cengage.com/training/sam

Institution Key - T2133543