Students Experiencing Access Denied Messages

We’ve had several instances when students have not been able to access course content (such as the syllabus, files within lessons, and so on) and receive an “Access Denied” message instead. In most cases we’re finding this occurs when the course loses access to the Learning Object Repository (LOR). In other words, the content was linked to an object in the instructor's personal LOR and the link fails. We’re not exactly sure why this has occurred (see below), but here’s the solution:

1. Log-in to your LOR (use the Learning Object Repository button on the left margin of the ANGEL screen) and select the link to the personal LOR.
2. Select the Manage tab.
3. Select the Course and Group Access link and click My Courses (right column).
4. Then select the check box in front of the desired course(s) and click Add Selected.
5. The LOR should now appear on the left-side of the screen as one of the Current Associations.

The links should now work (ask your students to verify this).

While this solution is a temporary fix,the real issue is why this is occurring. It seems to occur either when courses are copied from a source course to a production course or during the batch course creation process (we're not using XEI yet to integrate between SunGard Banner and ANGEL). So, is the link to the Course Editor’s personal LOR not being established by the Manage > Import Wizard > Copy Course process or is it not being created during the batch creation process? In other words, if a faculty member has an ANGEL course with a personal LOR and additional courses are added, why isn't that personal LOR automatically attached to the new course(s)?

Course Begins Date Setting, the Student View and Course Copy

By default, student access at JCCC is enabled on the first day of the semester (January 14, 2009 for Spring 2009). Most production courses and source courses have that date set when created. When you copy from your source course to your production course, the Course Begins and Course Ends dates are transferred to the production course, so you want to be sure these dates are set correctly (by default to the first day of the semester and at JCCC we use two weeks after the last day of class; e.g., May 28, 2009). That means you cannot use the Student View (Sunglasses icon) to review your class until the Course Begins date occurs. If you’re working in your source course (development course shell), you can always change the Course Begins date to today so you can use the Student View. Just be sure to set the date back before you copy from your source course to your production course(s).

Just a reminder; to make your course available earlier:

1. Go to the Manage tab and select General Course Settings.
2. Be sure the check box following the Course Begins label is selected.
3. Set the date to the date when you want students to have access.
4. When finished, be sure to click the Save button and that should do it.