Best Practices and Tips for using Evaluate™
Below is a list of both best practices and troubleshooting tips that may be helpful when using Evaluate™. Best Practices are general computer maintenance procedures that can help Evaluate™ run well, and Troubleshooting Tips are designed to help you with some scenarios you might encounter, and possible
workarounds. If you are unable to resolve the issue with any of the below strategies, please contact the Evaluate™ Service Desk at evaluate@catapultlearning.com or 888-875-1002.
Best Practices
-- Testing time should be scheduled with enough time for not only testing, but for students to log into the computers during each testing session. This way each student starts with a “clean slate.” At the end of each testing session, all users should log off the computer to close out any open applications.
-- No other applications should be running while testing if possible.
-- A link to Evaluate™ on all computer desktops can be helpful and time saving (catapultevaluate.com).
-- Student login and loading of the assessment is the longest process, staggering students start can be helpful.
-- Students should always do the Training Test prior to taking assessment for the first time.
-- Administrators and teachers have the ability to view the assessments as students; this can be useful to preview the assessment or to review once all students have completed the test. A link to the assessment can be found on the main Evaluate™ dashboard page.
-- Testing computers should be locked down to prevent the installation of unauthorized software. Some software can cause browsers to respond unexpectedly, or become hijacked.
-- Computers should have an antivirus application installed with virus definition files updated on a regular basis.
-- Computers should be rebooted at least once a day to clear the memory.
-- Browser settings should be configured to clear any temporary internet files during log off, or should be manually cleared on a weekly basis.
-- Check screen resolution meets the minimum requirement of 1024 x 768.
-- Develop internal process to track problematic lab computers for basic troubleshooting.
-- Evaluate™ URL’s should be set for do not cache if the school or district uses a caching server.
-- Evaluate™ URL’s should be open on the school or districts firewall (see notes in Evaluate™ Technical Specifications guide).
Troubleshooting Tips:
Unable to access the Evaluate™ Home Page
-- Verify the URL – catapultevaluate.com, see below for what you should see in the browser:
-- Check to make sure the computer is online by going to another website such as Google or Yahoo
-- Try another computer
-- Report issue to local technology support
Can’t log into Evaluate™
-- Check to make sure the correct login and password is being used
-- Check to make sure Caps Lock is not on
-- Verify that the student is active by checking they are on the class roster (Control Panel - Accounts -Print Class Rosters) or are listed as active under User (Control Panel - Accounts - User Account Information)
-- Try another computer
Missing Graphics/Question Elements
-- Go back to the previous question and then move forward again
-- Close the testing window and reopen
-- Log out and log back in to Evaluate™
-- Verify that the computer and browser meet minimum requirements (see Evaluate™ Technical Specifications Guide)
-- Try another computer
Slowness
-- Check speed/internet connectivity to another website, such as http://speedtest.net, and report the values to your local technology support if possible
-- If student is in an assessment, close the window and re-enter the assessment. This may be needed if the computer is having temporary Internet connectivity issues.
-- Close the browser completely and reopen
-- Verify that the computer and browser meet minimum requirements
-- Try another computer
-- Report issue to local technology support
Student, Teacher, or Class not in the system
-- Verify that the student is active by checking the Class Roster Report, or are listed as active under User (Control Panel - Accounts - User Account Information)
-- Verify that the teacher is active by checking the report: Teacher Username and Passwords found under Custom Report (Only School System Administrators have access to this report).
-- Verify that the course is active by checking the report: Course Roster with enrollment dates found under Custom Report
Test is not available
-- Verify with Evaluate Support that the class is subscribed to the test
-- If the class is subscribed to the test and the subscription is still not showing up, the School System Administrator or Evaluate Support can check the student to confirm they are subscribed under the class
-- Verify that the student is enrolled in the class using the report (Control Panel - Accounts - User Account Information, Check Enrollment Tab)
-- Verify that the test has been unlocked (the assessment start button will be grayed out if it is locked)
-- Close the active application/testing window and reopen
If you are unable to resolve the issue with any of the below workarounds, please contact the Evaluate ™ Support Desk at evaluate@catapultlearning.com, or at 888-875-1002.