Using OWL

Homework assignments and some extra credit surveys and activities for this class are carried out using the Online Web Learning (OWL) system. This course uses the Spark-OWL Powerlink. This Powerlink allows you to go directly from this course’s Spark website to its corresponding OWL section without having to log in to OWL.

The Powerlink appears in Spark as a link on the Home page. To access the OWL section for this course, you must log into Spark and click this link. You will not be able to access the OWL section for this course by logging directly in to OWL. This may be different from the way you have accessed OWL in the past.

Most Spark courses will not have the Spark-OWL Powerlink. All OWL courses that are not participating will continue to be accessed from the OWL login pages.

If you need help using the Powerlink or have questions, contact your instructor or click on Send Message in OWL. If you need help using Spark, contact the OIT Help Desk at 545-9400.

Getting Started

  • Click on the Spark-OWL powerlink on the home page of our course’s Spark website. You will be transferred into OWL in a new browser window.
  • If there are any new Course Notes, they will show up when you start up in OWL. Read them and then press the View Assignments button.
  • It is important to do the Using OWL tutorial first to learn to how to enter answers correctly, including special formatting for entering very large or very small numbers.
  • Click on the link of the name of the assignment on which you want to work. Note that some assignments have time limits (this will be stated in the title)–don’t click on those until you’re ready to complete them, because the timer begins the moment that you first click them.
  • Working on Your Assignments

  • The first time you click on an assignment, you may see some Assignment Notes, which describe various important pieces of information about the assignment. After reading, click Continue to Assignment. If you need to reread these later, you can click on Assignment Notes in the left menu.
  • When you start an assignment, you will be taken to the “Units” page. Some assignments are broken into separate units, while others are all in one unit. Usually you will begin by clicking on the top question in the list, but you can start with a different question if you want — for example, when you return to work on an assignment during a later session.
  • If you have trouble with a question, check to see if there is a hint. Fill in your answer(s) in the blanks on the page, and then click CHECK ANSWER.
  • Usually, your score and feedback will be shown. (You may have to scroll down the page.)
  • If you did not get the problem right, you may click Redo Question to the left (if available) to try the problem again, but you only get 3 attempts. You may want to consult the help desk or a teaching assistant before using up your attempts.
  • When you are ready to move on to another question, choose a question number link from the status bar at the top of the page or click next (or previous) item on the left menu.
  • Click Unit Menu oo the left menu to return to the assignment unit list, and complete all units before the listed due date and time.
  • When you are done working, you can click Assignments on the left menu to check your current grade.
  • Click the Logout button on the left side of the page to exit the OWL system.
  • Miscellaneous

  • Click Course Notes to see any instructor announcements.
  • Click Past Due Assignments to see old assignments, to retry them or to try them for partial credit if you missed the deadline (see syllabus about policies for this).
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