Tech Support


What are the System Requirements to use Beacon Educator?

System Requirements

Participants need reliable internet access and a computer or other internet device with the latest version of a web browser. Verify that your computer meets these requirements before beginning the course.

Operating System: Windows, Android OS 4.1 or higher, Apple iOS8 or higher.
Web browser: Latest version of Firefox or Chrome, Safari 7 or higher, or Internet Explorer 9 or higher.
Cookies turned on in the browser.
Current word processing software such as MS Word, Open Office, or other (to create, modify, and/or read documents).
Up-to-date anti-virus software.
JAWS 16 or higher with Internet Explorer 11 or higher (for screen readers only).

Additional Software/Plug-Ins

During this course additional software or plug-ins may be needed to fully experience all of the media (audio, video, etc.) found on the internet. You may download all of these plug-ins beforehand, or you can download them individually when prompted by the specific website.

Adobe Reader (Download latest version).
Adobe Reader allows users to view and print Adobe PDF files on all major platforms.
Adobe Flash (Download latest version).
Adobe Flash allows users to experience the interactive Flash audio and video content on the web.
QuickTime (Download latest version).
QuickTime allows users to view videos and listen to audio.
Articulate Mobile Player (Download latest version).
Articulate Mobile Player allows users to view interactive modules on an iPad.

Basic Computer Skills

Participants must possess basic computer skills, such as those listed below.

Basic word processor skills
Ability to copy/paste
Basic use of the world wide web
Ability to download and save documents
Ability to find documents that have been saved
Ability to receive and send email
What if I am having problems logging in?

The problem that you are experiencing may be due to Cookies, or Security Settings.

Cookies

If the problem is Cookies, the solution is to allow the Beacon site in your Privacy settings.

Chrome
From the Chrome menu in the top right corner of the browser, select Settings.
At the bottom of the page, click Show advanced settings.
Under Privacy, select Content settings.... To manage cookie settings, check or uncheck the options under "Cookies".
Firefox
To manage cookie settings, from the drop-down menu under "History", select Use custom settings for history.
To view or remove individual cookies, click remove individual cookies.
To remove all cookies, from the History menu, select clear your recent history.
Safari
Click Safari in the upper left hand side of your screen. In the menu that appears, click Preferences.
In the window that appears, click the Privacy tab. Click the button Remove All Website Data.
Click Remove Now in the pop up window that appears.
Edge
Select the ... icon in the top right corner of the browser window to get to the settings menu.
In the settings menu, towards the bottom, click on Choose what to clear.
Select Cookies and saved website data and Cached data and files. After the two are marked click on clear.
Internet Explorer 11
Select Tools (via the Gear Icon) > Safety > Delete browsing history.
Make sure to uncheck Preserve Favorites website data and check both Temporary Internet Files and Cookies then click Delete.
You will get a confirmation at the bottom of the window once it has successfully cleared your cache and cookies.

Security Settings

If the problem is Security Settings, the solution is to change the Security Level to Medium.

Chrome
Launch google Chrome
At the top right, click More Settings.
At the bottom, click Advanced.
Under "Privacy and security," change your settings:
Turn off any of the privacy settings you don't want anymore.
To manage how Chrome handles content and permissions for a site, click Content settings.
To delete information from your browsing activity, such as history, cookies, or saved passwords, click Clear browsing data.
Firefox
Launch Mozilla Firefox.
Click “Tools” from the top menu, and then select “Options.”
Click the "Security” tab from the Options window.
Click “OK” to save your changes.
Safari
Launch Safari
Click on Preferences, then click on security.
Select your preferences.
Edge
Launch Edge browser.
On the top-right corner of the window, click the ellipses (...) to open the menu.
Click Settings.
Then click on View Advanced Settings under Advanced Settings.
You will then use the sliders as you need to for turning setting On and Off.
Internet Explorer 11
Launch Internet Explorer, select the Tools button and then select Internet options.
Select the Security tab and customize your security zone settings in these ways: To change settings for any security zone, select the zone icon, and then move the slider to the security level that you want.
What should I do when I cannot download files?

If you receive an error message that says 'Page cannot be displayed', the problem may be associated with Firewalls. The Solution is to shut off your Windows Firewall.

From the Windows Start Menu, choose Control Panel.
On the Control Panel, choose the Security Center icon.
From the Security Center page choose the Windows Firewall icon.
Click Off then click OK.
Download the file.
Turn the Firewall ON.
What should I do if I cannot open PDF Files?

When you click on the link to open the file and get an error that says that you do not have rights to the page, the problem is that you do not have a current version of Adobe Reader. The solution is to download the latest version of Adobe Reader from Adobe.com.

Using your Internet Browser, go to the website: www.adobe.com
Click Get Adobe Reader. It can be found on the left side of the webpage under Solutions and Products.
Click Continue.
Un-check the Google Toolbar, then click Download Adobe Reader.
Save it to your desktop or Run it now.
Click to Install Now.
Why can't I submit an exercise?

If you have successfully submitted a response Submitted should be checked. If Submitted is not checked, there may be several reasons why. First, refresh the page. If this does not work, you may not be logged in, you may have timed out,or the course may not have started at this time.

Not Logged In

If you are not logged in, then you are viewing the course through Preview mode. There will be a Close Preview button instead of a Submit button. You will need to login.

Using your Internet Browser, go to http://www.beaconeducator.com.
On the top right side of the page enter your email address and password and click Submit.
On the My Courses page click the title of your course.

Timed Out

Login to your course.

Note: Best practice is to use a word document to type your response. Then login to your course and copy and paste your response into the text box.

Course Begin Date

You cannot submit an exercise until the course begins. Check the start date.

Note: Best practice is to use a word document to type your response. When the course begins, copy the response from the word document. Login to your course and paste your response into the text box.

What can I do if the page continues to display the same information no matter what I have clicked?

If no matter what you click the page remains the same, the problem could be Cache. This problem can occur if your computer is loading the page from cache memory and not making a real connection to the site. The solution to this problem is to delete the Temporary Internet Files.

Clear your Cache

Chrome
On your computer, open Chrome.
At the top right, click More.
Click More tools Clear browsing data.
At the top, choose a time range. To delete everything, select All time.
Next to "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files," check the boxes.
Click Clear data.
Firefox
From the History menu, select Clear Recent History.
If the menu bar is hidden, press Alt to make it visible.
From the Time range to clear: drop-down menu, select the desired range; to clear your entire cache, select Everything.
Next to "Details", click the down arrow to choose which elements of the history to clear; to clear your entire cache, select all items.
Click Clear Now.
Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Safari
From the Safari menu, select Clear History... or Clear History and Website Data.
Select the desired time range, and then click Clear History.
Go to Safari > Quit Safari or press Command-Q to exit the browser completely.
Edge
In the top right, click the Hub icon (looks like star with three horizontal lines).
Click the History icon (looks like a clock), and then select Clear all history.
Select Browsing history, then Cookies and saved website data, and then Cached data and files. Click Clear.
After the "All Clear!" message appears, exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Internet Explorer 11
Select Tools > Safety > Delete browsing history.
If the menu bar is hidden, press Alt to make it visible.
Deselect Preserve Favorites website data, and select:
Temporary Internet files or Temporary Internet files and website files
Cookies or Cookies and website data
History
Click Delete. You will see a confirmation at the bottom of the window when the process is complete.
Exit/Quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Uploading Files to Beacon Educator

Uploading Files to Beacon Educator

How to email a file from your mobile device to your computer:

Locate and select the photo or document on your device.
Press upload/download icon (on your device) to access choices.
Select email.
Email file to yourself.
Open email on your computer.
Click on the file to download it to your computer.
Log in to Beacon Educator.
Open your summative.
Click Choose File.
Find the file on your computer. (the default location will be in your downloads folder)
If you are not ready to submit the summative, click Save & Close.
If you are ready to submit the summative, click Submit to Facilitator.

iOS Devices

How to upload a picture/document you have already saved:

If the Live icon is yellow (or gold), Live Photos is currently turned on and needs to be turned off. (This feature only applies to photos, not documents)
To turn it off, simply tap on the icon.
Log in to Beacon Educator.
Open your summative.
Select Choose File.
Select Photo Library or select where you saved the document.
Select the photo/document you want to upload.
If you are not ready to submit the summative, click Save & Close.
If you are ready to submit the summative, click Submit to Facilitator.

How to take a picture and upload at the same time:

Log in to Beacon Educator.
Open your summative.
Select Choose File.
Select Take photo or video.
Take a photo of your document.
Select Use photo.
If you are not ready to submit the summative, click Save & Close.
If you are ready to submit the summative, click Submit to Facilitator.

Android Device

How to upload a picture/document you have already taken:

Log in to Beacon Educator.
Open the summative.
Select Choose File.
Select files or documents that you wish to upload.
Select the check mark to go back to the course.
If you are not ready to submit the summative, click Save & Close.
If you are ready to submit the summative, click Submit to Facilitator.

How to take a picture and upload at the same time:

Log in to Beacon Educator.
Open the summative.
Select Choose File.
Select the camera button.
Take a photo.
Confirm you wish to upload this.
If you are not ready to submit the summative, click Save & Close.
If you are ready to submit the summative, click Submit to Facilitator.

Scanner or Web Cam

How to upload to the summative

Scan or use the web cam on your computer to take a picture of the document.
Save the document on your computer.
Log in to Beacon Educator.
Open your summative.
Select Choose File.
Locate your saved document.
Select Open.
If you are not ready to submit the summative, click Save & Close.
If you are ready to submit the summative, click Submit to Facilitator.