Using Gradiance

Gradiance is a web-based tool for accelerated learning and evaluation: no paper assignments, no delayed feedback anymore. It can be accessed at www.prenhall.com/goal. The user interface is simple and intuitive, so you will probably figure out most of the things by yourself (as long as you are never too lazy to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page). This page is meant to fill in the gaps.

Account setup. You will have to set up a user account with Prentice-Hall GOAL and register as a student in order to use Gradiance. For this, you will need a personal access code. You can purchase an account on the Gradiance webpage, or you can buy the textbook with value-pack to get free access. Also, if you purchased an account for CS 145 or any other course earlier, those access codes are valid for a year. Once you have an access code, click on First-time users / Students on the GOAL start page, locate Garcia-Molina / Ullman / Widom - Database Systems: The Complete Book, 1e on the next page, and click on the corresponding Click here to register link. Follow the directions and complete the registration process. When creating an account, please use your legal name (no preferred names, nicknames, abbreviations), otherwise we will not be able to identify you.

Class signup. Once you have an account you can log into Gradiance. When you log in for the first time, you have to sign up for the class. For this purpose, use the class signup token E5E12A4B After completing this step you should be all set and ready for the assignments.

Mechanics. Each assignment consists of a number of multiple-choice single-answer questions. You have to submit the answers to all the questions at once. Correct answers increase your score, while incorrect answers decrease your score.

Multiple attempts. Usually, you will be allowed to redo the same assignment several times until when it becomes past-due. The exact policies will vary from one assignment to the other, but will be stated clearly each time. We will be extremely generous at the beginning, and get stricter as you become more comfortable with the system.

Timeout. 50 minutes after you load the assignment web page, an alert warns you that you only have 10 more minutes left to work on your solutions. Please disregard this message—there is no actual limit on the time you may spend on solving the problems.

Feedback. Each time you submit a solution, the system provides you some information on the choices that you made. After the assignment submission deadline, you will be allowed to access the complete correct answers to the questions.