FAQ: Logging in and finding your course

Which web browsers work best with ICON?

A list of ICON-supported web browsers and other requirements can be found here.

3 March 2007

I'm having trouble logging in to ICON.

Here are some common login problems and suggested fixes:

You forgot your Hawk ID password. Call the ITS Help Desk at 384-HELP and request to have your password reset. Note: If you have already supplied the system with a “password hint” (a question that only you can answer), you can reset forgotten passwords yourself at the Hawk ID website (http://Hawk ID.uiowa.edu).

Your Hawk ID password has expired. Passwords must be changed every six months. If your password has expired, call the ITS Help Desk at 384-HELP and request to have it reset. Note: If you have already supplied the system with a “password hint” (a question only you can answer), you can reset expired passwords yourself at the Hawk ID website (http://Hawk ID.uiowa.edu).

You changed your Hawk ID. If you change your Hawk ID (to a married name, etc.), it takes 24-48 hours for ICON to recognize your new Hawk ID, even though Webmail and other University systems may allow access sooner.

Your new (Dell, Toshiba, Gateway) computer came with a trial version of the McAfee Internet Security Suite. This software may prevent users from accessing ICON. De-install it and install the free virus protection software available from the University at http://helpdesk.its.uiowa.edu/software/signin.htm.

9 March 2007

I'm logged in to ICON, but I get a strange message or sound.

You get an Active X prompt. You may encounter this situation if one of your ICON courses requires an Active X plug-in to download or display a file (e.g., a Flash presentation). Just click on OK and the plug-in will be added. Be sure to click the Install link at the top of your browser window.

Real Player wants to download an upgrade. You may encounter this problem if one of your ICON courses uses RealPlayer for content files or for the Pager (you may have a Pager message waiting). Note: Internet Explorer may abort rather than allow you to download RealPlayer. If this happens, either close the RealPlayer window or contact your instructor to see if RealPlayer is needed for the content.

You hear a beep or other sound. If one of your courses uses the Pager, an instant messenger tool in ICON, you may have a message waiting. (Click the Pager icon, top right.)

19 January 2007

I'm logged in to ICON, but I can't find my course.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Are the course listings for the semester hidden? Try clicking the little plus sign beside the semester heading.
• Has it been less than two days since you requested the course? It takes the system 2-3 business days to process new course requests.
• Is the instructor of record listed correctly in OSIRIS? ICON courses will not be created if there are problems with the OSIRIS listing. Check to be sure the information, particularly the instructor of record, is correct. If not, notifiy your departmental adminstrative assistant. Once this information has been corrected, allow 2-3 business days for the course to appear on your ICON MyHome page.

If you still need help, call the ICON Instructor Help Line (335-6139) or send emal to icon-support@uiowa.edu.

17 April 2007

I can see my course listing, but my students cannot. Why not?

In order for your students to access your course, you must make it "active." To do this, click the Edit Course link in the Course Tools box on your course homepage. Then click to place a checkmark in the Active? box. Finally, click the Return to Course link in the far-right navigation bar.

If your course is "active" and your students still can't see it, or if they are having trouble logging in to ICON, have them check the common problems and fixes in the online FAQ for Students.

19 January 2007

When I try opening my course, ICON asks if I want to display nonsecure items. Should I display nonsecure items?

Yes. Your course may include links to nonsecure (http) web pages, and these links will not work unless ICON can display nonsecure items.

31 August 2007

Can I tell how many times a student has accessed my ICON course?

No. The login history in the User Progress tool shows how often (and for how long) a student has logged in to all of ICON, not to individual ICON courses. However, you can use the Classlist tool to track other course usage information for individual students. For details, see the Online Help - Classlist section Tracking an Individual’s Grades and Course Usage.

28 March 2007