OpenHelix materials generally consist of:

•An online, narrated, multi-media tutorial, using Flash™ which runs in just about any browser connected to the web, can be viewed from beginning to end or navigated using chapters and forward and backward sliders. The approximately 60 minute tutorial will highlight and explain all the features and functionality needed to start using the resource effectively. The tutorial will also include a "movie," which walks the user through a sample exercise while the narrator explains and completes each step. The tutorial is used to learn a new resource, to view new features and functionality, or simply as a reference tool to refresh users’ memory of the resource. If you are having difficulty viewing the movie, you may need to update your Flash™ viewer: http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/

•PowerPoint™ slides used as a basis for the tutorial with a suggested script for the slides that can be used by instructors in their classrooms. These slides are optimized for Windows, but work on most Macs as well. We have tried to keep the animations as simple appear/disappear actions for the most part. However, there may be a few tweaks required for Macs. We recommend you walk through the slides prior to use in presentations. If you are importing the OpenHelix materials into existing presentations you should be sure to click the setting for the import that keeps the source formatting. Otherwise the important color cues and sizes/arrangements may be altered and difficult to use effectively.

In PowerPoint for Vista, the "keep source formatting" option is found in the Reuse slides pane at the bottom:

In other versions of PowerPoint it may be located elsewhere. Check the Help for your version.

•Slide handouts for trainee note-taking and reference. PDF files may require a PDF viewer, such as Adobe Reader or others.

•Exercises for hands-on experience with the tool. Also provided in PDF format.

About the narrated Online Tutorial: A new web browser window will open (you may need to turn off your "pop up blocker" to view tutorial), and your tutorial should begin to play both audio and video components. The online tutorials require Macromedia Flash™ software, which runs on many web browsers. If your tutorial is not playing with both video and sound, you may need to upgrade your software. The Flash Player is a free download from Adobe.

You can navigate the tutorial chapters with the menu on the left of the main tutorial window. You may use buttons at the bottom of the tutorial window to Play, Pause, Stop, or review material by using the slider.

For a quick overview of the search and materials provided at this site, check out the Quick Guide Cards.

The materials and slides offered can not be resold or used for profit purposes. Reproduction, distribution and/or use is strictly limited to instructional purposes only and can not be used for for monetary gain or wide distribution.

A common problem with materials downloading: On some browsers the security settings will prevent you from accessing items that required a download action. Some popup blockers may need to be adjusted to permit windows to appear.

Another common problem with materials downloading: A brief "alert" noise and a blocked item message may appear on some browsers. This is most common with versions of Internet Explorer, but other browsers may have similar settings that you will have to investigate. You may have to change your browser security settings to allow downloads. However, in some workplaces this may be set by the local IT team and you may need to get their assistance to change this setting.

To make changes to Internet Explorer for enabling downloading of materials, you may try these steps:

Access the Tools menu ➡ choose Internet Options ➡ click the Security tab ➡ locate the downloads options ➡ set the custom level to enable downloads.

Tools menu:

Internet Options Security tab:

Set radio buttons to enable downloads:

Restart your browser after changing your settings and see if that has resolved the problem.