Frequently asked questions

If your question is not answered below you can contact Magna's Customer Service Department at 800-433-0499 or by email at custserv@magnapubs.com.

Categories:

Online Subscriptions

I forgot the password for my online subscription.
Go to the My Account page of the website, enter your email address and check the "Forgot your password?" button. Your password will be emailed to you.

I tried to establish an account, and it says I am already a user, but I don’t know what my password is.
If you have not established your private password, you may be able to log in using your email as your username and the generic password magnapubs (lower case). Once signed in, please change your password to one of your own choice. You can also always use the "Forgot your password?" feature, and it will be emailed to you.

I am trying to access the online newsletter, but it keeps putting me into a page that notes My Account and My Account Information. What's wrong?
If you are a print copy subscriber, subscribers to that format do not automatically receive access to the online newsletter. To switch your print version subscription to an online subscription, please contact our Customer Service staff at 1-800-433-0499 or 608/227-8182. Or, email your request to custserv@magnapubs.com.

I am not receiving the emails reminding me of new issues. I think my institutional email system may be erroneously blocking them as spam.
You can forward this to your IT department asking them to white list emails containing "mailzeen.com." Also, remember that the actual issue is not delivered via email, only a reminder that the issue has been posted to the website. You can set your own reminders and go directly to www.magnapubs.com to read issues.

I am leaving the college and want to transfer all my subscriptions, ezines and other information (including any site license for which I am an admin contact) to my replacement.
Simply go to the Magna web site, log in, and click "My Account." Then select Update Email Address. Enter the new email address. (If it is a new person taking over, he or she can also change all other information such as name, phone, address, etc.) All subscriptions, ezines and site licenses will transfer to the new email address. (Because there cannot be duplicate email addresses, the new email address cannot be one that is already registered. If the new address is already registered, that email address should first be cancelled out by changing it to some non-deliverable email address. Then the old profile’s email address can be changed.) All of this can be done by the user; no action by Magna Customer Service is necessary.

Group Online Subscriptions

How does a Group Online Subscription work?
One person at your institution is designated the subscription administrator. Your administrator is given your group’s Voucher ID and PIN, which are distributed to eligible members of the group. Each member may then go to the Group Online Subscription Sign-up Page and register free.
If your institution already has a Group Online Subscription, you can log in by clicking REGISTER below and entering the voucher and PIN your administrator has given you.

My institution has a Group Online Subscription, but I don’t know my Voucher ID or PIN.
Request that information from your group’s administrator. If you don’t know who your administrator is, email custserv@magnapubs.com and we will forward your email request to your group administrator. (You only need to use your Voucher ID and PIN once, when you first register. Thereafter you use your own email address and the password that you create.)

How much is a Group Online Subscription?
Prices vary and are quoted to individual institutions based on size and other factors. To request a site-license proposal for your group fill out the Group Online Subscription request form or contact sales@magnapubs.com.

Tips to motivate staff to access your online newsletter(s).
• Send these instructions each semester to inform staff of new resource(s)
• Post the instructions on your internal intranet
• Forwarding newsletter with link to your intranet registration instructions
• Please observe all copyrights regarding posting material.

Magna Online Seminars

All Magna Online Seminar Frequently Asked Questions are now available on their own page located here: Magna Online Seminar FAQs.

Magna Online Courses

What is a Magna Online Course?
Magna Online Courses are available for a number of specific learning outcomes. Unlike a training video or a webinar, a Magna Online Course is designed to be taken individually, at the learner’s pace and convenience. Upon successful completion, the learner receives a printable certificate as an indication that the material has been mastered.

Magna online courses consist of a series of video presentations, activities, readings, checks on learning (quizzes) and a final certification. The courses are asynchronous, so that individuals are not locked into any time frame to complete a course. Typically a course consists of several modules or lessons, each concluding with a check on learning that can be taken before continuing on to the next module. A syllabus of each Magna Online Course is available for preview.

How does a Magna Online Course work?
During a Magna Online Course, the presenter speaks on a topic in his or her area of expertise. Magna Online Courses are presented in a special browser window that features a slide show presentation in one panel and sound and playback controls in another panel.

No special software needs to be downloaded to watch a Magna Online Course. You simply need a web browser and Windows Media Player, both of which are typically already included on most personal computers (PC's), or can be downloaded from the Internet for free.

Click here for a demonstration of how a Magna Online Course works: Online Course Demo
Click here for a detailed list of minimum requirements: Online Course Requirements

What if I forget the Enrollment Key?
 Once you have logged into the course, you will no longer need the Enrollment Key. However, if your initial log-in was not successful, please contact your on campus Administrator to request the Enrollment Key.

How do I log in for my Magna Online Course?
It’s easy to get started with a Magna Online Course. Just follow these steps.

  1. Go to http://www.magnacourses.com
  2. If this is your first time at the course, you will need to Create a new account. You will then receive an email notification confirming your username and password and you can login.
  3. If you are returning to a course, enter your username and password in the provided fields. You should have received these in an email from your course administrator.
  4. You will be taken directly to the main course page for the course you are registered.
  5. You will move through this course from top to bottom by clicking on the activity links in the center column. Begin by clicking on the Technical Requirements document. When you have finished reading the Technical Requirements, continue to Frequently Asked Questions, and so on down the list.
  6. Each time you exit the course, click the Logout button located at the top right corner of the main course page.

Why didn't I receive a confirmation email after registering for this course?
You may have entered your email address incorrectly. If you entered the wrong email address, you will not receive a confirming email. However, you can still log into the course by using your password. Once you are logged in, go to "Edit My Profile" and update your information.

Your spam filter may be blocking emails from an unknown source. Take a moment to check your spam filter to see if your confirmation email has been blocked.

How do I navigate a Magna Online Course?
Each time you enter an activity, you will navigate away from the main course page. You can return to the main course page in one of two ways:

  1. Click the course name link located in the menu bar on all activity screens, or
  2. Jump to an activity using the dropdown menu located at the top right of all activity screens.

How do I use activity navigation for a Magna Online Course?
Some activities contain internal navigation that helps you explore the course at your own pace. Here are a few general tips regarding this navigation:

  1. With all video content, you are able to pause, play, stop, and control volume at any time.
    • MediaSite presentations play automatically.
    • Face Off discussions do not play automatically, you will need to click on the arrow icon to start the video.
  2. Each unit contains an ungraded quiz called a Check on Learning. At the bottom of each Check on Learning are two buttons: Save without submitting; and Submit all and finish.
    • Click Save without submitting if you do not want to finish the Check on Learning, but would like the computer to store your answers until the next time you log in.
    • Click Submit all and finish if you want to finish the Check on Learning and move on to the next unit.
  3. When you add a post to a Discussion Forum, you will receive a message that your post was successful, and you have 30 minutes to edit it if you wish. Click Continue to return to the Discussion Forum.

How do I advance the slides?
The slides are presented one at a time as the presenter goes through them. They will advance automatically whenever the presenter moves onto the next slide. Copies of the slides are typically included in the printable handouts that are offered with each Magna Online Course.

How does the Magna Online Course assessment work?
Each course includes two types of assessment: Checks on Learning and a Final Exam.

Checks on Learning are ungraded quizzes at the end of each unit. When you submit a finished Check on Learning, you will receive feedback for your answers. You may attempt Checks on Learning as many times as you like.

The Final Exam is a graded, cumulative assessment of what you have learned. You must pass the Final Exam with a minimum score of 80 percent to receive a Certificate of Completion. This certificate is a printable PDF that is not available until you pass the Final Exam. You may attempt the Final Exam three times.

What is the role of the Administrator?
A designated Campus Administrator has the duties of communicating the availability of the course, handing out the enrollment key to those who are authorized to take the course, monitoring learner progress (optional), and ordering additional seats as needed. The Campus Administrator must be enrolled in the course. Optionally, the Campus Administrator may perform other functions such as leading group sessions and communicating with Magna editors and support staff about the group’s experience with the course.

Why didn't I receive a grade on a quiz?
In this course, quizzes are not graded, and do not count toward your final score. You may take a quiz as many times as you wish to help in mastering the course material.

What are Post-certification Forums?
Earning your Certificate of Completion ends the academic component of the course, but the learning process does not stop there. Your user account will remain active, allowing you to log in at any time to email your instructors, respond to fellow users’ comments, or re-visit course activities for reference.

Why am I receiving emails that contain course participants' comments?
In some Forum Discussions, you have an option to subscribe or unsubscribe. If you are subscribed, you will receive email notices when new comments are posted. To change this setting, go to the Forum Discussion main page, and in the upper right select "Unsubscribe to this forum".

What technology do I need to view a Magna Online Course?

  • Broadband Internet connection, at least 256 Kbps.
  • Sound card with speakers.
  • Cookies enabled in your web browser.
  • Projector if you will be viewing the program as a group.
Specific Requirements:
Operating SystemBrowserMedia Player
Windows 2000 or later Internet Explorer 6.0 with Service Pack 1 or later
or
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or later 		Windows Media Player 9.0 or later
Mac OSX 10.4.8 or later
Safari 2.0.4 or later
or
Firefox 2.0 or later 		Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 or later (You should be prompted to download/install upon first attempt to play a presentation. If not, you can download it here: http://silverlight.net/.)


I am having audio and/or video playback issues. What can I do to resolve this?

Please check that you meet the minimum requirements, including having bandwidth speed of at least 256 Kbps.
If you can't hear the audio, make sure your computer's speakers are properly connected, turned on, and not muted. Also verify that your computer’s volume control is turned up (on a PC, this is typically found in the system tray in the bottom right corner of the Windows task bar or under Control Panel > Sound).

Troubleshooting Tips For PC Users:
If you are still having playback issues, you can also try adjusting the streaming protocol settings in Media Player:

  1. Open Windows Media Player and click Tools/Options.
  2. Go to the PLAYER tab and be sure "Connect to Internet" is checked.
  3. Go to NETWORK tab, and under the heading "Streaming Protocols", be sure all of the boxes EXCEPT the box that says UDP are checked.
  4. Close out of Media Player and re-connect to the presentation link (you may have to exit your Browser first before the changes can take effect).

Please note: if you are uncomfortable making these changes, or are unauthorized to do so, please consult with your IT staff before attempting to change these settings.

For IT staff: Please ensure the following ports are open for the Windows Media stream:

  • UDP: 554, 5005
  • TCP: 554
  • HTTP: 80

Troubleshooting Tips for Mac users:
Make sure you have installed the Silverlight plug-in. This can be found at Microsoft’s website: http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/resources/install.aspx.
There are known compatibility issues with Silverlight version 1 and Firefox version 3. If you are having playback issues using Firefox version 3 or later, please use Safari to connect to the presentation.

If you are still having playback issues, you can also try adjusting the streaming protocol settings in Windows Media Player:

  1. Open Windows Media Player and click Tools/Options.
  2. Go to the Player tab and be sure "Connect to Internet" is marked with a check.
  3. Go to Network tab, and under the heading "Streaming Protocols", be sure all of the boxes except the box that says UDP are marked with a check.
  4. Close out of Media Player and re-connect to the presentation link (you may have to exit your browser first before the changes take effect).

Please note: If you are uncomfortable making these changes, or are not authorized or able to do so, please consult with your IT staff before attempting to change these settings.

For IT staff: Please ensure the following ports are open for the Windows Media stream:

  • UDP: 554, 5005
  • TCP: 554
  • HTTP: 80

I am using a Mac, and I meet the requirements for playing a Magna Online Course, but it still does not work. What else can I do?
It is likely that your computer has the Flip4Mac Windows Media component for QuickTime installed. This interferes with the Media Player plug-in that is required to play NCSL online programs. To disable the Flip4Mac plug-in:

  1. Click your desktop, and select Apple > System Preferences to open the Mac System Preferences.
  2. Under Other, click Flip4Mac WMV.
  3. On the Plug-in tab, clear the "Use Flip4Mac WMV Internet Plug-in" checkbox.
  4. . Exit the dialog to save your changes.
  5. Try to play a presentation. You may have to re-launch your browser for the change to take effect.

What if I need to submit my order in hard copy (to accompany a purchase order, for example)?
We do accept bill-me orders and institutional purchase orders for Magna Online Course registrations. You can print our downloadable PDF order form, and fill in the date and title of the online seminar(s) in which you would like to participate. Then complete the registration and payment information and fax or email it back to us as directed on the form.

Do you have transcripts of Magna Online Courses?
At this time, we do not offer transcripts for our Magna Online Courses.

Do you offer Continuing Education Credits for Magna Online Courses?
At this time we do not offer any Continuing Education Credits for any of our programs.

Does Magna Online Courses offer a satisfaction guarantee?
If you are not completely satisfied with your online program, you may return it for a full refund within 30 days of purchase.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions or need more information regarding a Magna Online Course?
Please contact our friendly Customer Service staff by email at support@magnapubs.com, or toll-free at 1-800-433-0499 (outside the U.S & Canada, please call 608-227-8182). Our office hours are 8 am to 5 pm, M-F, CST.

Back Issues/Reprints/Copyright Information

Can I get back issues and reprints?
Yes, you can search our website for back issues and then purchase an issue in PDF format for reading on screen or printing.

Can I email copies of my electronic issues to others?
Unless you have a specific license allowing multiple distribution, any copying or emailing of complete articles or issues is in violation of copyright laws. Institutional site licenses are available and we will generally grant permission for an occasional reprint use if you contact dburns@magnapubs.com.

Can I reprint articles from a publication?
Because of copyright laws, reprints are not allowed without specific permission, even for internal use. Please refer to the Copyright Clearance Center information in each issue. If you have specific requests for reprints please send the details to dburns@magnapubs.com and request permission. Often we can grant an occasional, single permission for education use without charge.

I have a paid print subscription. Can I get access to archives?
Archives are only for paid online subscribers. You can switch your print subscription and apply the remaining months to an electronic subscription, which will also give you archive access. Just email custserv@magnapubs.com with your request.

Can I make copies of an audio conference or Web seminar CD?
Because of copyright laws, creating copies of CDs and distribution is not allowed without specific permission, even for internal use. If you need additional copies of a specific title, contact custserv@magnapubs.com for a reduced rate on additional copies.

Can I record a Magna Online Seminar?
Copyright law does not permit recording Magna Online Seminar. However, recordings of all Magna Online Seminars are available to participants for half price.

Can I relay or “conference in” the Magna Online Seminar to other sites?
Each registration to a Magna Online Seminar constitutes one location where it can be heard by as many people as can be accommodated there. Any recording, relaying, or other retransmitting of a Magna Online Seminar is prohibited. If you have additional sites that would like to register for the same program, please contact custserv@magnapubs.com.

Is it within the copyright guidelines to place a newsletter/book/Magna Online Seminar CD on reserve in our library to allow multiple users to access it at different times?
Yes, it would be within copyright guidelines to have the newsletter/book/CD on reserve in your library. These products can be routed or placed in a central location for others to use. Duplication is not permitted. Being the purchaser of the product, you will want to make it known to others that they cannot duplicate it.

Business Office Questions

To whom do I make the check payable?
Magna Publications, Inc.

What is Magna's federal tax ID number?
It is 39-1286980

Where do I send my payment?
Magna Publications
2718 Dryden Drive
Madison, WI 53704

Can you send me a receipt?
Sure, just request a receipt when you remit and we’ll send it by whatever means you request: email, regular mail, fax.

I never received a particular issue. What do I do?
Let us know at custserv@magnapubs.com which issue is missing and we’ll promptly send a replacement.

Is there a combination rate to subscribe to both the electronic and the print versions of a newsletter?
No. Each subscription is treated separately. The subscription price for an electronic subscription is the same as for a print subscription.

Can I find out if other people on my campus are subscribers to one of the Magna newsletters?
You can survey others on your campus or you can ask your business office to provide that information. Magna cannot provide that information because we treat each subscriber’s information privately and do not discuss transactions with anyone other than the actual subscriber.

Can I cancel my subscription and receive a refund?
Magna has a satisfaction guarantee for all products. If you are unhappy with your subscription, you may cancel at anytime and receive a full refund.

Conference Proposals and Article Submission Questions

I’d like to propose a workshop for the conference. Who should I contact?
To propose a National Conference on Student Leadership session -- Please contact Kate Poppe, conference director, at (608) 227-8103 or katep@magnapubs.com.
To propose a Teaching Professor Conference session -- Please contact MaryAnn Mlekush at (608) 227-8138 or mmlekush@magnapubs.com.

I’d like to propose presenting a Magna Online Seminar. Who should I contact?
Please read our Magna Online Seminar fact sheet. You can also contact Catherine Stove, Editorial Manager, at (608) 227-8166 or catherine.stover@magnapubs.com.

I'd like to write an article for one of Magna's newsletters or propose a special report. Who should I contact?
We welcome your submissions and proposals.

To submit an article -- Please read the following author’s guidelines or contact the Editorial Department at editor@magnapubs.com or (608) 227-8120.

To propose a special report -- Please contact the Editorial Department at editor@magnapubs.com or (608) 227-8120.