Adding questions to the test

On creating a test, click Proceed to questions you will be taken to the questions page:

Illustration: First view of the questions list

In addition to the toolbar the page displays an array of different types of question. (The same page can be accessed at a later time using the edit icon for any given test listed in the Tests page.) It offers a range of question types from which to choose, which are described in this section. Each test can contain a combination of question types – this can prove handy for ensuring tests don't become monotonous.

Fill banks/form

multiple choice

Open question

image zones

Unique answer + unknown

Combination T/F/ ?

multiple answer

matching

Oral expression

exact selection

Multiple answer T/F/ ?

Global multiple answer

Illustration: Exercises – Question types

Questions are created using an on-line form which differs according to the question type. The following subsections describe each form in detail. Completion of the forms is quite intuitive. The following general points regarding the completion of the on-line forms apply to all or most types of question:

  1. The “Comment” column will only be shown if you selected the show feedback_option to in the _advanced settings when you created the test (if you don't want to show any feedback, then there is little point in showing this column on the page.)

  2. Any fields marked with a red asterisk * must be completed.

  3. Every question has a title and an “enriched” description. We generally recommend putting a short title in the title box, and putting the real question in the enrich question box. This will allow you to present a much fuller, more meaning question, use images, and/or include audio or video.

  4. All answer and comment boxes have editing tools which are hidden by default but can be viewed by clicking the small black arrow on the top-left corner of the text box. This will allow you also add images, links and audio to your answers or feedback comments.

  5. Every question type involves the allocation of scores. In the case of questions requiring scoring later by a teacher, this will simply be a maximum score against which the teacher will mark the test. In the case of objective tests involving learners selecting an answer, the score for each right or wrong answer chosen can be set, and can include negative values. Teachers should give some thought, particularly in tests involving different question types, to what weighting within the overall test each question should carry.

  6. Teachers should also consider the number of options they wish to offer in the case of multiple choice type questions – this can be determined using the red and green remove/add answer option buttons at the foot of the form.

  7. You can also assign a difficulty level for each question in the advanced options. This can be handy for later fine-tuning the evaluation of students' work, or reviewing the test overall. It can also be very useful when it comes to recycling questions, allowing you filter questions by difficulty.

Type 1 : Multiple choice – Single answer

Illustration: Tests – Multiple choice, single answer

Type 2 : Multiple choice – multiple answer

Illustration: Tests – Multiple answer question

Type 3 : Fill the blanks

Illustration: Tests - Fill the blanks

The question will appear like this to the learner, who simply needs to type the correct word in to the blank fields:

Type 4 : Matching

Illustration: Tests – Matching text elements

The learner will view the matching question like this:

or, from 1.9.6, a draggable circle will make it a little more appealing to students.

Type 5 : Open question

Illustration: Tests - Open questions

The learner will be presented with a text field in which to write. (He can use the small arrow on the left of the top border of the field to make use of a range of fields if he wishes to enrich his presentation. e.g. with heading or highlighted text.)

Type 6: Audio answer

(note: This question type requires the learner to have Java applets supported in his browser. If this is not the case, he will need to to record the audio separately and then upload it as an MP3 file to the server.)

Because of the additional requirements for this question type, you should make sure your learners are aware that the test will contain an audio question and that they have a more than one chance to try the test to check whether their browser supports it or not. (Bear in mind that taking a test is generally a stressful experience. You don't want to give your learners a nervous breakdown because they can't manage to record an audio answer!)

Illustration: Tests – Oral expression

The learner simply needs to press the Record answer when he is ready to talk, and follow the instructions for the on-screen Nanogong recorder, which will automatically send his recording to the teacher for marking and scoring.

Type 7 : Hot spot, or image area

Illustration: Exercises - Hot spot question creation

Having uploaded your image and named your question, you can add or remove hotspots, and define the area using an ellipse, a rectangle or a polygon shape. As with other question types, you can add comments for feedback purposes and determine a score for each correctly identified area.

The learner needs to click on the picture to identify the areas listed – the numbers will appear on top of the areas on which he clicks:

Illustration: Exercises - Hot spot learner view

Type 8 : Exact combination

Illustration: Tests - Exact combination

Type 9 : Unique answer with unknown

Illustration: Tests – unique answer with unknown

Type 10 : Multiple answer True/False/Don't know

Illustration: Tests – Multiple answer true/false/don't know

Type 11 : Combination True/false/don't know

Illustration: Tests – Combination true/false/don't know

The learner will view the question(s) and use radio buttons like this:

Note: a “don't know” will generate a zero score, so this format might most fairly contain one or two questions – requiring prudent use from the teacher.

Type 12 : Global multiple answer

Illustration: Tests – Global multiple answer

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