There are several question types that you can insert within a test. The three interactive question types are sometimes called ‘technology enhanced question'. Most question types utilize the rich text editor. This means that you can insert images, videos, sound recordings, equations, etc. into the question text.
The following explains the different question types and provide some examples.
- Either/Or
- Multiple Choice/Response
- Open Answer
- Select from a List
- Fill in the Blank
- Match
- Order
- Select point*
*Note: This question type was called Hotspot in the old test tool
All question types work on touch devices and smaller screens (depending on the content added by the teacher).
QTI import and rich content
The QTI v2.1 format which we use for import does not have great support for rich content. We do our best to import rich content in the question text, but any answer alternative should be plain text only. At this point we do not import any metainformation on questions such as score or learning objectives.
Scoring
The scoring rules for each question type are outlined as part of the descriptions below.
The question score (maximum points) can be changed even after someone has started the test. Any already submitted attempts will be recalculated according to the updated score.
When using question groups (categories) and random selection of questions, the score of the question is determined by the question group and can't be changed when editing the question.
Negative scores
For questions with multiple answers, it is possible to set the question to use negative score.
By checking this option, the student will get deductions for wrong answers. Negative score is available in the following question types:
- Multiple response
- Fill in the blank
- Select from a list
- Select point
Note that negative score can only be used when there is more than one answer alternative available for the student.
For customised partial scores (available for multiple choice/response questions), the deductions will depend on the weighting set by the teacher.
The total score of a question will never be below 0. This is an absolute rule.
This option is kept when creating a question by clicking "Save and new".
Either/Or
This type of question can be utilized for true/false or yes/no questions. The teacher may also create options such as:
- Foreign Language: In the following audio recording, Mary is describing her summer vacation (the audio recording is in Spanish.) Where did Mary go during her summer vacation? Beach/Camping
- Literature: In the following paragraph, Tom is the… Protagonist/Antagonist
- Art: Which of the following images illustrates the Post-Modernist Period of Art? (Two images of artwork would be added to the rich text editor, and named so they can be identified by simple answer options like A/B).
The answer options are plain text to ensure a simple interface and good interaction with screenreaders.
Scoring
This is a right/wrong question type, and there is no partial score.
Multiple Choice and Multiple Response
These traditional question types are self-explanatory, and can be enhanced by multimedia elements in the question text.
The default number of answer alternatives is 4. An answer alternative can consist of plain text, with an added image or equation.
Note on accessibility in answer alternatives: For users depending on screen readers, we automatically generate alternative text for equations, and for images the teachers should write an alternative text.
Scoring
Multiple choice is scored by awarding the student full score for checking the correct alternative, otherwise 0.
Multiple response is scored by awarding the student an equal fraction of the full score for each alternative. This means that they get points for checking correct alternatives AND for not checking the wrong alternatives. If the student checks all alternatives, they get 0 points (unless all alternatives are in fact set to be correct).
Multiple choice/response allows for customising the scores per answer alternative. In this case the weight of each alternative can be edited by the teacher. This way you can weight answers by importance or "correctness".
In multiple choice, the correct alternative has weight = 1 (100%) and the wrong alternatives have weight = 0 by default. For multiple response, all alternatives have weight = 1 by default.
Weights can only be positive integers or 0.
Open Answer
Open answer questions are often used for essays. Students will also have access to the rich text editor, so they may include images, video, sound recordings, equations, etc. in their response.
It is possible to set this up for automatic assessment by adding keywords that should be present in the submitted text.
Foreign Language: Use the recording tool in the rich text editor to record yourself reading the following sentence. You will be assessed on fluency and pronunciation.
Text entered in Open answer questions is autosaved whenever you stop typing for 2 seconds. This saves both locally (in case of network failure) and on our servers (in case of machine failure).
Scoring
Open answer questions are most commonly assessed manually. It is possible to use automatic score if you set keywords, in which case the student would achieve an equal fraction of the full score for each keyword (or its equivalent alternative).
Match
This question type provides students with two lists to match based on the directions. Students click each of the alternatives to be matched in turn. Note that all pairs must be actively matched, there is no automatic matching of "remaining" pairs.
To create this question, first place the directions within the rich text editor. Then add the matching information in the correct order.
Scoring
Students are awarded an equal fraction of the full score for each pair that is correctly completed. Only actively matched pairs are counted.
Select from a List
For this question type, students select an answer based on a drop-down list of alternatives. Here is a math example:
Complete the following statement with the correct terms:
The top number of a fraction is called ______ and represents ______. The bottom number on a fraction is ____________ and represents .
The dropdown list would include four alternatives: the numerator, the denominator, a part, the whole. The teacher is able to construct a separate list for each blank field, making this question type more flexible than it was in the old test tool.
Notice the directions are listed in the introductory text and the actual question is listed in the second text box. Highlight a word and use the “create blank” option to create a blank.
Scoring
Students are awarded an equal fraction of the full score for each correctly selected alternative.
Fill in the Blank
This question type is similar to the ‘select from a list,’ however it requires students to type in a response. If the answer is spelled incorrectly it will be marked wrong. If this is the case, it may be better to utilize the ‘select from a list’ question type.
To create a fill in the blank question, first provide an introduction text (directions). In the second text box, enter the text where you want the participants to fill in the blank. This field is limited to plain text to avoid issues when interpreting the student responses automatically. Then, select a word to ‘blank out’ and choose ‘create blank.’ This will create a green box around the word. You may choose multiple words and even provide alternatives that will be accepted as correct.
Scoring
Students are awarded an equal fraction of the full score for each correctly filled blank (using the actual blanked word or its equivalent alternative).
Order
This question type asks participants to arrange a series of items in the correct order. You could, for example, ask participants to rank a list of alternatives from largest to smallest or place words in alphabetical order. The items appear in a drag and drop format.
Scoring
Students are awarded an equal fraction of the full score for each correctly placed item. Unfortunately we do not award correct relative placement at this time.
Select point
The Select point question type replaces what was previously known as Hotspot - click the picture. This question type is useful for indicating areas in an image such as identifying parts of the body, or the image could be a screenshot of a text, where the students should click on verbs. Students must click on a correct spot within an image to answer the question.
To create this question, first provide a set of instructions, next upload an image, and finally determine the select point. The tip is hidden by default, and available by clicking the question mark.
You can create rectangular, circular or polygon areas for the students to find (click). Marked areas have a white/black border. After an area is created, it can be moved, resized and deleted. It is also possible to delete all the areas to start over.
The maximum number of areas to click is 20. Images can be deleted by clicking the 'x' icon in the upper right corner of the image area. 
When students click on the image, a white cross with black borders is displayed there. The marked point (cross) can be moved or deleted (select it first by clicking it).
The student can click on as many points as you have added areas. The student will for now not see any indication of how many times they can click before starting. When looking at results, areas correctly marked will have a green border and a green checkmark in the middle. Areas missed by the student will have a red border and a red cross in the middle.
Note on accessibility: This question type is not suitable for students with any visual impairment, as it requires them to see the image to be able to interpret the question and answer it.
Scoring
The student is awarded an equal fraction of the full score for each area correctly identified. Multiple hits in the same area are only scored once.