Converting a Word File to Test Questions (With Help From IDS)

The question-creation process in Blackboard can be a little tedious. If you’re looking to create a test or pool of questions quickly, a faster option may be to send IDS an appropriately formatted Word file. IDS can generate a question pool or test from that Word (or other simple text) file in about two business days. Just email the file to ids@udmercy.edu

In your email, indicate the course you’d like the questions added to, preferably by CRN or courseID (e.g., 20472_CIS1000-03_2016). If you’d like a full test created, indicate where in the course you’d like the test added, along with any settings you’d like applied (points per question, availability dates, time limit, force completion, etc).

NOTE: IDS CAN ONLY CONVERT PROPERLY FORMATTED WORD FILES. If your file is not properly formatted, it will be returned with instructions on how to correct the format. IDS WILL NOT REFORMAT IMPROPERLY FORMATTED FILES.

Fortunately, the format is extremely easy to follow.

 

Formatting a Text File for Conversion to a Test or Pool

Respondus will import Multiple Choice, True-False, Essay, Fill in the Blank, and Multiple Answer questions.

You may use Notepad (.txt) or Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx), Text edit (for mac), and save the file in the “Standard Format” before it can be imported into Respondus.

(NOTE: You may download the Standard formatting for Respondus question types Microsoft Word document & save it to your computer for future reference.)

MS Word, auto-formats your document for you, which does not work well in Respondus. By using Notepad to create your test questions document, you will avoid formatting issues associated with Microsoft Word.

If you choose to use MS Word, you must turn off the automatic formatting option by clicking on the little lightning bolt option that appears when you start to type the number “1″.

  • If you select the “Undo Automatic Numbering” option, this should tell Word to quit making automatic numbered lists for this document. This will allow you to put the much needed asterisk in front of the correct answer.
  • If you select the “Stop Automatically Creating Numbered Lists”, this option sill turn off the numbered lists for this document and future documents.
    Note: You can turn it back on by going into [File > Options > Proofing > Auto Correct Options > Auto Format As You Type.

OR: Simply use Notepad (PC) or Textedit (Mac) instead.

Importing Multiple Choice Questions

The question wording must follow the question number. (Note: One space should be between the question number and the question wording.)

Example: 3. Who determined the exact speed of light?

Note: Each answer must begin with a letter (A-T) followed by a period and a space “. “ The correct answer must be marked with an asterisk before the letter.

Example:

3.  Who determined the exact speed of light?

a. Albert Einstein
*b. Albert Michelson
c. Thomas Edison
d. Guglielmo Marconi

Note: Correct answer must be marked with an asterisk before the letter.

Importing True and False Questions

The process of importing “true and false” questions is similar to that used for importing multiple choice questions (see above).

Example:

3. Albert Michelson determined the exact speed of light?

*a. True
b. False

Importing Essay Questions

The logic for importing essay questions is similar to what is described above for Multiple Choice and True & False questions. The primary difference is that the first line of formatting must begin with “Type: E”. This is followed by the question.

Example:

Type: E

4. How is the Michelson-Morley experiment related to Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity?

If you would like to add a “Fill in the blank”, “Matching”, or “Multiple Answers” question type, you can find examples in the Standard Formatting for Respondus question types Word document.

Create Assessment, Tests Surveys & Pools , , , , , , Updated: February 5, 2016

Adding your Blackboard profile image and bio

To add your image and update your profile, click on your name in the upper right corner once you are signed into Blackboard.

Click on the first icon in the upper left labeled “Edit My Blackboard Profile”

From here, you can link your Blackboard profile to your Facebook and/or Twitter account(s),
or just upload a picture of yourself by clicking on the “Change Picture” icon.

then click on the “Upload New” button to upload a new photo

Then Select an image on your computer (1) and click open (2)

Next, you can crop the image and click on “Change Picture”.

Your image should now be added!

There are additional fields on this page where you can add in what you are studying, and also a space to add something about yourself.

The default for privacy options is to only allow your classmates access to your profile, but you may change it to allow everyone from UDM to see your profile, or to not allow anyone.

When you get done, be sure to click “Submit to save your change(s).

Communicate, FAQ, My Knowledge , , , Updated: February 4, 2014

Create a Grade Center category

Whether you’re using a weighted column to calculate your students’ final grade or putting together a smart view to make it easier to look at groups of columns, using categories can make your Grade Center experience significantly more efficient. The default course shell comes with a handful of categories pre-created for you, but you may find these labels are insufficient. Fortunately, it’s very easy to create a new categories and apply even apply them quickly to multiple columns at once.

To create a new category, open up your Grade Center, point to the MANAGE button at the top of the screen, then choose CATEGORIES.

To create a new category, click the CREATE CATEGORY button in the upper left corner of the page.

Then enter a name for your category. If you’d like, you can enter a description for your new category, but the description will only appear on the CATEGORIES page. Click SUBMIT at the top or bottom of the page to save your new category.

Now that we’ve created a new category (Case Study, in this example), we may want to apply it to several columns in the Grade Center. We could go edit each column’s information and apply the new category, but that is pretty time consuming. Fortunately, there’s a faster way. Return to the Grade Center, point to MANAGE again, and this time choose COLUMN ORGANIZATION.The column organization page lists all the columns in your Grade Center. You can use this page to quickly rearrange your view of columns (by clicking the cross arrow on the left side of each Grade Center item then dragging it up or down on the list). You can also hide or un-hide items from the instructor grade center view, apply grading periods, or apply categories in bulk on this page. Just check the box for the items you want to effect. In this case, we want to apply our new Case Study category to all the Case Study (CS#) columns, so we’re going to check all those boxes.

At the top or bottom of the page we point to the button for the attribute we want to change and make our selection. So, to change the category, we point to CHANGE CATEGORY TO then choose CASE STUDY ….

To save your changes click SUBMIT at the top or bottom of the page.

Grade Center , , Updated: January 25, 2013
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