MGCCC Distance Learning
 

The Blackboard learning management system provides two tools for constructing assessment questions, the Test Manager and the Pool Manager. This handout will focus on constructing assessment questions using the Test Manager.

1. Enter your course in Blackboard.
2. Click on the “Control Panel” button.
3. Click on the “Test Manager” link under Assessment.
4. Click the “Add Test” button to start the creation of a new online assessment.
5. Click in the “Name:” field under the “Name and Description” section on the “Assessment Properties” page and enter a name for the new assessment. This field is mandatory.
6. Click in the “Description:” field and enter a description of the assessment. This field is optional.

Note: The description entered will be displayed to the students along with the link to the assessment when the assessment has been deployed and is visible to the students.

7. Click in the “Instructions:” field under the “Enter Instructions” section on the “Assessment Properties” page and enter instructions to be displayed to the student when taking the assessment. This field is optional.

Note: You can go back and edit the Description and Instruction fields after the assessment has been created.

8. Click the “Submit” button in the bottom right corner of the page.
9. Click the “Creation Settings” link next to the “GO” button. to pre-set the display options used during the test creation process. You can also pre-set the default question point values.
10. Click the drop list arrow on the right side of the “Add Question:” on the “Test Canvas” page, select the desired option from the drop list, and then click the “GO” button.

Note: Review the “Assessment Construction Tips” section of this web site for guidelines on test item construction for the 7 different question types available in Blackboard.

Use the information below to determine the starting step for construction of the different question types available in Blackboard:

Fill-in-the-Blank – proceed to step 11

Matching – proceed to step 17

Multiple Answer – proceed to step 28

Multiple Choice – proceed to step 36

Ordering – proceed to step 44

Short Answer/Essay – proceed to step 53

True/False – proceed to step 59

Note: Blackboard does not have spell or grammar checking capabilities. It is advisable that you create your assessment text in a word processing program, where you can spell and grammar check, and then copy and paste the text into Blackboard.

11. Type or copy and paste your question into the “Question Text:” field under the “Fill In the Blank Question” section on the “Add/Modify Fill in the Blank Question” page.
12. Verify or enter/modify the “Point Value:” field.
13. Click the drop list arrow located on the right side of the “Number of Answers:” field under the “Answers” section on the “Add/Modify Fill in the Blank Question” page and select the number of answers you will enter into Blackboard, if required. (Blackboard allows for up to 20 answers.)
14. Type or copy and paste the correct answer(s) into the “Answer” field under the “Answers” section on the “Add/Modify Fill in the Blank Question” page.
15. Type or copy and paste the correct and incorrect feedback text into the “Correct Response:” and “Incorrect Response:” fields under the “Options” section on the “Add/Modify Fill in the Blank Question” page. (Optional)

Note: This step can be skipped if you do not plan to check the “Feedback enabled:” option when making the assessment available.

When using the feedback option, it is recommended that you state why or why not the answer is correct/incorrect and to provide a reference to where the information is located.

16. Click the “Submit” button in the bottom right corner of the page. Once you have completed adding questions to your test proceed to step 65.
17. Click the drop list arrow on the right side of the “Add Question:” on the “Test Canvas” page, select the desired option from the drop list, and then click the “GO” button.
18. Type or copy and paste your question into the “Question Text:” field under the “Matching Question” section on the “Add/Modify Matching Question” page.
19. Verify or enter/modify the “Point Value:” field.
20. Click the drop list arrow located on the right side of the “Number of Questions:” field under the “Question Items” section on the “Add/Modify Matching Question” page and select the number of correct answers you will enter into Blackboard, if required. (Blackboard allows for up to 20 answers.)
21. Type or copy and paste the correct question items into the “Question #” fields under the “Question Items” section on the “Add/Modify Matching Question” page. (These answers will appear on the left side of the page when taking the assessment.)
22. Click the drop list arrow located on the right side of the “Number of Answers:” field under the “Answer Items” section on the “Add/Modify Matching Question” page and select the number of answers you will enter into Blackboard, if required. (Blackboard allows for up to 20 answers.)
23. Type or copy and paste the correct answer items into the “Answer #” fields under the “Answer Items” section on the “Add/Modify Matching Question” page. (These answers will appear on the right side of the page when taking the assessment.)
24. Click the “Continue” button in the bottom right corner of the page.
25. Click the drop list arrows for the “Match Question Items Answer Items” fields under the “Assign” section on the “Add/Modify Matching Question” page and select the correct answer item for each question item.
26. Type or copy and paste the correct and incorrect feedback text into the “Correct Response:” and “Incorrect Response:” fields under the “Options” section on the “Add/Modify Matching Question” page.

Note: This step can be skipped if you do not plan to check the “Feedback enabled:” option when making the assessment available.

When using the feedback option, it is recommended that you state why or why not the answer is correct/incorrect and to provide a reference to where the information is located.

27. Click the “Submit” button in the bottom right corner of the page. Once you have completed adding questions to your test proceed to step 65.
28. Click the drop list arrow on the right side of the “Add Question:” on the “Test Canvas” page, select the desired option from the drop list, and then click the “GO” button.
29. Type or copy and paste your question into the “Question Text:” field under the “Multiple Answer Question” section on the “Add/Modify Multiple Answer Question” page.
30. Verify or enter/modify the “Point Value:” field.
31. Click the drop list arrow located on the right side of the “Number of Answers:” field under the “Answers” section on the “Add/Modify Multiple Answer Question” page and select the number of answers you will enter into Blackboard, if required. (Blackboard allows for up to 20 answers.)
32. Type or copy and paste the answer items into the “Answer #” fields under the “Answers” section on the “Add/Modify Multiple Answer Question” page.
33. Click the “Check Answers” box(es) under the “Answers” section on the “Add/Modify Multiple Answer Question” page for the correct answers.
34. Type or copy and paste the correct and incorrect feedback text into the “Correct Response:” and “Incorrect Response:” fields under the “Options” section on the “Add/Modify Multiple Answer Question” page.

Note: This step can be skipped if you do not plan to check the “Feedback enabled:” option when making the assessment available.

When using the feedback option, it is recommended that you state why or why not the answer is correct/incorrect and to provide a reference to where the information is located.

35. Click the “Submit” button in the bottom right corner of the page. Once you have completed adding questions to your test proceed to step 65.
36. Click the drop list arrow on the right side of the “Add Question:” on the “Test Canvas” page, select the desired option from the drop list, and then click the “GO” button.
37. Type or copy and paste your question into the “Question Text:” field under the “Multiple Choice Question” section on the “Add/Modify Multiple Choice Question” page.
38. Verify or enter/modify the “Point Value:” field.
39. Click the drop list arrow located on the right side of the “Number of Answers:” field under the “Answers” section on the “Add/Modify Multiple Choice Question” page and select the number of answers you will enter into Blackboard, if required. (Blackboard allows for up to 20 answers.)
40. Type or copy and paste the answer responses into the “Answer #” fields under the “Answers” section on the “Add/Modify Multiple Choice Question” page.
41. Click the “Correct Answer” radio button under the “Answers” section on the “Add/Modify Multiple Choice Question” page for the correct answers.
42. Type or copy and paste the correct and incorrect feedback text into the “Correct Response:” and “Incorrect Response:” fields under the “Options” section on the “Add/Modify Multiple Choice Question” page.

Note: This step can be skipped if you do not plan to check the “Feedback enabled:” option when making the assessment available.

When using the feedback option, it is recommended that you state why or why not the answer is correct/incorrect and to provide a reference to where the information is located.

43. Click the “Submit” button in the bottom right corner of the page. Once you have completed adding questions to your test proceed to step 65.
44. Click the drop list arrow on the right side of the “Add Question:” on the “Test Canvas” page, select the desired option from the drop list, and then click the “GO” button.
45. Type or copy and paste your question into the “Question Text:” field under the “Ordering Question” section on the “Add/Modify Ordering Question” page.
46. Verify or enter/modify the “Point Value:” field.
47. Click the drop list arrow located on the right side of the “Number of Questions:” field under the “Question Items” section on the “Add/Modify Ordering Question” page and select the number of answers you will enter into Blackboard, if required. (Blackboard allows for up to 20 answers.)
48. Type or copy and paste the answer items into the “Correct Order” fields under the “Question Items” section on the “Add/Modify Ordering Question” page.
49. Click the “Continue” button in the bottom right corner of the page.
50. Click the drop list arrow for the “Display Order” fields under the “Answers” section on the “Add/Modify Ordering Question” page and choose the order you want the answer items to be displayed. (This is where you want to scramble the order of the answer items to be display in the assessment.)
51. Type or copy and paste the correct and incorrect feedback text into the “Correct Response:” and “Incorrect Response:” fields under the “Options” section on the “Add/Modify Ordering Question” page.

Note: This step can be skipped if you do not plan to check the “Feedback enabled:” option when making the assessment available.

When using the feedback option, it is recommended that you state why or why not the answer is correct/incorrect and to provide a reference to where the information is located.

52. Click the “Submit” button in the bottom right corner of the page. Once you have completed adding questions to your test proceed to step 65.
53. Click the drop list arrow on the right side of the “Add Question:” on the “Test Canvas” page, select the desired option from the drop list, and then click the “GO” button.
54. Type or copy and paste your question into the “Question Text:” field under the “Essay Question” section on the “Add/Modify Essay Question” page.
55. Verify or enter/modify the “Point Value:” field.
56. Type or copy and paste your question into the “Question Text:” field under the “Essay Question” section on the “Add/Modify Essay Question” page.
57. Type or copy and paste the main points required for a correct answer into the text box under the “Answers” section on the “Add/Modify Essay Question” page. (Optional)
58. Click the “Submit” button in the bottom right corner of the page. Once you have completed adding questions to your test proceed to step 65.
59. Click the drop list arrow on the right side of the “Add Question:” on the “Test Canvas” page, select the desired option from the drop list, and then click the “GO” button.
60. Type or copy and paste your question into the “Question Text:” field under the “True/False Question” section on the “Add/Modify True/False Question” page.
61. Verify or enter/modify the “Point Value:” field.
62. Click the radio button for the correct answer for the “Correct Answer” field under the “Answers” section on the “Add/Modify True/False Question” page.
63. Type or copy and paste the correct and incorrect feedback text into the “Correct Response:” and “Incorrect Response:” fields under the “Options” section on the “Add/Modify True/False Question” page.

Note: This step can be skipped if you do not plan to check the “Feedback enabled:” option when making the assessment available.

When using the feedback option, it is recommended that you state why or why not the answer is correct/incorrect and to provide a reference to where the information is located.

64. Click the “Submit” button in the bottom right corner of the page. Once you have completed adding questions to your test proceed to step 65.
65. Verify all test information is correct on the “Test Canvas” page and click the “OK” button located in the bottom right corner of the screen.

On this page you can:

• Modify the name, description, and instructions for the assessment
• Add, modify, and remove any question in the assessment
• Re-order the questions by clicking on a number in the drop lists before each question
• Add or change the point values for any question.

Once the test has been built, the test must be deployed for the users to access.

To deploy your tests in Blackboard, complete the following steps:

1. Click the appropriate Content Area link under “Content Areas” in the Control Panel of your course where you want to deploy the test. (i.e., Assignments, Course Documents, Course Information, etc.)
2. Click the “Test” button located on the tool bar at the top of the screen.
3. Click the appropriate test name in the “Select an existing test:” field and then click the “Submit” button located in the bottom right corner of the screen.

NOTE: If the name of the test you are attempting to deploy is not listed in the “Select an existing test:” field this means that the test is already deployed in the course site.

4. Click the “OK” button to confirm that a link to the test was added in the course site.

Note: At this time you can click on the “Modify the test” link if you wish to make changes to the test or add new questions.

5. Click the “Modify the test options” link and then click the “OK” button.
6. Update the appropriate fields on the “Test Options” page to suit how the test should be deployed and then click the “Submit” button located on the lower right corner of the screen.

• 1. Test Information

·        Name: Should be the name assigned to the test when created.

·        Description: Enter any information that would be important for the student to understand prior to opening the test.

·        Launch Item in external window: Click the “Yes” radio button if you want the test to open in a new window, leaving Blackboard running in a background window. Click the “No” radio button to have the test open in the existing Blackboard window. NOTE: Students using pop-up blockers will not be able to access a test that is opened in an external window unless they disable their pop-up blocker.

• 2. Test Availability

·        Do you want to make the link visible?:  Click the “Yes” radio button to ensure the test link is visible to the students when the test is set to open. Click the “No” radio button to keep the test link hidden from view by the students.

·        Allow multiple attempts: Checking this box will allow the student to take the assessment as many times as they desire while the assessment is available. The Online Gradebook will only reflect the last successful attempt. (Note: This feature is great for providing drill and practice assessments that the student can use to master difficult subject matter. Selecting this option allows the student to self-assess their understanding of a specific subject matter. It is recommend that you use question types similar to those that will be used on graded assessments.)

·        Force Completion: Clicking this box will force the student to have to complete the test in one session. Leaving this box un-checked will allow the students to return and complete the test at a later time.

·        Set time limit: This box must be checked to set a time limit for the test. Click the drop lists for “Hours” and “Minutes” to set a time limit for the course. IMPORTANT NOTE: The Blackboard software allows the students to continue taking the assessment past the specified time limit. The Blackboard software does not flag what actions are completed after the time limit has been exceeded; however an exclamation point will appear in the Online Gradebook indicating that the student exceeded the set time limit. NOTE: Students are provided a count-up timer on the status bar of their browser, located on the lower left corner of their screen, to keep track of how long they have been taking the assessment. If the timer is not available, the student will need to click the View drop down menu of their browser and select the “Status Bar” command. The students are also provided a warning dialog box indicating that they have one minute left to complete the exam.

·        Display After/Until: Use the drop lists to set an opening and closing date/time for  the test. NOTE: The “Display Until” check box must be checked for the Display Until feature to take effect.

·        Set password: Enter a password in the “Password” field. The password is both case and character sensitive. Spaces are not allowed in the password. NOTE: The Set Password check box must be checked for the test to be password protected.

• 3. Test Feedback

·        Score Only: This option will only display the student’s final score once the test has been submitted. If there are essay questions on the test, the student will be notified that their test needs grading and that the grade is not available.

·        Detailed Results: This option will display the test questions with the student’s answers in addition to what is presented in the Score Only option above.

·        Show Correct Answers: This option will show the answers to the test questions in addition to what is presented in the Score Only and Detailed Results options above.

·        Detailed Results, Correct Answers and Feedback: This option will show any feedback you listed for each question in addition to what is presented in the Score Only, Detailed Results, and Show Correct Answers options above.

• 4. Test Presentation

·        Presentation Mode: Clicking the “All at Once” option displays the entire test to the students as one complete html page. Clicking the “Question” option displays the test to the students one question at a time. NOTE: When the student has completed and submitted the test, the test will be displayed to the student as one complete page if you choose any option other than score only for area 3 above.

References:

Blackboard Inc. (2003). Blackboard (Version 6) [Computer software]. Washington DC: Author.

Blackboard Inc. (2003). Blackboard Learning System Instructor Manual. Washington DC: Author.

Return to Creating Assessments in Blackboard

Copyright © 2002 - 2005, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. All rights reserved.
This site maintained by the MGCCC Distance Learning Office
Last Modified: April 20, 2007. Comments? Questions? Contact jennifer.leimer@mgccc.edu