From an administrator's home page, the Admin page can be reached by clicking
the "Go to Admin Page" link near the end of the page.
Not all the options described here may be available to you depending upon
your rights setting
Create a new course by clicking the "Add New Course" button.
When you add a new course or click the "Modify" link next to a course name,
enter the course name and an enrollment key. The enrollment key should be
given to students, and will be required for them to enroll in this course, along with the Course ID, which for new
courses will display when you return to the Admin page.
Other option:
- Available: Whether course is available to students, and whether it should display on the instructor's
home page
- Lock for Assessment: Shuts down access to the course except for the specified assessment. Intended for
in-class testing situations.
- Icons: Whether to display icons next to different course items.
- Allow self un-enroll: Whether students should be able to unenroll themselves from your course (usually NO is
the best choice, so students can't accidentally delete their scores)
- Allow other instructors to copy: Whether other instructors should be allowed to copy
course items without needing an enrollment key. You can limit this ability to instructors in your
own group.
- Message System: allows you decide which features of the internal messaging system you
want to enable. This allows you restrict who, if anyone, the student can send messages to.
- Student Quick-Pick Top Bar: What items, if any, to have in a bar at the top of the student's course page
- Instructor Quick-Pick Top Bar: What items, if any, to have in a bar at the top of the instructor's course page
- Instructor Course Management Links: Whether to have course management links at the bottom or along the
left side of the instructor's course page
After creating a course, click the "Add/Remove Teachers" link after the course
name. Here you can add or remove users authorized as a teacher for this course.
Click the "Transfer" link after the course name to transfer the ownership
of the course to another teacher/admin. In general, course ownership is not
highly important, but Limited Course Creators can only modify courses for which
they have ownership.
Clicking the "Delete" link after the course name will delete the course and
all items contained within the course. However, it will not delete any
questions added to the Question Set from within the course; the Question Set
is shared, and not linked to any course
Clicking the "Manage Question Set" link will allow you to search through the
Question Set, modify questions, add questions, remove question, transfer ownership, or
add a set of questions to a question library. Only administrators or question owners
have the rights to remove a question. Be aware that if you remove
a question that is currently being used in an assessment (as shown in the "Times
Used" column), it will mess up that assessment.
The options available in the question set manager are:
- Modify: Change the source code of the question and make library assignments. You will only see this option for
questions you own or when the owner has given permission for anyone to modify the question.
- View: View the source code of the question and make library assignements. You will only see this option for question
you do not own.
- Template: Create a new question, using the code of an existing question as a starting point. When you template a
question, the original question is not changed.
- Delete: Delete the question completely from the questionset and all libraries. You will only see this option for
questions you own or when the owner has given permission for anyone to modify the question. You can delete many questions at once
by selecting questions with the checkboxes, then clicking the Delete button near the top of the page.
- Transfer: Transfer ownership of the question to another user. You will only see this option for
questions you own. You can transfer many questions at once
by selecting questions with the checkboxes, then clicking the Transfer button near the top of the page.
- Library Assignment: The Library Assignment button near the top of the page can be used with the checkboxes to add or change your
library assignments for the selected questions. This will not affect other people's assignments
Note that the assignment of questions into libraries can be done by anyone, but only the person who made the assignment is able
to remove the question from the assigned library
Use the "Export Question Set" feature to export a portion of the Question Set
for backup or sharing. Use the search feature with the checkboxes to select
questions for inclusion in the export. Clicking the "Finalize" button, you
will be asked for a Library Description.
Use the "Import Question Set" feature to import a Question Set that you or
someone else had exported from IMathAS. Be sure to only import question sets from
trusted sources. After specifying an import file, you will be given a chance
to select specific questions from the set to be imported.
Imported questions will have ownership assigned to the importer. Select the
userights you want to apply to all imported questions. You also can import
the questions directly into an existing or new question library
If any questions (identified by a unique id) already exist in your system, you
will be asked if you want to update the existing questions, or add as new questions.
If you have modified questions previously imported, you may want to add as new.
Use the library manager to remove, rename, change rights, change parent, or transfer
ownership of question libraries. Be aware that if a library is deleted, the
questions in that library will become unassigned; they are not deleted.
Libraries have a tree structure, where each library has a parent library. When you
add or modify a library, you can change it's parent library. If you change a library's
parent, all children library move with a library. You can only specify an empty
library or existing parent library as a parent.
Libraries have use rights. Options are:
- Private: Only the owner or an administrator can list questions in these libraries
- Closed to group, private to others: Anyone in group can list and use questions, , but only
the owner or an admin can add questions to the library. Hidden to anyone outside the group.
- Open to group, private to others: Anyone in group can list and use questions and add to the library.
Hidden to anyone outside the group.
- Closed to all: Everyone can list and use questions, but only the owner or an admin can add questions to the library
- Open to group, close to others: Anyone in group can list and use questions and add to the library.
Outside the group, users can only list and use questions; they cannot add questions to the library
- Open to all: Everyone can list and use questions and add to the library
With library rights, child rights take precedence over parent rights. For example,
if an open library is a child to a private library, the parent will not be hidden
from other users. However a private library as child to a private parent will be
hidden from other users.
Depending upon the system configuration, non-admins may be limited to creating libraries that are private
to others outside their group. If this is the case, a non-admin will need to contact an admin to create a library
that is closed or open to all.
Library assignments are done in question management. Library assignments can be done
by any user, but only the person who made the assignment can remove that assignment.
Use the "Export Libraries" feature to export an entire library or tree
of libraries for backup or sharing. Use the tree to select libraries to export.
Note that if a parent library is selected, it's children libraries are automatically
included in the export, and heirarchy will be maintained. If libraries from different
trees are selected, the topmost libraries in each branch selected will be exported
at the same level.
Use the "Import Libraries" feature to import an entire library or tree
of libraries. After selecting a file, the tree of libraries in the import file
will be shown, and you can deselect libraries you do not want to import. Note that
if a parent library is not selected, NONE of the children libraries will be added,
regardless of whether they're checked or not.
You will be asked if you want to update existing questions/libraries, or add as new. If
a library or question (identified by a unique id) in the import already exists on your system,
this will tell the importer whether to update the existing libraries/questions, or import
the libraries/questions as a new copy (a new unique id is assigned).
If you have modified questions previously imported, you may want to add as new.
Imported libraries and questions will have ownership assigned to the importer. Select the
userights you want to apply to all imported questions and libraries. You can select
a parent in the library tree for all (top level) imported libraries
If you load a file that does not have a library tree embedded in the file, you will
be told to use the Import Question Set feature instead. Even if a file has a library
tree, you can use the Import Question Set feature to import specific questions from
the file.
A Macro Library contains macros (functions) which can be used in questions. These
expand the capabilities of IMathAS. If allowed, installation requires selecting the file name
from your local computer and clicking "Submit". Be aware that any existing
macro library of the same name will be replaced. A help file is automatically
generated for newly installed macro libraries.
Warning!: Macro libraries are pure PHP (programming code), and have a large
security risk. Only install macro libraries from a trusted source
Use the Delete Old Users option to delete users who have not accessed the system within
some specified number of months. You can delete just students, or all non-Admin users.
Use the Import Students from File feature to register and enroll a set of students
automatically from a CSV (commas separated values) file. You can generate a CSV
file using any spreadsheet program.
The form will guide you through specifying which columns of the CSV file contain
First name, Last name, email address, and desired username. Once setting these options,
the first five rows of the file will be displayed so you can verify that the import
settings are correct. If you selected a class to enroll the imported students in,
the students will be both registered and enrolled in that class upon submission.
Groups allow instructors to be divided into groups (by school, for example). Groups
can create group-specific libraries, and Group Admins can be assigned to have Admin
rights over group users and libraries. By default, users are added to a Default group.
Click Edit Groups to add, modify, or delete groups.
Diagnostics allow you to create a special login page for larger-scale diagnostic assessment.
This provides a way for students to access and take the diagnostic without needing
to register and enroll in a course. Also, it delivers them the correct assessment based
on a specified selection.
If you are a group admin or full admin, click the "Add New Diagnostic" button to set up
a new diagnostic. Diagnostics are linked with assessments in a course, so you should first
create a course and add your diagnostic assessments to that course.
Over two pages, you will be asked for:
- Diagnostic name: the name of your diagnostic to display to students on the login page
- Term designator: Can be changed each term for ongoing assessments to keep track of which term an assessment was taken in
- Linked with course: What course contains your diagnostic assessments. You must be listed as a teacher for the course
- Available: Whether students can take the diagnostic
- Public: Whether the diagnostic should be listed on the main Diagnostics list page at $imasroot/diag. If set to no,
students will have to be provided with the direct link to the diagnostic.
- Allow Reentry: Whether students should be forced to complete the diagnostic in one sitting, or whether you'll allow them
to reaccess the test at a later time
- Unique ID prompt: How you want to word the prompt for a unique user id
- Allow access IP addresses: IP addressed for which the diagnostic can be taken without a password. If you want to
allow access from anywhere, enter "*". You can use "*" for a wildcard as well, e.g. 123.45.* to allow any IP beginning
with 123.45.
- Passwords: Passwords which will allow access to the diagnostic from other IP addresses.
- First level selector name: Students will be asked to select two items from pull-down lists, with the values in the second
depending upon the values in the first. The choice in the first list also dictates which assessment is delivered. For
selector name, specify what this selection should be called, filling in the blank "Please enter your ______". In many cases
the two selectors will be Course and Instructor, or Course and Section
- First level selector options: Add options for the first level selector
- Second level selector name: Secondary selection, with values depending upon the first-level selector choice. Fill in the blank
"Enter your _________".
- Deliver assessment: For each first-level selector, specify which assessment should be delivered if the student
selects that option
- Second level selector options: For each first-level selector, specify the options for the second level selector
After submitting the second page, you will be provided with the direct access link to the diagnostic, which you can
provide to students or use to create a link from another website
In courses for which a diagnostic has been set up, the gradebook will display differently, showing the student unique ID,
the term, and the first and second selector values in addition to the students' names and scores
At the bottom of the admin page is a list of non-students. This list can be
expanded by Full Admins to include students by clicking the "List All" button.
You can add a new administrator, teacher, or student by clicking the "Add New User"
button. You will be asked to provide a username, user's name, and email. The
user's password defaults to 'password'. If a user
already has self-registered, and you want to promote them to administrator or teacher,
find them in the user list and click the "Change Rights" link.
When adding a new administrator or changing rights, there are several rights levels, each
higher level including the rights of the lower levels:
- Guest: Can access all class materials, including taking tests (however, test is restarted next time the guest user
accesses the test). Cannot enroll or unenroll in courses, or change
user info or password. Cannot post in forums
- Student: Can only access class materials - cannot edit anything
- Tutor/TA/Proctor: Can access class materials and view gradebook (and test attempts) for all students. Cannot edit
course materials or change grades
- Teacher: Can edit course materials and create assessments, but only in courses
to which they have been assigned as a teacher
- Limited Course Creator: Can add courses, and they are automatically assigned as the teacher. Can delete courses
that they create.
- Group Admin: Can add/delete teachers and set user rights, but only for users in their group. Can modify/delete questions
and libraries created by members of the group regardless of ownership or use rights. Can always create "open to all" libraries
- Full Administrator: Can add/delete administrators and set user rights. Can import macro files, if installation allows.
Can modify/delete questions and libraries regardless of ownership or use rights
You can reset a user's password to 'password' by clicking the "Reset Password" link
next to the user's name.
You can delete an administrator by clicking the "Delete" button next to their name.
Note that if they were teaching a course, this will unset them as a teacher, but
does not delete the course itself.
Accessing a course as a teacher shows the course in management (edit) mode.
The course page consists of a list of items. There are five types of items:
- Blocks: Groupings of items (Inline Text, Linked Text, Assessments)
- Inline Text Items: Text that displays on the course page
- Linked Text Items: A summary displays on the course page. A link is provided
that can display text, an uploaded file, or a weblink
- Forum Items: Basic disussion forum
- Assessments: Tests or Practice questions
Blocks have a colored header. If a block is displayed collapsed, click the block
name or the "Expand" button to view the block's contents. If the block is
displayed as a folder (has a folder icon next to it), click the block name to view
the block items.
Text items are preceded with an information ! icon, forums are preceded with a
F icon, and assessments are preceded with a ?
icon. The icons will be grey when the item is not available, and
(depending upon install settings) may change color as a deadline approaches. The color is
green at two weeks, yellow at one week, and red on due date.
The item order can be rearranged by using the number selector to the left of the
item. Items can also be moved into or out of blocks using this selector.
Add an item by selecting the item type from the "Add Item" pulldown. Using the
"Add Item" pulldown inside a block will add the item to that block.
For Blocks, you will asked to provide:
- Title: The title of the block
- Available after: The first date for the item to display to students
- Available until: The last date for the item to display to students
- When available: Whether you want to display the block Expanded, Collapsed, or as a folder when available
- When not available: Whether you want to hide the block from students when not available, or show
collapsed or as folder (depending on available setting). Use the show collapsed/folder option if the block contains items that students still need to be
able to access.
- Colors: Allows you to specify colors other than the defaults for blocks
-
For Inline Text items, you will asked to provide:
- Title: The title of the item
- Hide title: If you want to hide the title and icon, and just display the text
- Text: The actual text (displays on course page)
- Files: You can attach one or more files to an inline text item. For each file, provide a description
of the file. A list of the descriptions, with links to the files, will display at the bottom of your text item.
- Available after: The first date for the item to display to students
- Available until: The last date for the item to display to students
For Linked Text items, you will asked to provide:
- Title: The title of the item
- Summary: A description of the link (displays on course page)
- Text: Enter one of the following:
- Type text in box provided. The text will display when link is clicked
- Enter a weblink (like http://www.google.com). The link will take students to this weblink
- Attach a file. The link will open the file. Note: Do not change the text on subsequent modifications
- Available after: The first date for the item to display to students
- Available until: The last date for the item to display to students
For Forum items, you will asked to provide:
- Name: The name of the forum
- Description: A description of the forum (displays on course page)
- Available after: The first date for the item to display to students
- Available until: The last date for the item to display to students
- Group linked: If you have a group assessment, you can link the forum to the groups of that assessment. If you do this,
students viewing the forum will only see posts from their group members and instructors
- Allow anonymous posts: Whether you want to allow students to post anonymously
- Allow students to modify posts: Whether you want students to be able to modify their posts
- Email notify: Whether you want to receive an email whenever a new post is made on the forum
- Default display: Whether you want threads to display Expanded, Collapsed, or in Condensed format by default.
Users can change the display once they view the thread
- Students can reply by: Optionally set date restrictions for students replying to posts. Can be overridden in individual threads.
- Students can create new threads by: Optionally set date restrictions for students creating new threads
- Count in gradebook: Whether you want the forum to count in the gradebook for points. You will be able to assign points for individual posts made.
- Gradebook category: Category for the gradebook, if assigning points to the forum.
When you as a teacher start a new thread, you are given the option to have it be:
- A regular post
- Always display at the top of the list
- Displayed at top and locked (no replies can be made)
- Displayed at top and replies are hidden from students
You can use the middle two options to, for example, post discussion instructions. You can use the last option to post a question in
class, and have students respond without seeing other students' replies.
When viewing the forum thread list as an instructor, there is a "List Posts by Name" link which will list
all posts in the forum, grouped by student name. New threads are colored in black, replies in green
Warning: Making changes to an assessment after students have already taken it
can seriously mess up those students' assessment results. It is safe to change:
- Start/End dates
- Summary & Intro
- Time Limit
- Password
You need to set the assessment settings when you add an assessment. You can
change these settings by clicking the "Modify Settings" link next to the
assessment in the course page.
- Name: The name of the assessment
- Summary: A description of the summary (shows on course page)
- Intro/Instructions: Displays at the top of the test
- Available after: The first date for the item to be available to students
- Available until: The last date for the item to be available to students. Students must complete the assessment by this date - they will
be kicked out if they are in the middle of an assessment when this time is reached.
- Available for review: If the checkbox is clicked, the assessment will convert to review mode after the due date
until this date. Review mode defaults to Skip Around display, unlimited attempts, answers shown always. Scores are not
saved in Review mode.
- Count: Whether the assessment score should be counted in the gradebook, not counted in the grade total, or counted as extra credit.
- Copy Options From: If you have other assessments in your course already, you can select to copy the assessment settings
from another assessment.
- Password: If specified, requires student to enter this password to access the assessment. Leave blank to require no password.
- Time Limit: The time limit, in minutes, for the test (0 for none). If the student exceeds the
time limit, their test will be recorded, and you can decide whether or not
to accept it in the gradebook detail. Partial minutes are possible using decimal values.
- Display method:
- Full test at once: All questions are displayed on one page
- One question at a time: One question is shown at a time. Students
must complete the questions in the order presented
- Full test, submit one at time: Full test is displayed, but student submits
answer to one question at a time. Student can skip between questions.
- Skip around: Students are provided with a navigation bar and can
jump between questions and complete them in any order
- Default points per problem: How many points each problem should be worth by default.
This can be changed for individual problems.
- Default attempts per problem: How many attempts a student should have at each problem by default.
This can be changed for individual problems. Enter 0 for unlimited attempts
- Reattempts different versions: Reattempting a problem will regenerate the question with new numbers. By default,
reattempts of problems receive the same version of the problem. This option does not make sense to use with Homework mode.
- Default penalty per missed attempt: What percentage of points possible a student should lose
for an incorrect attempt. This can be changed for individual problems. You can select a penalty for
each missed attempt, to start after a certain number of missed attempts, or specify a penalty for the last possible attempt only.
- Feedback method: What detail the students should see
- No scores shown: No scores, including the total, are shown to the student. If reattempts are allowed,
the student is forced to retake all questions (even ones they got right the first time). With this
mode, access to grade detail in the gradebook controlled by the Show Answers setting.
- Final score: Only final (total) score is shown at the end. If reattempts are allowed,
the student is forced to retake all questions (even ones they got right the first time). With this
mode, access to grade detail in the gradebook controlled by the Show Answers setting.
- Show score on each at end: At the end of the test, the student is shown their score on
each question. If reattempts are allowed, they are then allowed to go back and reattempt
problems.
- Show as submitted: As each question is submitted, the score is shown, and students are
offered a chance to reattempt the problem (if allowed). This method does not apply to the
"Full test at once" display method.
- Practice Test: Same as above, and the test can be regenerated (re-randomized) whenever the student wants.
Students are given an opportunity to try similar problems to
the one presented after completing each question (when not in Full test at once mode). Scores are cleared each time
the test is regenerated, and scores are not shown by default in the gradebook. Answers can be shown after some number
of attempts.
- Homework: Like "Show as submitted", but students are given an opportunity to attempt a similar
question if they miss a question. Doing so resets attempts for that question (reseting attempt penalty as well).
Also, show answers (see below) can be set to show answers during the homework after a number of attempts. This is
best used in conjunction with the attempt penalty.
- Show Answers: When (if ever) students should be able to see answers.
- Practice Tests and Homework: For practice tests and homework, you can set this to never, or after 0,1,3,4,or 5 attempts are made
- Other Tests: For other tests, you can set this to never, after the assessment due date, after the last last attempt (in Skip Around and Full
test submitted one at time modes only), or immediately.
Answers will be available in the gradebook review of a test. Note: Do not use the "Immediately" option if you
are allowing multiple attempts per problem. Doing so would allow a student to complete the test, view the answers, then
reenter the test (since more attempts are allowed) and put in the correct answers. Also be aware that if an assessment
is set to allow review mode, that answers will be available to students in review mode.
- Show hints when available: Whether or not to show hints if the question has them defined
- Allow use of LatePasses: If you have granted LatePasses to students, this will allow use of them on this assessment
- Make hard to print: Makes the assessment harder to print, for in-class tests
- Shuffle item order: Randomizes the order in which questions are presented
- Gradebook Category: If you have created gradebook categories, you can assign the assessment to one of those categories.
- Count: Whether to count the assessment in the gradebook
- Minimum Score for Credit: A minimum score which must be acheived to receive credit for the assessment. Set to 0 to accept all scores.
If set and score is not met, gradebook will display "NC" (No Credit).
- Show based on another assessment: Use this to hide this assessment until a specific score is acheived on another
assessment. Provide a point value and select an assessment to use this feature. Set the assessment to "Don't Use" to not use
this feature
- All questions same random seed: Usually not needed. This is only need for a set of questions designed to work together using the same random values
- All students receive same version of questions: All students receive the same first version of questions. If in practice test or homework mode, when
students request a similar problem, different students will receive different versions of the questions.
- Penalty for questions done while in exception/LatePass: A percent penalty to take on all questions submitted after the original assignment due date while under a due date exception.
- Is group assessment?: Allows students to specify group members for the assignment. All group members will receive the same score for the assignment
- Show question categories?: If you plan to categorize questions and would like the categories displayed while the student is taking the test, you can
select that option here
You can add existing questions to an assessment by clicking the "Select Library" button
to choose libraries to search, then the "Search" button to
list potential questions. Leave the "Search" entry blank to list all questions in the libraries selected.
From this list you can:
- Use the checkboxes to select questions, then click the "Add Selected (using defaults)"
button to add the questions. Adding this way will use the assessment default settings for
points, attempts allowed, and penalty per attempt. You can change these later by
clicking the "Change Settings" link.
- Click the "Add to Assessment" link. This will allow you to change the default
question settings
- Click "Use as template for New Question" link. This will create a new question based
upon the existing question. This allows you to avoid rewriting a question from
scratch if a similar question exists
- Click "Preview" to preview the question
Alternatively, you can click the "Select from Assessments" button to choose questions from existing assessments.
In this mode, select the assessments you wish to pull questions from and click "Use these assessments". Then select
the questions you wish to use.
Once added to the assessment you can:
- Reorder Questions: When "Rearrange Questions" is selected, using the number selectors next
to each question will allow you to rearrange the order of the questions. This is only useful if you
are not shuffling the question order
- Group Questions: When "Group Questions" is selected, using the number selectors next to each
question will allow you to group questions. When questions are grouped, the testing engine will randomly
select one question from the group to display to the student
- Change Settings: Override the default settings for points, attempts allowed, and
penalty per attempt, if desired
- Edit Source: Change the question code or wording
- Remove from assessment: Remove the question from the assessment. This does not
delete the question from the Question Set. You can also use the checkboxes and the "With selected, Remove"
button to remove multiple questions at once.
If students have taken the assessment, you will not be allowed to make as many changes to the assessment, as it
will mess up existing student attempts. If you need to change the assessment a lot, you can clear all student attempts.
Otherwise you can change individual question settings (be careful!) or edit the question if it's yours. If there is a problem with
the question, you modify it, and want to give students another chance on that question, you can clear all attempts on a single question
by clicking the "Clear Attempts" link here
Click the "Add New Question" to write a new question from scratch, then add it to
the assessment. See the help section on
Writing Questions for help on writing
new questions
After adding questions to an assessment, click the "Categorize Questions" button to categorize the questions
in the assessment. Categorization allows you and students to see a score breakdown by question category.
In the question categorization page, you will see each question listed, followed by a category pull-down. By default, the
list contains the names of all libraries containing the question. If you'd like to define a category not in the lists, type in
the new category name in the box provided and click the "Add Category" button. The new category name will now appear
in the pull-down lists next to each question, and can be selected to assign the question to that category. When you are done, click
the "Record" button.
After adding questions to an assessment, click the "Create Print Version" to layout your assessment for printing.
On the first page, you will be asked what you would like to include in the test header. You will also be asked to enter your
print margins setup. These can be found by choosing "Page Setup" from the "File" menu in your browser. In the Page Setup you may
also wish to remove the default header and footer materials included in printouts by your browser.
On the next page, you will see alternating blue and green rectangles indicating the size of pages. Use the resizing buttons
next to each question to increase or decrease the space after each question until the questions fall nicely onto the pages. You
can use Print Preview in your browser to verify that the print layout looks correct. After you have completed the print layout,
you will be given the chance to specify additional print options. Longer questions, such as those with graphs, may appear cut
off in the print layout page. Be sure to resize those questions to show the entire question.
On the next page, select how many versions of the test you would like to generate, and whether you'd like to generate answer
keys. After hitting continue, you print version of the test will be displayed. Choose Print in your browser to print your tests.
Clicking the "Manage Question Set" link will allow you to search through the
Question Set, modify questions, add questions, remove question, transfer ownership, or
add a set of questions to a question library. Only administrators or question owners
have the rights to remove a question. Be aware that if you remove
a question that is currently being used in an assessment (as shown in the "Times
Used" column), it will mess up that assessment.
The options available in the question set manager are:
- Modify: Change the source code of the question and make library assignments. You will only see this option for
questions you own or when the owner has given permission for anyone to modify the question.
- View: View the source code of the question and make library assignements. You will only see this option for question
you do not own.
- Template: Create a new question, using the code of an existing question as a starting point. When you template a
question, the original question is not changed.
- Delete: Delete the question completely from the questionset and all libraries. You will only see this option for
questions you own or when the owner has given permission for anyone to modify the question. You can delete many questions at once
by selecting questions with the checkboxes, then clicking the Delete button near the top of the page.
- Transfer: Transfer ownership of the question to another user. You will only see this option for
questions you own. You can transfer many questions at once
by selecting questions with the checkboxes, then clicking the Transfer button near the top of the page.
- Library Assignment: The Library Assignment button near the top of the page can be used with the checkboxes to add or change your
library assignments for the selected questions. This will not affect other people's assignments
Note that the assignment of questions into libraries can be done by anyone, but only the person who made the assignment is able
to remove the question from the assigned library
Use the "Export Question Set" feature to export a portion of the Question Set
for backup or sharing. Use the search feature with the checkboxes to select
questions for inclusion in the export. Clicking the "Finalize" button, you
will be asked for a Library Description.
Use the "Import Question Set" feature to import a Question Set that you or
someone else had exported from IMathAS. Be sure to only import question sets from
trusted sources. After specifying an import file, you will be given a chance
to select specific questions from the set to be imported.
Imported questions will have ownership assigned to the importer. Select the
userights you want to apply to all imported questions. You can import
the questions directly into an existing library, or into the Unassigned library
for later assignment.
If any questions (identified by a unique id) already exist in your system, you
will be asked if you want to update the existing questions, or add as new questions.
If you have modified questions previously imported, you may want to add as new.
Use the library manager to remove, rename, change rights, change parent, or transfer
ownership of question libraries. Be aware that if a library is deleted, the
questions in that library will become unassigned; they are not deleted.
Libraries have a tree structure, where each library has a parent library. When you
add or modify a library, you can change it's parent library. If you change a library's
parent, all children library move with a library. You can only specify an empty
library or existing parent library as a parent.
Libraries have use rights. Options are:
- Private: Only the owner or an administrator can list questions in these libraries
- Closed to group, private to others: Anyone in group can list and use questions, , but only
the owner or an admin can add questions to the library. Hidden to anyone outside the group.
- Open to group, private to others: Anyone in group can list and use questions and add to the library.
Hidden to anyone outside the group.
- Closed to all: Everyone can list and use questions, but only the owner or an admin can add questions to the library
- Open to group, close to others: Anyone in group can list and use questions and add to the library.
Outside the group, users can only list and use questions; they cannot add questions to the library
- Open to all: Everyone can list and use questions and add to the library
With library rights, child rights take precedence over parent rights. For example,
if an open library is a child to a private library, the parent will not be hidden
from other users. However a private library as child to a private parent will be
hidden from other users.
Depending upon the system configuration, non-admins may be limited to creating libraries that are private
to others outside their group. If this is the case, a non-admin will need to contact an admin to create a library
that is closed or open to all.
Library assignments are done in question management. Library assignments can be done
by any user, but only the person who made the assignment can remove that assignment.
Use the "Export Libraries" feature to export an entire library or tree
of libraries for backup or sharing. Use the tree to select libraries to export.
Note that if a parent library is selected, it's children libraries are automatically
included in the export, and heirarchy will be maintained. If libraries from different
trees are selected, the topmost libraries in each branch selected will be exported
at the same level.
Use the "Import Libraries" feature to import an entire library or tree
of libraries. After selecting a file, the tree of libraries in the import file
will be shown, and you can deselect libraries you do not want to import. Note that
if a parent library is not selected, NONE of the children libraries will be added,
regardless of whether they're checked or not.
You will be asked if you want to update existing questions/libraries, or add as new. If
a library or question (identified by a unique id) in the import already exists on your system,
this will tell the importer whether to update the existing libraries/questions, or import
the libraries/questions as a new copy (a new unique id is assigned).
If you have modified questions previously imported, you may want to add as new.
Note that only the original importer can update questions they imported.
Imported libraries and questions will have ownership assigned to the importer. Select the
userights you want to apply to all imported questions and libraries. You can select
a parent in the library tree for all (top level) imported libraries
If you load a file that does not have a library tree embedded in the file, you will
be told to use the Import Question Set feature instead. Even if a file has a library
tree, you can use the Import Question Set feature to import specific questions from
the file.
Use the "List Students" link to list the students in your class. On this page you can
import (register and enroll) students from a file, enroll a student (already registered)
with a known username. This is the easiest way to add a guest user to your class. Note that the "Last Login"
date shows the last time the student logged into IMathAS, not necessarily the last time they accessed
your course.
The List Students page also gives you access to student email addresses, as well as a link to send out a mass email or message
to all students
Click the "Make Exception" link to change the Start or End date of an assessment
for a single student. If you need to make exceptions for multiple students at once, or want to make
exceptions for multiple assessments at once, use the "Make Exception" button in connection with the checkboxes
in the Gradebook.
Use the "Reset Password" link to reset a student's password to 'password'
Use the "Unenroll" link to unenroll a student from the class, or the "Unenroll All" button
to unenroll all students. This can be useful to clear out a classroom at the end of
a term. Unenrolling all students will also delete all regular posts from the course's forums.
Use the Import Students from File feature to register and enroll a set of students
automatically from a CSV (commas separated values) file. You can generate a CSV
file using any spreadsheet program.
The form will guide you through specifying which columns of the CSV file contain
First name, Last name, email address, and desired username. Once setting these options,
the first five rows of the file will be displayed so you can verify that the import
settings are correct. The students will be both registered and enrolled in the
current class upon submission.
Click the "Assign section and/or code numbers" link to assign section or code
numbers to students. These only serve for identification purposes, the the gradebook
will be sorted first by section, then by name. Section can be alphanumeric; code number
must be numeric, up to 4 digits.
Click the "Gradebook" link to show the gradebook. The gradebook shows each student's
score on each assessment and any offline grades you've entered. Click on a student's assessment score to show detail on their
assessment attempt, or on a student's offline grade to change their grade. Click the Settings link in the table header
if you need to change an assessment's settings. Click on an assessment's average score to view an breakdown showing
the average score on each question. Click on an offline grade's average score or the Settings link in the table header to change the settings for that item or modify all students' grades
at once.
By using checkboxes next to student's names, you can send messages or emails to multiple students, or make
due date exceptions for multiple students at once
Click the "Gradebook Settings" to change Gradebook settings and create or modify categories. This allows
you to create a grading scheme.
Your overall settings are:
- Calculate total using: Select "points earned" to use a points earned out of points possible grading scheme. Select "Category weights" to
assign a percentage weight to each category in calculation of total grade.
- Gradebook display: Select whether to order the gradebook by item dates (Available until dates for assessments,
Show After dates for offline grades) or if you want to group items by category
The next section lets you define categories. There is always the "Default" category, but it will not display if there are no items
assigned to it. To add a new category, click the "Add Category" link to add a new line to the table, then fill in the name and
other info, then click "Update"
For each category, you can specify:
- Name: The name of the category
- Scale (optional): Scale the category total by specifying a point value or percent value to be scaled up to 100%.
For example, if the category point value was 80 points, and a student earned 50 points, their category total would be 50 points.
If you specified a scale of 60 points, then the students grade would become 80*(50/60) = 66.7 points out of 80. You can specify whether
grades that would end up over 100% should be chopped to 100%. You can specify no scale by leaving the Scale box blank.
- Drops (optional): You can specify whether to drop the lowest N scores, or keep the highest N scores from the category. Set the number to 0 to keep all scores.
- Weight/Fix Category Point Total: If you are using a "Category Weights" grading scheme, enter the percent weights for each category
here. If the category percents don't add to 100%, they are all scaled equally so they do add to 100%. If you are using a "Points earned" grading scheme, you can
fix the point value for the category here (optional). For example, if the current category total is 50 points and a student earns 40 points,
if you specified a fixed point value of 100 points, the students score would become 80 points. Leave this blank to use the actual
category point total.
- Remove: When you remove a category, any items currently assigned to that category will be assigned to the Default category
To add an offline grade, click the "Add Offline Grade" link on the gradebook page. You can specify:
- Name: The name to give the grade item
- Points: The number of points possible on the item
- Show to students after: The date after which to show the item to students
- Gradebook Category: The gradebook category you wish to assign the item to
- Count: Whether to count the score in the gradebook total, not count it, or count it as extra credit
You can then enter grades for each student. If you leave a grade blank, no grade will be recorded for that student.
You can edit these settings or edit all students' grades at a later time by clicking the "Average" in the gradebook for this item.
You can edit an individual student's grade by clicking on their score in the gradebook for this item. You can leave feedback for
students about their grade using the boxes provided.
When you click on a student's score in the gradebook, you will see the specific
assessment that they received and the last answer they provided, as well as their
score on each question and the attempts used. You can override the scores they
received on this page. You can also send a student a message about a question, quoting
their version of the question in the message. At the bottom of the page is a box to leave the student
feedback about the assessment.
If you wish to give a student another chance to take an assessment, click
the "Clear Attempt" or "Clear Scores" link. Note: This will clear their current scores,
answers, and attempts used. The "Clear Attempt" link will make it appear the student never started
the assessment, and the student will receive a different version of the assessment when they access the assessment.
The "Clear Scores" link will clear the student's scores and attempts to 0, but the student will receive the same
version of the assessment when they access it.
If you categorized the questions in the assessment, you will also see a category
breakdown at the bottom of the details page
The Student Groups page allows you to manipulate student groups associated with assessments that you have designated as group
assessments. When you first access this page, you will be presented with a list of group assessments. Select the assessment you
want to modify groups for
You will be presented with a list of groups (the group number is arbitrary) with the students in each group. To separate a
student from the group, click the "Break from Group" link.
At the bottom of the page is a list of students not assigned to a group. If you wish to assign students to groups, click the
checkboxes next to the students' names. In the "add to group: " pulldown, select the group you want to add the students to, or select
"New Group", and click Add
When students are broken from the group, they retain the version of the assessment and progress the group had acheived before you
broke them from the group. If a student is added to a group, any work they've already done is lost and replaced with the group's
version and progress. Any changes to an assessment made by one group member affects all group members.
The message system allows you to send a message to students in the class. This is an internal message system; it is not emailed
unless the student has requested email notification.
Click Send New Message to send a new message to a student. If you want to send a message to multiple students, use the "List Students" page.
Select a student from the pull-down list, and type your message.
When viewing messages, you can either Reply to the message, or use the "Quote in Reply" option to quote the original message in your reply.
Course Item Copy allows you to copy items in your course or an entire course structure, or copy items from
another instructor's course. Note that item structure, items, and settings are exported, but not students, assessment
attempts, or forum threads.
On the first page, select a course to copy from. If you select a course that is not one of your own courses,
you must enter the course Enrollment Key as verification that you have received permission to copy from the course.
On the second page, select the items you wish to import. If you export an item currently contained in a block and
do not export the block, the item will be exported as an item on the main course page.
You can optionally append words to the end of the title of each item, or place the copied items into an existing block.
You can optionally also specify to copy the course settings (the items you'd set under Modify on the Admin page), or copy
the gradebook scheme and gradebook categories. Copying the gradebook scheme will overwrite the existing gradebook scheme in your
course. Copying the gradebook scheme will also retain any category assignments for the assessments you're copying.
The Change Dates page allows you to change the dates for all your course items on one page. On this page you will see a list
of your course items, with inputs for start date, end date, and review date (for assessments). You can filter the list to only
show one item type using the Filter selection at the top of the page, and you can change the sort order to sort by start date, end
date, or name.
If you change dates on any line and click the "Send down list" button on that line, the date change will be made to all items below
that item in the list. For example, if you add one day to an item and click "Send down list", one day will be added to all items
lower in the list. By default the system only allows Monday-Friday dates; you can switch to a 7-day week by unchecking the "Shift
by weekdays only" checkbox
The Change Assessments page allows you to change assessment settings for many assessments at the same time. Begin by selecting
all the assessments you want to change settings for using the checkboxes next to each assessment's name
Select which options you want to change by clicking the checkbox in the "Change?" column, then adjust the setting in the "Option"
column. When you are done, click "Submit"
Course Item import/export allows you to share a course setup with other instructors, or copy
a class for yourself. Note that item structure and questions are exported, but not students, assessment
attempts, or forum threads.
On Export, you provide a export description, and select the items you wish to export.
If you export an item currently contained in a block and do not export the block, the item
will be exported as an item on the main course page.
On Import, first provide the import file. If there are assessment questions that do not
already exist on your system, they will be added to the system. Select the library into which
these questions should be imported. If a question already exists, you can select whether to update
the existing question with the import question (if it is newer), or create a new copy of the question in
the designated library. Select the items to import, and click "Import Items".
The IMathAS question format is based on PHP.
A question is formed in several parts:
- Description: A description of the question. This is not shown to students
- Use Rights: The rights you wish to grant other people (you always have full rights). Options are:
- Private: Only you can use the question
- Use, no modification: Anyone can use the problem, but only you can modify the problem. Anyone can add
library assignments, but cannot remove assignments.
- Use, allow modification: Anyone can use or modify the problem.
- Libraries: The question libraries you wish to include this question in
- Question type: The type of question.
- Common control: General definitions needed for both display and scoring
- Question control: Definitions only needed for question display
- Question text: The actual question display. This section should be HTML based, but
can include variables defined in the common or question control. For convenience, a blank line
is automatically interpreted to be a paragraph break. Use of < and > signs are usually
handled ok, but use of the HTML < and > are recommended in their place.
- Answer: Code defining the answer
Note: All control code can be placed in the "Common Control" box; the Question Control and Answer sections do not have to be used.
Lines of the common control, question control, and answer sections take the form of variable
definition. In IMathAS, variables are identified with a dollarsign ($) prefix. For example,
$a is the variable a. Most lines will take one of these forms:
- $var = number. Example: $a = 3
- $var = calculation. Example: $a = 3*$b*$c
- $var = function. Example: $a = showplot("sin(x)")
- $var = randomizer. Example: $a = rand(-5,5)
In some cases you want to define several variables at once. There are two ways to
do this:
- $var1,$var2 = arrayfunction. Example: $a,$b = diffrands(-5,5,2)
- $ar = arrayfunction. Example: $ar = diffrands(-5,5,2)
In the first example, variables $a and $b each take on a value. In the second example,
the variable $ar is an array; the elements can be accessed as $ar[0] and $ar[1] (note
that arrays are zero-indexed). If you use this approach, enclose the variable reference in
parenthesis in calculations, like $new = ($ar[0])^2, and in curly brackets inside strings,
like $string = "there were {$ar[0]} people".
You can also literally define an array using the "array" function.
Examples: $ar = array(2,3,4,5), or $ar = array("red","green","blue")
Note that numbers are not in quotes, and strings are in quotes. When you use
the double-quote mark (") to define a string, you can interpolate variables into
the string. Example:
$a = 3
$b = 5
$str = "What is $a/$b"
In this example, $str now contains "What is 3/5".
If you have a long command to type, you can put a "&" at the end of a line to specify it continues on the next line. Example:
$questions = array("this is choice 1",&
"this is choice 2")
If defining a string for display, you can put a "&&" at the end of a line to specify it continues on the next line and insert
an HTML line break. Example:
$showanswer = "Do this first. &&
Then do this."
will be interpreted as:
$showanswer = "Do this first. <br/>Then do this."
Any assignment line can be followed by one of two conditional: "where" or "if".
"where" is used to repeat the previous assignment if the condition provided is not met. The
"where" condition is almost exclusively used with array randomizers. Example: to select two
different numbers that are not opposites:
$a,$b = diffrands(-5,5,2) where ($a+$b!=0)
"if" is used to make an assignment conditional. For example:
$a = rand(0,1)
$b = "sin(x)" if ($a==0)
$b = "cos(x)" if ($a==1)
Note the use of double equal signs (==) for testing equality. A single equal sign (=) will
make an assignment (change the value of $a in this example) and return "true".
Comparison operators available for "if" and "where" statements:
- == Equal to
- != Not equal to
- > Greater than
- < Less than
- >= Greater than or equal to
- <= Less than or equal to
To do compound conditionals, use || for "or", and && for "and". For example:
$a = nonzerorand(-9,9) where ($a!=1 && $a!=-1)
There are several looping macros (such as calconarray) that can meet most needs. For more general use
there is a "for" loop:
for ($i=a..b) { action }
Examples:
$f = 0
for ($i=1..5) { $f = $f + $i }
$a = rands(1,5,5)
$b = rands(1,5,5)
for ($i=0..4) {$c[$i] = $a[$i]*$b[$i] }
Conditions can be used inside a for loop, but not outside.
for ($i=1..5) {$a = $a+$i if ($i>2) } WORKS
for ($i=1..5) {$a = $a+$i} if ($a>2) DOES NOT WORK
Single result randomizers:
- rand(min,max): Returns an integer between min and max
- rrand(min,max,p): Returns an real number between min and max with precision p. Example: rrand(2,5,.1) might return 3.4.
rrand(2,5,.01) might return 3.27
- nonzerorand(min,max): Returns a nonzero integer between min and max
- nonzerorrand(min,max,p): Returns a nonzero real number between min and max with precision p
- randfrom(list or array): Return an element of the list/array. Examples of lists: "2,4,6,8", or "red,green,blue"
- randname(),randmalename(),randfemalename(): Returns a random first name
Array randomizers (return multiple results):
- rands(min,max,n): Returns n integers between min and max
- rrands(min,max,p,n): Returns n real numbers between min and max with precision p
- nonzerorands(min,max,n): Returns n nonzero integers between min and max
- nonzerorrands(min,max,p,n): Returns n nonzero real numbers between min and max with precision p
- randsfrom(list/array,n): Return n elements of the list/array.
- jointrandfrom(list/array,list/array): Returns one element from each list, where the location used in each list is the same
- diffrands(min,max,n): Returns n different integers between min and max
- diffrrands(min,max,p,n): Returns n different real numbers between min and max with precision p
- diffrandsfrom(list/array,n): Return n different elements of the list/array.
- nonzerodiffrands(min,max,n): Returns n different nonzero integers between min and max
- nonzerodiffrrands(min,max,p,n): Returns n different nonzero real numbers between min and max with precision p
- jointshuffle(list/array1,list/array2,[n1,n2]): Shuffles two lists/arrays in a way that retains
respective order. In n1 is provided, n1 elements from each shuffled array will be returned (like
a joint version of diffrandsfrom). If n2 is also provided, n1 elements of list/array1 and n2
elements of list/array2 will be returned.
- singleshuffle(list/array,[n]): returns a shuffled version of a list/array. If n is provided,
it behaves identically to diffrandsfrom
- randnames(n),randmalenames(n),randfemalenames(n): Returns n random first names
The following macros help with display:
- makepretty(string or array of strings): Changes double add/subtract signs to a single sign.
- makeprettydisp(string or array of strings): Does makepretty (see above) and backquotes the string for math display
- polymakepretty and polymakeprettydisp: Like makepretty, but for polynomials. Cleans up 0*, 1*, ^1, and ^0 to make the polynomial look nicer.
This function can do weird things for equations that are not simple polynomials, so test well
- makexpretty and makexprettydisp: Like makepretty, but the X-tra version - attempts to clean up things like 1*, 0*, etc. This function
will often cause weird things to happen, so test well
- numtowords(number): Creates a string containing number written out in words
- stringappend(value,string): Appends string to value. If value is an array, string is appended to each element of the array
- stringprepend(value,string): Same as stringappend, but prepends string to value
- prettyint(number): Adds commas in thousands spaces of integers. Example: prettyint(1234) will return "1,234". The result is a string, which
can only be used for display, not in calculations
- prettyreal(number,decimals): Adds commas in thousands spaces of number, and rounds decimal to decimals places. Example: prettyreal(1234.567,2) will return "1,234.57". The result is a string, which
can only be used for display, not in calculations
- prettytime(value,informat,outformat): Creates a nice representation of a time. Informat can be 'h', 'm', or 's' designating whether
value is hours, minutes, or seconds. Outformat can be any combination of these to specify output. For example, 'hm' will return "__ hours and __ minutes". Outformat
can also be 'clock' which returns 3:42pm, or 'sclock' which returns 3:42:15pm
- dispreducedfraction(numerator,denominator): Takes two numbers as numerator and denominator of a fraction, returning a display form of the fraction,
reduced to lowest terms. Suitable for $showanswer
- makereducedfraction(numerator,denominator): Same as dispreducefraction, but not already in display form
- showarrays(string,array,[string,array]...): Creates a tabular display of the data in the array(s) as column(s), with the strings
as column headers
- showdataarray(array,[columns]): Creates a tabular display of the data in the array with no headers. Data is presented
in one column unless second argument is provided, in which case the data will be distributed over the specified number of columns.
- horizshowarrays(string,array,[string,array]...): Creates a tabular display of the data in the array(s) as row(s), with the strings
as row labels. Does not text wrap, so only use for small data sets.
- showplot(funcstrings,[xmin,xmax,ymin,ymax,labels,grid,width,height])
- funcstrings is a single string or an array of strings each having at least the first of the following list:
"function,color,min,max,startmarker,endmarker,width,dash"
- Function: a single function of x, like cos(x), or a parametric function of t, entered like [sin(t),cos(t)]
- color: a color designator: black,red,orange,yellow,green,blue,purple
- min,max: the min and max values for the input variable for which you wish to see this graph. You can also exclude
point discontinuities; for example -5,5!0!2 for min,max would include all values from -5 to 5, excluding 0 and 2.
- startmarker,endmarker: can be "open" or "closed" (dots), or anything else for none
- width: a pixel width for the line
- dash: enter "dash" if you want a dashed line, otherwise the line is solid
- Examples: "cos(x),red" or "x^2,,-2,2,open,closed" or "[t^2,t/3],blue,0,5,,,2,dash" or "1/x,black,-5,5!0"
- xmin,xmax,ymin,ymax: Graphing window. Defaults to -5 to 5 for both
- labels: spacing of axes labels. Defaults to 1. Set to "off" or 0 for none. Use "xlbl:ylbl" for different spacing on each axis.
- grid: spacing of grid lines. Defaults to 1. Set to "off" or 0 for none. Use "xgrid:ygrid" for different spacing on each axis.
- width,height: The width and height (in pixels) of the graph. Defaults to 200x200
- addlabel(plot,x,y,label,[color,loc]): Adds a label to a plot created with showplot.
- plot: The plot created with showplot
- x,y: The coordinates for the label
- label: The string label itself. MathML cannot currently be displayed in labels
- color: Label color. Defaults to black.
- loc: By default, the label is centered at the x,y coordinates. Use "left" to display the string to the left of the
point, "right" to the right, "below" for below the point, "above" for above the point.
- showasciisvg(string,[width,height]): If you know the ASCIIsvg language, this will set up an svg with "string" as the script.
optionally you can specify the width and height (in pixels) for the svg.
These macros are fairly general purpose:
- listtoarray(list): Converts a list, like "1,2,3,4" or "cat,dog,rabbit" to an array
- arraytolist(array): Converts an array to a list
- calclisttoarray(list): Converts a list of calculations, like "2^2,3^5,7/2" to an array, evaluating the calculations
along the way.
- sortarray(list/array,[dir]): Sorts an array from lowest to highest value. To sort in reverse order, give the option
second parameter as "rev"
- consecutive(min,max,[step]): Creates an array of consecutive numbers, starting at min and ending at max, in increments of
step. Step is optional; it defaults to 1.
- calconarray(array,calculation): Returns an array, performing the given calculation on each element of the given array. Use
"x" as the variable to represent each element of the array. Example: $b = calconarray($a,"x^2") will create an array that is the
square each element of the array $a.
- calconarray(array,calculation,ifcondition): Like calconarray, but allows you to specify a condition for each element for whether to
do the calculation. Example: $b = calconarray($a,"x+.1","floor(x)==x") will add .1 to add whole numbers in the array, and leave the
other elements unchanged.
- subarray(array,params): Creates a new array as a subset of the specified array. The params can take several forms:
- subarray($a,2,4,6): creates an array from $a[2], $a[4], and $a[6]
- subarray($a,"1:3","6:8"): create an array from $a[1] through $a[3], and $a[6] through $a[8]
- subarray($a,$b): creates an array from entries in $a with indexes specified in $b. So if $b = array(2,4,6), this
would return $a[2], $a[4], and $a[6]
- joinarray(array,symbol): Convert an array to a string, joining elements with the given symbol
- mergearrays(array,array): Combines two arrays into one long array
- unionarrays(array,array): Unions two arrays, preventing duplicates, into a new array
- intersectarrays(array,array): Finds the intersection of two arrays
- diffarrays(array1,array2): Returns all elements in array1 that are not also in array2
- count(array): Counts the number of entries in the array
- sumarray(array): Adds the entries in an array
- in_array(needle,haystack): Checks if value needle is in array haystack. Returns true or false
- arrayfindindex(needle,haystack): Returns the index in the array haystack of the value needle. If there are multiple matches, it only returns the first.
- arrayfindindices(needle,haystack): Returns an array of indices in the array haystack of the value needle.
- array_flip(array): Reverses a one-to-one array, so indexes become values and values become indexes
- arraystodoteqns(xarray,yarray,[color]): Converts an array of x-values and y-values into a form that can be used in
showplot.
- arraystodots(xarray,yarray): Converts an array of x-values and y-values into a form that can be used in the Drawing answer type
These macros are used for mathematical calculations:
- sin(t), cos(t), tan(t), sec(t), csc(t), cot(t): The usual trig functions
- arcsin(v), arccos(v), arctan(v): The inverse trig functions
- abs(v): Absolute value
- gcd(a,b): Greatest common divisor of a and b
- lcm(a,b): Least common multiple of a and b
- v!: Factorial, like $a = $b!
- evalfunc(func,vars,val1,val2,..): Evaluates a function given the variables and values for each variable.
for example evalfunc("x^2*y","x,y",2,3) will evaluate x^2*y with x=2, y=3
If an IMathAS administrator has installed other Macro Libraries, you can load a macro library by entering the line
loadlibrary("list of library names") at the beginning of the Common Control section.
Examples:
loadlibrary("stats") or
loadlibrary("stats,misc")
Click on the "Macro Library Help" link in the question editor to get a list of installed macro libraries and the macros
available in each library
IMathAS uses ASCIIMath for math entry. For calculations, a limited subset is available:
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|
| * / + - | Multiply, divide, add, subtract |
| ^ | Powers. 2^3 = 8. |
| e, pi | The standard constants |
| % | Modulus (remainder after division. 5%2 = 1) |
| ! | Factorial |
| sqrt | Square root |
| sin,cos,tan,cot,sinh,cosh | Standard trig function. Be sure to enter as sin(2), not sin 2 |
| arcsin,arccos,arctan,arcsinh,arccosh | Inverse trig functions. |
| sin^-1, cos^-1, tan^-1 | Alternative entry for inverse trig functions. Use like sin^-1(0.5) |
| ln | Natural Logarithm base e |
| log | Common Logarithm base 10 |
| abs | Absolute Value. Note that while abs() is used for calculations, you may prefer to use | brackets for display |
| round(n,d) | round number n to d decimal places |
| floor,ceil | floor/ceiling: integer below/above given number |
For display only, the full ASCIIMath language is available (which includes support
for a limited subset of LaTeX). For more info, see the
full ASCIIMath syntax, or look at
some examples.
All question types can support these options:
Hints
For a single question (not multipart), to use hints, in the common control (or question control) section define the array $hints where:
$hints[attempt number] = "hint text"
For example:
$hints[0] = "This will show on first display"
$hints[1] = "This will show on second attempt (after 1 missed attempt)"
$hints[2] = "This will show on third and subsequent attempts, since no later values have been defined"
It is fine, or example, to not define $hints[0] if you want nothing to display initially.
Then in the question text, place the location of the hint using the variable $hintloc.
In multipart questions, you can follow the process above if you just want a single strand of hints for the entire problem. If you want per-part hints, define the $hints array as:
$hints[question part number][attempt number] = "hint text"
Then in question text, place each hint using $hintloc[question part number]
Referencing Student Answers
To create multipart questions that are graded on consistency, or to create a set of lab-type problems that rely on student-provided data, you can reference
students' previous answers in your question code. You will only be able to reference the student answer to number and calculated type answers
- $stuanswers[N] will refer to the student's answer on question N (not zero-indexed: N=1 is question 1)
- $stuanswers[N][P] will refer to the student's answer on question N, part P (if multipart)
- $stuanswers[$thisq][P] will refer to the student's answer on the current question, part P
- $stuanswers[$thisq-1] will refer to the student's answer on the previous question
Notes (important!):
1) If the student has not answered the question, then $stuanswers[N] == null. If used in an equation, it will take on the value 0. To prevent divide-by-zero errors and to prevent students from exploiting this, it is highly recommended that you do something like:
$a = $stuanswers[$thisq][0]
$a = rand(1,100) if ($a==null)
Perhaps also include:
$warning = "You MUST answer question 1 before this question" if ($a==null), then put $warning in the question text.
2) If you use $stuanswers in your $answer, $showanswer will generally not be defined. If you follow my advice in #1 above, then your
$showanswer will reflect the random number assigned to $a. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you custom define the $showanswer.
3) If using the $stuanswers array in a string or in the Question Text, you must enclose it with curly brackets:
Your answer was {$stuanswers[0][0]}. If using it directly in a calculation, enclose it in parentheses just to be safe.
4) $stuanswers[$thisq] is only defined for question scoring, not question display, so don't try to use it in question display.
The question types available are:
The student is asked to enter a number (integer, decimal, or scientific notation).
The answer is compared to a given tolerance. Can also accept DNE, oo (Infinity), and
-oo (Negative Infinity) as answers.
Required Variables
- $answer = a number or calculation resulting in a number, like $answer = 5 (In Answer)
- Defines the answer. Define multiple acceptable answers in a string separated by or: $answer = "3 or 5 or 7".
Alternatively, you can provide an interval notation range of
acceptable answers, like $answer = "(2,5]". Providing a range will override any tolerances set. If $answerformat is set
for list answers, then this should provide a list of correct answers, like $answer = "1,2,3".
Optional Variables
- $reltolerance = a decimal value (In Answer)
- Defines the largest relative error that will be accepted. If this is not set, a relative error of .001 (.1%) is
used by default.
- $abstolerance = a number (In Answer)
- Defines the largest absolute error that will be accepted. This will override the use of $reltolerance
- $reqdecimals = a number (In Answer)
- Defines the decimal accuracy required (ie 2 for two decimal places). This will put a message in the answer tips stating the
decimals required. If neither $abstolerance or $reltolerance is set, this will set the tolerance, otherwise the provided tolerance
will be used (even if it doesn't agree with the $reqdecimal setting).
- $answerformat = "list", "exactlist", or "orderedlist"
Specifies that a list of answers is expected. If $answerformat="list", then duplicate values are ignored. If $answerformat="exactlist",
then duplicate values are not ignored. If $answerformat="orderedlist", the list must be in the same order and contain identical counts of values.
- $ansprompt = string (In Question Control)
- A string that will be displayed in front of the input box. Example: $ansprompt="y="
- $displayformat = "point" or "vector" (In Question Control)
- Used in conjunction with $answerformat = "orderedlist"; surrounds the input box with parens (for point) or angle brackets (for vector).
- $answerboxsize = number (In Question Control)
- Determines the number of characters space provided for entry of an answer. Defaults to 20.
- $answerbox (In Question Text)
- Using the variable $answerbox in the Question Text will place the question input box in that location
- $showanswer (In Answer)
- The answer to show to students (if option if available). Defaults to $answer. Use this to give a detailed answer,
or a rounded off answer.
- $hidetips = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the question entry tips that display by default
A student is asked to enter a number or a calculation, like 2/3, 5^2, or sin(2). Can also accept DNE, oo (Infinity), and
-oo (Negative Infinity) as answers.
Required Variables
- $answer = a number or calculation resulting in a number (In Answer)
- Defines the answer. Define multiple acceptable answers in a string separated by or: $answer = "3 or 5 or 7".
Alternatively, you can provide an interval notation range of
acceptable answers, like $answer = "(2,5]". Providing a range will override any tolerances set
Optional Variables
- $answerformat = "fraction", "reducedfraction", "mixednumber", "fracordec", "nodecimal", "notrig", "list", "exactlist", or "orderedlist" (In Common Control)
- Requires the answer to be a single fraction (like 10/6), a reduced fraction (like 5/3), a reduced mixed number (like 2_1/2), a single fraction or decimal, an answer
without decimals (also disallows 10^-2 and 3E-2), or
an answer without trig functions (sin,cos,tan,sec,csc,cot). Multiple options can be specified like $answerformat="nodecimal,notrig".
If $answerformat includes "list", "exactlist", or "orderedlist", then a list of answers is expected. An $answerformat of "list" ignores then duplicate values.
An $answerformat of "exactlist" does not ignore duplicates. If $answerformat="orderedlist", the list must be in the same order and contain identical counts of
values.
- $reltolerance = a decimal value (In Answer)
- Defines the largest relative error that will be accepted. If this is not set, a relative error of .001 (.1%) is
used by default.
- $abstolerance = a number (In Answer)
- Defines the largest absolute error that will be accepted. This will override the use of $reltolerance
- $reqdecimals = a number (In Answer)
- Defines the decimal accuracy required (ie 2 for two decimal places). This will put a message in the answer tips stating the
decimals required. If neither $abstolerance or $reltolerance is set, this will set the tolerance, otherwise the provided tolerance
will be used (even if it doesn't agree with the $reqdecimal setting).
- $requiretimes = a list, like "^,=3,cos,<2" (In Answer)
- Adds format checking to the student's answer. The list can include multiple checks, which come in pairs. The
first is the symbol to look for. The second describes what is acceptable. For example, in the string shown above,
the symbol "^" would be required to show up exactly 3 times, and "cos" would be required to show up less than 2 times. You can
use "#" in the symbol location to match any number (including decimal values); 3.2^5 would match twice.
- $ansprompt = string (In Question Control)
- A string that will be displayed in front of the input box. Example: $ansprompt="y="
- $displayformat = "point" or "vector" (In Question Control)
- Used in conjunction with $answerformat = "orderedlist"; surrounds the input box with parens (for point) or angle brackets (for vector).
- $answerboxsize = number (In Question Control)
- Determines the number of characters space provided for entry of an answer. Defaults to 20.
- $hidepreview = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the Preview button. Could be useful in multipart questions, or if you're only asking for a simple
response, like a fraction
- $answerbox (In Question Text)
- Using the variable $answerbox in the Question Text will place the question input box in that location
- $showanswer (In Answer)
- The answer to show to students (if option if available). Defaults to $answer. Use this to give a detailed answer,
or a rounded off answer.
- $previewloc (In Question Text)
- Where you want the preview button to be located. Defaults to after the entry box if not placed in question text.
- $hidetips = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the question entry tips that display by default
A student is asked to select the correct answer from those given. The order
of choices is automatically randomized.
Required Variables
- $questions (or $choices) = an array of choices (In Common Control)
- Defines the choices. If you use $choices, don't define $questions
- $answer = the index into $questions that contains the correct answer (In Answer)
- Defines the answer. Remember that arrays are zero-indexed, so if $questions = array("correct","wrong","wrong"),
then $answer=0
Optional Variables
- $displayformat = "horiz", "select", or "inline" (In Question Control)
- Will lay out the choices horizontally, as a select box, or inline with text rather than using the default vertical layout
- $noshuffle = "all" or "last" (In Common Control)
- If $noshuffle="all", then the $questions array will not be randomized (shuffled). If $noshuffle = "last", then the $questions
array will be randomized, except for the last element. This is for options like "None of the above"
- $answerbox (In Question Text)
- Using the variable $answerbox in the Question Text will place the choice list in that location
- $showanswer (In Answer)
- The answer to show to students (if option if available). Defaults to the text of the correct answer.
Use this to substitute a detailed answer.
- $hidetips = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the question entry tips that display by default
A student is asked to select all the choices given that are correct. The order
of choices is automatically randomized.
Required Variables
- $questions (or $choices)= an array of questions (In Common Control)
- Defines the choices. If you use $choices, don't define $questions
- $answers = a list of the indexes into $questions that contain the correct answer (In Answer)
- Defines the answers. Remember that arrays are zero-indexed, if $questions = array("correct","correct","wrong"),
then $answers="0,1"
Optional Variables
- $scoremethod = "answers" (In Answer)
- By default, the total points possible are divided by the number of questions, and partial credit is lost for each
correct answer missed and each wrong answer selected. If $scoremethod="answers" is set, then the total points
possible are divided by the number of answers (tougher grading scheme)
- $noshuffle = "all" (In Common Control)
- If $noshuffle="all", then the $questions array will not be randomized (shuffled)
- $answerbox (In Question Text)
- Using the variable $answerbox in the Question Text will place the choice list in that location
- $showanswer (In Answer)
- The answer to show to students (if option if available). Defaults to the text of the correct answers.
Use this to substitute a detailed answer.
- $hidetips = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the question entry tips that display by default
A student is asked to match answers with questions
Required Variables
- $questions = an array of questions (In Common Control)
- Defines the questions - these will be on the left with entry boxes
- $answers = an array of answers (In Common Control)
- Defines the answers - these will be on the right and lettered
Optional Variables
- $matchlist = a list of the indexes into $answers that contain the match to each question. (In Answer)
- Defines correct matches. By default, it is assumed that each element of $questions is matched one-to-one with the
corresponding element of $answers (in other words, that $answers[0] is the answer to $questions[0]).
$matchlist allows
you to define one-to-many matches. Example: if $questions=array("cat","dog","quartz") and
$answers=array("animal","mineral"), then $matchlist = "0,0,1"
- $questiontitle = string (In Question Control)
- Displays a title above the list of questions. For example, if $questions was a list of
states, then $questiontitle="States" would be appropriate
- $answertitle = string (In Question Control)
- Displays a title above the list of answers
- $noshuffle = "questions" or "answers"
- Retains original order of questions or answers, and only shuffles the other. By default, both lists are shuffled
- $displayformat = "select"
- Only displays the $answers, with select boxes next to each containing the $questions. This should only be used with
pure text $questions.
- $answerbox (In Question Text)
- Using the variable $answerbox in the Question Text will place matching questions and answers in that location
- $showanswer (In Answer)
- The answer to show to students (if option if available). Defaults to the list of correct matches.
Use this to substitute a detailed answer.
- $hidetips = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the question entry tips that display by default
A student is asked to enter a function
Required Variables
- $answer = string (In Answer)
- Defines the answer function, entered as a string. For example, $answer="2sin(x)"
Optional Variables
- $variables = string (In Common Control)
- A list of all variables in the function (including letters representing constants). Defaults to "x"
- $domain = "inputmin,inputmax" (In Common Control)
- Defines the domain on which to compare the given answer and correct answer functions. The same domain
applies to all variables. An option third list element "integers" can be given, which limits the domain to integer
values. The domain defaults to real numbers from -10 to 10
- $requiretimes = a list, like "^,=3,cos,<2" (In Answer)
- Adds format checking to the student's answer. The list can include multiple checks, which come in pairs. The
first is the symbol to look for. The second describes what is acceptable. For example, in the string shown above,
the symbol "^" would be required to show up exactly 3 times, and "cos" would be required to show up less than 2 times. You can
use "#" in the symbol location to match any number (including decimal values); 3.2x+42y would match twice.
- $answerformat = "equation" or "toconst" (In Common Control)
- By default, the student answer is expected to be an expression, and be equivalent (at points) to the specified answer. This option changes
this behavior.
"equation": Specifies that the answer expected is an equation rather than an expression. The given
answer should also be an equation. Be sure to specify all variables in the equation in $variables. This may fail
on equations that are near zero for most values of the input; this can often be overcome by changing the $domain
"toconst": Specifies that the answer provided by the student is allowed to differ from the specified answer by a constant
for all inputs. Appropriate for comparing antiderivatives. This may fail on expressions that evaluate to very large
values or raise numbers to very large powers.
- $reltolerance = a decimal value (In Answer)
- Defines the largest relative error that will be accepted. If this is not set, a relative error of .001 (.1%) is
used by default.
- $abstolerance = a number (In Answer)
- Defines the largest absolute error that will be accepted. This will override the use of $reltolerance
- $ansprompt = string (In Question Control)
- A string that will be displayed in front of the input box. Example: $ansprompt="y="
- $answerboxsize = number (In Question Control)
- Determines the number of characters space provided for entry of an answer. Defaults to 20.
- $hidepreview = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the Preview button. Could be useful in multipart questions, but generally not recommended
- $answerbox (In Question Text)
- Using the variable $answerbox in the Question Text will place the question input box in that location
- $showanswer (In Answer)
- The answer to show to students (if option if available). Defaults to makeprettydisp($answer).
- $previewloc (In Question Text)
- Where you want the preview button to be located. Defaults to after the entry box if not placed in question text.
- $hidetips = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the question entry tips that display by default
A student is asked to enter a string (a word or list of letters).
Required Variables
- $answer = a string (In Answer)
- Defines the answer. Multiple acceptable answers can be entered using "or". Example: $answer = "dog or cat"
Optional Variables
- $strflags = string of flags, like "ignore_case=1,trim_whitespace=0" (In Answer)
- Determines how the string will be compared. Set to 1 to turn on, 0 for off. Flags are:
- ignore_case: ignores capitol/lowercase differences
- trim_whitespace: trims leading and ending whitespace (spaces)
- compress_whitespace: compresses multiple spaces to one space and trims
- remove_whitespace: removes all whitespace (spaces)
- ignore_order: treats ABC and CBA as equivalent
- ignore_commas: removes commas
- special_or: use *or* for separating answers rather than or.
By default, compress_whitespace and ignore_case are On.
- $ansprompt = string (In Question Control)
- A string that will be displayed in front of the input box. Example: $ansprompt="type: "
- $answerboxsize = number (In Question Control)
- Determines the number of characters space provided for entry of an answer. Defaults to 20.
- $answerbox (In Question Text)
- Using the variable $answerbox in the Question Text will place the answer entry box in that location
- $showanswer (In Answer)
- The answer to show to students (if option if available). Defaults to the text of the correct answer.
Use this to substitute a detailed answer.
- $hidetips = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the question entry tips that display by default
A student is asked to enter a free-response answer.
The essay type is not automatically graded.
Required Variables
None - the essay type is not computer graded.
Optional Variables
- $answerboxsize = "rows" or $answerboxsize = "rows,columns" (In Question Control)
- Determines size of space provided for entry of an answer. Defaults to 5 rows, 50 columns.
- $displayformat = "editor" (In Common Control)
- Use the rich text editor for the essay answer box.
- $answerbox (In Question Text)
- Using the variable $answerbox in the Question Text will place the choice list in that location
- $showanswer (In Answer)
- The answer to show to students (if option if available). Defaults to the text of the correct answer.
Use this to substitute a detailed answer.
- $hidetips = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the question entry tips that display by default
Drawing questions require the student to draw one or more lines/curves or dots.
Dots are graded right/wrong. Lines/curves are graded based on the deviation of the
drawn line from the correct line.
Required Variables
- $answers = a string or array of strings describing the points or curves to be drawn (In Answer)
- Curves: "f(x)" or "f(x),xmin,xmax", like "x^2+3" or "x,-3,2"
Dots: "x,y" for closed dots, "x,y,open" for open dots, like "2,3"
Optional Variables
- $grid = "xmin,xmax,ymin,ymax,xscl,yscl,imagewidth,imageheight" (In Common Control)
- Defines the grid to be drawn on. Defaults to "-5,5,-5,5,1,1,300,300". You can set all or just some of the
values. For example, to just set the window, you could use "0,10,0,10"
- $background = equation or array of equations, using the showplot macro format (In Common Control)
- Define a graph to display in the background, to be drawn on top of. Example: $background = "x^2,red"
- $answerformat = "line,dot,opendot" or "polygon" (In Question Control)
- Limits the drawing tools available to students. Defaults to "line,dot,opendot". Define to limit the options.
Example: $answerformat = "line", or $answerformat = "line,dot"
Can use $answerformat = "polygon" for a single polygon; give $answer as array of points in order joined with edges.
- $partweights = array or list of weights (In Answer)
- Defines grading weight for each line or dot in $answers. Example: $partweights = ".5,.25,.25". Defaults
to equal weights on each line or dot.
- $reltolerance = tolerance scaling factor
- Scales the grading tolerance. Defaults to 1. Set $reltolerance = 2 to make the grading twice as tolerant;
$reltolerance = 0.5 to make grading half as forgiving
- $abstolerance = grading cutoff
- Sets all-or-nothing grading. If score < $abstolerance, the student receives 0 for the question (note: score is
between 0 and 1). Otherwise
the student will receive full credit. Not set by default.
- $answerbox (In Question Text)
- Using the variable $answerbox in the Question Text will place the question input drawing tool in that location
- $showanswer (In Answer)
- The answer to show to students (if option if available). Defaults to the text of the correct answer.
Use this to substitute a detailed answer.
- $hidetips = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the question entry tips that display by default
N-Tuple questions require the student to enter an n-tuple or list of n-tuples.
This can be used for coordinate points, vectors, or any other n-tuple of numbers.
Drawing question require the student to draw one or more lines/curves or dots.
Required Variables
- $answers = a string containing an n-tuple or list of n-tuples (In Answer)
- Defines the answer n-tuple or list of n-tuples. N-tuples can be any dimension,
but must be surrounded by any of: (), [], {}, <>. Examples: $answer = "(1,2)",
$answer = "<2,3,4>,<1,5,7>".
Optional Variables
- $displayformat = "point", "pointlist", "vector", "vectorlist", "list" (In Question Control)
- Changes the answer entry tips (does NOT change how the question is graded). For points,
entry like (2,3) is specified. For vectors, entry like <2,3> is specified.
- $reltolerance = tolerance scaling factor
- Scales the grading tolerance. Defaults to 1. Set $reltolerance = 2 to make the grading twice as tolerant;
$reltolerance = 0.5 to make grading half as forgiving
- $abstolerance = grading cutoff
- Sets all-or-nothing grading. If score < $abstolerance, the student receives 0 for the question (note: score is
between 0 and 1). Otherwise
the student will receive full credit. Not set by default.
- $answerbox (In Question Text)
- Using the variable $answerbox in the Question Text will place the question input drawing tool in that location
- $showanswer (In Answer)
- The answer to show to students (if option if available). Defaults to the text of the correct answer.
Use this to substitute a detailed answer.
- $hidetips = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the question entry tips that display by default
Calculated N-Tuple questions require the student to enter an n-tuple or list of n-tuples.
This can be used for coordinate points, vectors, or any other n-tuple of numbers.
Drawing question require the student to draw one or more lines/curves or dots. This
is identical the the N-tuple answer type, but allows students to enter mathematical expressions
rather than just numbers, such as (5/3, 2/3).
Required Variables
- $answers = a string containing an n-tuple or list of n-tuples (In Answer)
- Defines the answer n-tuple or list of n-tuples. N-tuples can be any dimension,
but must be surrounded by any of: (), [], {}, <>. Examples: $answer = "(1,2)",
$answer = "<2,3,4>,<1,5,7>". Note that the instructor specified $answer needs
to be n-tuples of numbers, not calculations.
Optional Variables
- $displayformat = "point", "pointlist", "vector", "vectorlist", "list" (In Question Control)
- Changes the answer entry tips (does NOT change how the question is graded). For points,
entry like (2,3) is specified. For vectors, entry like <2,3> is specified.
- $reltolerance = tolerance scaling factor
- Scales the grading tolerance. Defaults to 1. Set $reltolerance = 2 to make the grading twice as tolerant;
$reltolerance = 0.5 to make grading half as forgiving
- $abstolerance = grading cutoff
- Sets all-or-nothing grading. If score < $abstolerance, the student receives 0 for the question (note: score is
between 0 and 1). Otherwise
the student will receive full credit. Not set by default.
- $answerbox (In Question Text)
- Using the variable $answerbox in the Question Text will place the question input drawing tool in that location
- $showanswer (In Answer)
- The answer to show to students (if option if available). Defaults to the text of the correct answer.
Use this to substitute a detailed answer.
- $hidetips = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the question entry tips that display by default
The student is asked to enter a matrix of numbers (integer, decimal, or scientific notation).
The entries are compared to a given tolerance.
Required Variables
- $answer = string descripting a matrix of numbers, or calculations leading to numbers (In Answer)
- Defines the answer. Example: $answer = "[(1,2,3),(8/2,5,6)]" is a 2x3 matrix with first row: 1,2,3
Optional Variables
- $answersize = "rows,cols" (In Common Control)
- Defines the size of the answer matrix. If this is supplied, the student will be provided with a grid of
entry boxes in which to input the matrix. If this is not supplied, they will be required to enter the matrix
using the ASCIIMath notation, like "[(1,2,3),(4,5,6)]"
- $reltolerance = a decimal value (In Answer)
- Defines the largest relative error that will be accepted. If this is not set, a relative error of .001 (.1%) is
used by default.
- $abstolerance = a number (In Answer)
- Defines the largest absolute error that will be accepted. This will override the use of $reltolerance
- $ansprompt = string (In Question Control)
- A string that will be displayed in front of the input box. Example: $ansprompt="y="
- $answerboxsize = number (In Question Control)
- Determines the number of characters space provided for entry of an answer. Defaults to 20. Will only be
used if $answersize is not supplied.
- $answerbox (In Question Text)
- Using the variable $answerbox in the Question Text will place the question input box in that location
- $showanswer (In Answer)
- The answer to show to students (if option if available). Defaults to $answer.
Use this to substitute a detailed answer.
- $hidetips = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the question entry tips that display by default
The student is asked to enter a matrix of numbers or calculations, like 2/3 or 5^2.
The entries are compared to a given tolerance.
Required Variables
- $answer = string descripting a matrix of numbers, or calculations leading to numbers (In Answer)
- Defines the answer. Example: $answer = "[(1,2,3),(8/2,5,6)]" is a 2x3 matrix with first row: 1,2,3
Optional Variables
- $answersize = "rows,cols" (In Common Control)
- Defines the size of the answer matrix. If this is supplied, the student will be provided with a grid of
entry boxes in which to input the matrix. If this is not supplied, they will be required to enter the matrix
using the ASCIIMath notation, like "[(1,2,3),(4,5,6)]"
- $reltolerance = a decimal value (In Answer)
- Defines the largest relative error that will be accepted. If this is not set, a relative error of .001 (.1%) is
used by default.
- $abstolerance = a number (In Answer)
- Defines the largest absolute error that will be accepted. This will override the use of $reltolerance
- $ansprompt = string (In Question Control)
- A string that will be displayed in front of the input box. Example: $ansprompt="y="
- $answerboxsize = number (In Question Control)
- Determines the number of characters space provided for entry of an answer. Defaults to 20. Will only be
used if $answersize is not supplied.
- $hidepreview = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the Preview button. Could be useful in multipart questions, but generally not recommended
- $answerbox (In Question Text)
- Using the variable $answerbox in the Question Text will place the question input box in that location
- $showanswer (In Answer)
- The answer to show to students (if option if available). Defaults to $answer.
Use this to substitute a detailed answer.
- $previewloc (In Question Text)
- Where you want the preview button to be located. Defaults to after the entry box if not placed in question text.
- $hidetips = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the question entry tips that display by default
A student is asked to enter an interval notation answer. Example: (2,5]U(7,oo)
Required Variables
- $answer = a string with the answer in interval notation (In Answer)
- Defines the answer. Join multiple intervals with U for union. Example: $answer = "(-oo,4]U(3,oo)". Use
DNE for empty set. Multiple acceptable answers can be entered using "or". Example: $answer = "(3,3) or [3,3]"
Optional Variables
- $reltolerance = a decimal value (In Answer)
- Defines the largest relative error that will be accepted. If this is not set, a relative error of .001 (.1%) is
used by default.
- $abstolerance = a number (In Answer)
- Defines the largest absolute error that will be accepted. This will override the use of $reltolerance
- $reqdecimals = a number (In Answer)
- Defines the decimal accuracy required (ie 2 for two decimal places). This will put a message in the answer tips stating the
decimals required. If neither $abstolerance or $reltolerance is set, this will set the tolerance, otherwise the provided tolerance
will be used (even if it doesn't agree with the $reqdecimal setting).
- $ansprompt = string (In Question Control)
- A string that will be displayed in front of the input box. Example: $ansprompt="`x in`"
- $answerboxsize = number (In Question Control)
- Determines the number of characters space provided for entry of an answer. Defaults to 20.
- $answerbox (In Question Text)
- Using the variable $answerbox in the Question Text will place the entry box in that location
- $showanswer (In Answer)
- The answer to show to students (if option if available). Defaults to the text of the correct answer.
Use this to substitute a detailed answer.
- $hidetips = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the question entry tips that display by default
A student is asked to enter an interval notation answer. Example: (2,5]U(7,oo). Values can be entered as calculations
rather than numbers, like [2/5,sqrt(8)].
Required Variables
- $answer = a string with the answer in interval notation (In Answer)
- Defines the answer. Join multiple intervals with U for union. Example: $answer = "(-oo,4]U(3,oo)". Use
DNE for empty set. Multiple acceptable answers can be entered using "or". Example: $answer = "(3,3) or [3,3]"
Optional Variables
- $reltolerance = a decimal value (In Answer)
- Defines the largest relative error that will be accepted. If this is not set, a relative error of .001 (.1%) is
used by default.
- $abstolerance = a number (In Answer)
- Defines the largest absolute error that will be accepted. This will override the use of $reltolerance
- $reqdecimals = a number (In Answer)
- Defines the decimal accuracy required (ie 2 for two decimal places). This will put a message in the answer tips stating the
decimals required. If neither $abstolerance or $reltolerance is set, this will set the tolerance, otherwise the provided tolerance
will be used (even if it doesn't agree with the $reqdecimal setting).
- $ansprompt = string (In Question Control)
- A string that will be displayed in front of the input box. Example: $ansprompt="`x in`"
- $answerboxsize = number (In Question Control)
- Determines the number of characters space provided for entry of an answer. Defaults to 20.
- $answerbox (In Question Text)
- Using the variable $answerbox in the Question Text will place the entry box in that location
- $showanswer (In Answer)
- The answer to show to students (if option if available). Defaults to the text of the correct answer.
Use this to substitute a detailed answer.
- $previewloc (In Question Text)
- Where you want the preview button to be located. Defaults to after the entry box if not placed in question text.
- $hidetips = true (In Question Control)
- Hides the question entry tips that display by default
This type of question can contain multiple parts, where each part is one of the previous question types.
Required Variables
- $anstypes = an array or list of answer types (In Answer)
- Defines the answer type for each part. Example:
$anstypes = array("number","calculated","choices","multans","matching","numfunc","draw","ntuple","calcntuple","essay","matrix","calcmatrix","interval","calcinterval")
Refer to this list for the short names of each question type
- Question part variables
- For each question part, you will need to define the variables (like $answer, $questions, etc.) you would normally
need to define. However, you will need to suffix the variable with a part designator. For example, based on $anstypes
above, the first answer is a number. Instead of $answer = 5, enter $answer[0] = 5. This designates that this answer belongs
to the first element of $anstypes. Likewise, to set the variables for the "numfunc" type, you'd set $variables[5] = "x".
- $answerbox[partnum] (In Question Text)
- The array $answerbox will contain the entry boxes for each answer type. In the question text, you will need to position
these boxes within the question. For example: "Enter a number: $answerbox[0]. Now a function: $answerbox[5]"
Optional Variables
- $answeights = an array or list of weights for each question (In Answer)
- By default the points for a problem are divided evenly over the parts. Use this option if you wish to weight parts
differently. Weights should be percentages (in decimal form), and add to 1. Example: $answeights = array(.2,.3,.5)
- Question part options
- You can define any optional variable for each question part. Like above, suffix the variable with the part designator.
- $showanswer (In Answer)
- You can either define $showanswer for individual question parts (ie, $showanswer[1]="`x^2`"), or you can set one
$showanswer, which will be the only answer shown for the problem (ie, $showanswer = "x=$answer[0], y=$answer[1]")
At the Login page, you will be asked to supply your login credidentials (username and password).
You will also be able to select Viewing/Accessibility options:
- Use visual display, for accurate rendering of math and graphs. Uses browser-based display if available.
- Force image-based graphs. Some Mac Mozilla-based browsers (FireFox, Camino, etc) have problems with their browser-based graph display. Use
this option to force use of image-based graphs
- Force image-based display. If you are having trouble with browser based math and graph display, use this option to force the use of
image-based math and graph display
- Use text-based display, for screen readers or older browsers
If you choose visual display and your browser does not support browser-based visual display, you be brought to a page explaining how to
download the necessary plugins (for Windows Internet Explorer), download a compatible browser, or continue with image-based display.
The options are set for your current session only, so you can set them differently depending on the support offered by the
computer you're currently working at.
The course page consists of a list of items. There are five types of items:
- Blocks: Groupings of items
- Text Items: Text that displays on the course page
- Links: A summary displays on the course page. A link is provided
that may display text, a file, or take you to a weblink
- Forums: Discussion forums
- Assessments: Tests or Practice questions
Blocks have a colored header. Some blocks may show collapsed. Click the block
name or the "Expand" button to view the block's contents. Other blocks may display as
folders (with a folder icon). Click on the block name show the contents.
Text items are preceded with an information ! icon, forums are preceded with
a F icon, and assessments are
preceded with a ? icon. Depending upon the setup, these may change color as a deadline approaches.
The color is green at two weeks before a due date, yellow at one week, and red on due date.