For Staff: Quick Start guide - Tests and Surveys

Step 1 – Create the test container

In the Control Panel, Click on Module Tools, then select Tests, Surveys and Pools.

In this example we are going to build a test, so select 'Tests'

Select ‘Build test’

In the Test information section, give your test a name and add any description and instructions as necessary. Don’t worry, you can come back to this later. Just add something relevant and press submit

You’ve just created a test container – there are no questions yet so we have to create those.

Step Two – Create a question

In the Test Canvas, select ‘Create Question’. Select the question type from the list in the drop-down menu.

In this example, we’ll choose a ‘Multiple Choice’ question type. Enter the question text and specify your options.

In the Answers section, specify the number of answers and for the correct answer, select the radio button labelled ‘correct’. Enter the text for each answer and submit.

You now have an opportunity to add positive and negative feedback, Categorise your questions with meaningful keywords and add notes for instructors use. Once you are satisfied with your question, press submit.

You’ll need to create all of your questions before moving to step three, where we’ll choose the questions to add to our Test/Survey container.

Step 3 – Adding questions to the Test/Survey container

When you add a new question in the Question editor you are immediately taken to the Test Canvas.

Add questions to your test by clicking the select boxes next to the Question title and select Ok when you have finished.

Step 4 - Deploying a Test/Survey

Select the Content area where you want to add your test and select the ‘add assessment’ button then select ‘Test’ from the list in the drop down menu.

Select the name of your test from the Add Test list, and select submit. You can edit the Test name and Description before you deploy it, so make any amendments now. Under Test availability, make the test Available. Select Yes to add an Announcement, if you want to. Choose your options for Multiple attempts, Completion and Timers.

In our experience it’s best to limit the number of restrictions you place on Tests and Surveys to aid successful completion. If you start restricting attempts and enforcing timers etc you will likely have issues with students who could not take the test properly. For formative tests, leave them as easy to access as possible. For summative test, ensure you give students appropriate instructions so that they know what to expect from the test conditions.

You may also specify date restrictions and due dates for completion of the Test/Survey, as well as grading options and feedback text.

Pitfalls in test deployment

Wireless: Using a wireless connection increases the chances of students losing work. If their wireless connection is lost, any work since their last save will be lost too. We recommend a wired connection for important tests.

Saving Work: Encourage students to save their answers every 10-15 minutes using the Save All Answers button:

Students will see a reminder to save their answers before they begin the test.

Force Completion: This setting is responsible for a large percentage of help calls from frustrated students who have started but not completed their online test. Be aware that by simply opening the test, the student will register an attempt. If they quit the test, abandon the online session or have a technical problem, they will not be able to complete. If you do use this option, consider giving very specific instructions on the test conditions to your students.

Self Assessment Options: If you select the ‘Include this Test in Grade Centre Score Calculations’ option the score achieved will flow into the grade centre. Be careful with the ‘Hide’ results option: you will not be able to retrieve any of the results if you enable this option, and attempts will have to be deleted to undo this setting. Contact us via the ISS Helpdesk if you have this setting on in error and we will see if we can help.

Date restrictions:

Test availability - The time settings in this option are in 24 hour time. ‘Midnight’ (before the morning of the test, for example) and ‘End of day’ are specified in the time selection menu for convenience.

Due Date - You must select the check box and enter the date & time for a due date to be applied.

Random Block/Randomise Questions:

1. If you are using a random block of questions you should not select Randomise Questions here as well - this can cause problems.
2. If using any form of randomisation, do not combine this with the test presentation setting 'One at a Time.'
3. When using any form of randomisation, note that the test cannot run for longer then one hour.

Test length: Blackboard suggest keeping tests short (approx 50 questions), especially when using randomised questions. Otherwise, there is a particularly high risk of students losing work.

Timer: Although it is technically possible to set a timer for more than one hour, bear in mind tests using random blocks/randomised questions will time out after an hour.

Summative tests: We do not recommend using Blackboard tests for summative assignments. If you choose to do a Blackboard test in a controlled classroom environment, stagger student submission to reduce the chance of work being lost.