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26: \quotes_language english
27: \quotes_times 2
28: \papercolumns 1
29: \papersides 1
30: \paperpagestyle headings
31:
32: \layout Title
33:
34: Learning
35: \emph on
36: Online
37: \emph default
38: Network with CAPA
39: \newline
40:
41: \emph on
42: \SpecialChar ~
43:
44: \newline
45:
46: \size larger
47: Author's Tutorial And Manual
48: \layout Standard
49: \added_space_top vfill \align center
50: \SpecialChar ~
51:
52: \layout Standard
53: \align center
54: John Williamson, Felicia Berryman, Jeremy Bowers
55: \layout Standard
56:
57: \SpecialChar ~
58:
59: \layout Standard
60: \pagebreak_bottom \align center
61: Laboratory for Instructional Technology in Education
62: \newline
63: and the
64: \newline
65: Office of Medical Education Research and Development
66: \newline
67: Michigan State University
68: \newline
69:
70: \layout Standard
71: \pagebreak_bottom
72:
73: \begin_inset LatexCommand \tableofcontents{}
74:
75: \end_inset
76:
77:
78: \layout Section
79:
80: Introduction to LON-CAPA
81: \layout Comment
82:
83: This is a comment that will not show in any other rendering of this document.
84: I will use them to document my observations as I work through this tutorial.
85: \layout Comment
86:
87: Imagine a big
88: \begin_inset Quotes eld
89: \end_inset
90:
91: IMHO
92: \begin_inset Quotes erd
93: \end_inset
94:
95: on all of these comments; I'm just going to give you my comments straight
96: out.
97: I'm not attached to them and won't be offended by anything you say or do
98: about them.
99: \layout Standard
100:
101: LON-CAPA is a web-based interface that helps to organize and present your
102: course website, deliver and manage problems, and manage student enrollment.
103: All author functions are done through a web browser (Netscape 4.x or higher,
104: a recent Mozilla, or IE 5+ required).
105: \layout Standard
106:
107: At this time, you should have:
108: \layout Itemize
109:
110: developed your objectives for your course.
111:
112: \layout Itemize
113:
114: developed your problems for input into LON-CAPA and determined the appropriate
115: question formats.
116: \layout Subsection
117:
118: About This Manual
119: \layout Standard
120:
121: Throughout this manual, keywords and phrases literally present on the computer
122: screen will be referred to in
123: \series bold
124: bold type
125: \series default
126: .
127: Function names and scripts will be shown in a
128: \family typewriter
129: typewriter font
130: \family default
131: .
132: \layout Standard
133:
134: Much of this document can be used as a tutorial that will introduce you
135: to the authoring system.
136: In particular, chapters
137: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Author Interface}
138:
139: \end_inset
140:
141: through
142: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a Course}
143:
144: \end_inset
145:
146: comprise a basic tutorial that can get you started using LON-CAPA, even
147: with no previous LON-CAPA experience.
148: \layout Standard
149:
150: For additional help, visit our FAQ at
151: \family typewriter
152: http://help.loncapa.org/
153: \family default
154: .
155: \layout Section
156:
157: The LON-CAPA Author Interface
158: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Author Interface}
159:
160: \end_inset
161:
162:
163: \layout Subsection
164:
165: Login as Course Author
166: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Course Author}
167:
168: \end_inset
169:
170:
171: \layout Standard
172:
173: To begin using LON-CAPA, you first need to log in to your account on LON-CAPA.
174: Open your web browser and navigate to your local LON-CAPA URL.
175: You will be presented with a log in screen as in figure
176: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{LON-CAPA Log in screen}
177:
178: \end_inset
179:
180: .
181:
182: \begin_float fig
183: \layout Standard
184: \align center
185:
186: \begin_inset Figure size 297 234
187: file login.eps
188: width 3 50
189: flags 11
190:
191: \end_inset
192:
193:
194: \layout Caption
195:
196:
197: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{LON-CAPA Log in screen}
198:
199: \end_inset
200:
201: LON-CAPA Log in screen
202: \end_float
203: \layout Standard
204:
205: Fill in the Username and Password boxes with your information.
206: Then press the Login button.
207: This will take you to your LON-CAPA User Roles menu.
208: \layout Description
209:
210: Note: Your Username and Password will be given to you by your system administrat
211: or.
212: Both are case sensitive, so make sure you type them with the correct case.
213: \layout Subsection
214:
215:
216: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Author Remote Control}
217:
218: \end_inset
219:
220: Author Remote Control
221: \layout Comment
222:
223: Comment on the remote controls: I'll only mention this once, but imagine
224: this comment exists everywhere a remote control image is used.
225: The whole
226: \begin_inset Quotes eld
227: \end_inset
228:
229: remote control
230: \begin_inset Quotes erd
231: \end_inset
232:
233: metaphor is fundamentally flawed and probably can't be salvaged.
234: Why is it flawed?
235: \layout Comment
236:
237: \SpecialChar ~
238:
239: \layout Comment
240:
241: 1.
242: The remote control invokes a metaphor, that of remote controls.
243: However, remote controls are useful in the real world, despite the overwhelming
244: complexity of modern remotes, for three major reasons: One, they never,
245: ever, ever change.
246: Two, they provide immense amounts of tactile feedback, allowing one to
247: overcome the complexity of using one by putting the knowledge into motor
248: memory.
249: (There are equivalent usability principles in usability, as well; look
250: up Fitt's Law, for instance.) Three, they all basically do the same thing;
251: pick up an unfamiliar TV control and you at least know in advance there
252: will be numbers for channel changing, vol up and down, chan up and down,
253: mute, etc.
254: The remotes used in this system do not have any of these properties.
255: Remotes are actually horrid UI, because they are very, very difficult to
256: learn; they make up for it by being useful and persistent.
257: \layout Comment
258:
259: Further, remotes should *do* things.
260: This remote is like a remote that no matter what button you push, it invokes
261: a menu.
262: Most remotes have
263: \series bold
264: one
265: \series default
266: explicit
267: \begin_inset Quotes eld
268: \end_inset
269:
270: menu
271: \begin_inset Quotes erd
272: \end_inset
273:
274: button to invoke a menu that has all the feature that aren't worth valuable
275: remote control space.
276: \layout Comment
277:
278: In fact, the metaphor is so unsuccessful that any moderately savvy Internet
279: user will almost immediately come to conceptualize the remote as just another
280: list of links, albeit a clumsy and inconvenient one.
281: Why not give them that in the first place?
282: \layout Comment
283:
284: \SpecialChar ~
285:
286: \layout Comment
287:
288: 2.
289: Even the simplest
290: \begin_inset Quotes eld
291: \end_inset
292:
293: remote
294: \begin_inset Quotes erd
295: \end_inset
296:
297: I see in the tutorial has eight buttons, which nearly immediately becomes
298: seventeen (!) buttons, all incomprehensible, and I didn't get a chance
299: to count during the interview, but I saw a remote flash by (student remote?
300: admin remote? that wouldn't matter as much) that had at least twenty, probably
301: 24 buttons, again, all or nearly all incomprehensible.
302: This is needlessly intimidating.
303: \layout Comment
304:
305: \SpecialChar ~
306:
307: \layout Comment
308:
309: 3.
310: By committing to this
311: \begin_inset Quotes eld
312: \end_inset
313:
314: remote control
315: \begin_inset Quotes erd
316: \end_inset
317:
318: layout, you commit to a remote control's layout limitations, except that
319: an actual remote control can get away with a 6pt or smaller font, or weird
320: specialized symbols, or whatnot.
321: I'm looking at a (real) remote control right now that manages to get
322: \begin_inset Quotes eld
323: \end_inset
324:
325: channel return
326: \begin_inset Quotes erd
327: \end_inset
328:
329: onto one button.
330: That whole phrase fits *twice* into the space the
331: \begin_inset Quotes eld
332: \end_inset
333:
334: ROLES
335: \begin_inset Quotes erd
336: \end_inset
337:
338: button takes up on my printout! So in actuality, you're committing to something
339: no sane remote control designer could deal with.
340: \layout Comment
341:
342: \SpecialChar ~
343:
344: \layout Comment
345:
346: 4.
347: Requiring the user to mouse over something to see what it does is not a
348: solution.
349: Limiting yourself to an 8 by 2 array of characters to explain yourself
350: compounds the problem even more.
351: (Another over-literal extension of the remote control metaphor.) Also, as
352: you may have observed, the accessibility of this is nil.
353:
354: \layout Comment
355:
356: \SpecialChar ~
357:
358: \layout Comment
359:
360: The upshot is that the only upside to the remote control is a moderately
361: pleasing graphic; the downsides are pretty much everything, up to and including
362: possible illegality under accessibility laws.
363: Unfortunately, I do not see any way to salvage any aspect of the remote
364: control; it's going to suck until it's replaced.
365: Pleasing graphics are relatively easy to come by nowadays; it should not
366: drive the design.
367: I'll admit (freely!) I'm not a graphics designer...
368: graphics designers aren't web developers (designers), either.
369: \layout Comment
370:
371: \SpecialChar ~
372:
373: \layout Comment
374:
375: We're data-mining the web logs to see what people actually use.
376: This is good.
377: We may need to do some really simple stuff before he finishes.
378: Raw statistics on what buttons are pressed most often can probably be interpret
379: ed easily enough for our purposes.
380: No matter what the final design is, it should emphasize the two or three
381: commands used day in and day out, as determined by empirical analysis,
382: and shuffle the other commands onto another sub menu or sub menus.
383: Then, use the additional space you'll have (even if you keep the same size
384: window) and actually *spell out* the options.
385:
386: \layout Standard
387:
388: The Author Remote Control, show in figure
389: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Author Remote Control Figure}
390:
391: \end_inset
392:
393: , will automatically load whenever you log in to LON-CAPA as the course
394: instructor.
395: The Author Remote Control is a separate window in your browser, and is
396: automatically sized and placed in the upper left of the screen.
397: The Remote Control is a tool that allows you to switch between functions
398: and roles within LON-CAPA.
399:
400: \begin_float fig
401: \layout Standard
402: \align center
403:
404: \begin_inset Figure size 180 420
405: file authorRemote.eps
406: height 3 50
407: flags 9
408:
409: \end_inset
410:
411:
412: \layout Caption
413:
414: Author Remote Control
415: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Author Remote Control Figure}
416:
417: \end_inset
418:
419:
420: \end_float
421: \layout Comment
422:
423: Of the eight choices on this menu, only two (ROLES and LOGOUT) make *any*
424: sort of sense on a first glance.
425: Abbreviations are evil in this sort of application and should be used as
426: a truly last resort.
427: \layout Standard
428:
429: When you move your mouse over the buttons in the remote, the sixteen gray
430: boxes will show a reminder of what that button does.
431: \layout Itemize
432:
433:
434: \series bold
435: ROLES (CHOOSE ROLE)
436: \series default
437: allows you to select which user role to assume for this session.
438: \layout Itemize
439:
440:
441: \series bold
442: COM (COMMUNICATION)
443: \series default
444: allows you to access the communication functions in the system.
445: \layout Itemize
446:
447:
448: \series bold
449: CUSR (USER ROLES)
450: \series default
451: brings up a page that allows you to create new users and change user privileges.
452: \layout Itemize
453:
454:
455: \series bold
456: CSTR (CONSTRUCT)
457: \series default
458: displays the construction space for your account.
459: \layout Itemize
460:
461:
462: \series bold
463: RES (RESOURCE SPACE)
464: \series default
465: allows you to browse the LON-CAPA network directory.
466: \layout Itemize
467:
468:
469: \series bold
470: SRC (SEARCH LIBRARY)
471: \series default
472: brings up a screen that lets you search the LON-CAPA resources using multiple
473: criteria.
474: \layout Itemize
475:
476:
477: \series bold
478: PREF (PREFERENCES)
479: \series default
480: brings up a screen that allows you to change some preferences.
481: \layout Itemize
482:
483:
484: \series bold
485: EXIT (LOGOUT)
486: \series default
487: will log you out of the LON-CAPA system.
488: \layout Section
489:
490: Creating Content Using LON-CAPA
491: \layout Standard
492:
493: LON-CAPA provides three types of resources for organizing your course website.
494: LON-CAPA refers to these resources as Content Pages, Problems, and Maps.
495: Maps may be either of two types: Sequences or Pages.
496: You will use these LON-CAPA resources to build the outline, or structure,
497: for the presentation of your course to your students.
498: \layout Itemize
499:
500: A
501: \series bold
502: Content Page
503: \series default
504:
505: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Content Page}
506:
507: \end_inset
508:
509: displays course content.
510: It is essentially a conventional HTML page.
511: These resources use the extension
512: \begin_inset Quotes eld
513: \end_inset
514:
515: .html
516: \begin_inset Quotes erd
517: \end_inset
518:
519: .
520: \layout Itemize
521:
522: A
523: \series bold
524: Problem
525: \series default
526:
527: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Problem}
528:
529: \end_inset
530:
531: resource represents problems for the students to solve, with answers stored
532: in the system.
533: These resources are stored in files that must use the extension
534: \begin_inset Quotes eld
535: \end_inset
536:
537: .problem
538: \begin_inset Quotes erd
539: \end_inset
540:
541: .
542: \layout Itemize
543:
544: A
545: \series bold
546: Sequence
547: \series default
548:
549: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Sequence}
550:
551: \end_inset
552:
553: is a type of
554: \series bold
555: Map
556: \series default
557:
558: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Map}
559:
560: \end_inset
561:
562: which is used to link other resources together.
563: The users of this resource can use directional buttons on their remote
564: or the NAV button to follow the sequence.
565: Sequences are stored in files that must use the extension
566: \begin_inset Quotes eld
567: \end_inset
568:
569: .sequence
570: \begin_inset Quotes erd
571: \end_inset
572:
573: .
574: Sequences can contain other sequences and pages.
575: \layout Itemize
576:
577: A
578: \series bold
579: Page
580: \series default
581:
582: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Page}
583:
584: \end_inset
585:
586: is a type of
587: \series bold
588: Map
589: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Map}
590:
591: \end_inset
592:
593:
594: \series default
595: which is used to join other resources together into one HTML page.
596: For example, a page of problems will appears as a problem set.
597: These resources are stored in files that must use the extension
598: \begin_inset Quotes eld
599: \end_inset
600:
601: .page
602: \begin_inset Quotes erd
603: \end_inset
604:
605: .
606: \layout Subsection
607:
608: Description of the Construction Space
609: \layout Standard
610:
611: \begin_float fig
612: \layout Standard
613: \align center
614:
615: \begin_inset Figure size 476 42
616: file constructionSpace.eps
617: width 3 80
618: flags 9
619:
620: \end_inset
621:
622:
623: \layout Caption
624:
625: Construction Space
626: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Construction Space Figure}
627:
628: \end_inset
629:
630:
631: \layout Standard
632:
633: Contents of the Construction Space:
634: \layout Standard
635:
636:
637: \begin_inset Tabular
638: <lyxtabular version="2" rows="10" columns="2">
639: <features rotate="false" islongtable="false" endhead="0" endfirsthead="0" endfoot="0" endlastfoot="0">
640: <column alignment="center" valignment="top" leftline="true" rightline="false" width="" special="">
641: <column alignment="left" valignment="top" leftline="true" rightline="true" width="5in" special="">
642: <row topline="true" bottomline="true" newpage="false">
643: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
644: \begin_inset Text
645:
646: \layout Standard
647:
648:
649: \series bold
650: Button Name
651: \end_inset
652: </cell>
653: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="left" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
654: \begin_inset Text
655:
656: \layout Standard
657:
658:
659: \series bold
660: Description
661: \end_inset
662: </cell>
663: </row>
664: <row topline="true" bottomline="false" newpage="false">
665: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
666: \begin_inset Text
667:
668: \layout Standard
669:
670: Publish this Resource
671: \end_inset
672: </cell>
673: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
674: \begin_inset Text
675:
676: \layout Standard
677:
678: Opens the Resource Publishing window.
679: \end_inset
680: </cell>
681: </row>
682: <row topline="true" bottomline="false" newpage="false">
683: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
684: \begin_inset Text
685:
686: \layout Standard
687:
688: List Directory
689: \end_inset
690: </cell>
691: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
692: \begin_inset Text
693:
694: \layout Standard
695:
696: Lists the contents of the current working directory
697: \end_inset
698: </cell>
699: </row>
700: <row topline="true" bottomline="false" newpage="false">
701: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
702: \begin_inset Text
703:
704: \layout Standard
705:
706: Copy
707: \end_inset
708: </cell>
709: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
710: \begin_inset Text
711:
712: \layout Standard
713:
714: Type a new name in the entry box to make a copy the current resource
715: \end_inset
716: </cell>
717: </row>
718: <row topline="true" bottomline="false" newpage="false">
719: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
720: \begin_inset Text
721:
722: \layout Standard
723:
724: Browse
725: \end_inset
726: </cell>
727: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
728: \begin_inset Text
729:
730: \layout Standard
731:
732: Helps you select a file to upload
733: \end_inset
734: </cell>
735: </row>
736: <row topline="true" bottomline="false" newpage="false">
737: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
738: \begin_inset Text
739:
740: \layout Standard
741:
742: Upload File
743: \end_inset
744: </cell>
745: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
746: \begin_inset Text
747:
748: \layout Standard
749:
750: Uploads the selected file to your Construction Space
751: \end_inset
752: </cell>
753: </row>
754: <row topline="true" bottomline="false" newpage="false">
755: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
756: \begin_inset Text
757:
758: \layout Standard
759:
760: Retrieve Old Version
761: \end_inset
762: </cell>
763: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
764: \begin_inset Text
765:
766: \layout Standard
767:
768: Load an older version of a resource if you have multiple versions
769: \end_inset
770: </cell>
771: </row>
772: <row topline="true" bottomline="false" newpage="false">
773: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
774: \begin_inset Text
775:
776: \layout Standard
777:
778: Delete
779: \end_inset
780: </cell>
781: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
782: \begin_inset Text
783:
784: \layout Standard
785:
786: Deletes the current resource
787: \end_inset
788: </cell>
789: </row>
790: <row topline="true" bottomline="false" newpage="false">
791: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
792: \begin_inset Text
793:
794: \layout Standard
795:
796: Rename
797: \end_inset
798: </cell>
799: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
800: \begin_inset Text
801:
802: \layout Standard
803:
804: Type a new name in the associated entry box to rename a resource
805: \end_inset
806: </cell>
807: </row>
808: <row topline="true" bottomline="true" newpage="false">
809: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="false" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
810: \begin_inset Text
811:
812: \layout Standard
813:
814: New Subdirectory
815: \end_inset
816: </cell>
817: <cell multicolumn="0" alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" bottomline="false" leftline="true" rightline="true" rotate="false" usebox="none" width="" special="">
818: \begin_inset Text
819:
820: \layout Standard
821:
822: Type a name in the entry box to create a new directory
823: \end_inset
824: </cell>
825: </row>
826: </lyxtabular>
827:
828: \end_inset
829:
830:
831: \end_float
832: The Construction Space, as seen in figure
833: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Construction Space Figure}
834:
835: \end_inset
836:
837: , is the section of LON-CAPA where you create and manage your course resources.
838: The figure explains what each button does.
839: \layout Subsection
840:
841: How to Create New Content Pages
842: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Creating New Content Pages}
843:
844: \end_inset
845:
846:
847: \layout Standard
848:
849:
850: \series bold
851: Content Pages
852: \series default
853: are HTML documents that display the course information you are presenting.
854:
855: \layout Standard
856:
857: Many users use tools such as Dreamweaver to create web pages.
858: To upload HTML files generated with such tools, you can use the
859: \series bold
860: Browse
861: \series default
862: button in the Construction Space, locate your HTML file, and use the
863: \series bold
864: Upload File
865: \series default
866: button to create a content page in LON-CAPA.
867: Remember to upload any graphics your generated web pages may have included.
868: \layout Standard
869:
870: To create new Content Pages, do the following:
871: \layout Enumerate
872:
873: Click the
874: \series bold
875: CSTR
876: \series default
877: button on the LON-CAPA remote.
878: Your web page will change to your Construction Space.
879: \layout Enumerate
880:
881: In the Location bar of your browser, type in the full URL of the new Content
882: Page.
883: Make sure the last part of the URL ends with
884: \begin_inset Quotes eld
885: \end_inset
886:
887: .html
888: \begin_inset Quotes erd
889: \end_inset
890:
891: , for example,
892: \newline
893:
894: \emph on
895: http://www.s10.lite.msu.edu/priv/username/new_resource.html
896: \emph default
897: .
898: \newline
899: Press the Return or Enter key.
900: \layout Enumerate
901:
902: Type the content into the editor,
903: \emph on
904: OR
905: \emph default
906: copy and paste HTML source code obtained through the use of some other
907: HTML authoring program into the editor.
908: \layout Enumerate
909:
910: Optionally, click the
911: \series bold
912: View
913: \series default
914: button to preview your Content Page.
915: \layout Enumerate
916:
917: Finally, click the
918: \series bold
919: Save this
920: \series default
921: button
922: \emph on
923: OR
924: \emph default
925: click the
926: \series bold
927: Save and then attempt to clean HTML
928: \series default
929: button.
930: \layout Standard
931:
932: Repeat this process as many times as necessary to create your Content Pages.
933:
934: \layout Standard
935:
936: If you're following this as a tutorial, create at least one content page,
937: which we'll use later as raw material.
938: \begin_float footnote
939: \layout Standard
940:
941: Visit the FAQ at
942: \family typewriter
943: http://help.lon-capa.org/
944: \family default
945: if you get
946: \begin_inset Quotes eld
947: \end_inset
948:
949: unmatched tag
950: \begin_inset Quotes erd
951: \end_inset
952:
953: warnings.
954: \end_float
955: \layout Subsection
956:
957: How to Edit Existing Content Pages
958: \layout Standard
959:
960: You may edit any Content Pages that have been created.
961: \layout Standard
962:
963: To edit Content Pages:
964: \layout Enumerate
965:
966: Click the
967: \series bold
968: CSTR
969: \series default
970: button on the LON-CAPA Remote.
971: Your web page will change to your Construction Space.
972: \layout Enumerate
973:
974: Click on the link for the name of the Content Page to edit.
975: The Content Page editor will load and display the current edition of the
976: Content Page.
977: \layout Enumerate
978:
979: Press the
980: \series bold
981: Edit
982: \series default
983: button.
984: Edit the HTML code, or copy and paste HTML source code into the editor.
985: \layout Enumerate
986:
987: Optionally, click the
988: \series bold
989: View
990: \series default
991: button to preview your Content Page.
992: \layout Enumerate
993:
994: Finally, click the
995: \series bold
996: Save this
997: \series default
998: button
999: \emph on
1000: OR
1001: \emph default
1002: click the
1003: \series bold
1004: Save and then attempt to clean HTML
1005: \series default
1006: button.
1007: If you do not do this, your work will not be saved.
1008: \layout Subsection
1009:
1010: Creating Online Problems Using LON-CAPA
1011: \layout Standard
1012:
1013: If you're following this as a tutorial, go ahead and make one of each of
1014: these problem types now.
1015: We'll be using them later as raw material to assemble maps and sequences.
1016: \layout Standard
1017:
1018: While several problem types are listed here, in LON-CAPA, all problems are
1019: actually the same.
1020: All problems are written in XML, which can be obtained and edited with
1021: the
1022: \series bold
1023: EditXML
1024: \series default
1025: button you'll see.
1026: The problem types listed in this manual are actually just templates.
1027: As your knowledge advances, you may wish to play with the XML representation
1028: directly to see what you can do.
1029: \layout Subsubsection
1030:
1031: Problems Types
1032: \layout Standard
1033:
1034: In this manual we will cover five basic types of problems: Radio Response,
1035: Option Response, String Response, Numerical Response, and Formula Response.
1036: You will need to identify which types of problem you want to use and create
1037: appropriate questions for your course.
1038: \layout Standard
1039:
1040: The problem editor gives you a testing area where you can try your problems
1041: out, with several different randomizations by varying the
1042: \series bold
1043: Random Seed
1044: \series default
1045: .
1046: If you answer a problem correctly and can no longer enter new answers,
1047: you can get the answer field back by hitting the
1048: \series bold
1049: Reset Submissions
1050: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Reset Submissions}
1051:
1052: \end_inset
1053:
1054:
1055: \series default
1056: button.
1057: \layout Subsubsection
1058:
1059: Foils
1060: \layout Standard
1061:
1062: In the LON-CAPA system, a
1063: \series bold
1064: Foil
1065: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Foil}
1066:
1067: \end_inset
1068:
1069:
1070: \series default
1071: is the statement after the drop-down box or radio button in a Radio Response
1072: or Option Response problem.
1073: Foils do not need to be text; they can be images or other resources.
1074: \layout Subsubsection
1075:
1076: Radio Response
1077: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Radio Response}
1078:
1079: \end_inset
1080:
1081: Problems
1082: \layout Standard
1083:
1084:
1085: \series bold
1086: Radio Response
1087: \series default
1088: problems present a list of foils, with buttons in front.
1089: The student can select
1090: \emph on
1091: one
1092: \emph default
1093: of these statements by clicking the appropriate radio button.
1094: \layout Subsubsection
1095:
1096: Option Response
1097: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Option Response}
1098:
1099: \end_inset
1100:
1101: Problems
1102: \layout Standard
1103:
1104:
1105: \series bold
1106: Option Response
1107: \series default
1108: problems present foils to the student with drop-down boxes.
1109: The student can select the matching choice for the foils from a list of
1110: choices.
1111: Optionally, the foils may be bundled into Concept Groups, and the system
1112: will select one foil from each displayed group to display to the student.
1113: For more details, see Create Option Response in section
1114: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Create Option Response Problem}
1115:
1116: \end_inset
1117:
1118: .
1119: \layout Subsubsection
1120:
1121: String Response Problems
1122: \layout Standard
1123:
1124:
1125: \series bold
1126:
1127: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{String Response}
1128:
1129: \end_inset
1130:
1131: String Response
1132: \series default
1133: problems are problems in which the student submits a string of characters
1134: for the answer.
1135: Examples of string response questions are vocabulary tests, short answer
1136: and entering chemical formulas.
1137: \layout Standard
1138:
1139: Note that it is easy to abuse String Response problems.
1140: For instance, consider the question
1141: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1142: \end_inset
1143:
1144: Who wrote 'Huckleberry Finn'?
1145: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1146: \end_inset
1147:
1148: If you tell the system the answer is
1149: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1150: \end_inset
1151:
1152: Mark Twain
1153: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1154: \end_inset
1155:
1156: , and a student answers
1157: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1158: \end_inset
1159:
1160: Twain
1161: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1162: \end_inset
1163:
1164: , the system will mark it wrong.
1165: If they answer
1166: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1167: \end_inset
1168:
1169: Samuel Clements
1170: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1171: \end_inset
1172:
1173: , then the student will definitely get it wrong.
1174: There is some room for flexibility in the string processing, but it can
1175: be difficult to get it all right.
1176: Before you use a String Response problem, be sure you can easily characterize
1177: correct answers.
1178: \layout Subsubsection
1179:
1180: Numerical Response Problems
1181: \layout Standard
1182:
1183:
1184: \series bold
1185: Numerical Response
1186: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Numerical Response}
1187:
1188: \end_inset
1189:
1190:
1191: \series default
1192: problems are answered by entering a number and (optionally) a unit, such
1193: as 2.5 m/s^2.
1194: Tolerance and required significant digits can be specified as well.
1195: \layout Subsubsection
1196:
1197: Formula Response Problems
1198: \layout Standard
1199:
1200:
1201: \series bold
1202: Formula Response
1203: \series default
1204: problems ask the student to type in a math formula for the answer.
1205: If the answer is
1206: \begin_inset Formula \( x^{2}-11 \)
1207: \end_inset
1208:
1209: , the student can enter "x^2 - 11", "x*x - 11", "x^2 + 21 - 10", etc.
1210: Functions such as cos, sin, and exp are accepted as well as the operators
1211: (), +, -, *, and /.
1212: \layout Subsection
1213:
1214: Creating Radio Response Problems
1215: \layout Standard
1216:
1217: \begin_float fig
1218: \layout Standard
1219: \align center
1220:
1221: \begin_inset Figure size 476 202
1222: file creatingNewProblemResource.eps
1223: width 3 80
1224: flags 13
1225:
1226: \end_inset
1227:
1228:
1229: \layout Caption
1230:
1231: Creating A New Problem Resource
1232: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Creating a new problem resource}
1233:
1234: \end_inset
1235:
1236:
1237: \end_float
1238: To create a Radio Response
1239: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Radio Response}
1240:
1241: \end_inset
1242:
1243: problem, create a new resource as described in section
1244: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating New Content Pages}
1245:
1246: \end_inset
1247:
1248: .
1249: This is a
1250: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1251: \end_inset
1252:
1253: problem
1254: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1255: \end_inset
1256:
1257: resource so the URL must end in
1258: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1259: \end_inset
1260:
1261: .problem
1262: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1263: \end_inset
1264:
1265: .
1266: You should see a screen as in figure
1267: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource}
1268:
1269: \end_inset
1270:
1271: .
1272: \begin_float fig
1273: \layout Standard
1274: \align center
1275:
1276: \begin_inset Figure size 476 283
1277: file radioResponse2.eps
1278: width 3 80
1279: flags 9
1280:
1281: \end_inset
1282:
1283:
1284: \layout Caption
1285:
1286: Radio Response Creation Form
1287: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Radio Response Creation Form}
1288:
1289: \end_inset
1290:
1291:
1292: \end_float
1293: You will need to specify the question text and foil statements.
1294: \layout Enumerate
1295:
1296: In the drop-down option box as seen in figure
1297: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource}
1298:
1299: \end_inset
1300:
1301: , select
1302: \series bold
1303: Radio Response Problem
1304: \series default
1305: , and click the
1306: \series bold
1307: New Problem
1308: \series default
1309: button.
1310: \layout Enumerate
1311:
1312: Click the
1313: \series bold
1314: Edit
1315: \series default
1316: button above the sample problem to enter edit mode.
1317: You should see an editing screen like figure
1318: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Radio Response Creation Form}
1319:
1320: \end_inset
1321:
1322: .
1323: \layout Enumerate
1324:
1325: In the
1326: \series bold
1327: Text Block
1328: \series default
1329: at the top of the problem, remove the sample text and type the question
1330: for your problem.
1331: For example,
1332: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1333: \end_inset
1334:
1335: What is two plus two?
1336: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1337: \end_inset
1338:
1339:
1340: \layout Enumerate
1341:
1342: Locate the
1343: \series bold
1344: Response: One of N statements
1345: \series default
1346: element.
1347: In the
1348: \series bold
1349: Max Number of Shown Foils
1350: \series default
1351: text box, place the number of wrong answers you wish to supply to each
1352: student, in addition to the correct one.
1353: For instance, if you want to display four choices, where one is correct
1354: and three are incorrect, enter
1355: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1356: \end_inset
1357:
1358: 3
1359: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1360: \end_inset
1361:
1362: into this box.
1363: \layout Enumerate
1364:
1365: Locate
1366: \series bold
1367: Foil 1
1368: \series default
1369: .
1370: Remove the text that is in the text box and put the
1371: \emph on
1372: correct answer
1373: \emph default
1374: for the problem in the
1375: \series bold
1376: Text Block
1377: \series default
1378: .
1379: For example,
1380: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1381: \end_inset
1382:
1383: Four.
1384: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1385: \end_inset
1386:
1387: Make sure this is set to
1388: \series bold
1389: true
1390: \series default
1391: in the
1392: \series bold
1393: Correct Option
1394: \series default
1395: field.
1396: \layout Enumerate
1397:
1398: Below it, you will see
1399: \series bold
1400: Foil 2
1401: \series default
1402: .
1403: Remove the text in the text box and put an
1404: \emph on
1405: incorrect answer
1406: \emph default
1407: for the problem.
1408: For instance,
1409: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1410: \end_inset
1411:
1412: Purple.
1413: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1414: \end_inset
1415:
1416: Make sure this is set to
1417: \series bold
1418: false
1419: \series default
1420: in the
1421: \series bold
1422: Correct Option
1423: \series default
1424: field.
1425: \layout Enumerate
1426:
1427: Repeat the previous step until you've filled in all of the other incorrect
1428: answers you wish to offer the students.
1429: \layout Enumerate
1430:
1431: Once you've filled in all the incorrect answers, change the
1432: \series bold
1433: Correct Option
1434: \series default
1435: s on the other foils to
1436: \series bold
1437: Unused
1438: \series default
1439: .
1440: \layout Enumerate
1441:
1442: \begin_float fig
1443: \layout Standard
1444: \align center
1445:
1446: \begin_inset Figure size 476 92
1447: file radioResponseHint.eps
1448: width 3 80
1449: flags 9
1450:
1451: \end_inset
1452:
1453:
1454: \layout Caption
1455:
1456: Hint Element
1457: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Radio Response Hint Element Figure}
1458:
1459: \end_inset
1460:
1461:
1462: \end_float
1463: Scroll down to the Hint element, as shown in Figure
1464: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Radio Response Hint Element Figure}
1465:
1466: \end_inset
1467:
1468: .
1469: Type some text that will help students when they answer incorrectly.
1470: You may delete the hint by selecting
1471: \series bold
1472: Yes
1473: \series default
1474: from the
1475: \series bold
1476: Delete
1477: \series default
1478: drop-down box.
1479: \layout Enumerate
1480:
1481: Click the
1482: \series bold
1483: Submit Changes
1484: \series default
1485: button located at the top of the frame.
1486: If you do not do this, none of your changes will be saved.
1487: \layout Standard
1488:
1489: The
1490: \series bold
1491: Correct Option
1492: \series default
1493: drop down box controls whether or not a given answer will be accepted as
1494: a correct answer.
1495: If it is set to
1496: \series bold
1497: true
1498: \series default
1499: , that answer will be considered a correct answer.
1500: Any number of foils can be marked
1501: \series bold
1502: true
1503: \series default
1504: , but only one will be shown to any given student.
1505: If it is set to
1506: \series bold
1507: false
1508: \series default
1509: , it will be considered an incorrect answer.
1510: If it is set to
1511: \series bold
1512: Unused
1513: \series default
1514: , the system will not use that foil.
1515: \layout Paragraph
1516:
1517: Randomization
1518: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Randomization}
1519:
1520: \end_inset
1521:
1522:
1523: \layout Standard
1524:
1525: LON-CAPA will randomize what choices are presented to each student, and
1526: randomize the order they are presented in.
1527: If you wish to present each student the same choices, make sure the
1528: \series bold
1529: Maximum Number of Shown Foils
1530: \series default
1531: box contains the number of incorrect answers, which will force them to
1532: all be displayed.
1533: If you wish to force the system to display the foils in the order you have
1534: created them in, type the tag
1535: \series bold
1536: <norandom />
1537: \series default
1538: into your problem text.
1539: This can be useful with the ever-popular
1540: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1541: \end_inset
1542:
1543: All of the above
1544: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1545: \end_inset
1546:
1547: choice, which must be displayed in the correct place or its meaning will
1548: change.
1549: \layout Subsection
1550:
1551: Option Response
1552: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Option Response}
1553:
1554: \end_inset
1555:
1556:
1557: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Create Option Response Problem}
1558:
1559: \end_inset
1560:
1561: Problems
1562: \layout Subsubsection
1563:
1564: Option Response problems with Concept Groups
1565: \layout Standard
1566:
1567: \begin_float fig
1568: \layout Standard
1569: \align center
1570:
1571: \begin_inset Figure size 476 280
1572: file optionResponseProblem.eps
1573: width 3 80
1574: flags 9
1575:
1576: \end_inset
1577:
1578:
1579: \layout Caption
1580:
1581: Option Response Problem
1582: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Option Response Problem Figure}
1583:
1584: \end_inset
1585:
1586:
1587: \end_float
1588: Each Option Response problem can have three parts:
1589: \layout Enumerate
1590:
1591: The Concept Groups
1592: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Concept Groups}
1593:
1594: \end_inset
1595:
1596:
1597: \layout Enumerate
1598:
1599: The options for the students to select, by default
1600: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1601: \end_inset
1602:
1603: True
1604: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1605: \end_inset
1606:
1607: and
1608: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1609: \end_inset
1610:
1611: False
1612: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1613: \end_inset
1614:
1615:
1616: \layout Enumerate
1617:
1618: The hint for the student
1619: \layout Standard
1620:
1621: Each
1622: \series bold
1623: Concept Group
1624: \series default
1625: has some number of foils representing questions which are conceptually
1626: related.
1627: Option Response Problem Templates are available for 4 and 8 Concept Groups.
1628: When the Option Response problem is presented to a student, the LON-CAPA
1629: system will randomly select one foil from each Concept Group and present
1630: it to the student.
1631: In order to receive credit for the problem, the student must select the
1632: corresponding option from the drop-down box for each given foil.
1633: \layout Subsubsection
1634:
1635: Example: Concept Group
1636: \layout Standard
1637:
1638: For example, a Concept Group may contain the following True/False questions:
1639: \layout Itemize
1640:
1641:
1642: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1643: \end_inset
1644:
1645: Mark Twain
1646: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1647: \end_inset
1648:
1649: is the pen name of Samuel Clemens.
1650: \layout Itemize
1651:
1652: Mark Twain wrote
1653: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1654: \end_inset
1655:
1656: The Call of the Wild
1657: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1658: \end_inset
1659:
1660: .
1661: \layout Itemize
1662:
1663: Mark Twain wrote
1664: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1665: \end_inset
1666:
1667: Huckleberry Finn
1668: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1669: \end_inset
1670:
1671: .
1672: \layout Itemize
1673:
1674: Mark Twain spent most of his life in the Congo.
1675: \layout Standard
1676:
1677: For each foil, the author marks it True or False.
1678: When the student logs on and attempts to answer this question, the student
1679: will see only one of the four choices for that concept group.
1680: They then go on to do the remaining three to seven Concept Groups in this
1681: question before submitting their answer.
1682: \layout Subsubsection
1683:
1684: Example: Matching Problem
1685: \layout Standard
1686:
1687: Option Response problems can be used as matching problems as well.
1688: \layout Standard
1689:
1690: For example, you might want to ask the student to match musical compositions
1691: with their composers.
1692: You could create an Option Response problem with 4 Concept Groups, and
1693: place the following four foil groups each in its own concept group:
1694: \layout Itemize
1695:
1696: Claire de Lune
1697: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Clair de Lune}
1698:
1699: \end_inset
1700:
1701: , Ballade
1702: \begin_float footnote
1703: \layout Standard
1704:
1705: Debussy.
1706: \end_float
1707: \layout Itemize
1708:
1709: The Pastoral Symphony, The Ninth Symphony
1710: \begin_float footnote
1711: \layout Standard
1712:
1713: Beethoven.
1714: \end_float
1715: \layout Itemize
1716:
1717: Sleeping Beauty Suite, The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies
1718: \begin_float footnote
1719: \layout Standard
1720:
1721: Tchaikovsky.
1722: \end_float
1723: \layout Itemize
1724:
1725: Slavonic Dances, New World Symphony
1726: \begin_float footnote
1727: \layout Standard
1728:
1729: Dvorak.
1730: \end_float
1731: \layout Standard
1732:
1733: You could then add the following options to the option list:
1734: \layout Itemize
1735:
1736: Debussy
1737: \layout Itemize
1738:
1739: Beethoven
1740: \layout Itemize
1741:
1742: Schubert
1743: \layout Itemize
1744:
1745: Tchaikovsky
1746: \layout Itemize
1747:
1748: Dvorak
1749: \layout Standard
1750:
1751: The same answers can be used more then once, or not at all, as you see fit.
1752: It is conventional to place such a warning in the
1753: \series bold
1754: Text Block
1755: \series default
1756: describing the problem to the students.
1757: \layout Subsubsection
1758:
1759: Creating Option Response Problems
1760: \layout Standard
1761:
1762: To create an Option Response problem, create a new resource as described
1763: in section
1764: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating New Content Pages}
1765:
1766: \end_inset
1767:
1768: .
1769: This is a
1770: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1771: \end_inset
1772:
1773: problem
1774: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1775: \end_inset
1776:
1777: resource so the URL must end in
1778: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1779: \end_inset
1780:
1781: .problem
1782: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1783: \end_inset
1784:
1785: .
1786: You should see a screen as in figure
1787: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource}
1788:
1789: \end_inset
1790:
1791: .
1792: \layout Enumerate
1793:
1794: In the drop-down option box as seen in figure
1795: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource}
1796:
1797: \end_inset
1798:
1799: , select
1800: \series bold
1801: Option Response Problem with
1802: \emph on
1803: N
1804: \emph default
1805: Concept Groups
1806: \series default
1807: , where
1808: \series bold
1809: \emph on
1810: N
1811: \series default
1812: \emph default
1813: is the number of Concept Groups you wish the problem to have, and click
1814: the
1815: \series bold
1816: New Problem
1817: \series default
1818: button.
1819: \layout Enumerate
1820:
1821: Click the
1822: \series bold
1823: Edit
1824: \series default
1825: button above the sample problem to enter edit mode.
1826: \begin_float fig
1827: \layout Standard
1828: \align center
1829:
1830: \begin_inset Figure size 476 276
1831: file optionResponseEditing.eps
1832: width 3 80
1833: flags 9
1834:
1835: \end_inset
1836:
1837:
1838: \layout Caption
1839:
1840: Option Response Editor
1841: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Option Response Editor Figure}
1842:
1843: \end_inset
1844:
1845:
1846: \end_float
1847: You should see the Option Response page open up, which should look something
1848: like what you see in figure
1849: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Option Response Editor Figure}
1850:
1851: \end_inset
1852:
1853: .
1854: \layout Enumerate
1855:
1856: Replace the text in the
1857: \series bold
1858: Text Block
1859: \series default
1860: with text that explains the conditions for your problem.
1861: \layout Enumerate
1862:
1863: Locate the
1864: \series bold
1865: Max Number of Shown Foils
1866: \series default
1867: element and type a number from 1 to 8 to display that number of questions.
1868: You cannot display more than one foil from each concept group, so this
1869: option will only reduce the number of foils displayed, if it is less than
1870: the number of concept groups in your Option Response problem.
1871: \layout Enumerate
1872:
1873: Now you must define the options the students can select.
1874: For each option you wish to add to the Option Response question, type the
1875: option into the
1876: \series bold
1877: Add new Option
1878: \series default
1879: box in the
1880: \series bold
1881: Select Options
1882: \series default
1883: section, then hit the
1884: \series bold
1885: Save Changes
1886: \series default
1887: button.
1888: If you do not hit the
1889: \series bold
1890: Save Changes
1891: \series default
1892: button, your option will not be selectable below.
1893: (You will delete unwanted options in the last step.)
1894: \layout Enumerate
1895:
1896: Now, you need to define the question foils.
1897: Look for the foil with the name
1898: \begin_inset Quotes eld
1899: \end_inset
1900:
1901: One
1902: \begin_inset Quotes erd
1903: \end_inset
1904:
1905: .
1906: Type the question into the text box, and select the correct option for
1907: that question from the
1908: \series bold
1909: Correct Option
1910: \series default
1911: drop-down menu.
1912: Click
1913: \series bold
1914: Submit Changes
1915: \series default
1916: to save this question foil.
1917: Repeat this step for all remaining foils.
1918: \layout Enumerate
1919:
1920: Locate the foils that are not being used.
1921: In their
1922: \series bold
1923: Delete
1924: \series default
1925: menus, set the value to
1926: \series bold
1927: Yes
1928: \series default
1929: .
1930: Once you've set the Delete menu value correctly for all the foils, click
1931: the
1932: \series bold
1933: Save Changes
1934: \series default
1935: button.
1936: \layout Enumerate
1937:
1938: In the Hint area, provide a helpful hint for users who get the problem incorrect
1939: , and click the
1940: \series bold
1941: Save Changes
1942: \series default
1943: button.
1944: \layout Enumerate
1945:
1946: Make sure all the options you want to delete are not used for any of your
1947: foils
1948: \begin_float footnote
1949: \layout Standard
1950:
1951: If a deleted option is used in a foil, it will appear in a text box in the
1952:
1953: \series bold
1954: Correct Option
1955: \series default
1956: area for that foil.
1957: To make the drop-down box reappear, type an option already defined in the
1958:
1959: \series bold
1960: Select Options
1961: \series default
1962: field, and hit
1963: \series bold
1964: Submit Changes
1965: \series default
1966: .
1967: A drop-down box will reappear.
1968: \end_float
1969: .
1970: To delete the irrelevant options from the Option Response question, select
1971: that option from the
1972: \series bold
1973: Delete an Option
1974: \series default
1975: drop down, and hit the
1976: \series bold
1977: Save Changes
1978: \series default
1979: button.
1980: Do that for each option you wish to remove.
1981: \layout Subsubsection
1982:
1983: Simple Option Response: No Concept Groups
1984: \layout Standard
1985:
1986: If you select
1987: \series bold
1988: Simple Option Response
1989: \series default
1990: from the drop-down box, you get a template that will allow you to enter
1991: up to eight foils with no grouping.
1992: The system will randomly mix these foils when presenting them to the student.
1993: You can have more foils then the
1994: \series bold
1995: Max Num of Shown Foils
1996: \series default
1997: so that each student will not have the identical foils.
1998: \layout Subsection
1999:
2000: Creating a String Response Problem
2001: \layout Standard
2002:
2003: To create a String Response problem, create a new resource as described
2004: in section
2005: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating New Content Pages}
2006:
2007: \end_inset
2008:
2009: .
2010: This is a
2011: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2012: \end_inset
2013:
2014: problem
2015: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2016: \end_inset
2017:
2018: resource so the URL must end in
2019: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2020: \end_inset
2021:
2022: .problem
2023: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2024: \end_inset
2025:
2026: .
2027: You should see a screen as in figure
2028: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource}
2029:
2030: \end_inset
2031:
2032: .
2033: \layout Enumerate
2034:
2035: In the drop-down option box as seen in figure
2036: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource}
2037:
2038: \end_inset
2039:
2040: , select
2041: \series bold
2042: String Response Problem
2043: \series default
2044: , and click the
2045: \series bold
2046: New Problem
2047: \series default
2048: button.
2049: \layout Enumerate
2050:
2051: Click the
2052: \series bold
2053: Edit
2054: \series default
2055: button above the sample problem to enter edit mode.
2056: \begin_float fig
2057: \layout Standard
2058: \align center
2059:
2060: \begin_inset Figure size 476 320
2061: file stringResponseEditor.eps
2062: width 3 80
2063: flags 9
2064:
2065: \end_inset
2066:
2067:
2068: \layout Caption
2069:
2070: String Response Editor
2071: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{String Response Editor Figure}
2072:
2073: \end_inset
2074:
2075:
2076: \end_float
2077: You should see the String Response editor page open up, which should look
2078: something like what you see in figure
2079: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{String Response Editor Figure}
2080:
2081: \end_inset
2082:
2083: .
2084: \layout Enumerate
2085:
2086: Clear the text from the
2087: \series bold
2088: Text Block
2089: \series default
2090: at the top of the problem, and type in your problem.
2091: \layout Enumerate
2092:
2093: In the
2094: \series bold
2095: Answer Box
2096: \series default
2097: , type the correct answer.
2098: \layout Enumerate
2099:
2100: Select the answer condition from the drop-down.
2101: There are three cases to choose from:
2102: \begin_deeper
2103: \layout Enumerate
2104:
2105:
2106: \series bold
2107: cs
2108: \series default
2109: : This means
2110: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2111: \end_inset
2112:
2113: Case Sensitive
2114: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2115: \end_inset
2116:
2117: .
2118: For example, this is useful in chemistry, where HO and Ho are completely
2119: different answers
2120: \begin_float footnote
2121: \end_deeper
2122: \layout Standard
2123:
2124:
2125: \series bold
2126: HO
2127: \series default
2128: is hydrogen monoxide, a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas.
2129:
2130: \series bold
2131: Ho
2132: \series default
2133: is the element 67, Holmium, in the Lanthanides.
2134: \end_float
2135: .
2136: The student must match the case of the answer.
2137: \begin_deeper
2138: \layout Enumerate
2139:
2140:
2141: \series bold
2142: ci
2143: \series default
2144: : This means
2145: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2146: \end_inset
2147:
2148: Case Insensitive
2149: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2150: \end_inset
2151:
2152: .
2153: The system does not use the case of the letters to determine the correctness
2154: of the answer.
2155: If the correct answer is
2156: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2157: \end_inset
2158:
2159: car
2160: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2161: \end_inset
2162:
2163: , the system will accept
2164: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2165: \end_inset
2166:
2167: car
2168: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2169: \end_inset
2170:
2171: ,
2172: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2173: \end_inset
2174:
2175: CAR
2176: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2177: \end_inset
2178:
2179: ,
2180: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2181: \end_inset
2182:
2183: Car
2184: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2185: \end_inset
2186:
2187: ,
2188: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2189: \end_inset
2190:
2191: caR
2192: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2193: \end_inset
2194:
2195: , etc.
2196: \layout Enumerate
2197:
2198:
2199: \series bold
2200: mc
2201: \series default
2202: : This means
2203: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2204: \end_inset
2205:
2206: Multiple Choice
2207: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2208: \end_inset
2209:
2210: .
2211: The student's answers must contain the same letters as the question author's,
2212: but order is unimportant.
2213: This is usually used to give a multiple choice question in the question's
2214:
2215: \series bold
2216: Text Block
2217: \series default
2218: , which may have several correct parts.
2219: If the author sets the correct answer as
2220: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2221: \end_inset
2222:
2223: bcg
2224: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2225: \end_inset
2226:
2227: , the system will accept
2228: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2229: \end_inset
2230:
2231: bcg
2232: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2233: \end_inset
2234:
2235: ,
2236: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2237: \end_inset
2238:
2239: cbg
2240: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2241: \end_inset
2242:
2243: ,
2244: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2245: \end_inset
2246:
2247: gcb
2248: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2249: \end_inset
2250:
2251: , etc., but not
2252: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2253: \end_inset
2254:
2255: bc
2256: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2257: \end_inset
2258:
2259: or
2260: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2261: \end_inset
2262:
2263: abcg
2264: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2265: \end_inset
2266:
2267: .
2268: \layout Standard
2269:
2270: It is conventional to inform the students if the problem is case sensitive,
2271: or that the order of the answers doesn't matter.
2272: \end_deeper
2273: \layout Enumerate
2274:
2275: Optionally, locate the
2276: \series bold
2277: Single Line Text Entry Area
2278: \series default
2279: block and set a length in the Size box.
2280: This will only affect the size of the box on the screen; if you set the
2281: box size to 2, the student can still enter 3 or more letters in their answer.
2282: \layout Enumerate
2283:
2284: Scroll down to the
2285: \series bold
2286: Hint
2287: \series default
2288: element, and type some text that will help students when they answer incorrectl
2289: y, or delete the hint by setting the
2290: \series bold
2291: Delete
2292: \series default
2293: field to
2294: \series bold
2295: Yes
2296: \series default
2297: .
2298: \layout Enumerate
2299:
2300: Click the
2301: \series bold
2302: Submit Changes
2303: \series default
2304: button.
2305: \layout Subsection
2306:
2307: Creating Numerical Response And Formula Response Problems
2308: \layout Standard
2309:
2310: Numerical Response problems are answered by entering a number and an optional
2311: unit.
2312: For instance, a numerical response problem might have an answer of
2313: \begin_inset Formula \( 2m/s^{2} \)
2314: \end_inset
2315:
2316: .
2317: Formula Response problems are answered by entering a mathematical formula.
2318: For instance, a numerical response problem might have an answer of
2319: \begin_inset Formula \( x^{2}+11 \)
2320: \end_inset
2321:
2322: .
2323: The answer may be in any equivalent format.
2324: For instance, for
2325: \begin_inset Formula \( x^{2}+11 \)
2326: \end_inset
2327:
2328: , the system will also accept
2329: \begin_inset Formula \( x*x+11 \)
2330: \end_inset
2331:
2332: or
2333: \begin_inset Formula \( x^{2}+21-10 \)
2334: \end_inset
2335:
2336: .
2337: \layout Standard
2338:
2339: Creating Numerical Response and Formula Response problems starts the same
2340: as the other problem types, but because of the power of Numerical Response
2341: and Formula Response problems, they are covered in their own section after
2342: the end of the tutorial.
2343: For more information about these problem types, please see section
2344: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Numerical Response}
2345:
2346: \end_inset
2347:
2348: for Numerical Response problems and section
2349: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Formula Response}
2350:
2351: \end_inset
2352:
2353: for Formula Response problems.
2354: \layout Section
2355:
2356: Publishing Your Resources
2357: \layout Standard
2358:
2359: In order to make the content you've created available for use in courses,
2360: you must publish your content.
2361: LON-CAPA provides an easy interface for publishing your content pages,
2362: problem resources, and sequences.
2363: You can specify title, author information, keywords, and other metadata.
2364: LON-CAPA uses this metadata for many things, and it's important to fill
2365: the metadata out as accurately as possible.
2366: \layout Subsection
2367:
2368: What is Metadata?
2369: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Metadata}
2370:
2371: \end_inset
2372:
2373:
2374: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{What Is Metadata?}
2375:
2376: \end_inset
2377:
2378:
2379: \layout Standard
2380:
2381:
2382: \emph on
2383: Metadata
2384: \emph default
2385: is
2386: \emph on
2387: data about data
2388: \emph default
2389: .
2390: Metadata can often be thought of as a label on some bit of information
2391: that can be useful to people or computer programs trying to use the data.
2392: Without metadata, the person or computer trying to use the original information
2393: would have to just guess what the original data is about.
2394: For instance, if you create a problem and neglect to say in the title or
2395: subject of the problem what it is about, then a human who wants to use
2396: that problem would have to read the problem itself to see what it was about,
2397: which is much more difficult than just reading a title.
2398: A computer trying to do the same thing would just be out of luck; it is
2399: too stupid to understand the problem statement at all.
2400: \layout Standard
2401:
2402: One example of metadata is the <title> of a web page, which usually shows
2403: up in the title bar of the browser.
2404: That's information about the web page itself, not actually part of the
2405: web page.
2406: People use the title information when they bookmark a page, so they know
2407: what the page is.
2408: Search engines use it as a clue about the content of the web page.
2409: \layout Subsection
2410:
2411: Publishing A Resource
2412: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Resource, Publishing}
2413:
2414: \end_inset
2415:
2416:
2417: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Publishing Resource}
2418:
2419: \end_inset
2420:
2421:
2422: \layout Standard
2423:
2424: \begin_float fig
2425: \layout Standard
2426: \align center
2427:
2428: \begin_inset Figure size 476 168
2429: file constructionSpaceForPublishing.eps
2430: width 3 80
2431: flags 9
2432:
2433: \end_inset
2434:
2435:
2436: \layout Caption
2437:
2438: Construction Space for Publishing
2439: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Construction Space for Publishing Figure}
2440:
2441: \end_inset
2442:
2443:
2444: \end_float
2445: To publish a resource, log in and choose your role to be an Author.
2446: Then click
2447: \series bold
2448: CSTR
2449: \series default
2450: to go to your construction space.
2451: You should see something like figure
2452: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Construction Space for Publishing Figure}
2453:
2454: \end_inset
2455:
2456: .
2457: Click on the
2458: \series bold
2459: Publish
2460: \series default
2461: button for the resource you wish to publish.
2462: \begin_float fig
2463: \layout Standard
2464: \align center
2465:
2466: \begin_inset Figure size 476 338
2467: file publishMetadata.eps
2468: width 3 80
2469: flags 9
2470:
2471: \end_inset
2472:
2473:
2474: \layout Caption
2475:
2476: Publishing Metadata Screen
2477: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Publishing Metadata Screen Figure}
2478:
2479: \end_inset
2480:
2481:
2482: \end_float
2483: You'll get a metadata screen that should look something like figure
2484: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Publishing Metadata Screen Figure}
2485:
2486: \end_inset
2487:
2488: .
2489: Fill out the form.
2490: If you are creating resources that may be used in several courses, you
2491: should talk with the other authors and establish some sort of standard
2492: title and subject scheme in advance.
2493:
2494: \layout Standard
2495:
2496: The
2497: \series bold
2498: Language
2499: \series default
2500: is the language the problem is written in.
2501: The
2502: \series bold
2503: Publisher/Owner
2504: \series default
2505: is the LON-CAPA user who owns the problem.
2506: \layout Standard
2507:
2508: The
2509: \series bold
2510: Keywords
2511: \series default
2512: and the
2513: \series bold
2514: Abstract
2515: \series default
2516: are more information about the problem.
2517: The
2518: \series bold
2519: Keywords
2520: \series default
2521: are words that are strongly connected to your problem; for instance a physics
2522: problem about a pulley might include
2523: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2524: \end_inset
2525:
2526: pulley
2527: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2528: \end_inset
2529:
2530: as a key word.
2531: LON-CAPA pulls out words used in the text of the resource for you so you
2532: can just click on their check boxes to make them keywords.
2533:
2534: \series bold
2535: Additional keywords
2536: \series default
2537: allows you to add any keyword to your problem that are not actually in
2538: the problem.
2539: For instance, on that same problem a physicist might add the keyword
2540: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2541: \end_inset
2542:
2543: statics
2544: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2545: \end_inset
2546:
2547: , even though it doesn't appear in the original problem, because Physics
2548: uses that as a classification of problem type.
2549:
2550: \series bold
2551: Additional Keywords
2552: \series default
2553: are also useful when publishing graphics.
2554: \layout Standard
2555:
2556: Finally, you need to set the copyright and distribution permissions in the
2557:
2558: \series bold
2559: COPYRIGHT/DISTRIBUTION
2560: \series default
2561: drop-down.
2562: This setting controls who is allowed to use your resource as follows:
2563: \layout Comment
2564:
2565: Is this right?
2566: \layout Itemize
2567:
2568:
2569: \series bold
2570: Limited to courses in the domain published
2571: \series default
2572: means that only courses running in the same domain as you can use your
2573: content.
2574: Talk to your LON-CAPA administrator if you want more information about
2575: your domain.
2576: \layout Itemize
2577:
2578:
2579: \series bold
2580: Free
2581: \series default
2582: means that anyone can find and use the resource.
2583: \layout Itemize
2584:
2585:
2586: \series bold
2587: Private - visible to author only
2588: \series default
2589: means that it can't be used for any course.
2590: \layout Itemize
2591:
2592:
2593: \series bold
2594: Public - no authentication required
2595: \series default
2596: means anyone can find and use the resource.
2597: \layout Standard
2598:
2599: Now when you click
2600: \series bold
2601: Finalize Publication
2602: \series default
2603: , your resource will be published and usable (unless you set the distribution
2604: to
2605: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2606: \end_inset
2607:
2608: private
2609: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2610: \end_inset
2611:
2612: ).
2613: \layout Standard
2614:
2615: If you're following this as a tutorial, publish your resources so we can
2616: use them in the next section.
2617: \layout Section
2618:
2619: Creating A Course
2620: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Creating a Course}
2621:
2622: \end_inset
2623:
2624: : Maps and Sequences
2625: \layout Standard
2626:
2627: In order to create a useful course, we need to arrange our raw materials
2628: so that students can use them.
2629: \layout Subsection
2630:
2631: Creating Sequences
2632: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Sequence}
2633:
2634: \end_inset
2635:
2636:
2637: \layout Standard
2638:
2639: A
2640: \series bold
2641: Sequence
2642: \series default
2643: is a series of resources that can be navigated using the
2644: \series bold
2645: NAV
2646: \series default
2647: remote control button, or by using the arrow keys on the remote control.
2648:
2649: \layout Standard
2650:
2651: \begin_float fig
2652: \layout Standard
2653: \align center
2654:
2655: \begin_inset Figure size 238 83
2656: file mapEditorSelection.eps
2657: width 3 40
2658: flags 9
2659:
2660: \end_inset
2661:
2662:
2663: \layout Caption
2664:
2665: Map Editor Selection
2666: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Map Editor Selection Figure}
2667:
2668: \end_inset
2669:
2670:
2671: \end_float
2672: To create a Sequence resource, create a new resource as described in section
2673:
2674: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating New Content Pages}
2675:
2676: \end_inset
2677:
2678: .
2679: This is a
2680: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2681: \end_inset
2682:
2683: sequence
2684: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2685: \end_inset
2686:
2687: resource so the URL must end in
2688: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2689: \end_inset
2690:
2691: .sequence
2692: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2693: \end_inset
2694:
2695: .
2696: After you enter in the URL ending in
2697: \begin_inset Quotes eld
2698: \end_inset
2699:
2700: .sequence
2701: \begin_inset Quotes erd
2702: \end_inset
2703:
2704: , you should see a screen as in figure
2705: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Editor Selection Figure}
2706:
2707: \end_inset
2708:
2709: .
2710: You can use either the advanced editor or the simplified editor.
2711: \layout Subsection
2712:
2713: Creating a Simple .sequence With The Simple Editor
2714: \layout Standard
2715:
2716: \begin_float fig
2717: \layout Standard
2718: \align center
2719:
2720: \begin_inset Figure size 476 250
2721: file mapSimpleEditor.eps
2722: width 3 80
2723: flags 9
2724:
2725: \end_inset
2726:
2727:
2728: \layout Caption
2729:
2730: Simple Map Editor
2731: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Simple Map Editor}
2732:
2733: \end_inset
2734:
2735:
2736: \end_float
2737: After creating a new .sequence resource and getting the editor selection
2738: prompt (figure
2739: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Editor Selection Figure}
2740:
2741: \end_inset
2742:
2743: ), click the
2744: \series bold
2745: Simple Edit
2746: \series default
2747: button to get to the simple map editor, which appears in figure
2748: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Simple Map Editor}
2749:
2750: \end_inset
2751:
2752: .
2753:
2754: \layout Standard
2755:
2756: The Simple Editor can create .sequences and .pages which are linear, which
2757: means they have no branches or conditions.
2758: \layout Standard
2759:
2760: On the right side of the simple editor is the
2761: \series bold
2762: Target
2763: \series default
2764: , which represents the map you are currently building.
2765: On the left side is the
2766: \series bold
2767: Import
2768: \series default
2769: area, which represents a work area you can use for your convenience to
2770: load and manipulate resource you may wish to include in your map.
2771: Using the three buttons in the middle of the screen, from top to bottom
2772: you can cut things out of the Target, copy from the Target to the Import,
2773: and copy from the Import to the Target, respectively.
2774: \layout Standard
2775:
2776: On both sides of the screen, you can do a Group Search and a Group Import.
2777: A Group Search allows you to run a search, then import selected results
2778: from that search into either directly into your Map, or into your Import
2779: space.
2780: Checkboxes will appear next to the results in the Group Search, and you
2781: can click the resource you wish to add to your map in the order that you
2782: want them added.
2783: After you select the resource, you will be presented with a screen that
2784: allows you to change the order of the selected resources, then you will
2785: be able to import the selected resources and work with them.
2786: \layout Standard
2787:
2788: A Group Import works in a similar fashion, but allows you to use the LON-CAPA
2789: network browser to select your resources.
2790: \layout Standard
2791:
2792: On the Import side, you can also browse for another Map, and load the resources
2793: used in that map into your Import workspace.
2794: You can also discard the selected resources, clear all the resources, and
2795: view the selected resource from the buttons on the Import side of the screen.
2796:
2797: \layout Standard
2798:
2799: Both list boxes support standard multi-select mechanisms as used in your
2800: OS.
2801: \layout Subsection
2802:
2803: Creating a Simple .sequence With The Advanced Editor
2804: \layout Standard
2805:
2806: After creating a new .sequence resource and getting the editor selection
2807: prompt (figure
2808: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Editor Selection Figure}
2809:
2810: \end_inset
2811:
2812: ), click the
2813: \series bold
2814: Advanced Edit
2815: \series default
2816: button to get to the advanced map editor.
2817:
2818: \begin_float fig
2819: \layout Standard
2820: \align center
2821:
2822: \begin_inset Figure size 476 205
2823: file mapAdvancedEditorNew.eps
2824: width 3 80
2825: flags 11
2826:
2827: \end_inset
2828:
2829:
2830: \layout Caption
2831:
2832: Initial Map Editor
2833: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Initial Map Editor FIgure}
2834:
2835: \end_inset
2836:
2837:
2838: \end_float
2839: You should see the initial map editor as shown in figure
2840: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Initial Map Editor FIgure}
2841:
2842: \end_inset
2843:
2844: .
2845: Note there are two windows: One is the workspace, and one is a secondary
2846: window which will contain information as you add resources.
2847: \layout Enumerate
2848:
2849: \begin_float fig
2850: \layout Standard
2851: \align center
2852:
2853: \begin_inset Figure size 476 221
2854: file mapClickedStart.eps
2855: width 3 80
2856: flags 9
2857:
2858: \end_inset
2859:
2860:
2861: \layout Caption
2862:
2863: After clicking
2864: \series bold
2865: Start
2866: \series default
2867: in the Map Constructor
2868: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Clicked Start Figure}
2869:
2870: \end_inset
2871:
2872:
2873: \end_float
2874: Click the
2875: \series bold
2876: Start
2877: \series default
2878: box.
2879: You'll see what you see in figure
2880: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Clicked Start Figure}
2881:
2882: \end_inset
2883:
2884: .
2885: Click
2886: \series bold
2887: Link Resource
2888: \series default
2889: in the secondary window, then click on the
2890: \series bold
2891: Finish
2892: \series default
2893: box.
2894: \begin_float fig
2895: \layout Standard
2896: \align center
2897:
2898: \begin_inset Figure size 70 210
2899: file mapStraightened.eps
2900: height 3 25
2901: flags 9
2902:
2903: \end_inset
2904:
2905:
2906: \layout Caption
2907:
2908: Straightened Map
2909: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Striaghtened map}
2910:
2911: \end_inset
2912:
2913:
2914: \end_float
2915: After that, click
2916: \series bold
2917: Straighten
2918: \series default
2919: .
2920: You should see something like figure
2921: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Striaghtened map}
2922:
2923: \end_inset
2924:
2925: .
2926: This creates a simple map that flows from beginning to end.
2927: \layout Enumerate
2928:
2929: \begin_float fig
2930: \layout Standard
2931: \align center
2932:
2933: \begin_inset Figure size 271 252
2934: file mapInsertResource.eps
2935: height 3 30
2936: flags 9
2937:
2938: \end_inset
2939:
2940:
2941: \layout Caption
2942:
2943: Inserting a Resource
2944: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Inserting a Resource Figure}
2945:
2946: \end_inset
2947:
2948:
2949: \end_float
2950: To insert a resource into the flow, click the black line with two arrows,
2951: seen between the
2952: \series bold
2953: Start
2954: \series default
2955: and
2956: \series bold
2957: Finish
2958: \series default
2959: boxes in figure
2960: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Striaghtened map}
2961:
2962: \end_inset
2963:
2964: .
2965: In the secondary window, you'll see something like figure
2966: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Inserting a Resource Figure}
2967:
2968: \end_inset
2969:
2970: .
2971: Click
2972: \series bold
2973: Insert Resource Into Link
2974: \series default
2975: .
2976: A new resource box will appear in the link.
2977: Click the resource, which will have the label
2978: \series bold
2979: Res
2980: \series default
2981: .
2982: \layout Enumerate
2983:
2984: Click
2985: \series bold
2986: Browse
2987: \series default
2988: , and the
2989: \series bold
2990: Network Directory Browser
2991: \series default
2992: will appear,
2993: \begin_float fig
2994: \layout Standard
2995: \align center
2996:
2997: \begin_inset Figure size 357 162
2998: file mapEditorDirectoryBrowser.eps
2999: width 3 60
3000: flags 9
3001:
3002: \end_inset
3003:
3004:
3005: \layout Caption
3006:
3007: Network Directory Browser
3008: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Map Editor Network Directory Browser Figure}
3009:
3010: \end_inset
3011:
3012:
3013: \end_float
3014: looking something like figure
3015: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Editor Network Directory Browser Figure}
3016:
3017: \end_inset
3018:
3019: .
3020: Press the
3021: \series bold
3022: SELECT
3023: \series default
3024: button that is next to the resource you want to place in the chosen resource
3025: box.
3026: \begin_float fig
3027: \layout Standard
3028: \align center
3029:
3030: \begin_inset Figure size 42 252
3031: file mapEditorResourceChosen.eps
3032: height 3 30
3033: flags 9
3034:
3035: \end_inset
3036:
3037:
3038: \layout Caption
3039:
3040: Resource Chosen
3041: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Map Resource Chosen Figure}
3042:
3043: \end_inset
3044:
3045:
3046: \end_float
3047: Once you've done that, if you look back at the window that popped up when
3048: you clicked on
3049: \series bold
3050: New Resource
3051: \series default
3052: , you'll see something like figure
3053: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Resource Chosen Figure}
3054:
3055: \end_inset
3056:
3057: .
3058: You can type the
3059: \series bold
3060: URL
3061: \series default
3062: and
3063: \series bold
3064: Title
3065: \series default
3066: into the secondary window, if you prefer, following the format you see
3067: when you've successfully browsed to a resource.
3068: After you click
3069: \series bold
3070: Save Changes
3071: \series default
3072: , your changes will be set, and the icons for the resource will appear in
3073: the
3074: \series bold
3075: Res
3076: \series default
3077: box, as shown in figure
3078: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Resource Chosen Figure}
3079:
3080: \end_inset
3081:
3082: .
3083: Click
3084: \series bold
3085: Save Map
3086: \series default
3087: in the bar above your map to save the map.
3088: \begin_deeper
3089: \layout Standard
3090:
3091: Clicking on the left icon for a resource will open a new browser window
3092: with an informational page about that resource.
3093: Clicking on the right icon for a resource will open a new browser window
3094: taking you to the rendering of that resource.
3095: \end_deeper
3096: \layout Enumerate
3097:
3098: Repeat steps two and three for as many resources as you'd like to bind together
3099: into one page.
3100: You can insert the new resources anywhere you'd like.
3101: \layout Enumerate
3102:
3103: When you are done adding resources, click the
3104: \series bold
3105: Save Map
3106: \series default
3107: link to save the map.
3108: \layout Standard
3109:
3110: In addition to manually adding in resources, the Advanced Editor also has
3111: the ability to import resource in the same way that the Simple Editor can:
3112: From a LON-CAPA network browser window, from a Group Search, or from another
3113: Map.
3114: \layout Standard
3115:
3116: The advanced editor has many more capabilities which you can explore.
3117: \layout Subsection
3118:
3119: Page Maps
3120: \layout Standard
3121:
3122: Creating a .page map is the same as creating a sequence map, except that
3123: when choosing the name of the resource, the URL will end with
3124: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3125: \end_inset
3126:
3127: .page
3128: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3129: \end_inset
3130:
3131: .
3132: Then all resources you add in the map editor will appear on one page together.
3133: \layout Standard
3134:
3135: Pages are often used to connect problems in a homework set.
3136: \layout Subsection
3137:
3138: Creating a Course: Top-level Sequence
3139: \layout Standard
3140:
3141: In order to view sequences, they need to be part of a
3142: \series bold
3143: course
3144: \series default
3145: .
3146: \begin_float fig
3147: \layout Standard
3148: \align center
3149:
3150: \begin_inset Figure size 238 231
3151: file creatingANewCourse.eps
3152: width 3 40
3153: flags 9
3154:
3155: \end_inset
3156:
3157:
3158: \layout Caption
3159:
3160: Creating a New Course
3161: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Creating a New Course Figure}
3162:
3163: \end_inset
3164:
3165:
3166: \end_float
3167: Courses have a Top-level Map which defines the whole course.
3168: This top-level map will often itself contain maps corresponding to homework
3169: assignments, chapters, or units.
3170: To view your maps, you will need to make them part of a course.
3171: Only Domain Coordinators can make courses and set their Top-level maps,
3172: so work with your Domain Coordinator if you need to view your maps.
3173: \layout Section
3174:
3175: Numerical Response
3176: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Numerical Response}
3177:
3178: \end_inset
3179:
3180:
3181: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Numerical Response}
3182:
3183: \end_inset
3184:
3185: And Formula Response Questions
3186: \layout Standard
3187:
3188: Numerical Response problems are very powerful.
3189: In fact, they are so powerful it would be impossible to fully explain what
3190: is possible in a document like this.
3191: This chapter will focus on getting you started with Numerical Response
3192: problems, and showing you some of the possibilities, with no prerequisite
3193: knowledge necessary.
3194: The more you learn, the more you will find you can do.
3195: \layout Standard
3196:
3197: If you like, you can follow this chapter along as its own tutorial.
3198: Create a Numerical Response problem using the instructions in section
3199: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating New Content Pages}
3200:
3201: \end_inset
3202:
3203: , ending your resource name with
3204: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3205: \end_inset
3206:
3207: .problem
3208: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3209: \end_inset
3210:
3211: , and create a new
3212: \series bold
3213: Simple Numerical Response
3214: \series default
3215: problem.
3216: \layout Subsection
3217:
3218: The Parts of a Numerical Response Problem
3219: \layout Standard
3220:
3221: \begin_float fig
3222: \layout Standard
3223: \align center
3224:
3225: \begin_inset Figure size 476 356
3226: file numericalResponse1.eps
3227: width 3 80
3228: flags 9
3229:
3230: \end_inset
3231:
3232:
3233: \layout Caption
3234:
3235: Numerical Response editor
3236: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Numerical Response Editor Figure}
3237:
3238: \end_inset
3239:
3240:
3241: \end_float
3242: A Numerical Response problem has seven major parts by default, as seen in
3243: figure
3244: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Numerical Response Editor Figure}
3245:
3246: \end_inset
3247:
3248: :
3249: \layout Enumerate
3250:
3251: The
3252: \series bold
3253: Script
3254: \series default
3255: .
3256: The script is the heart of advanced Numerical Response problems.
3257: It can be used to decide some of the parameters of the problem, compute
3258: the answer to the problem, and do just about anything else you can imagine.
3259: The Script language is
3260: \series bold
3261: Perl
3262: \series default
3263: .
3264: You do not need to know Perl to use the
3265: \series bold
3266: Script
3267: \series default
3268: block, as we will be stepping through some advanced examples in this chapter,
3269: but knowing Perl can help.
3270: \layout Enumerate
3271:
3272: Like other problem types, the
3273: \series bold
3274: Text Block
3275: \series default
3276: is used to display the problem the student will see.
3277: In addition, you can place variables in the
3278: \series bold
3279: Text Block
3280: \series default
3281: based on computations done in the
3282: \series bold
3283: Script
3284: \series default
3285: .
3286: \layout Enumerate
3287:
3288: The
3289: \series bold
3290: Answer
3291: \series default
3292: is the answer the system is looking for.
3293: This can also use parameters from the
3294: \series bold
3295: Script
3296: \series default
3297: block, allowing the answer to be computed dynamically.
3298: \layout Enumerate
3299:
3300: A
3301: \series bold
3302: tolerance
3303: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{tolerance}
3304:
3305: \end_inset
3306:
3307:
3308: \series default
3309: parameter, which determines how closely the system will require the student's
3310: answer to be in order to count it correct.
3311: For technical reasons, it is almost never a good idea to set this parameter
3312: to zero
3313: \begin_float footnote
3314: \layout Standard
3315:
3316: Computers can only approximate computations involving real numbers.
3317: For instance, a computer's [decimal] answer to the simple problem
3318: \begin_inset Formula \( \frac{1}{3} \)
3319: \end_inset
3320:
3321: is
3322: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3323: \end_inset
3324:
3325: 0.33333333333333331
3326: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3327: \end_inset
3328:
3329: .
3330: It
3331: \emph on
3332: should
3333: \emph default
3334: be an infinite series of 3's, and there certainly shouldn't be a
3335: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3336: \end_inset
3337:
3338: 1
3339: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3340: \end_inset
3341:
3342: in the answer, but no computer can represent an infinitely long, infinitely
3343: detailed real number.
3344: Therefore, for any problem where the answer is not a small integer, you
3345:
3346: \emph on
3347: need
3348: \emph default
3349: to allow a tolerance factor, or the students will find it nearly impossible
3350: to exactly match the computers idea of the answer.
3351: \end_float
3352: , though you may find the default too large for some problems.
3353: There are two kinds of tolerance.
3354: For some answer
3355: \begin_inset Formula \( a \)
3356: \end_inset
3357:
3358: and a tolerance
3359: \begin_inset Formula \( t \)
3360: \end_inset
3361:
3362: ,
3363: \begin_deeper
3364: \layout Enumerate
3365:
3366: an
3367: \series bold
3368: Absolute
3369: \series default
3370: tolerance
3371: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{absolute tolerance}
3372:
3373: \end_inset
3374:
3375:
3376: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{tolerance, absolute}
3377:
3378: \end_inset
3379:
3380: will take anything in the range
3381: \begin_inset Formula \( a\pm t \)
3382: \end_inset
3383:
3384: .
3385: So if
3386: \begin_inset Formula \( a=10 \)
3387: \end_inset
3388:
3389: and
3390: \begin_inset Formula \( t=2 \)
3391: \end_inset
3392:
3393: , then anything between 8 and 12 is acceptable
3394: \begin_float footnote
3395: \end_deeper
3396: \layout Standard
3397:
3398: For much the same reasons a tolerance is almost always a good idea, it's
3399: almost impossible to say whether an answer that is
3400: \emph on
3401: exactly
3402: \emph default
3403:
3404: \begin_inset Formula \( a\pm t \)
3405: \end_inset
3406:
3407: will be accepted by the computer.
3408: But the computer does use many decimal places of accuracy; if you want
3409: to have the student answer exactly
3410: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3411: \end_inset
3412:
3413: 2
3414: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3415: \end_inset
3416:
3417: , then specifying a tolerance of
3418: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3419: \end_inset
3420:
3421: .0000001
3422: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3423: \end_inset
3424:
3425: is OK.
3426: (Don't use too many more zeros, though you can use less if you like.)
3427: \end_float
3428: .
3429: Any number in the tolerance field
3430: \emph on
3431: without
3432: \emph default
3433: a
3434: \series bold
3435: %
3436: \series default
3437: symbol is an absolute tolerance.
3438: \begin_deeper
3439: \layout Enumerate
3440:
3441: a
3442: \series bold
3443: Relative
3444: \series default
3445: tolerance
3446: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{relative tolerance}
3447:
3448: \end_inset
3449:
3450:
3451: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{tolerance, relative}
3452:
3453: \end_inset
3454:
3455: will take anything in the range
3456: \begin_inset Formula \( a\pm at \)
3457: \end_inset
3458:
3459: , where
3460: \emph on
3461: t
3462: \emph default
3463: is interpreted as a percentage.
3464: Any number in the tolerance field
3465: \emph on
3466: followed by
3467: \emph default
3468: a
3469: \series bold
3470: %
3471: \series default
3472: symbol is a relative tolerance.
3473: For example,
3474: \begin_inset Formula \( a=10 \)
3475: \end_inset
3476:
3477: and
3478: \begin_inset Formula \( t=10\% \)
3479: \end_inset
3480:
3481: will accept anything between 9 and 11.
3482:
3483: \end_deeper
3484: \layout Enumerate
3485:
3486: A
3487: \series bold
3488: significant figures
3489: \series default
3490: specification tells the system how many significant figures there are in
3491: the problem, as either a single number or a range of acceptable values,
3492: expressed as
3493: \series bold
3494: min,max
3495: \series default
3496: .
3497: The system will check to make sure that the student's answer contains this
3498: many significant digits, useful in many scientific calculations.
3499: For example, if the problem has three significant digits, the significant
3500: digit specification is
3501: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3502: \end_inset
3503:
3504: 3
3505: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3506: \end_inset
3507:
3508: , and the answer is
3509: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3510: \end_inset
3511:
3512: 1.3
3513: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3514: \end_inset
3515:
3516: , the system will require the students to type
3517: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3518: \end_inset
3519:
3520: 1.30
3521: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3522: \end_inset
3523:
3524: , even though numerically,
3525: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3526: \end_inset
3527:
3528: 1.3
3529: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3530: \end_inset
3531:
3532: and
3533: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3534: \end_inset
3535:
3536: 1.30
3537: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3538: \end_inset
3539:
3540: are the same.
3541: A significant figure specification of
3542: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3543: \end_inset
3544:
3545: 3,4
3546: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3547: \end_inset
3548:
3549: means both
3550: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3551: \end_inset
3552:
3553: 1.30
3554: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3555: \end_inset
3556:
3557: and
3558: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3559: \end_inset
3560:
3561: 1.300
3562: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3563: \end_inset
3564:
3565: are acceptable.
3566: \layout Enumerate
3567:
3568: The
3569: \series bold
3570: Single Line Text Entry
3571: \series default
3572: area, as in other problems, allow you to manipulate the text entry area
3573: the student will see.
3574: \layout Enumerate
3575:
3576: Finally, the
3577: \series bold
3578: Hint
3579: \series default
3580: should contain text which will help the students when they answer incorrectly.
3581: \layout Subsection
3582:
3583: Simple Numerical Response Answer
3584: \layout Standard
3585:
3586: Along with showing the Numerical Response editor, figure
3587: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Numerical Response Editor Figure}
3588:
3589: \end_inset
3590:
3591: also shows the parameters for one of the simplest possible types of numerical
3592: response.
3593: The
3594: \series bold
3595: Text Block
3596: \series default
3597: has the problem's question, which is the static text
3598: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3599: \end_inset
3600:
3601: What is 2 + 2?
3602: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3603: \end_inset
3604:
3605: The
3606: \series bold
3607: Answer
3608: \series default
3609: is
3610: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3611: \end_inset
3612:
3613: 4
3614: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3615: \end_inset
3616:
3617: .
3618: The
3619: \series bold
3620: Hint
3621: \series default
3622: has been set to something appropriate for this problem.
3623: Everything else has the default values from when the problem was created.
3624: \layout Standard
3625:
3626: If you create a problem like this, hit
3627: \series bold
3628: Submit Changes
3629: \series default
3630: , then hit
3631: \series bold
3632: View
3633: \series default
3634: after the changes have been submitted, you can try the problem out for
3635: yourself.
3636: Note the last box in the HTML page has the answer LON-CAPA is looking for
3637: conveniently displayed for you, along with the range the computer will
3638: accept and the number of significant digits the computer requires when
3639: viewed by an
3640: \series bold
3641: Author
3642: \series default
3643: .
3644: \layout Standard
3645:
3646: As you're playing with the problem, if you use up all your tries or get
3647: the answer correct but wish to continue playing with the problem, use the
3648:
3649: \series bold
3650: Reset Submissions
3651: \series default
3652: button to clear your answer attempts.
3653:
3654: \layout Subsection
3655:
3656: Simple Script Usage
3657: \layout Standard
3658:
3659: Totally static problems only scratch the surface of the Numerical Response
3660: capabilities.
3661: To really explore the power of LON-CAPA, we need to start creating dynamic
3662: problems.
3663: But before we can get to truly dynamic problems, we need to learn how to
3664: work with the
3665: \series bold
3666: Script
3667: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Script}
3668:
3669: \end_inset
3670:
3671:
3672: \series default
3673: window.
3674: \layout Standard
3675:
3676: A script consists of several
3677: \series bold
3678: statements
3679: \series default
3680: , separated by
3681: \series bold
3682: semi-colons
3683: \series default
3684: .
3685: A
3686: \series bold
3687: statement
3688: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{statement}
3689:
3690: \end_inset
3691:
3692:
3693: \series default
3694: is the smallest kind of instruction to the computer.
3695: Most problems will be built from several statements.
3696:
3697: \layout Standard
3698:
3699: A script can contain
3700: \series bold
3701: comments
3702: \series default
3703: , which are not interpreted as statements by the computer.
3704: Comments start with
3705: \series bold
3706: #
3707: \series default
3708: , and go to the end of that line.
3709: Thus, if a line starts with #, the whole line is ignored.
3710: Comments can also begin in the middle of a line.
3711: It is a good idea to comment more complicated scripts, as it can be very
3712: difficult to read a large script and figure out what it does.
3713: It is a
3714: \emph on
3715: very
3716: \emph default
3717: good idea to adopt some sort of commenting standard, especially if you
3718: are working in a group or you believe other people may use your problems
3719: in the future.
3720: \layout Itemize
3721:
3722: One of the simplest statements in LON-CAPA is a
3723: \series bold
3724: variable assignment
3725: \series default
3726: .
3727: A
3728: \series bold
3729: variable
3730: \series default
3731: can hold any value in it.
3732: The variable name must start with a
3733: \series bold
3734: $
3735: \series default
3736: .
3737: In the
3738: \series bold
3739: Script
3740: \series default
3741: , you need to assign to variables before you use them.
3742: Put this program into the
3743: \series bold
3744: Script
3745: \series default
3746: field of the Numerical Response:
3747: \begin_deeper
3748: \layout LyX-Code
3749:
3750: $variable = 3;
3751: \layout Standard
3752:
3753: This creates a variable named
3754: \series bold
3755: variable
3756: \series default
3757: and assigns it the value of
3758: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3759: \end_inset
3760:
3761: 3
3762: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3763: \end_inset
3764:
3765: .
3766: That's one statement.
3767: \end_deeper
3768: \layout Standard
3769:
3770: Variable names are
3771: \emph on
3772: case sensitive
3773: \emph default
3774: , must start with a letter, and can only consist of letters, numbers, and
3775: underscores.
3776: Variable names can be as long as you want.
3777:
3778: \layout Standard
3779:
3780: There are many variable naming conventions, covering both how to name and
3781: how to capitalize variables
3782: \begin_float footnote
3783: \layout Standard
3784:
3785: The author favors
3786: \family typewriter
3787: capsOnNewWords
3788: \family default
3789: .
3790: Some people use
3791: \family typewriter
3792: underscore_to_separate_words
3793: \family default
3794: .
3795: Many use uppercase letters to specify constants like
3796: \family typewriter
3797: PI
3798: \family default
3799: or
3800: \family typewriter
3801: GOLDEN_MEAN
3802: \family default
3803: .
3804: Some people always
3805: \family typewriter
3806: StartWithCapatalization
3807: \family default
3808: .
3809: What's really important is to be consistent, so you don't have to guess
3810: whether the variable you're thinking of is
3811: \family typewriter
3812: coefFriction
3813: \family default
3814: ,
3815: \family typewriter
3816: CoefFriction
3817: \family default
3818: ,
3819: \family typewriter
3820: COEF_FRICTION
3821: \family default
3822: , or something else.
3823: \end_float
3824: .
3825: It is a good idea to adopt a standard.
3826: If you are working with a group, you may wish to discuss it in your group
3827: and agree on a convention.
3828:
3829: \layout Standard
3830:
3831: If you
3832: \series bold
3833: Submit Changes
3834: \series default
3835: and
3836: \series bold
3837: View
3838: \series default
3839: the problem, you'll see nothing has changed.
3840: That's because in order for a variable to be useful, it must be used.
3841: The variable can be used in several places.
3842: \layout Subsubsection
3843:
3844: Variables in Scripts
3845: \layout Standard
3846:
3847: Variables can be used later in the same script.
3848: For instance, we can add another line below the
3849: \family typewriter
3850: $variable
3851: \family default
3852: line as such:
3853: \layout LyX-Code
3854:
3855: $variable2 = $variable + 2;
3856: \layout Standard
3857:
3858: Now there is a variable called
3859: \family typewriter
3860: $variable2
3861: \family default
3862: with the the number
3863: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3864: \end_inset
3865:
3866: 5
3867: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3868: \end_inset
3869:
3870: as its value.
3871:
3872: \layout Standard
3873:
3874: Variables can also be used in
3875: \emph on
3876: strings
3877: \emph default
3878:
3879: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{strings}
3880:
3881: \end_inset
3882:
3883: , which are a sequence of letters.
3884: The underlying language of the script, Perl, has a very large number of
3885: ways of using variables in strings, but the easiest and most common way
3886: is to use normal double-quotes and just spell out the name of the variable
3887: you want to use in the string, like this:
3888: \layout LyX-Code
3889:
3890: $stringVar =
3891: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3892: \end_inset
3893:
3894: I have a variable with the value $variable.
3895: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3896: \end_inset
3897:
3898:
3899: \layout Standard
3900:
3901: This will put the string
3902: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3903: \end_inset
3904:
3905: I have a variable with the value 3.
3906: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3907: \end_inset
3908:
3909: into the variable named
3910: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3911: \end_inset
3912:
3913: stringVar
3914: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3915: \end_inset
3916:
3917: .
3918: \layout Standard
3919:
3920: If you are following this chapter as a tutorial, add the previous two lines
3921: to your
3922: \series bold
3923: Script
3924: \series default
3925: and submit the changes for the problem.
3926: There's no need to view it; there's still no visible change.
3927: \layout Subsubsection
3928:
3929: Variables in the Text Block
3930: \layout Standard
3931:
3932: Once you've defined variables in the
3933: \series bold
3934: Script
3935: \series default
3936: , you can use them in the
3937: \series bold
3938: Text Block
3939: \series default
3940: .
3941: For example, using the previous three-line script we've created so far,
3942: you can place the following in the
3943: \series bold
3944: Text Block
3945: \series default
3946: :
3947: \layout LyX-Code
3948:
3949: See the 3: $variable<br />
3950: \layout LyX-Code
3951:
3952: See the string: <b>$stringVar</b><br />
3953: \layout Standard
3954:
3955: \begin_float fig
3956: \layout Standard
3957: \align center
3958:
3959: \begin_inset Figure size 353 99
3960: file numericalResponseVarInText.eps
3961: flags 9
3962:
3963: \end_inset
3964:
3965:
3966: \layout Caption
3967:
3968: Result of Variables in the Text Block
3969: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Result of Variables in the Text Block Figure}
3970:
3971: \end_inset
3972:
3973:
3974: \end_float
3975: If you save that and hit
3976: \series bold
3977: View
3978: \series default
3979: , you should get what you see in figure
3980: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Result of Variables in the Text Block Figure}
3981:
3982: \end_inset
3983:
3984: .
3985: Note how the
3986: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3987: \end_inset
3988:
3989: $variable
3990: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3991: \end_inset
3992:
3993: was turned into a 3, and the
3994: \begin_inset Quotes eld
3995: \end_inset
3996:
3997: $stringVar
3998: \begin_inset Quotes erd
3999: \end_inset
4000:
4001: was turned into
4002: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4003: \end_inset
4004:
4005: I have a variable with the value 3.
4006: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4007: \end_inset
4008:
4009:
4010: \layout Subsubsection
4011:
4012: Variables in the Answer Block
4013: \layout Standard
4014:
4015: You can use variables in the
4016: \series bold
4017: Answer
4018: \series default
4019: part of the question, too.
4020: This means you can compute an answer to a question, which we'll see in
4021: a bit.
4022: If you set the answer of the question to be
4023: \series bold
4024: $variable
4025: \series default
4026: ,
4027: \series bold
4028: Save Changes
4029: \series default
4030: and
4031: \series bold
4032: View
4033: \series default
4034: it, you'll see that LON-CAPA is now expecting
4035: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4036: \end_inset
4037:
4038: 3.0
4039: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4040: \end_inset
4041:
4042: as the answer, plus or minus 5%.
4043: \layout Subsection
4044:
4045: Calling Functions
4046: \layout Standard
4047:
4048: With variables, you can store strings or numbers.
4049:
4050: \series bold
4051: Functions
4052: \series default
4053: allow you to manipulate these strings or numbers.
4054: Functions work like mathematical functions: They take some number of arguments
4055: in, and return one argument, usually a number or a string for our purposes.
4056: There are a lot of functions available in LON-CAPA.
4057: You can see a complete list at http://mileva.lite.msu.edu/loncapadocs/homework/hom
4058: ework5.html.
4059: For now, let's just look at some simple examples.
4060: \layout Standard
4061:
4062: \begin_float fig
4063: \layout LyX-Code
4064:
4065: $a = -3.0;
4066: \layout LyX-Code
4067:
4068: $b = &sin($a);
4069: \layout LyX-Code
4070:
4071: $c = &pow(3.0, &abs($a));
4072: \layout Caption
4073:
4074: Some Function Calls
4075: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Some Function Calls Figure}
4076:
4077: \end_inset
4078:
4079:
4080: \end_float
4081: In the
4082: \series bold
4083: Script
4084: \series default
4085: block, function names start with
4086: \series bold
4087: &
4088: \series default
4089: .
4090: Some example function calls are shown in figure
4091: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Some Function Calls Figure}
4092:
4093: \end_inset
4094:
4095: .
4096: You can see that functions can take either variables, numbers, or the results
4097: of other function calls as parameters.
4098: The
4099: \family typewriter
4100: &sin
4101: \family default
4102: function returns the sine of an angle expressed in radians.
4103:
4104: \family typewriter
4105: &pow
4106: \family default
4107: raises the first parameter to the power of the second parameter.
4108:
4109: \family typewriter
4110: &abs
4111: \family default
4112: returns the absolute value of the argument.
4113: \layout Subsubsection
4114:
4115: Randomization
4116: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Randomization}
4117:
4118: \end_inset
4119:
4120:
4121: \layout Standard
4122:
4123: For LON-CAPA, one of the most important functions is the
4124: \family typewriter
4125: random
4126: \family default
4127: function.
4128: Random takes three parameters: a
4129: \emph on
4130: lower limit
4131: \emph default
4132: , an
4133: \emph on
4134: upper limit
4135: \emph default
4136: , and an
4137: \emph on
4138: interval
4139: \emph default
4140: .
4141: The
4142: \family typewriter
4143: &random
4144: \family default
4145: function returns a random value between the upper and lower limit, some
4146: integer number of
4147: \emph on
4148: interval
4149: \emph default
4150: 's away from the lower limit.
4151: Thus, for example,
4152: \family typewriter
4153: &random(1,2,.2)
4154: \family default
4155: might return 1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, or 2.
4156:
4157: \family typewriter
4158: &random
4159: \family default
4160: uses a uniform distribution.
4161: Other distributions are available in LON-CAPA, and can be found by consulting
4162: the function list.
4163: \layout Standard
4164:
4165: \begin_float fig
4166: \layout LyX-Code
4167:
4168: $a = &random(1.0,10.0,1.0);
4169: \layout LyX-Code
4170:
4171: $b = &random(-10.0, -3.0, 1.0);
4172: \layout LyX-Code
4173:
4174: $answer = $a+$b;
4175: \layout Caption
4176:
4177: Sample
4178: \family typewriter
4179: random
4180: \family default
4181: Calls
4182: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Sample Random Calls figure}
4183:
4184: \end_inset
4185:
4186:
4187: \end_float
4188: If you put the script in figure
4189: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Sample Random Calls figure}
4190:
4191: \end_inset
4192:
4193: into the
4194: \series bold
4195: Script
4196: \series default
4197: block (replacing whatever contents might be in the block already), you'll
4198: get two random variables $a and $b.
4199: Now, in the
4200: \series bold
4201: Text Block
4202: \series default
4203: , put
4204: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4205: \end_inset
4206:
4207: What is $a plus $b?
4208: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4209: \end_inset
4210:
4211: , and in the
4212: \series bold
4213: Answer
4214: \series default
4215: put
4216: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4217: \end_inset
4218:
4219: $answer
4220: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4221: \end_inset
4222:
4223: , without the quotes for either of them.
4224: (It is a good idea to create a variable to hold the answer and call it
4225: $answer, or some other reasonably standard name.
4226: Do not try to compute the answer in the
4227: \series bold
4228: Answer
4229: \series default
4230: field itself; it will not work as you expect.) Now save the problem and
4231:
4232: \series bold
4233: View
4234: \series default
4235: it.
4236: You'll see a randomized problem.
4237: \layout Standard
4238:
4239: For each student, the same random number will be used each time they visit
4240: the problem, but each student will get different random numbers.
4241: For any but the simplest random problems, you'll want to see several random
4242: problems to make sure everything is working out correctly.
4243: This is what the
4244: \series bold
4245: Random Seed
4246: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Random Seed}
4247:
4248: \end_inset
4249:
4250:
4251: \series default
4252: field is for.
4253: To see another randomized version of the problem you've just created, put
4254: another number into the
4255: \series bold
4256: Random Seed
4257: \series default
4258: field and hit
4259: \series bold
4260: Change
4261: \series default
4262: .
4263: It doesn't really matter what number you put into the field.
4264: But for any given
4265: \series bold
4266: Random Seed
4267: \series default
4268: with the same problem, you'll see the same randomized problem generated
4269: for you.
4270: (If you change the
4271: \series bold
4272: Script
4273: \series default
4274: , you are no longer guaranteed to get the same problem.)
4275: \layout Standard
4276:
4277: If you're doing this as a tutorial, try a few random seeds to see what happens.
4278: \layout Subsection
4279:
4280: Dynamic, Randomized Problems: Putting It All Together
4281: \layout Standard
4282:
4283: Now you have all the tools to create those wonderful dynamic, randomized
4284: problems that you've seen in LON-CAPA.
4285: \begin_float fig
4286: \layout Standard
4287: \align center
4288:
4289: \begin_inset Figure size 476 197
4290: file numericalResponseSlopeProblem.eps
4291: width 3 80
4292: flags 9
4293:
4294: \end_inset
4295:
4296:
4297: \layout Caption
4298:
4299: Slope Problem Parameters
4300: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Slope Problem Parameters Figure}
4301:
4302: \end_inset
4303:
4304:
4305: \end_float
4306: For example, try filling out your problem with the parameters shown in
4307: figure
4308: \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Slope Problem Parameters Figure}
4309:
4310: \end_inset
4311:
4312: .
4313:
4314: \layout Standard
4315:
4316: When creating randomized problems, you want to make sure that the problems
4317: always have an answer.
4318: Consider what might happen if I had chosen the two slopes
4319: \emph on
4320: both
4321: \emph default
4322: with the expression
4323: \family typewriter
4324: &random(-1.0,1.0,.2)
4325: \family default
4326: .
4327: One out of ten students would get a problem where both slopes were equal,
4328: which has either no solution (for unequal y-intercepts) or an infinite
4329: number of solutions (for equal slopes and y-intercepts).
4330: Both of these cause a division-by-zero error on the division that computes
4331: the answer.
4332: There are many ways to avoid this, one of the easiest of which is picking
4333: one slope negative and one positive.
4334: This same problem can show up in many other places, too, so be careful.
4335: \layout Subsection
4336:
4337: Units, Format
4338: \layout Standard
4339:
4340: Numerical Response problems can require units.
4341: In the problem editing form, place the desired unit in the
4342: \series bold
4343: Unit
4344: \series default
4345: field.
4346: For information about what units the system accepts, see http://capa4.lite.msu.edu
4347: /demolibrary/Links/UnitsSymbolsT2.html.
4348: The computer will accept the answer in any of its accepted unit formats.
4349: For example, if the answer to a problem is
4350: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4351: \end_inset
4352:
4353: 1ft
4354: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4355: \end_inset
4356:
4357: , the computer will accept
4358: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4359: \end_inset
4360:
4361: 12in
4362: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4363: \end_inset
4364:
4365: as correct.
4366: \layout Standard
4367:
4368: Additionally, you can format the number displayed by the computer as the
4369: answer.
4370: For instance, if the answer is one-third, the computer will display that
4371: it computed
4372: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4373: \end_inset
4374:
4375: .333333333
4376: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4377: \end_inset
4378:
4379: as the answer.
4380: If you'd like to shorten that, you can use the
4381: \series bold
4382: Format
4383: \series default
4384: field.
4385: Format strings like
4386: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4387: \end_inset
4388:
4389: 2e
4390: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4391: \end_inset
4392:
4393: (without the quotes) will display three significant digits in scientific
4394: notation.
4395: Format strings like
4396: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4397: \end_inset
4398:
4399: 2f
4400: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4401: \end_inset
4402:
4403: will display two digits after the decimal point.
4404: \layout Subsection
4405:
4406: For More Information
4407: \layout Standard
4408:
4409: The full power of Perl is well outside the scope of this document.
4410: Looking in the function list at
4411: \newline
4412: http://mileva.lite.msu.edu/loncapadocs/homework/homework5.html
4413: \newline
4414: can give you some ideas.
4415: O'Reilly has some good Perl books.
4416: The Perl 5 Pocket Reference will contain more than what you need to know
4417: to use LON-CAPA, available at
4418: \newline
4419: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/perlpr3/ .
4420: \layout Standard
4421:
4422: If you have any problems, consult http://help.loncapa.org/fom/cache/5.html
4423: .
4424: If you don't find the answer to your problem, please help us expand the
4425: FAQ by submitting a new pending question.
4426: \layout Standard
4427:
4428: Our advanced users often come to prefer the XML interface for the problems,
4429: available through the
4430: \series bold
4431: EditXML
4432: \series default
4433: buttons.
4434: Covering the XML format is beyond the scope of this manual, but you can
4435: learn a lot by using the editor to make changes and seeing what happens
4436: to the XML.
4437: \layout Subsection
4438:
4439: Formula Response
4440: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Formula Response}
4441:
4442: \end_inset
4443:
4444:
4445: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Formula Response}
4446:
4447: \end_inset
4448:
4449: Problems
4450: \layout Standard
4451:
4452: \begin_float fig
4453: \layout Standard
4454: \align center
4455:
4456: \begin_inset Figure size 476 262
4457: file formulaResponse.eps
4458: width 3 80
4459: flags 9
4460:
4461: \end_inset
4462:
4463:
4464: \layout Caption
4465:
4466: Formula Response Problem
4467: \end_float
4468: Formula response problems asks the student to type in a formula as an answer.
4469: If the answer is
4470: \begin_inset Formula \( 2x^{2}+4 \)
4471: \end_inset
4472:
4473: , the student is allowed to type
4474: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4475: \end_inset
4476:
4477: 2*x*x+4
4478: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4479: \end_inset
4480:
4481: ,
4482: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4483: \end_inset
4484:
4485: x*x + x*x + 4
4486: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4487: \end_inset
4488:
4489: ,
4490: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4491: \end_inset
4492:
4493: 2*x^2 + 14 - 10
4494: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4495: \end_inset
4496:
4497: , or any other equivalent expression.
4498: Formula Response problems have many of the same characteristics of Numerical
4499: Response problems, including the ability to run scripts, dynamically generate
4500: answers, etc.
4501:
4502: \layout Standard
4503:
4504: As you may know, it is extremely difficult to determine whether a given
4505: expression is exactly equal to another expression in general.
4506: For example, is
4507: \begin_inset Formula \( \sin 2x=2\sin x\cos x \)
4508: \end_inset
4509:
4510: ? Symbolically proving it one way or another is impossible in general.
4511: Therefore, LON-CAPA uses a sampling system.
4512: If your answer and the student's answer agree at the sampling points within
4513: your given tolerance factor, the student's answer will be accepted, otherwise
4514: it will be rejected.
4515: \layout Subsubsection
4516:
4517: Sampling Specifications
4518: \layout Standard
4519:
4520: To specify where to sample the formulas for determining whether the student's
4521: answer is correct, you need to put a sampling specification in the
4522: \series bold
4523: Sample Points
4524: \series default
4525:
4526: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Sample Points}
4527:
4528: \end_inset
4529:
4530: field.
4531: The sampling specifications takes the following format:
4532: \layout Enumerate
4533:
4534: A comma separated list of the variables you wish to interpret,
4535: \layout Enumerate
4536:
4537: followed by
4538: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4539: \end_inset
4540:
4541: @
4542: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4543: \end_inset
4544:
4545: (not in quotes),
4546: \layout Enumerate
4547:
4548: followed by any number of the following two things, separated by semi-colons:
4549: \begin_deeper
4550: \layout Enumerate
4551:
4552: a comma separated list of as many numbers as there are variables, which
4553: specifies one sampling point, OR
4554: \layout Enumerate
4555:
4556: a comma separated list of as many numbers as there are variables, followed
4557: by a colon, followed by another list of as many numbers as there are variables,
4558: followed by a #, followed by an integer.
4559: \end_deeper
4560: \layout Standard
4561:
4562: The first form specifies one point to sample.
4563: The second form specifies a range for each variable, and the system will
4564: take as many random samples from that range as the number after the #.
4565: \layout Standard
4566:
4567: For
4568: \begin_inset Formula \( 2x^{2}+4 \)
4569: \end_inset
4570:
4571: , with one variable
4572: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4573: \end_inset
4574:
4575: x
4576: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4577: \end_inset
4578:
4579: , one could specify
4580: \layout Itemize
4581:
4582:
4583: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4584: \end_inset
4585:
4586: x@2
4587: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4588: \end_inset
4589:
4590: , which will sample the answers only at 2.
4591: (This is generally a bad idea, as the student could get lucky and match
4592: at that point)
4593: \layout Itemize
4594:
4595:
4596: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4597: \end_inset
4598:
4599: x@1:5#4
4600: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4601: \end_inset
4602:
4603: will takes 4 samples from somewhere between 1 and 5.
4604: \layout Itemize
4605:
4606:
4607: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4608: \end_inset
4609:
4610: x@1:5#4;10
4611: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4612: \end_inset
4613:
4614: will takes 4 samples from somewhere between 1 and 5, and also sample at
4615: 10.
4616: \layout Standard
4617:
4618: For
4619: \begin_inset Formula \( 2x^{2}+3y^{3} \)
4620: \end_inset
4621:
4622: , which has two variables, one could specify
4623: \layout Itemize
4624:
4625:
4626: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4627: \end_inset
4628:
4629: x,y@4,5:10,12#4;0,0
4630: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4631: \end_inset
4632:
4633: , which take four samples from the box determined by the points (4, 5) and
4634: (10, 12), and also sample the point (0, 0).
4635: \layout Subsubsection
4636:
4637: Formula Notes
4638: \layout Itemize
4639:
4640: The formula evaluator can not handle things of the form
4641: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4642: \end_inset
4643:
4644: x + - y
4645: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4646: \end_inset
4647:
4648: .
4649: If you have a random variable that may be positive or negative (as in the
4650: example following this section), you can try wrapping the references to
4651: that variable in parenthesis.
4652: As always, it is a good idea to try out several randomized versions of
4653: your problems to make sure everything works correctly.
4654: \layout Itemize
4655:
4656:
4657: \series bold
4658: Never use relative tolerance in Formula Response problems.
4659: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{tolerance, in formula response}
4660:
4661: \end_inset
4662:
4663:
4664: \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{relative tolerance, in formula response}
4665:
4666: \end_inset
4667:
4668:
4669: \series default
4670: Relative tolerance is poorly defined in Formula Response problems.
4671: Always use absolute tolerance.
4672: \layout Subsubsection
4673:
4674: Example Formula Response
4675: \layout Standard
4676:
4677: A very simple formula response problem:
4678: \layout Standard
4679:
4680: In the
4681: \series bold
4682: Script
4683: \series default
4684: , place the following:
4685: \layout LyX-Code
4686:
4687: $slope = &random(-5.0,5.0,.5);
4688: \layout LyX-Code
4689:
4690: $yint = &random(-5.0,5.0,.5);
4691: \layout LyX-Code
4692:
4693: $answer =
4694: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4695: \end_inset
4696:
4697: $slope*x + ($yint)
4698: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4699: \end_inset
4700:
4701: ;
4702: \layout Itemize
4703:
4704: In the
4705: \series bold
4706: Text Block
4707: \series default
4708: , place the following:
4709: \begin_inset Quotes eld
4710: \end_inset
4711:
4712: For a line with slope $slope and y-intercept $yint, what is y equal to?
4713: \begin_inset Quotes erd
4714: \end_inset
4715:
4716:
4717: \layout Itemize
4718:
4719: In the
4720: \series bold
4721: Answer
4722: \series default
4723: , place the following: $answer
4724: \layout Itemize
4725:
4726: Set the Tolerance to .000001.
4727: \layout Itemize
4728:
4729: Set the
4730: \series bold
4731: Sample Points
4732: \series default
4733: to x@0,1,2,3 .
4734: \layout Comment
4735:
4736: TODO:
4737: \layout Comment
4738:
4739: * Get sampling problem figured out
4740: \layout Comment
4741:
4742: \SpecialChar ~
4743:
4744: \layout Comment
4745:
4746: \SpecialChar ~
4747:
4748: \newline
4749: \SpecialChar ~
4750:
4751: \layout Comment
4752:
4753: Appendix A: Student Interface
4754: \layout Comment
4755:
4756: \begin_float fig
4757: \layout Standard
4758: \align center
4759:
4760: \begin_inset Figure size 152 353
4761: file studentInterface.eps
4762: flags 9
4763:
4764: \end_inset
4765:
4766:
4767: \layout Caption
4768:
4769: Student Remote Control
4770: \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Student Remote Control}
4771:
4772: \end_inset
4773:
4774:
4775: \end_float
4776: The Student Remote Control will automatically load whenever you log in to
4777: a LON-CAPA course as a student.
4778: The Student Remote Control contains most of the functions of the Author
4779: Remote Control and the following additional functions.
4780: \layout Comment
4781:
4782:
4783: \series bold
4784: NAV (NAVIGATE CONTENTS)
4785: \series default
4786: allows you to directly access resources from the course outline.
4787: \layout Comment
4788:
4789:
4790: \series bold
4791: ARROWS (LEFT and RIGHT)
4792: \series default
4793: allows you to move to the backward or forward through the course.
4794: \layout Comment
4795:
4796:
4797: \series bold
4798: GRDS (MY GRADES)
4799: \series default
4800: allows you to check your grades in the courses you are taking.
4801: \layout Comment
4802:
4803:
4804: \series bold
4805: SBKM (SET BOOKMARK)
4806: \series default
4807: allows you to bookmark pages for easy access.
4808: \layout Comment
4809:
4810:
4811: \series bold
4812: VBKM (VIEW BOOKMARK)
4813: \series default
4814: displays your bookmarks for easy access to bookmarked resources.
4815: \layout Comment
4816:
4817:
4818: \series bold
4819: ANOT (ANOTATE)
4820: \series default
4821: allows you to create personal notes.
4822: \layout Comment
4823:
4824:
4825: \series bold
4826: LOGOUT (LOGOUT)
4827: \series default
4828: will log you out of the LON-CAPA system.
4829: \the_end
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