#LyX 1.1 created this file. For more info see http://www.lyx.org/ \lyxformat 218 \textclass article \begin_preamble \usepackage{floatflt} \end_preamble \language english \inputencoding auto \fontscheme default \graphics default \paperfontsize 12 \spacing single \papersize Default \paperpackage a4 \use_geometry 1 \use_amsmath 0 \paperorientation portrait \leftmargin 1in \topmargin 1.25in \rightmargin 1in \bottommargin 1in \secnumdepth 3 \tocdepth 3 \paragraph_separation indent \defskip medskip \quotes_language english \quotes_times 2 \papercolumns 1 \papersides 1 \paperpagestyle fancy \layout Title Learning \emph on Online \emph default Network with CAPA \newline \emph on \SpecialChar ~ \newline \size larger Author's Tutorial And Manual \layout Standard \added_space_top vfill \align center \SpecialChar ~ \layout Standard \align center This manual was developed by John Williamson in the Office of Medical Education Research and Development. Some information in thie manual is adapted from the \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset LON-CAPA Workshop Demo \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset developed by Felicia Berryman in the Laboratory for Instructional Technology in Education. \layout Standard \SpecialChar ~ \layout Standard \pagebreak_bottom \align center Laboratory for Instructional Technology in Education \newline and the \newline Office of Medical Education Research and Development \newline Michigan State University \newline \layout Standard \pagebreak_bottom \begin_inset LatexCommand \tableofcontents{} \end_inset \layout Section Introduction to LON-CAPA \layout Comment This is a comment which will not show in any other rendering of this document. I will use them to document my observations as I work through this tutorial. \layout Comment Imagine a big \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset IMHO \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset on all of these comments; I'm just going to give you my comments straight out. I'm not attached to them and won't be offended by anything you say or do about them. \layout Standard LON-CAPA is a web-based interface that helps to organize and present your course website, deliver and manage problem problems, and manage student enrollment. All author functions are done using a web browser (Netscape 4.x or higher is recommended) and the LON-CAPA Author Interface. The URL for LON-CAPA is \family typewriter http://s10.lite.msu.edu \family default . \layout Standard At this time, you should have: \layout Itemize developed your objectives for your course. \layout Itemize developed your problems for testing and identified the question formats. \layout Subsection About This Manual \layout Standard Throughout this manual, keywords and phrases literally present on the computer screen will be referred to in \series bold bold type \series default . Function names and scripts will be shown in a \family typewriter typewriter font \family default . \layout Standard Chapters \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Author Interface} \end_inset through \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a Course} \end_inset comprise a tutorial that will introduce you to the authoring system. After that, this document is a reference manual for authoring course materials. \layout Standard For more information, see the website at http://help.loncapa.org/, where you can get help and information. If you cannot find an answer for your question, please email us and let us know, so we put the solution to your problem online. \layout Section The LON-CAPA Author Interface \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Author Interface} \end_inset \layout Subsection Login as Course Author \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Course Author} \end_inset \layout Standard To begin using LON-CAPA, you first need to log in to your account on LON-CAPA. Open your web browser and navigate to the LON-CAPA URL: \family typewriter http://s10.lite.msu.edu/ \family default . You will be presented with a log in screen as in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{LON-CAPA Log in screen} \end_inset . \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 297 234 file login.eps width 3 50 flags 11 \end_inset \layout Caption \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{LON-CAPA Log in screen} \end_inset LON-CAPA Log in screen \end_float \layout Standard Fill in the Username and Password boxes with your information. Then press the Login button. This will take you to your LON-CAPA User Roles menu. \layout Description Note: Your Username and Password will be given to you by your system administrat or. Both are case sensitive, so make sure you type them with the correct case. \layout Subsection \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Author Remote Control} \end_inset Author Remote Control \layout Comment Comment on the remote controls: I'll only mention this once, but imagine this comment exists everywhere a remote control image is used. The whole \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset remote control \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset metaphor is fundamentally flawed and probably can't be salvaged. Why is it flawed? \layout Comment \SpecialChar ~ \layout Comment 1. The remote control invokes a metaphor, that of remote controls. However, remote controls are useful in the real world, despite the overwhelming complexity of modern remotes, for three major reasons: One, they never, ever, ever change. Two, they provide immense amounts of tactile feedback, allowing one to overcome the complexity of using one by putting the knowlege into motor memory. (There are equivalent usability principles in usability, as well; look up Fitt's Law, for instance.) Three, they all basically do the same thing; pick up an unfamiliar TV control and you at least know in advance there will be numbers for channel changing, vol up and down, chan up and down, mute, etc. The remotes used in this system do not have any of these properties. Remotes are actually horrid UI, because they are very, very difficult to learn; they make up for it by being useful and persistent. \layout Comment Further, remotes should *do* things. This remote is like a remote that no matter what button you push, it invokes a menu. Most remotes have \series bold one \series default explicit \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset menu \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset button to invoke a menu that has all the feature that aren't worth valuable remote control space. \layout Comment In fact, the metaphor is so unsuccessful that any moderately savvy internet user will almost immediately come to conceptualize the remote as just another list of links, albiet a clumsy and inconvenient one. Why not give them that in the first place? \layout Comment \SpecialChar ~ \layout Comment 2. Even the simplest \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset remote \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset I see in the tutorial has eight buttons, which nearly immediately becomes seventeen (!) buttons, all incomprehensible, and I didn't get a chance to count during the interview, but I saw a remote flash by (student remote? admin remote? that wouldn't matter as much) that had at least twenty, probably 24 buttons, again, all or nearly all incomprehensible. This is needlessly intimidating. \layout Comment \SpecialChar ~ \layout Comment 3. By commiting to this \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset remote control \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset layout, you commit to a remote control's layout limitations, except that an actual remote control can get away with a 6pt or smaller font, or wierd specialized symbols, or whatnot. I'm looking at a (real) remote control right now that manages to get \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset channel return \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset onto one button. That whole phrase fits *twice* into the space the \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset ROLES \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset button takes up on my printout! So in actuality, you're commiting to something no sane remote control designer could deal with. \layout Comment \SpecialChar ~ \layout Comment 4. Requiring the user to mouse over something to see what it does is not a solution. Limiting yourself to an 8 by 2 array of characters to explain yourself compounds the problem even more. (Another over-literal extension of the remote control metaphor.) Also, as you may have observed, the accessibility of this is nil. \layout Comment \SpecialChar ~ \layout Comment The upshot is that the only upside to the remote control is a moderately pleasing graphic; the downsides are pretty much everything, up to and including possible illegality under accessability laws. Unfortunately, I do not see any way to salvage any aspect of the remote control; it's going to suck until it's replaced. Pleasing graphics are relatively easy to come by nowadays; it should not drive the design. I'll admit (freely!) I'm not a graphics designer... graphics designers aren't web developers (designers), either. \layout Comment \SpecialChar ~ \layout Comment We're data-mining the web logs to see what people actually use. This is good. We may need to do some really simple stuff before he finishes. Raw statistics on what buttons are pressed most often can probably be interpret ed easily enough for our purposes. No matter what the final design is, it should emphasize the two or three commands used day in and day out, as determined by empirical analysis, and shuffle the other commands onto another sub menu or sub menus. Then, use the additional space you'll have (even if you keep the same size window) and actually *spell out* the options. \layout Standard The Author Remote Control, show in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Author Remote Control Figure} \end_inset , will automatically load whenever you log in to LON-CAPA as the course instructor. The Author Remote Control is a separate window in your browser, so you may position it on the screen where you can make the best use of it. The Remote Control is a tool that allows you to switch between functions and roles within LON-CAPA. \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 177 420 file authorRemote.eps height 3 50 flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Author Remote Control \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Author Remote Control Figure} \end_inset \end_float \layout Comment Of the eight choices on this menu, only two (ROLES and LOGOUT) make *any* sort of sense on a first glance. Abbreviations are evil in this sort of application and should be used as a truly last resort. \layout Standard When you move your mouse over the buttons in the remote, the sixteen gray boxes will show a reminder of what that button does. \layout Itemize \series bold ROLES (CHOOSE ROLE) \series default allows you to select which user role to assume for this session. \layout Itemize \series bold COM (COMMUNICATION) \series default allows you to access the communication functions in the system. \layout Itemize \series bold CUSR (USER ROLES) \series default brings up a page that allows you to create new users and change user privileges. \layout Itemize \series bold CSTR (CONSTRUCT) \series default displays the construction space for your account. \layout Itemize \series bold RES (RESOURCE SPACE) \series default allows you to browse the LON-CAPA network directory. \layout Itemize \series bold EGRD (ENTER GRADES) \series default is used to enter grades for students enrolled in your course. \layout Itemize \series bold SRC (SEARCH LIBRARY) \series default brings up a screen that lets you search the LON-CAPA resources using multiple criteria. \layout Itemize \series bold LOGOUT (LOGOUT) \series default will log you out of the LON-CAPA system. \layout Section Creating Content Using LON-CAPA \layout Standard LON-CAPA provides three types of resources for organizing your course website. LON-CAPA refers to these resources as Content Pages, Problems, and Maps. Maps may be either of two types: Sequences or Pages. You will use these LON-CAPA resources to build the outline, or structure, for the presentation of your course to your students. \layout Itemize A \series bold Content Page \series default \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Content Page} \end_inset displays course content. It is essentially a conventional HTML page. \layout Comment Check this; is it exactly like HTML pages? \layout Itemize A \series bold Problem \series default \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Problem} \end_inset resource represents problems for the students to solve, with answers stored in the system. These resources are stored in files that must use the extension \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .problem \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . \layout Itemize A \series bold Map \series default \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Map} \end_inset resource of the \series bold Sequence \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Sequence} \end_inset \series default type represents a programmed series of events. The users of this resource can use buttons on their remote or the NAV button to follow the sequence. These resources are stored in files that must use the extension \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .sequence \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . \layout Comment What \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset arrow keys \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset ? Surely not the ones on the keyboard\SpecialChar \ldots{} \layout Itemize A \series bold Map \series default \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Map} \end_inset resource of the \series bold Page \series default \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Page} \end_inset type display multiple resources together. For example, a page of problems will appears as a problem set. These resources are stored in files that must use the extension \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .page \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . \layout Subsection Description of the Construction Space \layout Standard \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 476 42 file constructionSpace.eps width 3 80 flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Construction Space \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Construction Space Figure} \end_inset \end_float The Construction Space, as seen in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Construction Space Figure} \end_inset , is the section of LON-CAPA where you create and manage your course resources. The Construction Space consists of a green tool bar at the top of the page and a list of all directories and resources below. \layout Standard \begin_inset Tabular \begin_inset Text \layout Standard \series bold Button Name \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard \series bold Description \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard Publish this Resource \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard Opens the Resource Publishing window. \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard List Directory \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard Lists the contents of the current working directory \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard Copy \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard Type a new name in the entry box to make a copy the current resource \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard Browse \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard Helps you select a file to upload \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard Upload File \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard Uploads the selected file to your Construction Space \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard Retrieve Old Version \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard Load an older version of a resource if you have multiple versions \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard Delete \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard Deletes the current resource \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard Rename \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard Type a new name in the associated entry box to rename a resource \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard New Subdirectory \end_inset \begin_inset Text \layout Standard Type a name in the entry box to create a new directory \end_inset \end_inset \layout Subsection How to Create New Content Pages \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Creating New Content Pages} \end_inset \layout Standard \series bold Content Pages \series default are HTML documents that display the course information you are presenting. To create new Content Pages, do the following: \layout Comment Is step one necessary? I don't see how it could be. \layout Enumerate Click the \series bold CSTR \series default button on the LON-CAPA remote. You web page will change to your Construction Space. \layout Enumerate In Location bar of your browser, type in full URL of the new Content Page. Make sure the last part of the URL ends with \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .html \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , for example, \emph on http://www.s10.lite.msu.edu/priv/\SpecialChar \- directory/new_resource.html \emph default . Press the Return or Enter key. \layout Enumerate You should see something like the following message: \series bold File not found: /home/wmsonj/priv/\SpecialChar \- directory/new_resource.html \series default , and an Edit button. Click the \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Edit \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset button, and an HTML editor will open with a simple page template. \layout Enumerate Type the content into the editor, \emph on OR \emph default copy and paste HTML source code into the editor. \layout Enumerate Optionally, click the \series bold View \series default button to preview your Content Page. \layout Enumerate Finally, click the \series bold Save this \series default button \emph on OR \emph default click the \series bold Save and then attempt to clean HTML \series default button. \layout Standard Repeat this process as many times as necessary to create your Content Pages. \layout Standard If you're following this as a tutorial, create at least one content page, which we'll use later as raw material. \layout Subsection How to Edit Existing Content Pages \layout Standard You may edit any any Content Pages that have been created. \layout Standard To edit Content Pages: \layout Enumerate Click the \series bold CSTR \series default button on the LON-CAPA Remote. Your web page will change to your Construction Space. \layout Enumerate Click on the link for the name of the Content Page to edit. The Content Page editor will load and display the current edition of the Content Page. \layout Enumerate Press the Edit button. Edit the HTML code, or copy and paste HTML source code into the editor. \layout Enumerate Optionally, click the \series bold View \series default button to preview your Content Page. \layout Enumerate Finally, click the \series bold Save this \series default button \emph on OR \emph default click the \series bold Save and then attempt to clean HTML \series default button. If you do not do this, your work will not be saved. \layout Subsection Creating Online Problems Using LON-CAPA \layout Standard If you're following this as a tutorial, go ahead and make one of each of these problem types now. We'll be using them later as raw material to assemble maps and sequences. \layout Subsubsection Problems Types \layout Standard There are five types of problems that can be created with the LON-CAPA system: Radio Response, Option Response, String Response, Numerical Response, and Formula Response. You will need to identify which types of problem you want to use and create appropriate questions for your course. \layout Subsubsection Foils \layout Standard In the LON-CAPA system, a \series bold Foil \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Foil} \end_inset \series default is a choice in a Radio Response or Option Response problem. For instance, True/False problems have two foils, one for True, and one for False. Foils do not need to be text; they can be images or other resources. \layout Subsubsection Radio Response \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Radio Response} \end_inset Problems \layout Standard \series bold Radio Response \series default problems represent multiple choice questions. A True/False problem is a special case of Radio Response problem with two foils, True or False. \layout Standard Multiple choice problems contain between 3 and 10 foils. You may display from three to five foils for each problem and the system randomly picks the choices that are presented to the student. \layout Comment Eh? If this means what I think it means, clarify. Is the system really incapable of showing eight choices all at once? \layout Subsubsection Option Response \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Option Response} \end_inset Problems \layout Standard Option Response problems present foils to the student with drop-down boxes. A group of foils is created for each concept group, and the system will pick one to present to the student from each group. The student must match each of his or her questions correctly to the possible answers before receiving credit for the problem. For more details, see the Create Option Response ( \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Create Option Response Problem} \end_inset ). \layout Subsubsection String Response Problems \layout Standard \series bold \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{String Response} \end_inset String Response \series default problems are problems in which the student submits a string of characters for the answer. Examples of string response questions are vocabulary tests, short answer and entering chemical formulas. \layout Standard Note that it is easy to abuse String Response problems. For instance, consider the question \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Who wrote 'Huckleberry Finn'? \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset If you tell the system the answer is \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Mark Twain \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , and a student answers \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Twain \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , the system will mark it wrong. If they answer \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Samuel Clements \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , then the student will definately get it wrong. There is some room for flexibility in the string processing, but it can be difficult to get it all right. Before you use a String Response problem, be sure you can easily characterize correct answers. \layout Subsubsection Numerical Response Problems \layout Standard \series bold Numerical Response \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Numerical Response} \end_inset \series default problems are answered by entering a number and (optionally) a unit, such as 2.5 m/s^2. Tolerance and significant digits can be specified as well. \layout Subsubsection Formula Response Problems \layout Standard Formula Response problems are questions in which the student types in a math formula for the answer. If the answer is \begin_inset Formula \( x^{2}-11 \) \end_inset , the student can enter "x^2 - 11", "x*x - 11", "x^2 + 21 - 10", etc. Functions such as cos, sin, and exp are accepted as well as the operators (), +, -, *, and /. \layout Subsection Creating Radio Response Problems \layout Standard \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 476 201 file creatingNewProblemResource.eps width 3 80 flags 13 \end_inset \layout Caption Creating A New Problem Resource \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Creating a new problem resource} \end_inset \end_float To create an Radio Response \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Radio Response} \end_inset problem, create a new resource as described in section \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating New Content Pages} \end_inset . This is a \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset problem \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset resource so the URL must end in \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .problem \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . You should see a screen as in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource} \end_inset . \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 476 283 file radioResponse2.eps width 3 80 flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Radio Response Creation Form \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Radio Response Creation Form} \end_inset \end_float You will need to create the posible answers and the questions. \layout Enumerate In the drop-down option box as seen in \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource} \end_inset , select \series bold Radio Response Problem \series default , and click the \series bold New Problem \series default button. \layout Enumerate Click the \series bold Edit \series default button above the sample problem to enter edit mode. \layout Enumerate In the \series bold Text Block \series default at the top of the problem, remove the sample text and type the question for your problem. For example, \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset What is two plus two? \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset \layout Enumerate Locate the \series bold Response: One of N statements \series default element. In the \series bold Max Number of Shown Foils \series default text box, place the number of wrong answers you wish to supply to each student, in addition to the correct one. For instance, if you want to display four choices, where one is correct and three are incorrect, enter \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 3 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset into this box. \layout Enumerate Locate \series bold Foil 1 \series default . Remove the text that is in the text box and put the \emph on correct answer \emph default for the problem in the \series bold Text Block \series default . For example, \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Four. \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset \layout Enumerate Below it, you will see \series bold Foil 2 \series default . Remove the text in the text box and put an \emph on incorrect answer \emph default for the problem. For instance, \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Purple. \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset \layout Enumerate Repeat the previous step until you've filled in all of the other incorrect answers you wish to offer the students. \layout Enumerate Once you've filled in all the incorrect answers, change the \series bold Correct Option \series default s on the other foils to \series bold Unused \series default . \layout Enumerate \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 476 92 file radioResponseHint.eps width 3 80 flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Hint Element \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Radio Response Hint Element Figure} \end_inset \end_float Scroll down to the Hint element, as shown in Figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Radio Response Hint Element Figure} \end_inset . Type some text that will help students when they answer incorrectly. \layout Enumerate Click the \series bold Submit Changes \series default button located at the top of the frame. If you do not do this, none of your changes will be saved. \layout Standard The \series bold Correct Option \series default drop down box controls whether or not a given answer will be accepted as a correct answer. If it is set to \series bold true \series default , that answer will be considered a correct answer. Any number of foils can be marked \series bold true \series default , so you can have questions with multiple correct answers. If it is set to \series bold false \series default , it will be considered an incorrect answer. If it is set to \series bold Unused \series default , the system will not use that foil. \layout Paragraph Randomization \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Randomization} \end_inset \layout Standard LON-CAPA will randomize what choices are presented to each student, and randomize the order they are presented in. If you wish to present each student the same choices, make sure the \series bold Maximum Number of Shown Foils \series default box contains the number of incorrect answers, which will force them to all be displayed. If you wish to force the system to display the foils in the order you have created them in, type the HTML tag \series bold \series default into your problem text. This can be useful with the ever-popular \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset All of the above \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset choice, which must be displayed in the correct place or its meaning will change. \layout Subsubsection True/False \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{True/False Problem} \end_inset Problem \layout Standard A True/False problem is a Radio Response problem with two choices, True and False. set the \series bold Maximum Number of Shown Foils \series default to \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 1 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , and mark the correct answer \series bold true \series default . For example, for the True/False question \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Napolean conquered Japan in the year 189 A.D. \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , mark the foil containing the answer \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset False \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset as \series bold true \series default , because it is the correct answer. \layout Subsection Option Response \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Option Response} \end_inset \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Create Option Response Problem} \end_inset Problems \layout Standard \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 476 280 file optionResponseProblem.eps width 3 80 flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Option Response Problem \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Option Response Problem Figure} \end_inset \end_float Each Option Response problem has three parts: \layout Enumerate The Concept Groups \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Concept Groups} \end_inset \layout Enumerate The options for the students to select, by default \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset True \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset and \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset False \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset \layout Enumerate The hint for the student \layout Standard Each \series bold Concept Group \series default has some number of foils representing questions which are conceptually related. Option Response Problems can have between 4 and 8 Concept Groups in a problem. When the Option Response problem is presented to a student, the LON-CAPA system will randomly select one foil from each Concept Group and present it to the student. In order to receive credit for the problem, the student must answer all of the Concept Group foils correctly. \layout Subsubsection Example: Concept Group \layout Standard For example, a Concept Group may contain the following True/False questions: \layout Itemize \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Mark Twain \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset is the pen name of Samuel Clemens. \layout Itemize Mark Twain wrote \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset The Call of the Wild \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . \layout Itemize Mark Twain wrote \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Huckleberry Finn \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . \layout Itemize Mark Twain spent most of his life in the Congo. \layout Standard For each foil, the author marks it True or False. When the student logs on and attempts to answer this question, the student will see only one of the four choices for that concept group. They then go on to do the remaining three to seven Concept Groups in this question before submitting their answer. \layout Subsubsection Example: Matching Problem \layout Standard You might want to ask the student to match musical compositions with their composers. You could create an Option Response problem with 4 Concept Groups, and place the following four things each in their own concept group: \layout Itemize Claire de Lune \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Clair de Lune} \end_inset \begin_float footnote \layout Standard Debussy. \end_float \layout Itemize The Pastoral Symphony \begin_float footnote \layout Standard Beethoven's Sixth Symphony. \end_float \layout Itemize Sleeping Beauty Suite \begin_float footnote \layout Standard Tchaikovsky. \end_float \layout Itemize The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies \begin_float footnote \layout Standard Also Tchaikovsky, from The Nutcracker. \end_float \layout Standard You could then add the following options to the option list: \layout Itemize Debussy \layout Itemize Beethoven \layout Itemize Schubert \layout Itemize Tchaikovsky \layout Itemize Bach \layout Standard The same answers can be used more then once, or not at all, as you see fit. It is conventional to place such a warning in the \series bold Text Block \series default describing the problem to the students. \layout Subsubsection Creating Option Response Problems \layout Standard To create an Option Response problem, create a new resource as described in section \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating New Content Pages} \end_inset . This is a \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset problem \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset resource so the URL must end in \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .problem \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . You should see a screen as in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource} \end_inset . \layout Enumerate In the drop-down option box as seen in \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource} \end_inset , select \series bold Option Response Problem with \emph on N \emph default Concept Groups \series default , where \series bold \emph on N \series default \emph default is the number of Concept Groups you wish the problem to have, and click the \series bold New Problem \series default button. \layout Enumerate Click the \series bold Edit \series default button above the sample problem to enter edit mode. \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 476 276 file optionResponseEditing.eps width 3 80 flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Option Response Editor \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Option Response Editor Figure} \end_inset \end_float You should see the Option Response page open up, which should look something like what you see in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Option Response Editor Figure} \end_inset . \layout Enumerate Replace the text in the \series bold Text Block \series default with text that explains the conditions for your problem. \layout Enumerate Locate the \series bold Max Number of Shown Foils \series default element and type a number from 1 to 8 to display that number of questions. You cannot display more then one foil from each concept group, so this option will only reduce the number of foils displayed, if it is less then the number of concept groups in your Option Response problem. \layout Enumerate Now you must define the options the students can select. For each option you wish to add to the Option Response question, type the option into the \series bold Add new Option \series default box in the \series bold Select Options \series default section, then hit the \series bold Save Changes \series default button. If you do not hit the \series bold Save Changes \series default button, your option will not be selectable below. \layout Enumerate To delete the irrelevant options from the Option Response question, select that option from the \series bold Delete Option \series default dropdown, and hit the Save Changes button. Do that for each option you wish to remove. \layout Enumerate Now, you need to define the question foils. Look for the foil with the name \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset One \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . Type the question into the text box, and select the correct option for that question from the \series bold Correct Option \series default drop-down menu. Click \series bold Submit Changes \series default to save this question foil. Repeat this step for all remaining foils. \layout Enumerate Locate the foils that are not being used. In their \series bold Delete \series default menus, set the value to \series bold Yes \series default . Once you've set the Delete menu value correctly for all the foils, click the \series bold Save Changes \series default button. \layout Enumerate In the Hint area, provide a helpful hint for users who get the problem incorrect , and click the \series bold Save Changes \series default button. \layout Subsection Creating a String Response Problem \layout Standard To create an String Response problem, create a new resource as described in section \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating New Content Pages} \end_inset . This is a \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset problem \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset resource so the URL must end in \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .problem \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . You should see a screen as in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource} \end_inset . \layout Enumerate In the drop-down option box as seen in \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource} \end_inset , select \series bold Simple String Response Problem \series default , and click the \series bold New Problem \series default button. \layout Enumerate Click the \series bold Edit \series default button above the sample problem to enter edit mode. \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 476 320 file stringResponseEditor.eps width 3 80 flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption String Response Editor \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{String Response Editor Figure} \end_inset \end_float You should see the String Response editor page open up, which should look something like what you see in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{String Response Editor Figure} \end_inset . \layout Enumerate Clear the text from the Text Block at the top of the problem, and type in your problem's question. \layout Enumerate In the \series bold Answer Box \series default , type the correct answer. \layout Enumerate Select the answer condition from the drop down box. There are three cases to choose from: \begin_deeper \layout Enumerate \series bold cs \series default : This means \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Case Sensitive \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . For example, this is useful in Chemistry, where HO and Ho are completely different answers \begin_float footnote \end_deeper \layout Standard \series bold HO \series default is hydrogen monoxide, a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. \series bold Ho \series default is the element 67, Holmium, in the Lanthanides. \end_float . The student must match the case of the answer. \begin_deeper \layout Enumerate \series bold ci \series default : This means \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Case Insenstive \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . The system does not use the case of the letters to determine the correctness of the answer. If the correct answer is \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset car \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , the system will accept \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset car \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset CAR \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Car \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset caR \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , etc. \layout Enumerate \series bold mc \series default : This means \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Multiple Choice \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . The student's answers must contain the same letters as the question author's, but order is unimportent. This is usually used to give a multiple choice question in the question's \series bold Text Block \series default , which may have several correct parts. If the author sets the correct answer as \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset bcg \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , the system will accept \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset bcg \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset cbg \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset gcb \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , etc., but not \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset bc \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset or \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset abcg \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . \layout Standard It is conventional to tell the students whether the question is case sensitive or not. \end_deeper \layout Enumerate Optionally, locate the \series bold Single Line Text Entry Area \series default block and set a length in the Size box. This will only affect the size of the box on the screen; if you set the box size to 2, the student can still enter 3 or more letters in their answer. \begin_deeper \layout Comment This seems like a great feature to either eliminate, or make useful. Allowing the teacher to limit it to 3, and then not letting the student type more then 3 chars might be a way of giving the student a hint. Probably not worth it, as the problem text can always just say \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Pick two of the following \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . This is probably not a useful feature. \end_deeper \layout Enumerate Scroll down to the Hint element, and type some text that will help students when they answer incorrectly. \layout Enumerate Click the Submit Changes button. \layout Subsection Creating Numerical Response And Formula Response Problems \layout Standard Numerical Response problems are answered by entering a number and an optional unit. For instance, a numerical response problem might have an answer of \begin_inset Formula \( 2m/s^{2} \) \end_inset . Formula Response problems are answered by entering a mathematical formula. For instance, a numerical response problem might have an answer of \begin_inset Formula \( x^{2}+11 \) \end_inset . The answer may be in any equivalent format. For instance, for \begin_inset Formula \( x^{2}+11 \) \end_inset , the system will accept \begin_inset Formula \( x*x-11 \) \end_inset or \begin_inset Formula \( x^{2}+21-10 \) \end_inset as well. \layout Standard Creating Numerical Response and Formula Response problems starts the same as the other problem types, but because of the power of Numerical Response and Formula Response problems, it is too difficult to cover them in this tutorial. For more information about these problem types, please see section \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Numerical Response} \end_inset for Numerical Response problems and section \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Formula Response} \end_inset for Formula Response problems. \layout Section Publishing Your Resources \layout Standard In order to make the content you've created available for courses to use, you must publish your content. LON-CAPA provides an easy interface for publishing your content pages, problem resources, and sequences. A common interface allows you to specify title, author information, keywords, and other metadata. LON-CAPA uses this metadata for many things, and it's importent to fill the metadata out as accurately as possible. \layout Subsection What is Metadata? \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Metadata} \end_inset \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{What Is Metadata?} \end_inset \layout Standard \emph on Metadata \emph default is \emph on data about data \emph default . Metadata can often be thought of as a label on some bit of information that can be useful to people or computer programs trying to use the data. Without metadata, the person or computer trying to use the original information would have to just guess what the original data is about. For instance, if you create a problem and neglect to say in the title or subject of the problem what it is about, then a human who wants to use that problem would have to read the problem itself to see what it was about, which is much more difficult then just reading a title. A computer trying to do the same thing would just be out of luck; it is too stupid to understand the problem statement at all. \layout Standard One example of metadata you use all the time is the of a webpage, which usually shows up in the title bar of the browser. That's information about the webpage itself, not actually part of the web page. People use it when they bookmark a page, so they know what the page is. Search engines use it as a clue about the content of the web page. \layout Subsection Publishing A Resource \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Resource, Publishing} \end_inset \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Publishing Resource} \end_inset \layout Standard \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 476 168 file constructionSpaceForPublishing.eps width 3 80 flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Construction Space for Publishing \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Construction Space for Publishing Figure} \end_inset \end_float To publish a resource, log in and choose your role to be an Author. Then click \series bold CSTR \series default to go to your construction space. You should see something like figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Construction Space for Publishing Figure} \end_inset . Click on the \series bold Publish \series default button for the resource you wish to publish. \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 476 338 file publishMetadata.eps width 3 80 flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Publishing Metadata Screen \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Publishing Metadata Screen Figure} \end_inset \end_float You'll get a metadata screen that should look something like figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Publishing Metadata Screen Figure} \end_inset . Fill out the form. If you are creating resources that may be used in several courses, you should talk with the other authors and establish some sort of standard title and subject scheme in advance. \layout Standard The language is the language the problem is written in. The Publisher/Owner is the person who owns the problem; it should be the email address where anybody with questions about the resource can contact someone who can help them. In smaller environments, this is likely to be the author. In larger environments, it may be a coordinator or manager. \layout Standard The \series bold Keywords \series default and the \series bold Abstract \series default are more information about the problem. The \series bold Keywords \series default are words that are strongly connected to your problem; for instance a physics problem about a pulley might include \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset pulley \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset as a key word. LON-CAPA pulls out likely-looking keywords for you so you can just click on them to make them keywords. \series bold Additional keywords \series default allows you to add any keyword to your problem that are not actually in the problem. For instance, on that same problem a physicist might add the keyword \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset statics \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , even though it doesn't appear in the original problem, because Physics uses that as a classification of problem type. \layout Standard Finally, you need to set the copyright and distribution notice. This setting controls who is allowed to use your resource. \layout Itemize \series bold Limited to courses in the domain published \series default means that only courses running in the same domain as you can use your content. Talk to your LON-CAPA administrator if you want more information about your domain. \layout Itemize \series bold Free \series default means that anyone can find and use the resource. \layout Itemize \series bold Private - visible to author only \series default means that it can't be used for any course. \layout Itemize \series bold Public - no authentication required \series default means anyone can find and use the resource. \layout Standard Now when you click \series bold Finalize Publication \series default , your resource will be published and usable (unless you set the distribution to \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset private \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset ). \layout Standard If you're following this as a tutorial, publish your resources so we can use them in the next section. \layout Section Creating A Course \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Creating a Course} \end_inset : Maps and Sequences \layout Standard In order to create a useful course, we need to arrange our raw materials so that students can use them. \layout Subsection Binding Together Resources In One Map: Page \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Page} \end_inset \layout Standard \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 429 66 file mapEditingButton.eps flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Map Editing Button \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Map Editing Button Figure} \end_inset \end_float To join several resources into one page, you need to create a \series bold Map \series default of type \series bold Page \series default . To create Page resource, create a new resource as described in section \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating New Content Pages} \end_inset . This is a \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset page \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset resource so the URL must end in \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .page \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . After you enter in the URL ending in \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .page \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , you should see a screen as in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Editing Button Figure} \end_inset . Click the button to get to the sequence editor. \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 476 226 file mapEditInitial.eps width 3 80 flags 11 \end_inset \layout Caption Initial Map Editor \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Initial Map Editor FIgure} \end_inset \end_float After the system notices the map does not yet exist and creates it for you. You should the initial map editor as seen in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Initial Map Editor FIgure} \end_inset . Note there are two windows. One is the workspace, and one is the window which will contain information as you add resources. \layout Comment The following is a commented-out section of the manual, likely to not be useful. \layout Comment About The Editor \layout Comment \begin_float fig \layout Caption Example of the Map Editor \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Map Editor Example Figure} \end_inset \end_float Maps are very powerful and can do a lot. They can make decisions as the user progresses, going down different paths under different circumstances. For instance, a map can go down one path if the user gets a problem right, and another path if they don't which will provide more help for the student. \layout Comment To facilitate editing these powerful entities, LON-CAPA has a map editor that helps you take advantage of this power, as seen in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Editor Example Figure} \end_inset . The map editor can display the different paths in your browser, and allow you to edit, insert, and delete resources from your map. The editor has a \series bold Start \series default area and a \series bold Finish \series default area. The students in the course will progress along on path or another, depending on decisions made at each resource, as explained later. Different paths are represented with different lines in the map editor. In the example figure, there are two paths the student can go down, depending on whether or not they get the problem at the branch point correct. By the end of this section, we'll create the map represented in this figure. \layout Comment The branching ability can obviously be used to help the student understand the concept in the problem by having them go through some extra material based on their performance, but the total uses of this feature are limited only by your imagination. \layout Subsection Creating a Simple Map: Page \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Page} \end_inset \layout Standard To create a simple page that joins several resources into one page: \layout Enumerate \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 476 221 file mapClickedStart.eps width 3 80 flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Clicked Start in the Map Constructor \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Clicked Start Figure} \end_inset \end_float Click the Start box. You'll see what you see in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Clicked Start Figure} \end_inset . Click \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Link Resource \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset in the secondary window, then click on the Finish box. \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 120 360 file mapStraightened.eps flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Straightened Map \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Striaghtened map} \end_inset \end_float After that, click \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset straighten \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . You should see something like figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Striaghtened map} \end_inset . This creates a simple map that flows from beginning to end. \layout Enumerate \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 264 245 file mapInsertResource.eps flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Inserting a Resource \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Inserting a Resource Figure} \end_inset \end_float To insert a resource into the flow, click the black line with two arrows. In the secondary window, you'll see something like figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Inserting a Resource Figure} \end_inset . Click \series bold Insert Resource Into Link \series default . A new resource will appear in the link. Click the resource. \layout Enumerate Click \series bold Browse \series default , and the \series bold Network Directory Browser \series default will appear, \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 476 216 file mapEditorDirectoryBrowser.eps width 3 80 flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Network Directory Browser \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Map Editor Network Directory Browser Figure} \end_inset \end_float looking something like figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Editor Network Directory Browser Figure} \end_inset . Press the select button that is next to the resource you want to include. \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 61 360 file mapEditorResourceChosen.eps flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Resource Chosen \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Map Resource Chosen Figure} \end_inset \end_float Once you've done that, if you look back at the window that popped up when you clicked on \series bold New Resource \series default , you'll see something like figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Resource Chosen Figure} \end_inset . You can type the \series bold URL \series default and \series bold Title \series default into the secondary window, if you prefer, following the format you see above. After you click \series bold Save Changes \series default , your changes will be saved, and the icons for the resource will appear in the \series bold Res \series default box, as shown in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Resource Chosen Figure} \end_inset . \begin_deeper \layout Standard Clicking on the left icon for a resource will open a new browser window with an informational page about that resource. Clicking on the right icon for a resource will open a new browser window taking you to the rendering of that resource. \end_deeper \layout Enumerate Repeat steps two and three for as many resources as you'd like to bind together into one page. You can insert the new resources anywhere you'd like. \layout Enumerate When you are done adding resources, click the \series bold Save Map \series default link to save the map. \layout Subsection Creating Sequences \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Sequence} \end_inset \layout Standard Sequences are a series of resources that can be navigated using the \series bold NAV \series default remote control button, or by using the arrow keys on the remote control. Sequence maps are created identically to page maps, the only difference is how they are displayed. \layout Subsection Creating a Course: Top-level Sequence \layout Standard In order to view sequences, they need to be part of a \series bold course \series default . \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 422 410 file creatingANewCourse.eps flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Creating a New Course \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Creating a New Course Figure} \end_inset \end_float Courses have a Top-level Map which defines the whole course. This top-level map will often itself contain maps corresponding to homework assignments or weekly sequences. To view your maps, you will need to make them part of a course. Only Domain Administrators can make courses and set their Top-level maps, so coordinate with your Domain Adminstrator if you need to create courses. \layout Section Numerical Response \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Numerical Response} \end_inset \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Numerical Response} \end_inset And Formula Response Questions \layout Standard Numerical Response problems are very powerful. In fact, they are so powerful it would be impossible to fully explain what is possible in a document like this. This chapter will focus on just getting you started with Numerical Response problems, and showing you some of the possibilities, with no prerequisite knowlege necessary. The more you learn, the more you will find you can do. \layout Standard In this chapter and the next, I will use the terms \series bold static \series default and \series bold dynamic \series default . \series bold Static \series default means the object never changes, and is the same for each student. By contrast, \series bold dynamic \series default means the value can change, because there is some script that computes it for each student. \layout Standard If you like, you can follow this chapter along as its own tutorial. Create a Numerical Response problem using the instructions in section \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating New Content Pages} \end_inset , ending your resource name with \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .problem \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , and create a new \series bold Simple Numerical Response \series default problem. \layout Subsection The Parts of a Numerical Response Problem \layout Standard \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 476 356 file numericalResponse1.eps width 3 80 flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Numerical Response editor \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Numerical Response Editor Figure} \end_inset \end_float A Numerical Response problem has seven major parts by default, as seen in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Numerical Response Editor Figure} \end_inset : \layout Enumerate The \series bold Script \series default . The script is the heart of advanced Numerical Response problems. It can be used to decide some of the parameters of the problem, compute the answer to the problem, and do just about anything else you can imagine. The Script language is \series bold Perl \begin_float footnote \layout Standard For lots and lots more information about Perl, see the Perl website at http://ww w.perl.org/ . \end_float . You do not need to know Perl to use the Script block, as we will be stepping through some advanced examples in this chapter, but knowing Perl can help. \layout Enumerate Like other problem types, the \series bold Text Block \series default is used to display the problem the student will see. In addition, you can place things in the \series bold Text Block \series default based on computations done in the \series bold Script \series default . \layout Enumerate The \series bold Answer \series default is the answer the system is looking for. This can also use parameters from the \series bold Script \series default block, allowing the answer to be computed dynamically. \layout Enumerate A \series bold tolerance \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{tolerance} \end_inset \series default parameter, which determines how closely the system will require the student answer to be in order to count it correct. For technical reasons, it is almost never a good idea to set this parameter to zero \begin_float footnote \layout Standard Computers can only approximate computations involving real numbers. For instance, a computer's [decimal] answer to the simple problem \begin_inset Formula \( \frac{1}{3} \) \end_inset is \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 0.33333333333333331 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . It \emph on should \emph default be an infinite series of 3's, and there certainly shouldn't be a \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 1 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset in the answer, but no computer can represent an infinitely long, infinitely detailed real number. Therefore, for any problem where the answer is not a small integer, you \emph on need \emph default to allow a tolerance factor, or the students will find it nearly impossible to exactly match the computers idea of the answer. \end_float , though you may find the default too large for some problems. There are two kinds of tolerance. If there is some answer \begin_inset Formula \( a \) \end_inset and a tolerance \begin_inset Formula \( t \) \end_inset , \begin_deeper \layout Enumerate an \series bold Absolute \series default tolerance \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{absolute tolerance} \end_inset \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{tolerance, absolute} \end_inset will take anything in the range \begin_inset Formula \( a\pm t \) \end_inset . So if \begin_inset Formula \( a=10 \) \end_inset and \begin_inset Formula \( t=2 \) \end_inset , then anything between 8 and 12 is acceptable \begin_float footnote \end_deeper \layout Standard For much the same reasons a tolerance is almost always a good idea, it's almost impossible to say whether an answer that is \emph on exactly \emph default \begin_inset Formula \( a\pm t \) \end_inset will be accepted by the computer. But the computer does use many decimal places of accuracy; if you want to have the student answer exactly \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 2 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , then specifying a tolerance of \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .0000001 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset is OK. (Don't use too many more zeros, though you can use less if you like.) \end_float . Any number in the tolerance field \emph on without \emph default a \series bold % \series default symbol is an absolute tolerance. \begin_deeper \layout Enumerate a \series bold Relative \series default tolerance \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{relative tolerance} \end_inset \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{tolerance, relative} \end_inset will take anything in the range \begin_inset Formula \( a\pm at \) \end_inset , where \emph on t \emph default is interpreted as a percentage. Any number in the tolerance field \emph on with \emph default a \series bold % \series default symbol is a relative tolerance. For example, \begin_inset Formula \( a=10 \) \end_inset and \begin_inset Formula \( t=10\% \) \end_inset will accept anything between 9 and 11. \end_deeper \layout Enumerate A \series bold significant figures \series default specification tells the system how many significant figures there are in the problem, as either a single number or a range of acceptable values, expressed as \series bold min,max \series default . The system will check to make sure that the student's answer contains this many significant digits, useful in many scientific calculations. For example, if the problem has three significant digits, the significant digit specification is \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 3 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , and the answer is \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 1.3 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , the system will require the students to type \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 1.30 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , even though numerically, \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 1.3 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset and \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 1.30 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset are the same. \begin_deeper \layout Comment Confirm this. \end_deeper \layout Enumerate The \series bold Single Line Text Entry \series default area, as in other problems, allow you to manipulate the text entry area the student will see. \layout Enumerate Finally, the \series bold Hint \series default provides a place to help students who get the problem incorrect the first time. \layout Subsection Simple Numerical Response Answer \layout Standard Along with showing the Numerical Response editor, figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Numerical Response Editor Figure} \end_inset also shows the parameters for one of the simplest possible types of numerical response. The \series bold Text Block \series default has the problem's question, which is the static text \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset What is 2 + 2? \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset The \series bold Answer \series default is \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 4 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . The \series bold Hint \series default has been set to something appropriate for this problem (unless this problem is being given to very young children). Everything else has the default values from when the problem was created. \layout Standard If you create a problem like this, hit \series bold Submit Changes \series default , then hit \series bold View \series default after the changes have been submitted, you can try the problem out for yourself. Note the last box in the HTML page has the answer LON-CAPA is looking for conveniently displayed for you, along with the range the computer will accept and the number of significant digits the computer requires. \layout Standard As you're playing with the problem, if you use up all your tries or get the answer correct but wish to continue playing with the problem, use the \series bold Reset Submissions \series default button to clear your answer attempts. \layout Subsection Simple Script Usage \layout Standard Totally static problems only scratch the surface of the Numerical Response capabilities. To really explore the power of LON-CAPA, we need to start creating dynamic problems. But before we can get to truly dynamic problems, we need to learn how to work with the \series bold Script \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Script} \end_inset \series default window. \layout Standard A script consists of several \series bold statements \series default , seperated by \series bold semi-colons \series default . A \series bold statement \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{statement} \end_inset \series default is the smallest kind of instruction to the computer you can give. Most problems will be built from several statements. \layout Standard A script can contain \series bold comments \series default , which are not interpreted as statements by the computer. Comments start with \series bold # \series default , and go to the end of that line. Thus, if a line starts with #, the whole line is ignored. Comments can also begin in the middle of a line. It is a good idea to comment more complicated scripts, as it can be very difficult to read a large script and figure out what it does. It is a \emph on very \emph default good idea to adopt some sort of commenting standard, especially if you are working in a group or others may use your problems in the future. \layout Itemize One of the simplest statements in LON-CAPA is a \series bold variable assignment \series default . A \series bold variable \series default can hold any value in it. Simple values, such as a number or a string of text, start with a \series bold $ \series default . In the \series bold Script \series default , you need to assign to variables before you use them. Put the program in Figure \begin_float fig \layout LyX-Code \align center $variable = 3; \layout Caption \pextra_type 3 \pextra_widthp 40 A simple script with a variable \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{A simple script with a variable} \end_inset \end_float \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{A simple script with a variable} \end_inset into the \series bold Script \series default field of the Numerical Response. This creates a simple variable named \series bold variable \series default and assigns it the value of \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 3 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . That's one statement. \layout Standard Variable names are \emph on case sensitive \emph default , must start with a letter, and can only consist of letters, numbers, and underscores. Variable names can be as long as you want. \layout Standard Getting variable names right is a skill. Variable names should not be too long, because they become easy to mistype. Variable names should also not be too short, with the exception of some conventionally short variable names we'll talk about later. \layout Standard There are many variable naming conventions, covering both how to name and how to capatalize variables \begin_float footnote \layout Standard The author favors \family typewriter capsOnNewWords \family default . Some people use \family typewriter underscore_to_seperate_words \family default . Many use uppercase letters to specify constants like \family typewriter PI \family default or \family typewriter GOLDEN_MEAN \family default . Some people always \family typewriter StartWithCapatalization \family default . What's really importent is to be consistent, so you don't have to guess whether the variable you're thinking of is \family typewriter coefFriction \family default , \family typewriter CoefFriction \family default , \family typewriter COEF_FRICTION \family default , or something else. \end_float . It is a good idea to adopt a standard. If you are working with a group, you may wish to discuss it in your group and agree on a convention. \layout Standard If you \series bold Submit Changes \series default and \series bold View \series default the problem, you'll see nothing has changed. That's because in order for a variable to be useful, it must be used. The variable can be used in several places. \layout Subsubsection Variables in Scripts \layout Standard Variables can be used later in the same script. For instance, we can add another line below the \family typewriter $variable \family default line as such: \layout LyX-Code $variable2 = $variable + 2; \layout Standard Now there's a variable called \family typewriter $variable2 \family default with the value \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 5 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . \layout Standard Variables can also be used in \emph on strings \emph default \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{strings} \end_inset , which are a sequence of letters. The underlying language of the script, Perl, has a very large number of ways of using variables in strings, but the easiest and most common way is to use normal double-quotes and just spell out the name of the variable you want to use in the string, like this: \layout LyX-Code $stringVar = \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset I have a variable with the value $variable. \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset \layout Standard This will put the string \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset I have a variable with the value 3. \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset into the variable named \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset stringVar \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . \layout Standard If you are following this chapter as a tutorial, add the previous two lines and save the problem. There's no need to view it; there's still no visible change. \layout Subsubsection Variables in the Text Block \layout Standard Once you've defined variables in the \series bold Script \series default , you can use them in the \series bold Text Block \series default . For example, using the previous three-line script we've created so far, you can place the following in the \series bold Text Block \series default : \layout LyX-Code See the 3: $variable<br /> \layout LyX-Code See the string: <b>$stringVar</b><br /> \layout Standard \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 353 99 file numericalResponseVarInText.eps flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Result of Variables in the Text Block \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Result of Variables in the Text Block Figure} \end_inset \end_float If you save that and hit \series bold View \series default , you should get what you see in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Result of Variables in the Text Block Figure} \end_inset . Note how the \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset $variable \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset was turned into a 3, and the \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset $stringVar \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset was turned into \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset I have a variable with the value 3. \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset \layout Subsubsection Variables in the Answer Block \layout Standard You can use variables in the \series bold Answer \series default part of the question, too. This means you can compute an answer to a question, which we'll see in a bit. If you set the answer of the question to be \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset $variable \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset (without the quotes), \series bold Save Changes \series default and \series bold View \series default it, you'll see that LON-CAPA is now expecting \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 3 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset as the answer, plus or minus 5%. \layout Subsection Calling Functions \layout Standard With variables, you can store strings or numbers. \series bold Functions \series default allow you to manipulate these strings or numbers. By stringing together a series of functions, you can do a lot. \layout Standard \series bold Functions \series default work like mathematical functions: They take some number of arguments in, and return one argument, usually a number or a string for our purposes. There are a lot of functions available in LON-CAPA. You can see a complete list at http://mileva.lite.msu.edu/loncapadocs/homework/hom ework5.html. For now, let's just look at some simple examples. \layout Standard \begin_float fig \layout LyX-Code $a = 3; \layout LyX-Code $b = &sin($a); \layout LyX-Code $c = &pow(3, &floor($a)); \layout Caption Some Function Calls \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Some Function Calls Figure} \end_inset \end_float In the \series bold Script \series default block, function names start with \series bold & \series default . Some example function calls are shown in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Some Function Calls Figure} \end_inset . You can see that functions can take either variables, numbers, or the results of other function calls as parameters. The \family typewriter sin \family default function returns the sine of an angle expressed in radians. \family typewriter pow \family default raises the first parameter to the power of the second parameter. \family typewriter floor \family default returns the nearest integer below the parameter, which since 3 is already an integer is 3. \layout Subsubsection Randomization \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Randomization} \end_inset \layout Standard For LON-CAPA, one of the most importent functions is the \family typewriter random \family default function. Random takes three parameters, a \emph on lower limit \emph default , an \emph on upper limit \emph default , and an \emph on interval \emph default . The \family typewriter random \family default function returns a random value between the upper and lower limit, some integer number of \emph on interval \emph default 's away from the lower limit. Thus, for example, \family typewriter &rand(1,2,.2) \family default might return 1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, or 2. \layout Standard \begin_float fig \layout LyX-Code $a = &random(1,10,1); \layout LyX-Code $b = &random(-10, -3, 1); \layout LyX-Code $answer = $a+$b; \layout Caption Sample \family typewriter random \family default Calls \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Sample Random Calls figure} \end_inset \end_float If you put the script in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Sample Random Calls figure} \end_inset into the \series bold Script \series default block (replacing whatever contents might be in the block already), you'll get two random variables $a and $b. Now, in the \series bold Text Block \series default , put \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset What is $a plus $b? \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , and in the \series bold Answer \series default put \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset $answer \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , without the quotes for either of them. (It is a good idea to create a variable to hold the answer and call it $answer. Do not try to compute the answer in the \series bold Answer \series default field itself; it will not work as you expect.) Now save the problem and \series bold View \series default it. You'll see a randomized problem. \layout Standard For each student, the same random number will be used each time they visit the problem, but each student will get different random numbers. For any but the simplest random problems, you'll want to see several random problems to make sure everything is working out correctly. This is what the \series bold Random Seed \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Random Seed} \end_inset \series default field is for. To see another randomized version of the problem you've just created, put another number into the \series bold Random Seed \series default field and hit \series bold Change \series default . It doesn't really matter what number you put into the field. But for any given \series bold Random Seed \series default with the same problem, you'll see the same randomized problem generated for you. (If you change the \series bold Script \series default , you are no longer guarenteed to get the same problem.) \layout Standard If you're doing this as a tutorial, try a few random seeds to see what happens. \layout Subsection Dynamic, Randomized Problems: Putting It All Together \layout Standard Now you have all the tools to create those wonderful dynamic, randomized problems that you've seen in LON-CAPA. \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 476 197 file numericalResponseSlopeProblem.eps width 3 80 flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Slope Problem Parameters \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Slope Problem Parameters Figure} \end_inset \end_float For example, try filling out your problem with the parameters shown in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Slope Problem Parameters Figure} \end_inset . \layout Standard When creating randomized problems, you want to make sure that the problems always have an answer! Consider what might happen if I had chosen the two slopes \emph on both \emph default with the expression \family typewriter &rand(-1,1,.2) \family default . One out of ten students would get a problem where both slopes were equal, which has either no solution (for unequal y-intercepts) or an infinite number of solutions (for equal slopes and y-intercepts). Both of these cause a division-by-zero error on the division that computes the answer. There are many ways to avoid this, one of the easiest of which is picking one slope negative and one positive. This same problem can show up in many other places, too, so be careful. \layout Standard LON-CAPA has functions for several common random distributions; consult the function list at http://mileva.lite.msu.edu/loncapadocs/homework/homework5.html for a complete list and parameter specification. \layout Subsection Units, Format \layout Standard Numerical Response problems can require units. In the problem editting form, place the desired unit in the \series bold Unit \series default field. For information about what units the system accepts, see http://capa4.lite.msu.edu /demolibrary/Links/UnitsSymbolsT2.html. The computer will accept the answer in any of its accepted unit formats. For example, if the answer to a problem is \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 1ft \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , the computer will accept \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 12in \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset as correct. \layout Standard Additionally, you can format the number displayed by the computer as the answer. For instance, if the answer is one-third, the computer will display that it computed \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .333333333 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset as the answer. If you'd like to shorten that, you can use the \series bold Format \series default field. Format strings like \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 2e \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset (without the quotes) will display three significant digits in scientific notation. Format strings like \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 2f \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset will display three significant digit in traditional notation. You can use any number that you want instead of \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 2 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . \layout Subsection For More Information \layout Standard It's always a good idea to look at other people's LON-CAPA problems, especially those from the same discipline as your problems, and see what they are doing. \series bold Very often, the easiest way to create a new problem is to copy it and modify the copy until it does what you need. \series default The more complicated a problem is, the more time you'll save by doing this. You may also find new ideas you can use and elaborate on in your problems. \layout Comment Is there UI for this? Check. \layout Standard The full power of the Perl is well outside the scope of this document. Looking in the function list at http://mileva.lite.msu.edu/loncapadocs/homework/ho mework5.html can give you some ideas. O'Reilly has some good Perl books. The Perl 5 pocket reference will contain more then what you need to know to use LON-CAPA, available at http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/perlpr3/ . \layout Standard If you have any problems, consult http://help.loncapa.org/fom/cache/5.html . If you don't find the answer to your problem, please help us expand the FAQ by emailing us your question so we can answer it. \layout Standard Our advanced users often come to prefer the XML interface for the problems, available through the \series bold EditXML \series default buttons. Covering the XML format is beyond the scope of this manual, but you can learn a lot by using the editor to make changes and seeing what happens to the XML. \layout Subsection Formula Response \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Formula Response} \end_inset \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Formula Response} \end_inset Problems \layout Standard \begin_float fig \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Figure size 476 262 file formulaResponse.eps width 3 80 flags 9 \end_inset \layout Caption Formula Response Problem \end_float Formula response problems asks the student to type in a formula as an answer. If the answer is \begin_inset Formula \( 2x^{2}+4 \) \end_inset , the student is allowed to type \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 2*x*x+4 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset x*x + x*x + 4 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 2*x^2 + 14 - 10 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , or any other equivalent expression. Formula Response problems have many of the same characteristics of Numerical Response problems, including the ability to run scripts, dynamically generate answers, etc. \layout Standard As you may know, it is extremely difficult to determine whether a given expression is exactly equal to another expression in general. For example, is \begin_inset Formula \( \sin 2x=2\sin x\cos x \) \end_inset ? Symbolically proving it one way or another is impossible in general. Therefore, LON-CAPA uses a sampling system. If your answer and the student's answer agree at the sampling points within your given tolerance factor, the student's answer will be accepted, otherwise it will be rejected. \layout Comment What's up with the x,y@1,2:4,3#2 stuff? \layout Standard Formula Response problems are otherwise virtually identical to Numeric Response problems. \layout Subsubsection Sample Point Specifications \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Sample Points} \end_inset \layout Standard To specific the sample points, use the following format: \layout Itemize a comma seperated list of the variables you wish to have sampled, \layout Itemize followed by an @ \layout Itemize followed by a comma seperated list of values as long as your list of variables, representing the sample points \layout Itemize optionally followed by a semi-colon, and more comma seperated lists as in the previous item. \layout Standard For \begin_inset Formula \( 2x^{2}+4 \) \end_inset , with one variable \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset x \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , one could specify \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset x@2 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset or \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset x@2;3;4;5 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . (It is generally a good idea to give a few sample points.) For \begin_inset Formula \( 2y^{3}+2x \) \end_inset , with two variables, one could specify \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset x,y@1,2;1,3;2,3;2,2 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . \layout Subsubsection Example Formula Response \layout Standard A very simple formula response problem: \layout Standard In the \series bold Script \series default , place the following: \layout LyX-Code $slope = random(1,5,.5); \layout LyX-Code $yint = random(1,5,.5); \layout Standard In the \series bold Text Block \series default , place the following: \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset For a line with slope $slope and y-intercept $yint, what is y equal to? \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset \layout Standard In the \series bold Answer \series default , place the following: \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset $slope*x + $yint \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset \layout Standard Set the Tolerence to 1%. \layout Standard Set the \series bold Answer \series default to \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset $slope * x + $yint \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . \layout Standard Set the \series bold Sample Points \series default to x@0,1,2,3 . \layout Section Things That Need To Be Added \layout Subsection Creating a default metadata file \layout Subsection My questions\SpecialChar \ldots{} \layout Itemize What is the LON-CAPA default resource? If it's free, can just anyone \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset find and use it \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , or just \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset use it if they already know where it is \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset ? (In other words, how powerful is the search feature?) What's the difference between free and public? \layout Itemize How do I look at a map? (Must be part of course?) \layout Section Appendix A: Student Interface \layout Standard \begin_float fig \layout Caption Student Remote Control \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Student Remote Control} \end_inset \end_float The Student Remote Control will automatically load whenever you log in to a LON-CAPA course as a student. The Student Remote Control contains most of the functions of the Author Remote Control and the following additional functions. \layout Itemize \series bold NAV (NAVIGATE CONTENTS) \series default allows you to directly access resources from the course outline. \layout Itemize \series bold ARROWS (LEFT and RIGHT) \series default allows you to move to the backward or forward through the course. \layout Itemize \series bold GRDS (MY GRADES) \series default allows you to check your grades in the courses you are taking. \layout Itemize \series bold SBKM (SET BOOKMARK) \series default allows you to bookmark pages for easy access. \layout Itemize \series bold VBKM (VIEW BOOKMARK) \series default displays your bookmarks for easy access to bookmarked resources. \layout Itemize \series bold ANOT (ANOTATE) \series default allows you to create personal notes. \layout Itemize \series bold LOGOUT (LOGOUT) \series default will log you out of the LON-CAPA system. \layout Standard \begin_inset LatexCommand \printindex{} \end_inset \the_end