#LyX 1.2 created this file. For more info see http://www.lyx.org/ \lyxformat 220 \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 \use_natbib 0 \use_numerical_citations 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 headings \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 John Williamson, Felicia Berryman, Jeremy Bowers \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 that 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 problems, and manage student enrollment. All author functions are done through a web browser (Netscape 4.x or higher, a recent Mozilla, or IE 5+ required). \layout Standard At this time, you should have: \layout Itemize developed your objectives for your course. \layout Itemize developed your problems for input into LON-CAPA and determined the appropriate 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 Much of this document can be used as a tutorial that will introduce you to the authoring system. In particular, chapters \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Author Interface} \end_inset through \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a Course} \end_inset comprise a basic tutorial that can get you started using LON-CAPA, even with no previous LON-CAPA experience. \layout Standard For additional help, visit our FAQ at \family typewriter http://help.loncapa.org/ \family default . \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 your local LON-CAPA URL. You will be presented with a log in screen as in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{LON-CAPA Log in screen} \end_inset . \begin_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename login.eps display color size_type 1 width 50page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 297pt lyxheight 234pt \end_inset \layout Caption \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{LON-CAPA Log in screen} \end_inset LON-CAPA Log in screen \end_inset \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 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, and is automatically sized and placed in the upper left of the screen. The Remote Control is a tool that allows you to switch between functions and roles within LON-CAPA. \begin_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename authorRemote.eps display color size_type 1 height 50page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 180pt lyxheight 420pt \end_inset \layout Caption Author Remote Control \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Author Remote Control Figure} \end_inset \end_inset \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 SRC (SEARCH LIBRARY) \series default brings up a screen that lets you search the LON-CAPA resources using multiple criteria. \layout Itemize \series bold PREF (PREFERENCES) \series default brings up a screen that allows you to change some preferences. \layout Itemize \series bold EXIT (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. These resources use the extension \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .html \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . \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 Sequence \series default \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Sequence} \end_inset is a type of \series bold Map \series default \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Map} \end_inset which is used to link other resources together. The users of this resource can use directional buttons on their remote or the NAV button to follow the sequence. Sequences are stored in files that must use the extension \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .sequence \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . Sequences can contain other sequences and pages. \layout Itemize A \series bold Page \series default \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Page} \end_inset is a type of \series bold Map \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Map} \end_inset \series default which is used to join other resources together into one HTML page. 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_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename constructionSpace.eps display color size_type 1 width 80page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 476pt lyxheight 42pt \end_inset \layout Caption Construction Space \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Construction Space Figure} \end_inset \layout Standard Contents of the Construction Space: \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 \end_inset 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 figure explains what each button does. \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. \layout Standard Many users use tools such as Dreamweaver to create web pages. To upload HTML files generated with such tools, you can use the \series bold Browse \series default button in the Construction Space, locate your HTML file, and use the \series bold Upload File \series default button to create a content page in LON-CAPA. Remember to upload any graphics your generated web pages may have included. \layout Standard To create new Content Pages, do the following: \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 In the Location bar of your browser, type in the 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, \newline \emph on http://www.s10.lite.msu.edu/priv/username/new_resource.html \emph default . \newline Press the Return or Enter key. \layout Enumerate Type the content into the editor, \emph on OR \emph default copy and paste HTML source code obtained through the use of some other HTML authoring program 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. \begin_inset Foot collapsed true \layout Standard Visit the FAQ at \family typewriter http://help.lon-capa.org/ \family default if you get \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset unmatched tag \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset warnings. \end_inset \layout Subsection How to Edit Existing Content Pages \layout Standard You may edit 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 \series bold Edit \series default button. Edit the HTML code, or copy and paste HTML source code into the editor. \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 Standard Once you've saved your page, you can click the \series bold View \series default button to preview your Content Page. \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 Standard While several problem types are listed here, in LON-CAPA, all problems are actually the same. All problems are written in XML, which can be obtained and edited with the \series bold EditXML \series default button you'll see. The problem types listed in this manual are actually just templates. As your knowledge advances, you may wish to play with the XML representation directly to see what you can do. \layout Subsubsection Problems Types \layout Standard In this manual we will cover five basic types of problems: 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 Standard The problem editor gives you a testing area where you can try your problems out, with several different randomizations by varying the \series bold Random Seed \series default . If you answer a problem correctly and can no longer enter new answers, you can get the answer field back by hitting the \series bold Reset Submissions \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Reset Submissions} \end_inset \series default button. \layout Subsubsection Foils \layout Standard In the LON-CAPA system, a \series bold Foil \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Foil} \end_inset \series default is the statement after the drop-down box or radio button in a Radio Response or Option Response problem. 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 present a list of foils, with buttons in front. The student can select \emph on one \emph default of these statements by clicking the appropriate radio button. \layout Subsubsection Option Response \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Option Response} \end_inset Problems \layout Standard \series bold Option Response \series default problems present foils to the student with drop-down boxes. The student can select the matching choice for the foils from a list of choices. Optionally, the foils may be bundled into Concept Groups, and the system will select one foil from each displayed group to display to the student. For more details, see Create Option Response in section \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 definitely 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 required significant digits can be specified as well. \layout Subsubsection Formula Response Problems \layout Standard \series bold Formula Response \series default problems ask the student to type 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_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename creatingNewProblemResource.eps display color size_type 1 width 80page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 476pt lyxheight 202pt \end_inset \layout Caption Creating A New Problem Resource \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Creating a new problem resource} \end_inset \end_inset To create a 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_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename radioResponse2.eps display color size_type 1 width 80page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 476pt lyxheight 283pt \end_inset \layout Caption Radio Response Creation Form \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Radio Response Creation Form} \end_inset \end_inset You will need to specify the question text and foil statements. \layout Enumerate In the drop-down option box as seen in figure \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. You should see an editing screen like figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Radio Response Creation Form} \end_inset . \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 foils you wish to display to the student. \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 Make sure this is set to \series bold true \series default in the \series bold Correct Option \series default field. \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 Make sure this is set to \series bold false \series default in the \series bold Correct Option \series default field. \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_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename radioResponseHint.eps display color size_type 1 width 80page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 476pt lyxheight 92pt \end_inset \layout Caption Hint Element \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Radio Response Hint Element Figure} \end_inset \end_inset 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. You may delete the hint by selecting \series bold Yes \series default from the \series bold Delete \series default drop-down box. \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 , but only one will be shown to any given student. 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 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 Subsection Option Response \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Option Response} \end_inset \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Create Option Response Problem} \end_inset Problems \layout Subsubsection Option Response problems with Concept Groups \layout Standard \begin_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename optionResponseProblem.eps display color size_type 1 width 80page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 476pt lyxheight 134pt \end_inset \layout Caption Option Response Problem \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Option Response Problem Figure} \end_inset \end_inset Each Option Response problem can have 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 Problem Templates are available for 4 and 8 Concept Groups. 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 select the corresponding option from the drop-down box for each given foil. \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 Option Response problems can be used as matching problems as well. \layout Standard For example, 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 foil groups each in its own concept group: \layout Itemize Claire de Lune \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Clair de Lune} \end_inset , Ballade \begin_inset Foot collapsed true \layout Standard Debussy. \end_inset \layout Itemize The Pastoral Symphony, The Ninth Symphony \begin_inset Foot collapsed true \layout Standard Beethoven. \end_inset \layout Itemize Sleeping Beauty Suite, The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies \begin_inset Foot collapsed true \layout Standard Tchaikovsky. \end_inset \layout Itemize Slavonic Dances, New World Symphony \begin_inset Foot collapsed true \layout Standard Dvorak. \end_inset \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 Dvorak \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 figure \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_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename optionResponseEditing.eps display color size_type 1 width 80page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 476pt lyxheight 276pt \end_inset \layout Caption Option Response Editor \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Option Response Editor Figure} \end_inset \end_inset 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 than one foil from each concept group, so this option will only reduce the number of foils displayed, if it is less than 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. (You will delete unwanted options in the last step.) \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 Enumerate Make sure all the options you want to delete are not used for any of your foils \begin_inset Foot collapsed true \layout Standard If a deleted option is used in a foil, it will appear in a text box in the \series bold Correct Option \series default area for that foil. To make the drop-down box reappear, type an option already defined in the \series bold Select Options \series default field, and hit \series bold Submit Changes \series default . A drop-down box will reappear. \end_inset . To delete the irrelevant options from the Option Response question, select that option from the \series bold Delete an Option \series default drop down, and hit the \series bold Save Changes \series default button. Do that for each option you wish to remove. \layout Subsubsection Simple Option Response: No Concept Groups \layout Standard If you select \series bold Simple Option Response \series default from the drop-down box, you get a template that will allow you to enter up to eight foils with no grouping. The system will randomly mix these foils when presenting them to the student. You can have more foils then the \series bold Max Num of Shown Foils \series default so that each student will not have the identical foils. \layout Subsection Creating a String Response Problem \layout Standard To create a 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 figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Creating a new problem resource} \end_inset , select \series bold 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_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename stringResponseEditor.eps display color size_type 1 width 80page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 476pt lyxheight 320pt \end_inset \layout Caption String Response Editor \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{String Response Editor Figure} \end_inset \end_inset 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 \series bold Text Block \series default at the top of the problem, and type in your problem. \layout Enumerate In the \series bold Answer Box \series default , type the correct answer. \layout Enumerate Select the answer condition from the drop-down. 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_inset Foot collapsed true \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_inset . The student must match the case of the answer. \layout Enumerate \series bold ci \series default : This means \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset Case Insensitive \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 unimportant. 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 inform the students if the problem is case sensitive, or that the order of the answers doesn't matter. \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. \layout Enumerate Scroll down to the \series bold Hint \series default element, and type some text that will help students when they answer incorrectl y, or delete the hint by setting the \series bold Delete \series default field to \series bold Yes \series default . \layout Enumerate Click the \series bold Submit Changes \series default 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 also accept \begin_inset Formula $x*x+11$ \end_inset or \begin_inset Formula $x^{2}+21-10$ \end_inset . \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, they are covered in their own section after the end of the 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 use in courses, you must publish your content. LON-CAPA provides an easy interface for publishing your content pages, problem resources, and sequences. You can specify title, author information, keywords, and other metadata. LON-CAPA uses this metadata for many things, and it's important 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 than 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 is the of a web page, which usually shows up in the title bar of the browser. That's information about the web page itself, not actually part of the web page. People use the title information 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_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename constructionSpaceForPublishing.eps display color size_type 1 width 80page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 476pt lyxheight 168pt \end_inset \layout Caption Construction Space for Publishing \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Construction Space for Publishing Figure} \end_inset \end_inset 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_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename publishMetadata.eps display color size_type 1 width 80page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 476pt lyxheight 338pt \end_inset \layout Caption Publishing Metadata Screen \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Publishing Metadata Screen Figure} \end_inset \end_inset 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 \series bold Language \series default is the language the problem is written in. The \series bold Publisher/Owner \series default is the LON-CAPA user who owns the problem. \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 words used in the text of the resource for you so you can just click on their check boxes 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. \series bold Additional Keywords \series default are also useful when publishing graphics. \layout Standard Finally, you need to set the copyright and distribution permissions in the \series bold COPYRIGHT/DISTRIBUTION \series default drop-down. This setting controls who is allowed to use your resource as follows: \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 Creating Sequences \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Sequence} \end_inset \layout Standard A \series bold Sequence \series default is 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. \layout Standard \begin_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename mapEditorSelection.eps display color size_type 1 width 40page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 238pt lyxheight 83pt \end_inset \layout Caption Map Editor Selection \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Map Editor Selection Figure} \end_inset \end_inset To create a Sequence 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 sequence \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset resource so the URL must end in \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .sequence \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . After you enter in the URL ending in \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .sequence \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , you should see a screen as in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Editor Selection Figure} \end_inset . You can use either the advanced editor or the simplified editor. \layout Subsection Creating a Simple .sequence With The Simple Editor \layout Standard \begin_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename mapSimpleEditor.eps display color size_type 1 width 80page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 476pt lyxheight 250pt \end_inset \layout Caption Simple Map Editor \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Simple Map Editor} \end_inset \end_inset After creating a new .sequence resource and getting the editor selection prompt (figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Editor Selection Figure} \end_inset ), click the \series bold Simple Edit \series default button to get to the simple map editor, which appears in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Simple Map Editor} \end_inset . \layout Standard The Simple Editor can create .sequences and .pages which are linear, which means they have no branches or conditions. \layout Standard On the right side of the simple editor is the \series bold Target \series default , which represents the map you are currently building. On the left side is the \series bold Import \series default area, which represents a work area you can use for your convenience to load and manipulate resource you may wish to include in your map. Using the three buttons in the middle of the screen, from top to bottom you can cut things out of the Target, copy from the Target to the Import, and copy from the Import to the Target, respectively. \layout Standard On both sides of the screen, you can do a Group Search and a Group Import. A Group Search allows you to run a search, then import selected results from that search into either directly into your Map, or into your Import space. Checkboxes will appear next to the results in the Group Search, and you can click the resource you wish to add to your map in the order that you want them added. After you select the resource, you will be presented with a screen that allows you to change the order of the selected resources, then you will be able to import the selected resources and work with them. \layout Standard A Group Import works in a similar fashion, but allows you to use the LON-CAPA network browser to select your resources. \layout Standard On the Import side, you can also browse for another Map, and load the resources used in that map into your Import workspace. You can also discard the selected resources, clear all the resources, and view the selected resource from the buttons on the Import side of the screen. \layout Standard Both list boxes support standard multi-select mechanisms as used in your OS. \layout Subsection Creating a Simple .sequence With The Advanced Editor \layout Standard After creating a new .sequence resource and getting the editor selection prompt (figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Editor Selection Figure} \end_inset ), click the \series bold Advanced Edit \series default button to get to the advanced map editor. \begin_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename mapAdvancedEditorNew.eps display color size_type 1 width 80page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 476pt lyxheight 205pt \end_inset \layout Caption Initial Map Editor \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Initial Map Editor FIgure} \end_inset \end_inset You should see the initial map editor as shown in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Initial Map Editor FIgure} \end_inset . Note there are two windows: One is the workspace, and one is a secondary window which will contain information as you add resources. \layout Enumerate \begin_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename mapClickedStart.eps display color size_type 1 width 80page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 476pt lyxheight 221pt \end_inset \layout Caption After clicking \series bold Start \series default in the Map Constructor \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Clicked Start Figure} \end_inset \end_inset Click the \series bold Start \series default box. You'll see what you see in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Clicked Start Figure} \end_inset . Click \series bold Link Resource \series default in the secondary window, then click on the \series bold Finish \series default box. \begin_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename mapStraightened.eps display color size_type 1 height 25page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 70pt lyxheight 210pt \end_inset \layout Caption Straightened Map \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Striaghtened map} \end_inset \end_inset After that, click \series bold Straighten \series default . 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_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename mapInsertResource.eps display color size_type 1 height 30page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 271pt lyxheight 252pt \end_inset \layout Caption Inserting a Resource \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Inserting a Resource Figure} \end_inset \end_inset To insert a resource into the flow, click the black line with two arrows, seen between the \series bold Start \series default and \series bold Finish \series default boxes in figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Striaghtened map} \end_inset . 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 box will appear in the link. Click the resource, which will have the label \series bold Res \series default . \layout Enumerate Click \series bold Browse \series default , and the \series bold Network Directory Browser \series default will appear, \begin_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename mapEditorDirectoryBrowser.eps display color size_type 1 width 60page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 357pt lyxheight 162pt \end_inset \layout Caption Network Directory Browser \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Map Editor Network Directory Browser Figure} \end_inset \end_inset looking something like figure \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{Map Editor Network Directory Browser Figure} \end_inset . Press the \series bold SELECT \series default button that is next to the resource you want to place in the chosen resource box. \begin_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename mapEditorResourceChosen.eps display color size_type 1 height 30page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 42pt lyxheight 252pt \end_inset \layout Caption Resource Chosen \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Map Resource Chosen Figure} \end_inset \end_inset 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 when you've successfully browsed to a resource. After you click \series bold Save Changes \series default , your changes will be set, 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 . Click \series bold Save Map \series default in the bar above your map to save the map. \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 Standard In addition to manually adding in resources, the Advanced Editor also has the ability to import resource in the same way that the Simple Editor can: From a LON-CAPA network browser window, from a Group Search, or from another Map. \layout Standard The advanced editor has many more capabilities which you can explore. \layout Subsection Page Maps \layout Standard Creating a .page map is the same as creating a sequence map, except that when choosing the name of the resource, the URL will end with \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset .page \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . Then all resources you add in the map editor will appear on one page together. \layout Standard Pages are often used to connect problems in a homework set. \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_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename creatingANewCourse.eps display color size_type 1 width 40page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 238pt lyxheight 231pt \end_inset \layout Caption Creating a New Course \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Creating a New Course Figure} \end_inset \end_inset Courses have a Top-level Map which defines the whole course. This top-level map will often itself contain maps corresponding to homework assignments, chapters, or units. To view your maps, you will need to make them part of a course. Only Domain Coordinators can make courses and set their Top-level maps, so work with your Domain Coordinator if you need to view your maps. \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 getting you started with Numerical Response problems, and showing you some of the possibilities, with no prerequisite knowledge necessary. The more you learn, the more you will find you can do. \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_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename numericalResponse1.eps display color size_type 1 width 80page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 476pt lyxheight 356pt \end_inset \layout Caption Numerical Response editor \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Numerical Response Editor Figure} \end_inset \end_inset 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 \series default . You do not need to know Perl to use the \series bold Script \series default 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 variables 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's 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_inset Foot collapsed true \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_inset , though you may find the default too large for some problems. There are two kinds of tolerance. For 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_inset Foot collapsed true \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_inset . Any number in the tolerance field \emph on without \emph default a \series bold % \series default symbol is an absolute tolerance. \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 followed by \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. A significant figure specification of \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 3,4 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset means both \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 1.30 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset and \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 1.300 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset are acceptable. \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 should contain text which will help the students when they answer incorrectly. \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. 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 when viewed by an \series bold Author \series default . \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 , separated 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. 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 you believe other people 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. The variable name must 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 this program into the \series bold Script \series default field of the Numerical Response: \begin_deeper \layout LyX-Code $variable = 3; \layout Standard This creates a 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. \end_deeper \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 There are many variable naming conventions, covering both how to name and how to capitalize variables \begin_inset Foot collapsed true \layout Standard The author favors \family typewriter capsOnNewWords \family default . Some people use \family typewriter underscore_to_separate_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 important 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_inset . 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 is a variable called \family typewriter $variable2 \family default with the the number \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset 5 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset as its value. \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 to your \series bold Script \series default and submit the changes for 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_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename numericalResponseVarInText.eps display color size_type 0 rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 353pt lyxheight 99pt \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_inset 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 \series bold $variable \series default , \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 3.0 \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. Functions 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_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout LyX-Code $a = -3.0; \layout LyX-Code $b = &sin($a); \layout LyX-Code $c = &pow(3.0, &abs($a)); \layout Caption Some Function Calls \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Some Function Calls Figure} \end_inset \end_inset 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 &abs \family default returns the absolute value of the argument. \layout Subsubsection Randomization \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Randomization} \end_inset \layout Standard For LON-CAPA, one of the most important 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 &random(1,2,.2) \family default might return 1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, or 2. \family typewriter &random \family default uses a uniform distribution. Other distributions are available in LON-CAPA, and can be found by consulting the function list. \layout Standard \begin_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout LyX-Code $a = &random(1.0,10.0,1.0); \layout LyX-Code $b = &random(-10.0, -3.0, 1.0); \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_inset 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, or some other reasonably standard name. 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 guaranteed 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_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename numericalResponseSlopeProblem.eps display color size_type 1 width 80page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 476pt lyxheight 197pt \end_inset \layout Caption Slope Problem Parameters \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{Slope Problem Parameters Figure} \end_inset \end_inset 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 &random(-1.0,1.0,.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 Subsection Units, Format \layout Standard Numerical Response problems can require units. In the problem editing 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 two digits after the decimal point. \layout Subsection For More Information \layout Standard The full power of Perl is well outside the scope of this document. Looking in the function list at \newline http://mileva.lite.msu.edu/loncapadocs/homework/homework5.html \newline can give you some ideas. O'Reilly has some good Perl books. The Perl 5 Pocket Reference will contain more than what you need to know to use LON-CAPA, available at \newline 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 submitting a new pending question. \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_inset Float figure placement htbp wide false collapsed false \layout Standard \align center \begin_inset Graphics FormatVersion 1 filename formulaResponse.eps display color size_type 1 width 80page% rotateOrigin center lyxsize_type 1 lyxwidth 476pt lyxheight 262pt \end_inset \layout Caption Formula Response Problem \end_inset 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 Subsubsection Sampling Specifications \layout Standard To specify where to sample the formulas for determining whether the student's answer is correct, you need to put a sampling specification in the \series bold Sample Points \series default \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{Sample Points} \end_inset field. The sampling specifications takes the following format: \layout Enumerate A comma separated list of the variables you wish to interpret, \layout Enumerate followed by \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset @ \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset (not in quotes), \layout Enumerate followed by any number of the following two things, separated by semi-colons: \begin_deeper \layout Enumerate a comma separated list of as many numbers as there are variables, which specifies one sampling point, OR \layout Enumerate a comma separated list of as many numbers as there are variables, followed by a colon, followed by another list of as many numbers as there are variables, followed by a #, followed by an integer. \end_deeper \layout Standard The first form specifies one point to sample. The second form specifies a range for each variable, and the system will take as many random samples from that range as the number after the #. \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 \layout Itemize \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset x@2 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , which will sample the answers only at 2. (This is generally a bad idea, as the student could get lucky and match at that point) \layout Itemize \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset x@1:5#4 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset will takes 4 samples from somewhere between 1 and 5. \layout Itemize \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset x@1:5#4;10 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset will takes 4 samples from somewhere between 1 and 5, and also sample at 10. \layout Standard For \begin_inset Formula $2x^{2}+3y^{3}$ \end_inset , which has two variables, one could specify \layout Itemize \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset x,y@4,5:10,12#4;0,0 \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset , which take four samples from the box determined by the points (4, 5) and (10, 12), and also sample the point (0, 0). \layout Subsubsection Formula Notes \layout Itemize The formula evaluator can not handle things of the form \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset x + - y \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset . If you have a random variable that may be positive or negative (as in the example following this section), you can try wrapping the references to that variable in parenthesis. As always, it is a good idea to try out several randomized versions of your problems to make sure everything works correctly. \layout Itemize \series bold Never use relative tolerance in Formula Response problems. \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{tolerance, in formula response} \end_inset \begin_inset LatexCommand \index{relative tolerance, in formula response} \end_inset \series default Relative tolerance is poorly defined in Formula Response problems. Always use absolute tolerance. \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(-5.0,5.0,.5); \layout LyX-Code $yint = &random(-5.0,5.0,.5); \layout LyX-Code $answer = \begin_inset Quotes eld \end_inset $slope*x + ($yint) \begin_inset Quotes erd \end_inset ; \layout Itemize 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 Itemize In the \series bold Answer \series default , place the following: $answer \layout Itemize Set the Tolerance to .000001. \layout Itemize Set the \series bold Sample Points \series default to x@0,1,2,3 . \the_end