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This commit implements the .tex-based online help system in LON-CAPA. It
may be necessary to manually run loncom/build/help_graphics_converter.pl
and doc/help/rebuildLabelHash.pl after a cvs update, and
loncapa_apache.conf may need to be manually copied to /etc. (The
loncapafiles.lpml has been updated.)
After merging this, the URL http://[loncapahost]/adm/help/Foils.hlp
should display a help file.
Also, some *very* out-of-date files have been removed from the /doc
directory.
#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
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\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
<lyxtabular version="3" rows="10" columns="2">
<features>
<column alignment="center" valignment="top" leftline="true" width="0pt">
<column alignment="left" valignment="top" leftline="true" rightline="true" width="5in">
<row topline="true" bottomline="true">
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
\series bold
Button Name
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell alignment="left" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" rightline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
\series bold
Description
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true">
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Publish this Resource
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" rightline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Opens the Resource Publishing window.
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true">
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
List Directory
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" rightline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Lists the contents of the current working directory
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true">
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Copy
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" rightline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Type a new name in the entry box to make a copy the current resource
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true">
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Browse
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" rightline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Helps you select a file to upload
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true">
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Upload File
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" rightline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Uploads the selected file to your Construction Space
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true">
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Retrieve Old Version
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" rightline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Load an older version of a resource if you have multiple versions
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true">
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Delete
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" rightline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Deletes the current resource
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true">
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Rename
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" rightline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Type a new name in the associated entry box to rename a resource
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
<row topline="true" bottomline="true">
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
New Subdirectory
\end_inset
</cell>
<cell alignment="center" valignment="top" topline="true" leftline="true" rightline="true" usebox="none">
\begin_inset Text
\layout Standard
Type a name in the entry box to create a new directory
\end_inset
</cell>
</row>
</lyxtabular>
\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
<norandom />
\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 <title> 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
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