In these release notes
assessmentQ 2.8 contains the following new features and improvements:
New module Scenarios
A scenario is basically a blueprint for an exercise or exam, allowing the author to create one or more equivalent assignments that comply with certain predefined rules.
Starting from assessmentQ 2.8 the module Scenarios is available in the assessmentQ backoffice. The module Scenarios has become much more flexible than before. An author can now:
not only filter items by item metadata, but also by item properties such as item type, creation date, score, etc.
combine the filter rules with AND and OR operators
choose how many items and cases should be selected
Notes:
Selecting items and cases separately is a new feature and results in changes to existing scenarios. Existing scenarios will not necessarily select the same number of items as before assessmentQ 2.8. If you are using scenarios, it is recommended to check your existing scenarios.
Currently, it is not possible to copy a scenario, to re-arrange parts or blocks in a scenario, or to permanently delete a scenario. These functionalities will be added in a next release.
New item type: Math entry
The Math entry item type is now also available in the assessmentQ backoffice.
The Math entry item allows participants to enter math answers like square roots or fractions in the player.
The Math entry item type in assessmentQ contains several new features:
The author can put a math problem inline in text.
The author can add gaps and add the correct solution in the gap immediately. This way, editing a math item works a lot faster and easier.
The author can customize the math editor for the participants, defining on item level which buttons must be available. This way, a different set of math-related buttons becomes available depending on the grade or knowledge level of the participants.
The math editor is also supported on touch devices.
Math entry items are also displayed in the Grading module, so graders can still override the automatic score of an answer.
Note: It is recommended to open math entry items that were created in Edumatic at least once in assessmentQ. If not, it is possible that the PDF generated in Grading when you select “Print answers” does not display the math entry item entirely. In that case, the PDF will show a notification.
New metadata types
In the previous version of assessmentQ, the Metadata module has become available in the assessmentQ backoffice. In assessmentQ 2.8, its possibilities have been further extended.
Three new metadata types have been added:
Multi-select dropdown: the author can select multiple values for 1 metadata key.
Editable multi-select dropdown: the author can select multiple values for 1 metadata key and he can add new values.
Editable dropdown: the author can select one value for 1 metadata key and he can add new values.
Note: Starting from assessmentQ 2.8, Yes/No metadata and Text metadata are no longer available:
Yes/No metadata has been converted to dropdown metadata with two values (Yes and No).
Text metadata has been converted to editable dropdown metadata.
For all items containing Yes/No or Text metadata, the metadata is migrated to the corresponding dropdown metadata.
Editable item statuses
There are by default 4 item statuses available in assessmentQ: Draft, To be reviewed, Reviewed, Approved.
Starting from assessmentQ 2.8, the administrator can add new statuses for the statuses To be reviewed and Reviewed and/or rename the statuses To be reviewed and Reviewed.
That way, the available item statuses can be better aligned with the internal item review workflow in your organisation.
Note: The statuses Draft (the default for new items) and Approved (required to add an item to an assignment) cannot be changed.
Calculator on item level
Up to now, the assessmentQ supporting tools (when activated in the assignment template) were always available for all items in the assignment. The calculator is the first supporting tool in assessmentQ that can be activated on the level of an item.
In the assignment template, a new setting has been added so you can choose whether the calculator must be used for all items in the assignment or only for the items that have the calculator set on the level of the item.
Note: It is recommended to use linear navigation when you activate a calculator on item level. If you select a different navigation mode, the user will be able to navigate back and forth and use the calculator for other items as well.
Update of the scientific calculator
The functionality of the scientific calculator, that has been introduced in assessmentQ 2.7, has been further expanded in assessmentQ 2.8:
It is now also possible to switch to mathematical mode and calculate with fractions.
Several buttons have been repositioned, added or removed.
Display case information on the left of the item
A new setting in the assignment template allows the administrator or author to decide if the case information must be repeated above or to the left of the actual questions.
This way, you can show a text on the left of the screen and questions about that text on the right of the screen.
Improved Finish dialog
In the assignment template settings for Messages and warnings, the options to configure the warning messages that are shown to the participants when they finish a part or an assignment have expanded considerably.
As an administrator or author, you are guided through the configuration of the warning messages via a user-friendly interface:
Notes:
The selected navigation mode defines which warning messages you can activate:
Warnings on the level of a part can only be activated in case the selected navigation mode is “Linear navigation” or “Free navigation within a part".
Warnings on the level of an assignment can only be activated in case the selected navigation mode is “Free navigation”.
Warnings related to the time limit have been moved to a separate section, as they do not depend on the navigation mode.
Removed features
Scenarios
The language setting
The language can no longer be set in the scenario itself. The language setting is configured in the assignment template.Multilingual scenarios
The option to keep the order of the blocks
The order of the blocks is kept by default. In case the items in a part should be randomized, the option Display items in a random order should be selected in the assignment template.The option to sort the items alphabetically when creating an assignment from a scenario.
In case the items should be sorted alphabetically, the option Arrange alphabetically should be selected in the assignment.The option to select items from cases
Starting from 2.8, it is no longer possible to select individual items from a case. You can, however, indicate that you want to include cases in the scenario. In this case, the entire cases will be selected.The option to archive scenarios
Scenarios can no longer be archived. You can, however, delete scenarios and restore scenarios from the recycle bin.
Math entry
The columns features
The option Distribute score evenly
Metadata
Yes/No metadata
Text metadata
Advanced metadata reports in Edumatic reporting
Edit metadata for Edumatic items.
Metadata for Edumatic items can be edited via bulk actions in the assessmentQ item bank.