As a homework service, Quest is entirely capable of supporting online homework, learning modules (with lecture videos embedded), and exams remotely. More than 300,000 online exams have already been administered, so while we're continuing to add functionality, you can be confident the basic processes and software pathways are extremely well exercised.
Exams can be constructed by selecting 'learning module' as the assignment type, and then selecting 'test mode'. You can enter in a specific amount of time students will have, and if you'd like, a window in which they will have to complete the assignment. We are currently testing both commercial and within-system proctoring options and will be communicating more shortly. A short overview of these options are included below*.
While many questions in Quest already offer random number generation to offer a unique problem to solve for each student, if you'd like to introduce more variability you can choose to pool questions together to ensure that all students don’t have the same questions either.
Q: Is it possible to give an hour time limit on the exam, but the exam can be taken at any time on a particular day for a student?
A: Yes, absolutely. In order to do this set the (start date/due date during the full window you'd like students to be able to take the exam. Then enter in the time limit. Once a student proceeds off of the initial instruction slide of the learning module their timer will start; at the end of the expired time they will be prevented from accessing their exam any more (even if the window the assignment is open is still in duration).
Q: Some of my students have extended time accommodations. Can this be accounted for?
A: Yes, please just send us (at questhelp@austin.utexas.edu) the unique the student is in, the students' eids, and how much more time (1.5x, 2x, etc) each is to be granted. We will ensure the students receive this accommodation for all of your Quest assignments this semester
Q: I was planning for a bubble sheet exam, but now need to make it online. Is there a direct way to do this?
A: Yes, in just a few clicks you can get your preexisting test set up for remote administration. Navigate to your original exam and click on the export questions on the left side bar. In a separate tab create a new assignment, a learning module in test mode. Next, navigate to the left side bar in your new learning module and click 'import questions'. Copy and paste the existing questions from your original assignment's exam into this new learning module. Double check when the new learning module is open to students on the setting page and publish it!
Q: Do you have a template to set this up for me?
A: Sure, just email questhelp@austin.utexas.edu and let us know in what class(s) you'd like it dropped in (and with what name). So you're empowered to make others needed throughout the rest of the semester, please note a few features below when making a new assignment for it to be an online test.
Type: learning module
Start date (when you want students to have a live active link)
Due date (end window of access—note, the window can be much larger than the actual time of the exam due to a time feature*)
Convert numeric questions to multiple choice (optional--if you want enabled. In learning modules this is not necessary—numeric free response is supported)
*optional time limit (minutes)-a timer will start once a student has progressed off the initial instructions slide and once the time has expired the student will not be able to submit any more answer or see the exam.
Test mode-check this. This means students will only have one entry per question and will not receive immediate feedback (ie if they got it right or wrong)
Overview and Class instructions-as you wish
Recommendations
Be overly explicit on what is and what is not permissible for this exam in the directions (ex: "This is an online-only exam. Close all other window and tabs before opening the exam, and do not use any unapproved external resources to complete this assessment. You may use a manual (non computer based) calculator. Once you start, you have up to XX minutes to complete the exam.
You can take move through the exam problems in any order you would like, using the > arrows to move between the slides. An answer is recorded once you click the blue 'Submit Answer' button and receive a 'Your response was received' note in it's place. Please note, if you select an answer choice and navigate to another slide without clicking the blue 'submit answer' button, your selected answer choice will not be saved when you return to this slide. In such a case you can navigate back to the given question and submit a solution. Answers cannot be changed once you have submitted your answer for a question. As such, we recommend only submitting answers on problems you are ready to answer, and leaving the others blank until you are ready to address them.
Please answer all questions to the best of your ability. The last page will remind you if you have any unanswered questions.
Good luck!")
Make the first question an acknowledgement of UT's honor code (question #219393)
Consider pooling questions, especially for the first few.
*Proctoring Tools
Quest in house (under development): Snapshots of a proctoring video feed will be offered to instructors to uphold academic integrity concerns. Please email questhelp@austin.utexas.edu for more information and to make suggestions on this front.
Approved by UT information security office (iso):
Protorio (the school of nursing has used this extensively, contact Sean White for more info)