Importing a Text File into
Respondus
Respondus is able to import Multiple Choice, True-False, Essay, Fill in the Blank
and Multiple Answer questions. The text file must be in a standard format.
You may use the Notepad to create a standard text file.
Standard Format for a Text File
If necessary, review the format for the different types of questions.
Importing Multiple Choice Questions
Each question must begin with a question number followed by either a period or
parentheses.
Example: 1) or 1.
The question itself must be proceeded with at least one space.
Example:
1) What is Respondus?
1. What is Respondus?
Each answer must begin with a letter followed by either a period or parentheses.
1) What is Respondus?
a. The name of a football team
b. A tool for creating and managing exams
c. The name of a country
d. None of the above
To indicate which is the correct answer, place an asterisk in front of the correct
answer.
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Example:
1) What is Respondus?
a. The name of a football team
*b. A tool for creating and managing exams
c. The name of a country
d. None of the above
Giving Feedback
Feedback can be imported by placing a ~ (tilde) in front of the feedback that
should be issued for a correct answer. The @ symbol can be used for feedback
given to an incorrect answer. There must be at least one space to the right of the
~ or @ and the text you want displayed for the feedback.
Example:
1) What is Respondus?
a. The name of a football team
*b. A tool for creating and managing exams
c. The name of a country
d. None of the above
~ Correct. Respondus is a tool for creating and managing exams.
@ Incorrect. The correct answer is that Respondus is a tool for creating and
managing exams.
Importing True or False Questions
Importing true or false questions is done the same way as multiple choice
questions.
Example:
1) Respondus is a tool for creating and managing exams.
*a. True
b. False
To indicate which is the correct answer, place an asterisk in front of the correct
answer.
Important: The true answer choice must be listed prior to the false answer
choice in order for Respondus to recognize it as a true and false question type.
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Giving Feedback
Feedback can be imported by placing a ~ (tilde) in front of the feedback that
should be issued for a correct answer. The @ symbol can be used for feedback
given to an incorrect answer. There must be at least one space to the right of the
~ or @ and the text you want displayed for the feedback.
Importing Essay Questions
To import an essay question, the first line must begin with Type: E
Example:
Type: E
1) Please give a detailed essay describing what Respondus is.
a. Respondus is a powerful tool for creating and managing exams that can be
printed to paper or published directly to Blackboard. Exams can be created
offline using a familiar Windows environment, or moved to an eLearning system.
Respondus will save you hours on each project.
Fill in the Blank Questions
To import a fill in the blank question, the first line must begin with Type: F
Example:
Type: F
1) Respondus is used to generate
a. Tests
b. Quizzes
c. Exams
d. Weekly Exams
Feedback can also be given.
Importing Matching Questions
To import a matching question, the first line must begin with Type: MT
Each answer must contain 2 parts. The 2 parts of the match must be separated
with an =
Spaces before or after the = are allowed.
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Example:
Type: MT
1) Please match the correct software to its function.
a. Microsoft Word=Word Processor
b. Microsoft Excel=Spreadsheet
c. Respondus=Test Generator
d. Microsoft Access=Database
Feedback can also be given.
Importing Multiple Answer Questions
Multiple answer questions are similar to multiple choice questions; the difference
being that there is more than one correct answer.
To import a multiple answer question, the first line must begin with Type: MA
Example:
Type: MA
1) Respondus is a software used to
*a. Generate Quizes and Exams
*b. Upload a text file into an elearning software
c. Measure the temperature
d. Produce on line movies
Feedback can also be given.
Example of TXT file that has been created. This TXT file can be imported into
Respondus and used to generate a quiz.
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Once the questions have been created in the text file, it is now time to import
them into Respondus.
To Import a Text File into Respondus
1) Run Respondus
2) Select the Start Tab if necessary
3) Click the Import Questions button to import questions from a text file.
4) Select Text File in Standard Format.
5) In the File Name field, Browse to select your Text File
(Note: If your file is in RTF – Rich Text Format, Select Rich Text in Standard
Format)
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6)
7)
8)
9)
In step 2, Select Create a new document, named:
Type a name for the new document Quiz1
Select Exam as the type of file to create
Click Preview to preview the questions.
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10) Click Finish to complete the process
11) Click OK to file saved message
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Note the screen below.
To Modify a Question:
1) Click on the Question in the question list
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2) Click the Modify button in the Properties dialog box
You are now able to edit the question and the possible answers as well as
change the correct answer and the point value.
When finished editing the question, click Save Changes
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Preview a Question
To Preview a Question
1) Click on the question in the question list
2) Click Preview
3) Click OK when finished previewing.
Previewing the File
Once you feel you are ready to submit this data to Blackboard, it is encouraged
that you preview the entire file first.
To Preview the File
1) Select the Preview and Publish Tab
2) Click Preview the File
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3) Click Close to close the Preview window
Once you have previewed the file and are ready to submit it to Blackboard, it is
time to select Publish to Blackboard.
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To Publish the Quiz file to Blackboard:
1) On the Preview and Publish Tab, select Publish to Blackboard
You now must direct the Respondus file to the specific course in Blackboard. To
do so you must complete the above form. Follow the steps below.
1)
2)
3)
4)
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6)
7)
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9)
Open your browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator)
Type http://montclair.blackboard.com
Press Enter
Highlight the address in the Address Bar
Press CTRL+C on the keyboard to copy the address
Navigate back to Respondus
Position your cursor in Step 1
Press CTRL+V on the keyboard to paste the address
Next Position your cursor in Step 2
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10) In your browser window login to Blackboard
11) Navigate to the course you wish to place the test
12) Select the Control Panel
13) Highlight the address in the Address Bar
14) Press CTRL+C on the keyboard to copy the address
15) Navigate back to Respondus
16) Position your cursor in Step 2
17) Press CTRL+V on the keyboard to paste the address
18) Click Extract so Respondus fills in the appropriate fields with the correct
data
19) You must enter a short description in the description field(ex: Quiz1 for
Blackboard
20) Type in your User Name and Password (the one you use to access
Blackboard)
21) Prior to clicking OK, you need to make sure you internet connection is
active
22) If your internet connection is active, click OK
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Note in Step 1 the description you typed in is listed as the server.
23) In step 2, select the Blackboard course you wish to publish the quiz to
24) Click Publish
Note: If you select Apply Setting to Exam, Respondus will ask you to select a
Course Content Area to publish to.
When it has finished publishing the file it will say “Completed Successfully” in
the status area.
To view the quiz in Blackboard:
1) Navigate to Blackboard
2) Enter the course you published the quiz to
3) Go to the Control Panel
4) Select Test Manager to view the quiz
You are now able to deploy the quiz in you course.
For more information on deploying a quiz in Blackboard visit the following
website http://oit.montclair.edu/documentationpdf/bboard6_faculty.pdf
(see page 13)
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