Blackboard Tip Sheet
Respondus – Formatting A Microsoft Word File for Importing
Respondus can import questions from many sources including Microsoft Word. The file
needs to be in a specific format before you can import it. The following instructions indicate
one way of setting up your MS Word file. You can view the help screens in Respondus for
more information on formatting your MS Word file.
The steps involved to import questions from a MS Word file into Bb include: 1) Installing
Respondus, 2) Formatting the MS Word File, 3) Importing the MS Word File into Respondus,
4) Publishing to Bb, and 5) Deploying the assessment in Blackboard.
Step 1: Install Respondus
See the Respondus Overview Tip Sheet for more information.
Step 2: Formatting the MS Word File - Standard Format for Importing Questions
Respondus will allow users to import questions formatted in Microsoft Word, plain text, or
rich-text. The document must be organized in a “Standard Format” before it can be imported
into Respondus.
Respondus will import the following question types:
A. Multiple Choice
B. True-False
C. Essay
D. Multiple Answer
E. Fill in the Blank
When formatting the questions, please note that:
1. The file must be saved as a rich-text (.rtf), plain text (.txt), or Word (.doc) file for
importing into Respondus.
2. The file must be saved and closed before it can be imported into Respondus. If the
file
is open in Microsoft Word, you will not be able to import it into Respondus.
3. The questions must be formatted using the standard format outlined in Items A-E
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below.
A. Multiple Choice Questions
1. Question Numbering
Each question must begin with a question number, followed by either a period
“.” or a right parentheses “)”.
Example 1: 3.
Example 2: 3)
2. Question Wording
The question wording must follow the question number and the period (or right
parentheses). One space or one tab should be placed before the question
wording.
Example 1: 3. Who determined the exact speed of light?
Example 2: 3. Who determined the exact speed of light?
Example 3: 3) Who determined the exact speed of light?
Example 4: 3) Who determined the exact speed of light?
3. Answer Choices
Each possible answer choice must begin with a letter (a-d or A-D) followed by a
period “.” or a right parentheses “)”.
Example 1: 3. Who determined the exact speed of light?
a. Albert Einstein
b. Albert Michelson
c. Thomas Edison
d. Guglielmo Marconi
Example 2: 3) Who determined the exact speed of light?
a) Albert Einstein
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b) Albert Michelson
c) Thomas Edison
d) Guglielmo Marconi
4. Correct Answers
Correct answers can be indicated in two ways:
1. First, you may place an asterisk (*) directly in front of the answer choice.
(Do not put a space between the asterisk and the answer choice.)
Example: 3) Who determined the exact speed of light?
a. Albert Einstein
b. Albert Michelson
*c. Thomas Edison
d. Guglielmo Marconi
2. The second option is to place a list of correct answers at the end of the
file. The list must begin with “Answers:”. (Any text typed after the
answer key will be ignored so no additional questions can be added.)
Example: Answers:
1. a
2. b
3. c
B. True-False Questions
1. Question Format
The process of formatting “True-False” questions (question numbering and
question wording) is similar to that used to format multiple choice questions
(see Section A on Page 1).
Example: 3) Libby Hill determined the exact speed of light?
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a) True
*b) False
2. Order
When typing the answer choices of “True” (or “T”) and “False” (or “F”), “True” (or
“T”) must be typed first in order for Respondus to recognize the question as a
True-False question type. (If “False” appears first, the question will be
recognized as a multiple choice question.)
3. Correct Answers
Correct answers can be indicated in two ways:
1. First, you may place an asterisk (*) directly in front of the answer choice.
(Do not put a space between the asterisk and the answer choice.)
Example: 3) Libby Hill determined the exact speed of light?
a) True
*b) False
2. A second way to designate the correct answer for a True-False question
is to place the correct answer in a list of correct answers at the end of the
file. The list must begin with “Answers:” and it must be positioned at the
end of the file. (Any text typed after the answer key will be ignored so no
additional questions can be added.)
The correct answers in a True-False answer key can be designated in
three ways: (1) the complete word “True” or “False”, (2) the letter “T” or
“F”, or (3) the alphabetical letter “A” (for true) and “B” (for false).
Examples: Answers: Answers:
1. True
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1. T
Answers:
1. A
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2. True
2. T
2. A
3. False
3. F
3. B
C. Essay Questions
1. Question Format
The question format for an essay question is very similar to multiple choice and
true-false questions. The difference is that the first line of formatting must begin
with “Type: E”. This notation is followed by the question number and the
question wording.
Example: Type: E
4. Describe Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity?
No correct answers are needed for essay type questions. Providing an answer
is optional.
D. Multiple Answer Questions
1. Question Format
The multiple answer question format is very similar to the format for multiple
choice questions (question numbering and question wording). One significant
difference is that the first line of formatting must begin with “Type: MA”. This
notation is followed by the question number and the question wording (see
Section A on Page 1).
Example: Type: MA
3) Which of the following are days of the week?
a. August
*b. Monday
*c. Tuesday
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d. June
*e. Saturday
2. Correct Answers
Correct answers can be indicated in two ways:
1. First, you may place an asterisk (*) directly in front of the answer
choices. (Remember that a multiple answer question will have more than
one correct answer, so there will be more than one asterisk.)
Example: Type: MA
3) Which of the following are days of the week?
a. August
*b. Monday
*c. Tuesday
d. June
*e. Saturday
2. The second option is to place a list of correct answers at the end of the
file. The list must begin with “Answers:”. (Any text typed after the
answer key will be ignored so no additional questions can be added.)
If a question has been designated as a “Multiple Answer” question (Type:
MA), the “multiple answers” can be supplied in the answer key in one of
three ways: (1) by placing a blank space between the letters that
represent the correct answers – see item #1 below, (2) by placing a
comma between the letters that represent the correct answers – see item
#2 below, or (3) by placing a comma and a blank space between the
letters that represent the correct answers – see item #3 below.
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Example: Answers:
1. A C D
2. A,C,D
3. A, C, D
E. Fill in the Blank Questions
1. Question Format
Fill in the blank questions must be formatted by starting the first line of question
with “Type: F”. This notation is followed by the question number and the
question wording (see Section A on Page 1).
Example: Type: F
3) _____________ is known as the father of television?
a. Zworykin
b. Vladimir Zworykin
c. Vladimir Kosma Zworykin
2. Correct Answers
Correct answers can be indicated in two ways:
1. Students are allowed to type only one correct answer per question, but
multiple forms of that answer can be provided by the instructor for
grading purposes. If the student types any of the answer choices
provided by the instructor, the question would be marked correct.
Example: Type: F
3) _____________ is known as the father of television?
a. Zworykin
b. Vladimir Zworykin
c. Vladimir Kosma Zworykin
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with Seneca College, Toronto Canada
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2. Correct answers can also be placed at the end of the file in an answer
key, using a format similar to multiple choice questions and true-false
questions. The list must begin with “Answers:”. (Any text typed after
the answer key will be ignored so no additional questions can be added.)
You can enter multiple forms of an answer by repeating the question
number.
Example: Answers:
1. A
2. B
3. True
4. Zworykin
4. Vladimir Zworykin
4. Vladimir Kosma Zworykin
Here is an example of what your MS Word file should look like:
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Note: View the help screens in Respondus for format requirements for other question types.
Step 3: Importing the MS Word File into Respondus
1) Open Respondus
2) Click Import Questions Button
3) Click Drop Down Box and Select MS Word
4) Click the Browse Button and Select Your File (Ensure that your MS Word file is not open.)
Step 4: Publish to Blackboard
1) Click the Preview/Publish tab.
2) Select Publish to Blackboard and Click Publish Wizard Button. The Wizard will guide you
through the rest of the publishing.
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Learning Academy for Faculty & Staff
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with Seneca College, Toronto Canada
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Note: If this is the first time you are publishing to Blackboard, you need to ensure that
you have defined a connection to GRCC’s Bb Server. Follow the instructions on the
screen to set your connection to GRCC.
Ensure Login Port is set to: 443
Set URL/server name to: ilearnapp0.grcc.edu
Step 5: Deploy Assessment in Blackboard
1) Login to Bb.
2) Select a Content area and click the +Test button. Be sure to select the Modify Test
Options link to set the availability of the assessment.
Revised:2/23/2011
Grand Rapids Community College
Learning Academy for Faculty & Staff
Documentation used with permission and in collaboration
with Seneca College, Toronto Canada
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