Question databases should be named as follows (this will contain the questions authored by you):

E.g.

BRE_ELLIOTT.question

Topics within question databases should be named as follows:

Eg

BRE_ELLIOTT_marketing1

Actual question descriptions are entirely up to the author though it’s strongly recommended to include a unique question number in the question description – in the following examples questions on marketing are numbered MK001, MK002, MK003 etc, so you might have MK001FourPs, MK002ProdLifcyc, MK003Pareto etc (see screenshot in appendix).

To make the construction of tests easier it is best to have 10 questions maximum per "topic". So if you had 30 questions on marketing it would be best to divide them into blocks of 10 named as topics: _marketing1, _marketing2, _marketing3 etc. These can then be imported as complete blocks into sessions (tests).

Any graphics (.jpg, .gif) used are automatically copied to the qmresources folder of Perception. For hotspot questions the graphics files are copied to the java folder within qmresources.

Resources (graphics files etc) must be named as follows:

When creating graphics files it’s a good idea to place them in folders named Resources and Java (see below). When incorporating them into a question graphics files are automatically copied into Perception’s own qmresources and java folders. If you have more than one attempt at authoring a question, reinserting the graphic, numbered copies of that file are made in these folders.

Graphics files can be .jpg or .gif. Hotspot question graphics must be .jpg files, but the marker is usually a .gif. Graphics file sizes are best at 10Kb or lower but up to 20Kb is acceptable. Files larger than this can be slow to download. The image sizes and file sizes can be altered in graphics software such as Paintshop Pro or Adobe Photoshop. To avoid scroll bars, image sizes up to 500 pixels width and 300 pixels height are recommended.

Eg

BRE_ELLIOTT.session

Eg

BRE_ELLIOTT_Test1Marketing

When constructing a session it’s best to organise the question into blocks of ten questions (taken from your question database). When the questions in this block have been answered and reviewed, the student submits the answers. Once the answers are submitted the student cannot change them. This reduces the possibility of losing results through crashing of the computer or network problems.

Presently forwarding can in two ways:

1. By e-mail to the administrator: caagroup@ulst.ac.uk

1. Using zipped files (preferred method)

(b) Using files separately attached to an e-mail (simple but clumsy!)

Forward the Session (Assessment) and the relevant Question database from which the questions were taken to the administrator as attachments to your e-mail which should have your login name and module code in the subject line. Any graphics files also have to be forwarded to the administrator but files in the qmresources folder and java folder have to be kept separate. In separate e-mails - with the subject: login name, module code, resources and login name, module code, java, attach respectively the correctly named (using the above convention) files from your qmresources folder and java folder within perception.

1. By floppy disc to the administrator.

Copy on to the floppy disc the Session database and the relevant Question database.

Create two folders named resources and java, on the floppy disk, and copy into them the relevant graphics files from your qmresources folder and java folder. Bear in mind that a graphics intensive test may not fit on to a single floppy disc.

In all cases the Author should specify (eg in the text of the e-mail) how the test is to be offered.

(1) When students results are not recorded (eg practice questions, tutorial problems for formative assessment). Students can log on to the Perception Server using the Guest Username. To do this go to: -

UserName : Guest

Password : Guest

N.B The User Name and Password are case sensitive.

The name of the session (test) will be prefaced by Author’s login name or initials (this helps students to locate a particular session within a list eg BRE Enzyme Test).

(2) Where student results are recorded (eg for coursework tests, summative assessment). The administrator needs a list of students names, their registration numbers, and their module codes (If the student records for the module are accurate, we only need the module code).

Tests can be delivered as follows by methods A-D

1. In a particular time slot for a student group – give date and time eg 23/05/02 from 14.15 to 16.15 (this is probably the best way for a supervised test – but allow a very generous time period). The first attempt by the student can be the valid test.
2. For a particular duration eg for 1 hour by any individual in a module at any time
3. At any time but with a single attempt by each individual within a student group (if the student leaves the test early by accident the student has to be rescheduled by the administrator).
4. Multiple attempts, any time for one or more attempts.

Students cannot commence their tests until they have been issued with a password.

Passwords can be issued in a number of ways eg

• On a slip of paper, in a supervised laboratory
• By email.

In addition the student needs to enter his/her registration number.

Tests can be offered in continuous format where the student scrolls from question to question or in question by question, where the student clicks on the question number to bring up the question. There is evidence to show that students prefer the question by question format.

The two standard UU templates are: -

Tests are best viewed in Internet Explorer. There is also a Perception Secure Browser (PSB) installed on some machines. The university has a site licence for PSB and this is the most suitable browser to use. The UU question by question template should be viewed in PSB otherwise the "submit" button will not appear.

Did you know you can try out a question, or session simply by pressing F5 on your keyboard?

Usually .gif files are smaller and best for graphics, thought this isn’t always the case and its worth comparing file sizes. However .jpeg are most convenient for hotspot questions. Inter-conversions between different file formats is exactly achieved with Paint Shop Pro.