Education for a Digital World Advice, Guidelines and Effective Practice from Around Globe, 2008a

14 – Assessment and Evaluation
linking from the quiz module to other files. JavaScript
can be used in this linking process to significantly enhance
quiz presentation.
There are five different types of quizzes in WebCT,
and one type, the short answer quiz, allows the student
to enter either a single word or a more complex longer
phrase as answer. The answers for these quizzes can be
parsed using RegularExpression coding. This means that
immaterial or trivial typing mistakes on the part of a
student, such as an extra space between words, can be
identified and will not be penalized. This reduces some
of the anxiety often experienced with online testing.
After discussing linking to files, I examine RegularExpression
coding in some detail.
THE WEBCT QUESTION DATABASE
There are five different types of WebCT questions:
• Multiple Choice: MC questions are of two types,
students are allowed to select either you or multiple
answers to a question. The following example only
demonstrates the one answer type.
• Matching: Students match items in relation to two
columns. This type of question uses a pull-down menu.
• Short Answer: Students enter a word, phrase or short
sentence, which is then matched against possible answers.
Short answer types of questions can use the
RegularExpression feature for evaluating answers
(more on this feature later).
• Paragraph: Students answer the question using a longer
essay-type format. The instructor or the teaching assistant
must grade this type of question manually.
226 Education for a Digital World