Note: With v2023.2.LTS, we released a new Math Question type that uses our revamped scoring engine. If using v2023.2.LTS, we recommend all new content be created with Math, instead of Cloze math, to take advantage of the new capabilities. To learn more, see related article.
Overview
The Cloze Math question allows students to easily enter math as a response, with advanced validation capabilities using math specific scoring methods. The student enters a math response into one or more response boxes, set by the author. These response boxes can be placed on more than one line, as part of an equation or inline with text.
Figure 1: Cloze math example.
Create a question
Enter the question stem in the Compose Question area. If you want to insert some math in the stimulus, you can use the Math Editor. Note that the student will not be able to interact with math entered this way. To access the Math Editor, click inside the Compose Question text area and select Math Editor from the Rich Text Editor toolbar (see Figure 2).
Figure 2: Math editor button in the rich text toolbar.
A new window with a keypad will pop up and you will be able to add a LaTeX or MathML expression.
Template Field
The Formula template area is used in Cloze Math questions to add text with response boxes. For each math equation you can either use the Insert Response button in the Rich Text Editor panel (see Figure 3), manually enter {{response}} or use the keyboard shortcut "__" (double underscore).
Figure 3: Insert response container button in the rich text toolbar.
Figure 4 shows what the Template area looks like for the Cloze question, with two response containers.
Figure 4: Template area.
Response Container Template Field
Under the "More options" dropdown, there is a Template field available for both the Response container (global) and Response container (individual) sections. Within the Global section, any content added to the Template field will affect all response boxes on the question. Within the Individual section, the Template field affects each response box individually.
The Template field can be used, for example, to make turn a response container into a fraction.
Figure 5: Setting up a fraction in the Template field for Container 1.
Figure 6: The changes made in the response container's template field will not be reflected in the question template field.
Figure 7: How this configuration will look in the question.
Validation
Insert a value in the Point(s) box to define a score for the question. The default value is 1.
Underneath the Point(s) area, you will see a Response sub-menu. The number of sub-menus will match the number of response containers in the question. Each sub-menu will be named after its relevant response box; Response 1, Response 2 , etc. depending on the number of containers. Validation will be set separately for each container.
Within each sub-menu, select the scoring method used for that container, and enter the correct response for that container in the Value field.
Figure 8: Validation for cloze math.
Each scoring method has additional options that allows authors to set more precise validation conditions. When you select a scoring method, all extra options will be displayed below the Value field. See details of the additional options available on each scoring method article.
More options: Scoring
- Unscored/Practice usage - Removes all scoring from the question.
- Penalty point(s) - The value entered here will be deducted from the student for an incorrect answer.
- Minimum score if attempted - Set attempt marks for the question, which will be awarded to the student even if their response is incorrect.
- Check answer button - Show or hide the check answer button from the student. The check answer button allows students to check if their answer is correct/incorrect. Clicking this button does not tell the student what the correct answer is.
- Check answer attempts - The value entered here refers to how many times the student can use the Check answer button, before it is automatically disabled.
Layout
- Transparent background - If this is enabled, the background of the response area will match the color of the page background.
- Response minimum width (px) - Enter, in pixels, the minimum width of the response area.
- Template font scale - This is referring to the content in the Template field only. It is set to Boosted by default, so it will appear slightly larger. You can change it to Normal, if you would like it to match the size of the rest of the question text.
- Response containers (global) and Response containers (individual) - Configure the Width and the Height, in pixels, for either all response containers (global), or for specified response containers (individual).
Keypad
- Type - Select from a Floating keypad, a Block keypad, a Block on focus keypad, or no keypad.
- Show keypad hints - Enable or disable hints on the keypad, such as keyboard shortcuts and symbol group titles that are shown on the top left corner of the keypad when hovering over a symbol group key.
- Enable horizontal keypad - this changes the keypad layout to a rectangular, 2 row, keypad. You can then customize this keypad by clicking on a button and either replacing it with another symbol or leaving it empty.
- Number pad - Customise the number pad in this section; change the order of the buttons, or remove some buttons.
- Symbols - Select what symbol groups will be shown to the student, or create custom symbol groups.
Text blocks
Use this option when you want to define a list of custom units (such as: g, kg, cm, oz, etc.) that will not be rendered as LaTeX when entered by the learner. This is useful if you do not want to penalize the learner because they didn't enter a unit of measurement next to a value.
See the dedicated Text Blocks article for more information.