Web Quizzes: Brief Notes

Hi! My name is Dan Hohensee and this web page is an introduction to a 'javascript application' I developed for quizzing on a web browser. I am currently at Lincoln Southeast High School where I teach calculus, computer programming, and web page programming.

I first developed this program in the spring of 1996(?) in one of Dr. Brooks classes at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Unfortunately, recent changes in my teaching assignment have not allowed me to take full advantage of this application. However, I still believe it has great potential for students and teachers and I am continuing in my efforts make it more user friendly.

The true advantage to this application is that all processes are done by javascript on the client-side computer. Therefore no cgi scripts are required and there is probably no need to bother the web administrator.

In its present form, this application enables teachers to develop a 'database' of quiz/review questions with corresponding hints for each question. Any student can then access the teacher's web site to take randomly generated quizzes over the internet (a simple encryption technique 'hides' the html coded questions from the student). The teacher is also able to create printed tests from their database.


One thing to note, this application really works best on Netscape 3.0 or higher.
At least that has been the design platform!

Preview the Application!
What You NEED!
Caution about SERVERS!
Web Quizzer's Programmer!




Preview the Application!

Take The Sample Quiz!

The "START" screen you will see at the beginning is the same screen your students will see when they enter your test sight.

The "Suggested Settings" are really important if the quiz is to be readable.

An ideal situation would also include setting the monitor resolution to "800 x 600" or some other higher resolution.

PRINT a test!

At the NAME PROMPT, type in
prinTTest

This feature allows a teacher to create a written test from an existing test file 'database'.

Not only does the test have the same randomize options of the "on-line" version, but the final written version will include
  • The image associated with the question.
  • (Option) The html file NAME associated with the question. This way if an html file were vital to answering the question, the student could have a hard copy of the html file to reference.
  • (Option) The MAIN hints listed with the question.
READ the INSTRUCTIONS FIRST!!

WRITE new questions!

INSTRUCTIONS!

These step-by-step instructions will produce the best results when building new quizzes. There is also a HELP html available while writing new questions! The DUPLICATE step may be the most important one. This allows you to keep an intact template to make it easier to create new tests!

  • DUPLICATE the "MCTemplate" Folder in the "MCQuizzes" Folder and rename the FOLDER to identify the test you're creating.
  • OPEN your html editor application.
  • In the html editor, OPEN the "MCQuiz.htm" in the new folder. Find the place to dump in questions and mark that spot.
  • Go back to NETSCAPE and run "Build.htm" program. It's in the "Build_Other" folder.
  • CAREFULLY type in questions and check out all the options. Press the "STORE" button after you complete each question.
  • When you're ready to dump the questions into the "MCQuiz.htm" file, just follow the instructions at the bottom of the BUILD window. It's basically three-step process: Highlight, Copy, Paste.
  • One last option in the BUILD program is to "Print a Summary" of the questions you have entered.
    This option is strongly recommended since the new questions in the "MCQuiz.htm" file will be encrypted.
    This printout will be your only hardcopy of the questions in the quiz file (unless you print a sequential test from using the PRINT test option).
  • Go back to the html editor and SAVE your new "MCQuiz.htm" file. Do NOT change it's name.
  • From the html editor, go into the "QuizList.htm" file and add the test name and the new folder location of your new test. Just follow the instructions at the TOP of the "QuizList.htm" file.

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What You Will Eventually Need!

Get a decent html editor.
BBEdit Lite is FREEware for the Mac
and is my editor of choice.
Just go to Barebones and get a copy.
Get FLASH-IT (a screen capture app -- Mac).
Great way to capture graphics as you create quizzes.
Should Be Flash-It!
Shareware @ $15! (Used to be Freeware?!)

You will need something like "GIF Converter" or "Photoshop" to convert these captured images to .gif's or .jpg's.
To really use the e-mail feature,
you will eventually need MailTo Tamer.
It is MAC specific and I'm not aware of a PC version.
Should be MailTo Tamer Download Site
Shareware -- cost you $7.

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On A Server

If you're going to put anything on a server
(I'm not sure it's ready for that quite yet), some files MUST BE LOCKED!

The files/folders which the public should not be allowed access to are:
Build_Other Folder
ZLockedMCJs in the MCQuizs Folder.


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For more info about Web Quizzer,
e-mail Dan Hohensee at dhohen@lps.org

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ing like "GIF Converter" or "Photoshop" to convert these captured images to .gif's or .jpg's. To really use the e-mail feature, you will eventually need MailTo Tamer. It is MAC specific and I'm not aware of a PC version. [Image] Should be MailTo Tamer Download Site Shareware -- cost you $7. Back to Top! --------------------------------------------------------------------- On A Server If you're going to put anything on a server (I'm not sure it's ready for that quite yet), some files MUST BE LOCKED! The files/folders which the public should not be allowed access to are: Build_Other Folder ZLockedMCJs in the MCQuizs Folder. Back to Top! --------------------------------------------------------------------- For more info about Web Quizzer, e-mail Dan Hohensee at dhohen@lps.org Back to Top!