Homework, Quiz, and Test Problems
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Online Problems Database
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All problems from the eCourses database
are multiple choice
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Problems are an integral part on any engineering
course. Similar to a traditional engineering course that uses a printed
textbook, eCourses has an online database of problems that can be assigned
for homework, quizzes, tests and examples. The problems are multiple choice
and are organized to correlate chapters and sections of the eBook.
The due date for each problem set (homework, quizzes, etc.) are set by
the instructor. After the problems are submitted by the students, eCourses
will grade and release the solutions at the date and time that has been
set by the instructor.
Other features that are controlled by each instructor include randomization
of the problem order for each student, log files of all problem set access,
special password for quiz and test access, changing points deducted for
problem in each problem set, and graphs of score distribution.
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Viewing and Submitting Problem Sets - Students
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Schedule table for a typical problem set
(homework,
quiz, test, or example)

Submission page for problem sets
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After the instructor creates a problem set (homework, test or quiz)
the students can view and submit the problem set anytime after the "Posting
Date" (set by instructor). After the "Due Date", the problems
can still be submitted but additional points may be deducted (depends
on the instructor). However, after the "Solution Posting Date",
the problem set cannot be submitted.
To submit a problem set (expect for examples which cannot be submitted),
click the "Submit the answers for grading" button at the bottom
of the web page. The system will record the student's choice for each
question. If a question is left blank, then no choice is recorded. When
the problem set is accessed latter, the system will return the last submitted
choices.
Please note, each submission overwrites
the previous submission and thus only one submission is stored in the
database.
After submitting the problem set, you can check what your submitted by
clicking the "Review Submission" radio button and then clicking
the "Display Problems" button. Whatever is displayed in this
section is what the computer thinks you submitted. If you feel that your
submission was recorded incorrectly, please resubmit or see your instructor
immediately. |
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Viewing and Submitting Problem Sets - Instructors
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Typical solution page (only partially shown)
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The instructor can view all problem sets that have been created at
any time. The instructor does not have to wait for the "Posting Date"
to view the problems. This allows you to check the problems before the
students can access them.
You will also note that as an instructor, you will not have a submit
button. It is assumed that the instructor account is for checking problems
only and will not be graded by the system. Thus, submission of problem
sets are not allowed by the instructor. |
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Viewing Solutions - Students
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The students can view the full solution of any problem
set after the "Solution Posting Date". However, the instructor
can view the solutions at anytime. The solutions are fully worked out
problems with graphics. If a student tries to view a problem set before
the posting date, the system will tell the student to check back later.
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Viewing Scores - Students
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Score summary page |
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In addition to the worked out solutions, students can also check their
score over the web. Individual problem set scores can be accessed by clicking
on the "See Scores" through the main menu (example of the page
is shown on the left). Each problem set is listed with the score and a
possible note. The instructor can edit and change individual scores and
add a comment in the Notes field.
Additional details about the score can be accessed by clicking on the
problem set label (HW 1, QZ 1, etc). Individual problem set report (see
below) gives both the correct answer and the submitted answer.

Individual score report page
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Distribution graph of student's result for a
problem set |
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Score Graphics - Instructor
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There are also a number of graphs that chart the scores of
individual problem sets and the the class overall grades. They allow both
the student and instructor to visually see how the class has performed on
a given problem set. Instructors can also check to see how many students
correctly answered a given questions on a particular problem set. |
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Problem management screen

Listing of online database problems
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Setting up Problem Sets - Instructor
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An instructor can set up a new homework, quiz, test or problem set
by first going to the "Admin Menu" (click link at the bottom
of the main menu) and then clicking on the type of data set desired. There
are four types of problem sets, homework, quiz, test and examples. All
types are managed the same way. For illustration purposes, the quiz problem
set will be used as shown on the left.
The first step is to set up a new problem set by clicking the "Add"
button. The problem set can then be edited (problems added or deleted)
by selecting the "Edit Quiz Set" and clicking on the "Proceed"
button. Remember to select the quiz number that you want to edit. The
other options in the list will be explained in the sections that follow.
After the clicking the "Proceed" button, a three-part frame
will appear on the right side of the web page. These three parts include
a column listing of all problem sections, an area for problems, and a
listing of current selected problems.
To add problems, first select the chapter and section for either hard
or easy problems. This will bring up a selection of possible problems
to choose from. If you want to add a problem to the problem set, simply
click the "Add this question" button. The selected problem will
be added to the list of problems in the lower right corner. Once problem
has been selected, that problem cannot be selected again for another problem
set. This prevents you from using a problem twice.
The solution to any problem can also be viewed at this time by clicking
on the "View solution" link. This allows the instructor to preview
the problem before actually assigning it.
Problems can be removed from the problem set by clicking on the check
box beside each problem and then clicking on the "Delete" button.
The problem can be added again later. |
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Problem Set Schedule - Instructor
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After a problem set has been created, the schedule can be edited by
choosing the "Edit Quiz Schedule" radio button and clicking
on the "Proceed" button. The schedule setup screen that appears
has three dates that can be set (see below). The first one is when the
students will be able to view the problem set. The second one is when
it is due. The last date is when the solution will be open to the students
to view.
The system will delete points if submitted after the due date. The amount
of points deducted can be set by the instructor in the "Add/Delete
Additional Points" screen.
The "delay" is the number of minutes the system will allow
a late submission past the due time. This is useful to allow a couple
of minutes in case there are computer or network problems. |
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Problem schedule setup screen |
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Local Password & IP Check - Instructor
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Problem Randomization - Instructor
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To increase security for quizzes and tests, the instructor
can set a local password that must be used to start a test or quiz. This
is in addition to the normal login password to enter the class web site.
This local password is good for only a single test or quiz. This is useful
when all students are at one location to take a test. The local password
can be given to all students in the room but friends or other students
outside the room cannot see the test.
The second security feature is the ability to set IP number ranges that
can see the exam. To use this feature you will need to know what IP number
are used in the room or building. You can set more than one IP subnet
that can access the test or quiz. This feature is useful if there is
a need to restrict access to a group of computers, such as in a lab. |
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Each problem set can have both the problem order and problem answer
randomized. These options can be turned on and off before the problem
set is released. After the date and time the problem set is released to
the students, these options cannot be changed. The default setting is
off.
The random problem order option gives each student the same problems
but in a different order. The random answer order option presents both
the right and wrong answers in a different order for different students.
In addition to randomization, a third option turns on a fifth answer
choice, "none of the above" for all problems in the problem
sets. This means that there are five choices instead of the standard four.
The system will randomly choose which questions will have the "e)
none of the above" answer as the correct one. The default setting
is off. |
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Points can be added and deducted to each problem
set |
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Add/Delete Additional Points - Instructor
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Each problem set score can be changed by the instructor
in the "Add/Delete Additional Points" screen. This is also where
the instructor can change the number of points that are deducted for a
wrong answer for each problem set. The late penalty is the number of points
that are deducted in addition to any wrong answers if the submission was
after the due date but before the solution release date. The defaults
are 8 points deducted for wrong answers and 20 points for late submission.
After the problem set has been graded, points can be added or deducted
to the score of all students. A note can also be added that the student
will see. This will let the students know why points were added or deleted.
Note, this effects all students. If you want to change the score of an
just one student, that must be done in the "Account" section
of the "Admin Menu". |
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Student Submission Log File - Instructor
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The instructor can view the log file of all submissions by students.
This screen lists every time any student submitted the problem set, even
if it is submitted after the due date. The log file will let the instructor
know the time and IP location of the submission. Log file information
can also be viewed through the "Account" section for a given
student. |
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Listing of online database problems |
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Summary of Problems Used - Instructor
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Deleting Problem Sets - Instructor
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The instructors can list all problems used in a class by
accessing the "Summary List" in the "Admin Menu". This
simply lists all problem numbers used. It can be printed and saved for
reference later. This is useful if you plan to assign different problems
to another class. |
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Any problem set can be deleted at any time, even after grading. Please
be very careful about deleting assignments after the students have submitted
their answers. When the problem set is submitted, all student submissions
are also deleted. They cannot be retrieved. |
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Uploading new problems - Instructor
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Form to upload new problems |
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The instructors develop and upload their own problems
by clicking on the "Add/Delete Problem" link in the Admin Menu. The problem
that is uploaded is only for that class and is not shared with other
classes. You can remove the problem at any time.
The form used to upload the problem is shown at the left. The instructions
on how to upload it is given on the form. Basically, three graphics need
to be uploaded. These graphics need to be developed outside of eCourses
using a drawing tool like Illustrator, Freehand, Canvas, or Corel Draw.
Photoshop can also be used, but is difficult. It is easier and better
to use a drawing program and not a pain program.
The three graphics are, 1) question diagram, 2) solution diagram, and
3) solution steps. The solution steps is a graphic and not text since
you may need to use equation like integrals, fractions, etc. that cannot
be done in HTML.
The graphics are uploaded by typing the location of the graphic file
(gif or jgp format) or browsing to their location.
The problems will appear in the database just like all the other problems
under the "individual" link at the bottom of the chapter listing. |
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