Matching item

DEMO for this item type

A Matching item asks participants to match elements in the first column with elements in the second column. This type of item can offer from 2 to 30 pairs to match; however, keep in mind that if there are too many pairs to match, the exercise might become difficult for some participants. A pair of elements can be in either text or image format, or a combination of both, such as images in one column that have to be associated with text in the other column.

At the top and bottom of the page, you can use the Save button to save the information you have entered, Cancel if you choose not to save the new information, and Preview to see how the item will appear when published. This last command allows you to see the item exactly as it will appear to participants.

Note that when you add an item to the library of a given project for which you have invited people to collaborate with you, this item will also be available for them to consult or modify as needed. In addition, if one of the collaborators modifies an item, the modified version of the item will appear in all of the questionnaires and assessments that use this item.

Three tabs are used to define the item: Content, Add-ons and Parameters.

CONTENT OF A MATCHING ITEM

The Content tab is used to define what makes up the item. By default, a Matching item contains two pairs of elements.

Item title

The item title is the same as the question title. This is the title displayed for participants and in the Title column in the list of items.

Item type

The item type is Matching.

Question text

Write the instruction that will be shown to participants. Use the editing tools as needed.

Element and Associated element

A matching item must include at least two pairs of elements. To add a new pair, click on the + button to the right of the last element. Click on the x button to remove a pair.

Select the file type for the element and the file type of its associated element. For Text elements, write your text in the input field for each element. Use the editing tools as needed. For Image elements, you can use an image file from your library (see how) or import a new file from another source (see how).

Feedback

Enter the text for the corresponding feedback.

NOTE: The feedback fields should be used to give a meaningful explanation or feedback other than Correct answer or Incorrect answer, because this general feedback is given automatically upon validation. You are not required to write feedback, but it is worth the effort because it adds to the teaching potential of the questions.

ADD-ONS FOR A MATCHING ITEM

The Add-ons tab allows you to add complementary information to the item.

Add-ons 1 and 2

Enter complementary information related to the question. Use the editing tools as needed. For example, you could give clues to help participants better understand.

Media in the header

The header of an item can contain one or more media files. Add a title and descriptive text to the media files (optional). Use the editing tools as needed.

Use the commands Add image file, Add audio file or Add video file to choose the media file or files for the header. You can use a file that is already saved in your library (see how), or you can import a new file from another source (see how).

PARAMETERS FOR A MATCHING ITEM

The Parameters tab allows you to define the specific attributes for this item type.

Category

An item can belong to a category or not. To associate an item with an existing category, choose a category from the drop-down menu. To associate an item with a new category, write a name for the category in the Add a new category field as needed. The new category will be created at the same time as the new item and will be added to the library under My categories.

Item parameters

  • Weighting: Enter the number of points given to the question.
  • Display correct answer: Choose whether or not to show the correct answer to participants once they validate their answer. Note that the option that displays the correct answer will be automatically deactivated in the case of a summative assessment.
  • Elements label: Choose the type of label that will be displayed to the left of each choice in the published questionnaire. Your options are numeric, alphabetic or none.

General messages in the questionnaire language

The general messages appear when participants decide to validate their answers. By default, a Correct answer is marked in green, an Incorrect answer is marked in red, and a Partial answer is marked in orange. However, you can provide different messages when creating the item by clicking on Modify values for this item only. 
 
In order to add an image, a video or an audio file to a message, you can use a file that is already saved in your library (see how), or you can import a new file from another source (see how).

Note

Notes can help you manage the content or work in collaboration with a colleague and items that are marked “To be reviewed”, “To be completed”, “Check copyrights”, etc.). Its content does not appear in the published assessments.