http://www.ideaplace.org/TheTesterDemoHTML/TheTesterDemo.html.
Bolton offers two help files which explain how to create tests using his application. They are
How to Compose the Test Text File and
He has added additional features to the application which are explained in the following section.
Do not Randomize
The Tester automatically randomizes the questions and the multiple choice answer options each time that the test is given. If you wish to disable this feature, read this section.
To use the Do not Randomize feature, you add NoRand to your test right after the title, setting it off with a single hash mark:
My Test Title#NoRand
*question one
#~etc.
#etc.
#etc.
It's not case sensitive (nOrAnD = norand), but it might be best to avoid putting in extra spaces, even though I believe it shouldn't matter if you do. I just don't want to tempt the computer gods.
The moveable paragraph
The moveable paragraph feature enables you to insert a pop up window at the beginning of your test. It could be used for giving instructions, showing a model and so forth.
The Moveable Paragraph notation goes after the test title or after the NoRand, and is set off with a hash mark and delimited with the word "dialog":
My Test Title#NoRand#dialog
This is my moveable paragraph, in which I'm wondering if moveable is spelled with that 'e' in the middle or without. But 'movable' just doesn't look right. (Dang! I asked my wife, and it IS spelled without that 'e')
*question one
#~etc
#etc.
#etc.
At the end of each line you must put in a return (after 'is', 'just' and 'spelled') or the entire paragraph will be one long line.
Speaking of putting in returns, you may have discovered the PC bug in which test questions will also be one long line if you don't physically put in a return at the end of each line. Unlike the Mac, which will automatically word-wrap java text areas.
After you've played with it awhile, let me know if there's anything that I overlooked, or if you come up with further ideas for improvement.
Multiple correct answers
This version also allows questions with multiple correct answers, which can be mixed in with single-answer questions. To allow for multiple correct answers with multiple choice questions, add a tilde after the hash mark to indicate each correct answer:
*Which foods are fun to eat?
#blueberry pie
#pizza
#mint chocolate chip ice cream
#~liver and onions
#~spinach
#~chicken gizzards
(I've got strange tastes; db)
I have added my own observations to several of David Bolton's pages, adding comments to the files
These comments become visible if you view the source code for the two files. To do so, click on either of these links while running Netscape, Opera, Internet Explorer or other graphical browser. When the file opens, with the left mouse button, select View, (Page) Source from the options bar at the top of these browsers. That will reveal the html coding for setting up the page as well as my comments.
I provide this information as a supplement to that information already provided by David Bolton. Those persons interested in using The Tester should always check
to make sure that they have the most up to date information.
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