How to create an exam in Blackboard

You can create an exam for Blackboard in a variety of ways.  You can create questions directly in Blackboard, create them off line in Word or Excel and upload them, use a Publisher's test bank (zip file),  or use the Respondus 4.0  test maker to create  exams, set options, and upload them to Blackboard.  Each of these is described below.

Creating an Exam in Blackboard:
There are a few steps in creating the exam that include (a) creating the template (also called the Test Canvas Page or the shell for the exam), (b) entering questions into the template, and (c) setting options to deploy the exam.

The videos below walk you through these steps (though not necessarily in that order).


Note that some of these videos talk about the “original” Blackboard vs. “Ultra.”  We have the original so you can ignore references to Ultra.

 
1.      How to create a test in Blackboard:

Click on the following for a Blackboard help page called “Create Tests and Surveys.”
 If you have never created Blackboard Test before, you might skim it to get a sense of what needs to be done.  However, I think the videos below provide a clearer walk-though of the process.

https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Instructor/Tests_Pools_Surveys/Create_Tests_and_Surveys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hms51SQtYzY&feature=youtu.be  (1:41)
o   This shows how to create the test template and says you can create questions.  It does not explain how to do that very well.  The next section of this guide does that.
o   The video assumes that you have entered questions, and then goes on to explain how to “deploy” it to the Blackboard location (e.g., Folder) that you want to hold the test.
o   As you choose where to deploy the text, you can also set its options (which can also be set or modified later).
o   Options include:
o  This Overview DOES NOT talk about how to set the test up for online Proctoring.  Proctorio is covered elsewhere.
 
o   It also discusses a bit about setting “exceptions” to the test (e.g., a student needs more time on the exam or on some other dates).
o   It provides GOOD information on the Feedback choices.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2M4P6VHbP0  (14:19)

2.    
How to create Test QUESTIONS:

You can create test questions directly in Blackboard or create them offline and then upload them, using a text file or Excel, a zip file from a publisher, or a modified Word document.


a.  First, let’s look at how to
create test questions in Blackboard:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE-_N3ai3YI (5:17) this example uses Multiple Choice questions and it  ALSO shows you how to set options and “deploy” the test.
o   This video suggests that you choose Open Test in New Browser.  I DO NOT choose that option.
o   This video suggests choosing Randomize Order.  I don’t do that, you can try it.
o   This also shows you the exam in the Grade Book.

And  another version of creating test questions in Blackboard (this one uses
fill-in-the-blank as the example)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlhr2i8I7eE (10:06)

b.  Alternatively, you can
create questions “offline” and then upload them to Blackboard. 
MC      Which ocean is the warmest?    Atlantic       correct Pacific        incorrect      Arctic  incorrect
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi4H9eCNFgI  (2:24)

c.  IF you have a test
from a publisher in a .zip file, you can import that:
d.  If you already have a test created in Word, you can do a little editing, upload it to a test generator (https://resources.online.nwtc.edu/blackboard/test-generator/#), and upload the generated file to Blackboard. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=415r8weLe1U (9:56)

3.     
 Creating
RANDOM BLOCKS of questions in a Blackboard test

Random Blocks are created from Question Pools.  You might use one pool with (for example) 50 questions in it and then have Blackboard choose 5 questions randomly for each test taker.  OR, you might have one pool of Lecture questions and a different pool of Text Book questions and then randomly choose 5 from the Lecture pool and 10 from the Text Book pool (or whatever):

4.  You can use "Respondus Campus" to create or edits exams, settings, random blocks and upload them to Blackboard.

Kent State has a license for Respondus 4.0 (Respondus Campus), which is a tool for creating and managing exams that can be printed to paper or published directly to Blackboard.

To download Respondus Campus and obtain the license password needed to install it:

  1. Log into software.kent.edu with your KSU  FlashLine credentials
  2. Locate Respondus Campus-Wide version 4 on the software list
  3. Click on Requested or Purchased Software
  4. Click on View Details
  5. On the window that pops up, scroll to the bottom and click on Request Software for the download link and license information to appear
  6. Follow the steps listed in the popup window
 If Respondus Campus-Wide version 4 is not on the software list or any issues are encountered downloading it, submit a support ticket or contact the Help Desk at 330-672-HELP(4357)

Video Tutorials  source:  https://web.respondus.com/he/respondus/resources/ 

The following demonstration videos are available for Respondus 4.0. These videos are also available on the Respondus YouTube channel..