Respondus (All Respondus Tutorials: http://www.respondus.com) is a powerful software application that enhances the functionality and usability of D2L's quiz, survey, and self-test tools. Create and manage exams that can be printed to paper or published directly to D2L. Exams area created offline in a familiar Windows environment and the software provides many time-saving tools, such as the ability to import existing exams from word processor files, providing seamless synchronization of print-based and online exams. Whether you are a "power user" of D2L or a relatively new user, Respondus can save you hours on each assessment or survey project. Macintosh users can run Respondus using Windows emulation software such as Microsoft Virtual PC.
Respondus 3.5 offers new importing features and dozens of other enhancements. A key feature allows the importing of questions with embedded images from a MS Word file.
Authoring
- Create exams and assessments offline using a Windows interface
- Supports up to 15 question types, including calculated and algorithmic formats.
- Import questions from MS Word (including embedded images), rich-text, QTI and tab/comma delimited formats
- Use the Exam Wizard to create an assessment in minutes
- "Spell check" an entire exam file (includes dictionaries for American English, Canadian English, British English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Finnish, and a comprehensive medical dictionary)
- Add tables, bulleted lists, font changes, and enhanced formatting (e.g. bold, italics) just like in a word processor
- Insert mathematical and scientific symbols using the Respondus Equation Editor or MathType
- Embed graphics, audio, and video without writing or viewing the underlying HTML
- Resize graphics and convert them to JPEG format with one click
- Add links to multimedia content on other servers with the Web Links tool
- Create random sets of questions in seconds with a one-step wizard
Preview, Publish, and Printing
- Preview questions before publishing them to the server
- Publish exams and assessments directly to an online course (media files are automatically uploaded)
- A “batch publish” feature allows assessments and surveys to be published to multiple courses in a single step
- Determine point values and exam settings offline
- Print exams/surveys directly from Respondus, or save files to MS Word or rich-text format
Retrieval, Reports, and Tools
- Retrieve exams from D2L, complete with media files
- Retrieve custom reports, such as student scores, summary statistics, and answer distributions
- Download answer databases for quizzes or surveys and save them in an Excel-compatible format
- Archive and restore exam/survey projects (including media content) with one click — ideal for providing a colleague with a ready-to-use exam
- Quickly locate questions using keyword searches
You must be a registered user to download Respondus. Click here to register or login.
StudyMate is an authoring tool that lets you create ten Flash-based activities and games using three simple templates. The Flash activities are usable with any web server or can be published directly to D2L courses. StudyMate will import items from MS Word files or the Respondus Test Bank Network, making it easy to create interesting, interactive activities from existing content. Macintosh users can run StudyMate using Windows emulation software such as Microsoft Virtual PC. The Respondus Test Bank Network contains test banks for the leading textbooks in higher education. The test banks are in Respondus format and can be downloaded for free by instructors who adopt a participating textbook.
There are many new features and enhancements in StudyMate 2.0. The most notable features are as follows:
iPod ActivitiesThe Publish Wizard has an option for generating files compatible with iPods and other "Small Screen Devices". When this option is selected, an extra download link will appear to students allowing them to download an iPod-compatible file that includes custom versions of the Fact Cards, Flash Cards, and Multiple Choice activities.
Calculated Question Template
A “Calculated Question” template has been added to the Edit menu in StudyMate. This question type allows the creation of algorithmic questions, such as “A train is traveling at {X} miles per hour for {Y} hours…”. Random numeric values are generated within the question wording, giving students a new question each time the Flash object is started. Items created with the Calculated Question template can be used with the “Quiz” and “Challenge” activities.
Embedded Audio Clips
Previous versions of StudyMate only allow linking to an audio file that is stored on another server. Now it’s possible to add audio clips (MP3, WAV) to the Flash activity itself. If you teach a foreign language course, this feature is for you!
SCORM Enhancements
SCORM objects created with previous versions of StudyMate can generate a grade, but only from the “Quiz” activity. Instructors can now choose any StudyMate activity (such as Crosswords or Pick-A-Letter) for passing a grade from the SCORM object to the gradebook.
Rapid Authoring
Do you ever find yourself entering the same basic information across the three StudyMate templates (Multiple Choice, One Answer, No Answer) so that the item will appear in all 10 activities and games? A new option on the Edit menu streamlines this process so the main information only has to be entered once.
SWF Collection
The Publish Wizard offers a new output option called “SWF Collection”. This feature allows the creation of a Flash activity that doesn’t require an accompanying HTML page to launch it. This is an advanced feature for users who want to create a StudyMate activity that will be incorporated into another Flash project or within a different set of HTML pages.
You must be a registered user to download StudyMate. Click here to register or login.