How do I write my own questions?

Learn to use the simple editor to make questions that you can add to any assignment.

You can now create your own Derivita questions using the Simplified Question Editor right from within Assignment Assembly. The questions can then be easily added to any of your Derivita assignments.

The tutorial video below shows how to use the Simplified Question Editor including writing the question prompt, creating the worked solution, and checking your answer to make sure the question is behaving as expected. You can also select the toolbar type (Default, Elementary, Middle School, Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, or Calculus) based on the input type and question you are creating.

The questions will be auto-graded (unless it is a free response/math essay question - more on that below) and you can even include a worked solution. You also have the ability to embed images, links, and YouTube videos to both the question prompt as well as the worked solution.

Responses Include Expressions, Intervals, Lists, Matrices, Odds, Multiple Choice, and Free Response/Math Essay Questions

When writing your question, you can choose the input type for your answer including

• an expression,
• an interval,
• a list,
• a matrix,
• odds,
• multiple-choice,
• or a math essay/free response.

With the essay input, you can even ask students to upload an image as their answer or draw/write directly within the answer box using the whiteboard.

Within the Answer prompt, click the dropdown arrow next to "Input Type" to select which response type you would like.

Notice that depending on which type of input you select, the input box within the question prompt will update.

The toolbar will also update for students depending on the input type.

You can also double-check the correct answer (and what is accepted) by clicking the "CHECK" button after entering the correct answer in the Answer Prompt.

You can also double-check the correct answer (and what is accepted) by clicking the "CHECK" button after inputting the correct answer in the Answer Prompt.

Select the Toolbar Type

You can also select the Toolbar Type based on the input type and the question you are creating. You can choose between:

• Default
• Elementary
• Middle School
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Algebra
• Calculus

To see what is included within each of the Toolbar Types, simply click into the prompt box on the gray line as if you were going to answer the problem as a student. The toolbar will appear and you will be able to see what is included within each type.

Adjust the Strictness of Accepted Answers

When entering in the correct answer for your question, you can now select the strictness level for the accepted answers. You can choose between:

• Equivalent: accepts algebraically equivalent answers (least strict)
• Intermediate: performs basic simplification of constants and normalizes operators
• Exact: accepts only answers that are exactly the same with the exception of parentheses (most strict)

When choosing the level of strictness, you will see examples of accepted answers (as seen below) so that you can determine exactly what level you would like for your question.

Creating Multiple-Choice Questions

By selecting "Multiple Choice" within the Input Type, you can create a multiple-choice question with as many options for the answer as you would like. When you select the Multiple Choice input, by default you will see four options for the answer.

You can delete an option by clicking the trash can symbol in the Answer portion or you can add an option by clicking the "ADD OPTION" button. You can also choose to shuffle the multiple choice options and can add images, text formatting, and math expressions to the answer options. Learn how to add images and math expressions to the multiple choice options here:

How do I create multiple choice questions? | Derivita Support Center

To have the multiple choice options show up in the question prompt, type them into the Answer portion. You will then see them show up within the question prompt. Make sure to select which option is the correct answer.

Creating Free Response/Math Essay Questions

By selecting "Essay" within the Input Type, your student will be expected to provide a free response/math essay as the answer.

You can also ask your students to upload an image of their answer.

Please note: These types of questions are not auto-graded, so you will need to go into the student assignment to manually grade them. 

Optional - Add Explanation/Feedback, Depth of Knowledge Level, and Notes

You have the option to add an explanation/feedback to the question and can choose to include images, videos, and links. Your students will see this once they have exhausted all attempts on the problem. 

You also have the option to add the Depth of Knowledge Level and notes to your question. 

Save your Question and Add to any Assignment

Once you have finished creating your question, make sure to click "Save" in the upper right hand corner. 

You will then be taken directly to your "My Questions" book where the question has been saved. The question will automatically be selected so you can use it in an assignment or quickly save it to do a SpotCheck with your students.