This lesson provides step-by-step guidance on creating an Multiple Binary Item using the NEW Item Bank. This item type is structured like a table, where each row after the header row functions as a "question", and each column, other than the first, represents an "answer choice". Multiple Binary items should be used with "answer choices" that are mutually exclusive. The "answer choices" hold a set of radio buttons with one correct answer. This article guides users through creating a Multiple Binary Item.
Before You Begin
Multiple Binary and Matching Table items are very similar. Consider the appropriate item type:
- Multiple Binary uses radio button where Matching Table uses checkboxes and both are formatted as a table with a minimum of 3 columns.
- For a Multiple Binary item, each "question" row holds a set of radio buttons with exactly one correct answer per row. For Matching Table items, each "question" row holds a set of check boxes with potentially more than one correct answer per row.
- Multiple Binary items should be used for answer choices that are mutually exclusive. Matching Table items should be used with answer choices that are not all mutually exclusive and may overlap.
If a Multiple Binary item type seems more appropriate, take a look at Create a Matching Table Item.
Where to Start
- Select Assessments.
- Select Browse Item Bank NEW.
Create a New Item
- Select Create Item at the top right hand side of the screen.
- Use the drop down menu to select Multiple Binary as the item type.
Multiple Binary Item
- Enter the Item Stem. The stem is the beginning part of an item. For a simple item like the example above, the stem might just tell the student to select True or False for each row. Often, however, the stem will include additional information that the student will need to consult to answer the question.
- Enter how many columns the item should have. The first column will represent the "question" and the others will be the "answer choices". 3 columns minimum.
- Enter a header for the first column. (Optional) If there is a natural category that describes all of the "questions", users may want to enter it here. For instance, “Statement”, “Number”, or “Shape”. If there isn’t a term that seems like a natural fit, leave the header blank.
- Enter an answer label for the remaining columns. It is best to keep these relatively concise using words such as True/False or Yes/No. These cannot be blank, and duplicates are not allowed.
- Enter a question into each "question" row. These are the "questions" that make up a Multiple Binary item and are typically things that need to be categorized into one of the "answer choices". These cannot be blank, and duplicates are not allowed.
- Use the radio buttons to select the correct "answer choice" for each question row.
- Use the trashcan to delete the question row.
- Use the 2-line icon to drag and re-order rows.
- Use Add Another Row to create a new row.
Users can include images in question rows. To do so, it is first necessary to use Settings to turn on Enable Images.
Drafted items are automatically saved.
Item Details
- To link a Passage to the item, select the Book icon.
- To link Standard(s) to the item, select the Three Pages icon.
- To add Tags to the item, select the Tag icon.
- Additional Settings are available to edit per item such as allowing a Enabling Images for question rows, Teacher Instructions, and Rationale.
Users must link at least 1 standard when creating an item. If attempting to publish an item without standards, an error message will appear asking for standards to be aligned before publishing again.
Item Preview
- Select Item Preview.
- Use the dropdown menu to preview the item from a Student or Instructor role.
- Select the check icon to Show or Hide Correct Answers.
- Use the Check Answers toggle to verify correct answers.
- Use the radio buttons to select an answer.
Correctly-selected answer choices will be colored green. Incorrectly-selected answer choices will be colored orange with the unselected correct answer colored orange as well.
Publish Item
- When the item is completed, select Done.
- Select Publish, to make the item available to use in an assessment.
- Select Save Draft, to save the item if it is not ready to be published.
- Select Discard, to delete the item.
Once items are Published, users can Lock, Edit, or Delete the item.
Next Steps
Now that you have created an Drawing Response item, learn about Creating a NEW Item Bank Assessment.