This lesson provides step-by-step guidance on creating an Matching Table Item using the NEW Item Bank. This item type is structured as a table, where each row after the header row functions as a "question", and each column other than the first represents an "answer choice". Matching Table items are best used when creating an item with "answer choices" that are not be mutually exclusive. The "answer choices" hold a set of checkboxes with at least one correct "answer choice" for each question row and it is recommended that there be at least one row with more than one correct "answer". This article guides users on creating a Matching Table Item.
Before You Begin
Consider the appropriate item type:
Matching Table and Multiple Binary items are very similar. Matching Table uses checkboxes where Multiple Binary uses radio button and both are formatted as a table with a minimum of 3 columns.
For Matching Table items, each "question" row holds a set of check boxes with potentially more than one correct answer per row. For a Multiple Binary item, each "question" row holds a set of radio buttons with exactly one correct answer per row.
Matching Table items should be used with answer choices that are not all mutually exclusive and may overlap. Multiple Binary items should be used for answer choices that are mutually exclusive.
If a Multiple Binary item type seems more appropriate, take a look at Create a Multiple Binary 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 Matching Table as the item type.
Matching Table
- 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 check all the statements that are true 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 "answer" labels for the remaining columns. It is best to keep these relatively concise statements such as, "Is.." "Is not..." or "Is neither...". These cannot be blank, and duplicates are not allowed.
- Enter a question into each "question row". These are the questions that make up a Matching Table item. These cannot be blank, and duplicates are not allowed.
- Use the checkboxes to select the correct "answer" for each question row. At least one correct "answer" must be defined for each question row.
- Use the 2 line icon to drag and re-order rows.
- Use the trashcan to delete the question row.
- Use Add Another Row to create a new row.
For any question rows where no answer choice is correct, create a none of the above answer choice column, such as “Neither a Multiple Nor a Factor of 4” in the above example.
Users can include images in question rows. To do so, it is first necessary to use Settings to turn on Enable Images.
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.
- Use the Check Answers toggle to verify correct answers.
- Select the check icon to Show or Hide Correct Answers.
- Use the checkboxes 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.