Create an Explicit Constructed Response Item – DnA & ISE

This lesson provides step-by-step guidance on creating an Explicit Constructed Response Item in the Item Bank. This item type allows students to enter a response and is automatically scored when given online.

Where to Start

Select Assessments.
Select Browse Item Bank.

Create a New Item

The Create Item and Explicit Constructed Response item type buttons.

Select Create Item.
Use the dropdown menu to select Explicit Constructed Response as the item type.

Explicit Constructed Response Items

An example Explicit Constructed Response item in the Item Creation screen, with the Template textbox labeled as step 5, the text toolbar labeled as step 6, + Response Area labeled as step 7, the Response Area within the text labeled as step 8, the correct response under Define Alternates and Character Limits labeled as step 9, the Maximum length labeled as step 10, Add labeled as step 11, the alternate response text box labeled as step 12, and the trash can icon labeled as step 13.

Enter the text of the body of the item in the Define Template, Choices, and Correct Responses textbox.
The text toolbar appears while entering and editing text.
Place the cursor at the desired location and select + Response Area to insert an area that students will need to fill in. One or more Response Areas may be added.
Type the accepted response into the generated Response Area.
Accepted responses will appear in a list under Define Alternates and Character Limits.
Response Area Maximum length in characters is automatically populated based on the length of the typed accepted response. Use the up and down arrows to increase or decrease the number of characters allowed in the associated Response Area.
To add alternate accepted responses for the associated Response Area, select Add. Repeat as needed.
Type the alternate accepted response into the textbox.
Select the trash can icon to remove the alternate accepted response.

Drafted items are automatically saved.

Item Details

The item properties menus, with the Standards icon labeled as step 14, the Passage icon labeled as step 15, the Tags icon labeled as step 16, and the Properties menu labeled as step 17.

To link Standard(s) to the item, select the Three Pages icon.
To link a Passage to the item, select the Book icon.
To add Tags to the item, select the Tag icon.
Additional Settings are available to edit per item, such as Enabling/Disabling Teacher Instructions, Rationale, and Student Spellcheck.

Item Preview

Select Item Preview to see a preview.
You can select to preview the item from a Student or Instructor Role.
Test the item by typing a response into the Response Area(s).
Select Check Answers to verify the answer key. Correct responses will be outlined in green, and incorrect responses in orange.

Publish Item

The Done dropdown menu, with the Done button labeled as step 22, Publish labeled as step 23, Save Draft labeled as step 24, and Discard labeled as step 25.

When you've completed creating/editing your item, select Done.
To make your item available to use in an assessment, select Publish.
To save an item that isn't ready to be published, select Save Draft.
To delete the item, select Discard.

Once items are Published, they can be Locked, Edited, or Deleted.

Next Steps

Now that you have created an Explicit Constructed Response item, learn about Creating an Item Bank Assessment.