[ARCHIVED] Quiz and Exam Import

[gary_molloy]

I have many resources for quizzes and exams and would like to import them into Canvas. Most are currently in Word.

The import function calls for documents consistent with the IMS QTI format.

What is the most time efficient way to import pre-existing quizzes into Canvas?

Is the a tool to convert from Word to IMS QTU format?

[Chris_Hofer · Accepted solution]

One option available for you, if you have the software, is Respondus.  in short, you design your files (Word docs, text files, RTFs) following a certain format, and then you upload that file into Respondus.  Then, within the Respondus software, you connect that to Canvas to import the questions into your course.  Basically, you are batch-uploading your quiz questions into Canvas so that you don't have to create each question one at a time.  Here is a website with more information on the product: Respondus 4.0: Exam Authoring Tool

[BradMoser · Accepted solution]

I would love to have access to Respondus however, we currently do not. Is there some directions on how to create QTI files without having to use Respondus?

[Chris_Hofer · Accepted solution]

One option available for you, if you have the software, is Respondus.  in short, you design your files (Word docs, text files, RTFs) following a certain format, and then you upload that file into Respondus.  Then, within the Respondus software, you connect that to Canvas to import the questions into your course.  Basically, you are batch-uploading your quiz questions into Canvas so that you don't have to create each question one at a time.  Here is a website with more information on the product: Respondus 4.0: Exam Authoring Tool

[BradMoser · Accepted solution]

I would love to have access to Respondus however, we currently do not. Is there some directions on how to create QTI files without having to use Respondus?

[Stef_retired]

 @gary_molloy ​,  @Chris_Hofer ​ has nailed it: Respondus 4.0 is the way to go. Since Respondus has a Canvas (Instructure) personality, the process of importing converted Word files into Canvas is a breeze. You could check with your school to see if they already have a shared license; many schools do, and will make the download instructions and license key available to all of its faculty members. If not, Respondus does offer a free 30-day trial of their software: Download Respondus 4.0 

[mparzen]

Hi:

Not sure if anyone is still reading this thread but just in case..........Respondus is what I was sort of looking for, and I do plan to contact them Tuesday with my question but ideally someone here can answer it before then.........

I can't publish directly to my canvas server so want to save a file and upload it to canvas. But what format do I need to save it in to upload it into canvas? Its not clear from the Respondus documentation.

Thanks!

[mparzen]

I found the answer......I read the Respondus documentation and..........it didn't help.

So I googled and one can change the format in Respondus from canvas to QTI, then save as a QTI zip file.

This file is then easily imported into Canvas.

[Chris_Hofer]

Hi  @mparzen ​...

I'm not sure if you have seen one of my blog entries, but you might want to have a look at this: Batch Uploading Quiz Questions with Respondus.  It may give you some ideas on the file types I generally use when formatting files for use inside of Respondus. I believe it also accepts Excel files, but I've never tried as I find using *.txt or *.rtf files much easier.  Hope this is helpful to you!

[golmos]

Respondus is only for Windows. Do you know a test generator like Repondous for Mac?

[leslie_dow]

And for those of us without access to respondus what about a batch upload from a CSV file, for example? It seems very odd not to support simple batch upload for quiz questions.

[Stef_retired]

 @leslie_dow  Welcome to the Canvas Community! Since you're new here, I want to make sure you're aware of Canvas's massive quiz refactor project that's currently underway, https://community.canvaslms.com/community/ideas/quizzesnext?sr=search&searchId=b53db8b0-b0ef-49a1-aa.... I recommend that you follow that project to your inbox to stay up to date on its progress through the development cycle, as the ability to import quiz questions from an external file may well be included as a feature.

In the meantime, Respondus 4.0 offers a free trial. Many teachers find that the trial period suffices for their purposes.

[ProfessorBeyrer]

One of the things that I like about Canvas is its reliance on software and tools developed by others. If someone else has developed a product that meets a particular need, it is incorporated into the suite of tools. However, there is a gap when it comes to the easy import of questions that already exist in an MS Word file. Respondus is a great program that helps meet this need, but relying on trial downloads and its lack of a MacOS option is tough for faculty know a lot about writing good questions but might be unfamiliar with Windows emulators or how to install both operating systems on a Mac.

I watched the presentation on Priority: Quizzes.Next that was done at InstructureCon 2016 and was happy to see that the developers are aware of the interest in bulk uploading of questions but am disappointed that it looks like it is not due for early release. The Canvas developers are amazing and surely could find a way to create a tool for creating QTI-formatted files. Even a simple "mark the correct answer in column B" .csv format would be a great start. Let's hope that something for bulk upload can be added soon.

• Test Bank Bulk Import From Word Document‌
• Batch tool for assignment creation?‌
• Batch Uploading Quiz Questions and Question Banks, Part 2‌
• DOC to QTI without Respondus?‌
• https://community.canvaslms.com/message/31450?sr=search&searchId=cdd82ef8-544a-4e54-a6c1-94ea634b475...‌

[jason_castaldo · Accepted solution]

The Instructional Technology Services Department and San Diego State University has an online text to QTI converter tool. It's hard to imagine the developers at Instructure could not make something like this available. Regardless, the tool from SDSU works. Here is a link. 

http://ec2-34-207-154-191.compute-1.amazonaws.com/

... and it's free to use : )

[ProfessorBeyrer]

Thank you @jason_castaldo for this solution. I'm glad that the excellent developers at SDSU also shared links to the Markdown formatting instructions for the plain text file. With correct syntax (i.e., deliberate find and replace), converting an MS Word document to a QTI file is straightforward.

[ProfShar]

Here is a video I made on how to convert a word file quiz into a canvas quiz. It's really easy! Hope it helps!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hob5ccxh8bI

Sharmin