Classic Quizzes - Fill-in Multple Blanks, the blank is missing

[vmcmillian]

I am using the "classic" quiz tool to conduct a survey. BUT, the "fill-in-multiple-blanks" isn't providing an answer field. Instead, it just presents the [answergoeshere] as text.

Is this one of the "it isn't broken but we will change it so that it is" situations? Or do I have a problem on my end?

[SusanNiemeyer]

If you'd like an open-ended response, then you'll need to create an "essay" question.

[vmcmillian]

I'm just collecting multiple, single word responses within one question for a survey. Do you know if that tool option as been abandoned? It is still in the option list.

I've created many questions over the years using Fill-in-multiple-blanks without any difficulty, although not within the last year. The single fill-in-the-blank question is working as it should, as is the essay tool.

Thank you for your feedback.

[Chris_Hofer]

@vmcmillian ...

Could you try something for me?  Above the RCE (Rich Content Editor) for the Fill in Multiple Blanks question, there is an example of how to format the question:

Roses are [color1], violets are [color2]

Could you paste this text into the RCE and see if it gives you a drop-down list with color1 and color2 so that you can input possible answers?  I tried this in my own sandbox course, and it works as expected.  If the above example works, then is there something in your question that doesn't quite look like the "Roses" question?

Just trying to narrow down and eliminate some possibilities...thanks!

[vmcmillian]

Thank you for the suggestion; it is a great idea for troubleshooting. 

Sadly, the preview didn't provide the respondent with a blank for inserting the color 1 or color 2 either.

It is beyond me as to the problem. The fill-in-the-blank works as it should with just ONE blank.

When the "Show All Details" box is checked, I do see a dropdown box but the variable names are not included. It is just an empty field.

[Chris_Hofer]

@vmcmillian ...

Have you tried using a different browser entirely?  For example, an up-to-date version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are typically good choices when navigating around Canvas.  What are the browser and computer requirements for Instructure products?

What about clearing your browser history/cache?  I usually recommend to close your browser after clearing history/cache, then re-start the browser and see if anything has changed for the better in Canvas.

• How do I clear my browser cache on a PC?
• How do I clear my browser cache on a Mac?

Just trying to rule out some other possibilities...

[vmcmillian]

Yes, I tried that but without success.

[Ron_Bowman]

@vmcmillian -

I would try writing the question again like @Chris_Hofer mentioned.  Something does not seem right where you have the [answer] showing in the question.  I tried out an ungraded survey (I missed the survey part the first time).

When I wrote the question, I did get the dropdown box to select the items inside the [ ] in the question area where I can supply the answers (are you not getting that area?).  I did notice that the [answer] boxes show up in edit mode when looking at the questions.  However in preview mode, I get the empty boxes where the student will have to type in their answer.

Are you seeing the [answer] box in the preview?  If so, then I would try creating a brand new question to make sure that it wasn't something strange that you typed into the first one.

Ron

[vmcmillian]

Again, a good idea - but I the thought of bad coding in the question had occurred to me. I created a new question with the same results. I do see the possible answer box when checking "show all details" but the variable names aren't included. But when I view it in preview, the field to receive the student input is not visible.

[Ron_Bowman]

@vmcmillian -

based on that information, I would contact your Canvas admins at your institution and see if they can find out anything with your course.  Then either you or they can put in a request to Canvas support to see if they can figure out what the issue is.

Ron

[vmcmillian · Accepted solution]

Update and resolution of problem. It seems that it is really the possible answer field that creates the answer field for the student response, not the [variable] indicator. It turns out I needed to fill in a 'faux' possible answer. 

This is somewhat embarrassing but, in my defense, I was creating an UNGRADED SURVEY. 

I appreciate all of your efforts to help resolve the issue.