File attachments and links with text entry only assignments

[erica_wagner]

I've had an issue that is driving me bonkers. I have created some assignments that are set up as text entry only. Students were instructed (as clearly and completely as I could manage) to either type their answers directly in the text box OR they could copy and paste their answer from an outside file they used to create their answers, if they preferred. The idea was so I could just read their assignment right there and not click on file attachments or go to outside sites to read their answers.

However, it seems that with each such assignment, a handful of students turn in a link or an attached file. There is a file or link instead of a text box with their work. I have checked, and file uploads is not enabled for this assignment.  I am basically refusing to grade these, though to be "nice," a am also taking the extra time to re-open the assignment for those students so they can submit it the way I asked them to.

How are students bypassing the format for the assignment, and how can I make it so that text entry is truly the only option they have?

[Chris_Hofer]

Hello @erica_wagner ...

My guess is that your students are using the tools within the RCE (Rich Content Editor) to attach a file as a submission for the assignment...even though you are giving them specific instructions not to do that.  I created a new assignment in my own sandbox course that was only a text entry submission.  Then, I went to the Student View, and I was able to attach a file by using this tool in the RCE (See Screenshot 1).

Once the document was uploaded (or selected via "User Documents"), it displays like this in the RCE (See Screenshot 2).

After the student submits the assignment, the instructor can then go to the SpeedGrader, but what I saw in my own course was this (See Screenshot 3).

Rather than selecting the option for students to submit a file upload, the file just appears in the Document Viewer area as a link to the file...which you can download/view.  For me, it did not display (unless I would select the option to preview in-line) in the Document Viewer.  Further, if I chose to display in-line, the annotation tools do not appear because it's not technically a file upload...rather, it's a text submission where the student included a link to the file.

I hope this helps explain things a bit.  Let us know if you have any other questions about this...thanks!