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Taking an Assignment
Multiple Choice Questions .................................................................................................................................................. 2 Multiple Select .................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Numeric Questions ............................................................................................................................................................. 3 Expression Answers ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 Hints .................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Feedback ............................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Assignment Status............................................................................................................................................................... 5
When you first log in, you will be taken to the Class Management page. This page is divided into three panels. The panel on the left, the Classes panel, lists the physics class you are enrolled in. The middle panel, the Assignments panel, lists the assignments your instructor has created for your class, and the right panel, the Class News panel, lists any class news your instructor has created. In the example below, you can see that this student is enrolled in Phys 112, and seven assignments have been created by the instructor of that class. You can also see that the instructor has posted class news about upcoming holidays.
Figure 1: Class Management Window
Use your cursor to highlight the assignment you wish to take in the Assignments panel. Then, either from right clicking it or from the drop down menu at the bottom of the Assignments panel, select Take Assignment. This will take you to the first problem in the assignment.
At this point you can complete the assignment (which may be different from what you see in the figure below). Click on the answer you feel is correct and then click the Submit button. You will be informed as to whether your answer is correct, at which time you can proceed on to the next question. You can see in the above window that this question counts for 50% of the overall grade for the assignment. This question has three parts, each of which are worth 1/3 of the grade for the entire question. You can also see that, for Part (a), this student can access three hints. In the figure below you can see that the reduction is 3% of the grade for that part, for each hint accessed and you can also access feedback for a 5% deduction. For each wrong answer you may also have a percent deduction. Your instructor has control over how your problems are graded, so if you have any questions about your grade, please talk with him or her.
Multiple Choice Questions
In multiple choice questions as shown in Figure 2 select the best answer from the options provided. You have 1 less choice than the choices available and each wrong answer deducts an equal percent of the total grade for the part.
Figure 2: Take Assignment (Multiple Choice)
Expression Answers
You may need to enter an equation or expression as the answer. If this is the case, you will be presented with a simulated keyboard as seen in the figure below.
Figure 5: Expression Answer
You can enter expressions using your keyboard or by clicking the buttons on the palette. Notice that as you begin to type you will be shown a list of 'valid' variables that start with the letter typed. You can continue to type and it will autocomplete or you can use the down arrow key to select the desired variable, and then hit enter.
Hints
You can access hints by pressing the button located under the palette or choices and will be displayed in the bottom left corner of the part. Expert TA structures hints based on a detailed analysis of the areas of study where students typically become confused. You can choose to access the hints or you can try and solve a problem without. Keep in mind that each hint might deduct a certain percent of your grade decided by the instructor. The total amount deducted for the hints is displayed in the bottom left corner.
Figure 6: Hints
Feedback
If you submit an incorrect answer you may be able to click on the Feedback button, if there is feedback available for that question. Feedback, when available, identifies specific errors, explains what you did wrong, and reinforces the concepts taught in class. In order to access feedback, press the button under the palette or choices. The feedback will be displayed in the bottom right corner of the part. Note you may receive a deduction for each feedback determined by the instructor which is displayed under the feedback button.
Figure 7: Feedback
Assignment Status
To see the status of your assignment, look on the left side of your screen, under the Expert TA logo. You will see an assignment status area there that shows you when everything is completed. Next to the problem number, it will list one of three things: nothing, “Completed”, or “Partial”. Once all of the spaces next to the Problem numbers say “Completed”, you have done all the homework. (See the screenshot below.)
Figure 8: Assignment Status
