BlackBoard Converter

By Mike Strong
Intermediate Format and convertor copyright 2013 Mike Strong

Start with a text file with an obvious and easily type-in format, then convert it to a Blackboard test-format file with a simple copy and paste.

Text File Example Page (text version of the examples below)

A Javascript version of this converter is here for download and allows totally off-line usage because it is not server dependent.
But, because it is Javascript, it cannot write a file for you to download (the advantage of the server version). In this Javascript version will have to create the file yourself by copying and pasting the results from the lower text area into a text editor (such as Notepad) and save it as some name.

Click here for a critique of some differences I've found so far with the coding in Blackboard in terms of the displayed page versus the amount of hidden code behind the scenes. I compare one question prepared in the format shown on this example page to the resulting XML format downloaded from Blackboard. I measured the number of bytes for each format version then calculated that the relative size of the Blackboard XML is from 11.86 to 15.79 times the size of the same code in the simpler formats shown here.

This converter utility won't improve the Blackboard code and you will still need to make some settings by hand in Blackboard. The converter will merely simplify some of the question preparation.

 

Text-File Format Examples - to be pasted into the loader page

// Double slash is for a comment
| vertical bar is a separator between correct or incorrect designations and the answer
it is also used to separate various options in a fill in the blank questions and for matching choices
Note that a 0=false/incorrect and a 1=true/correct

Fill in the blank

(first example has one allowed answer, second example has multiple possible answers separated by a vertical bar | )

For Single Blanks

FIB
The [fair use] doctrine allows use of copyrighted material which contributes to creation of new work and which are not likely to deprive authors and publishers of income for their work

FIB
The [taller|higher|larger] object dominates the landscape.

For Multiple Blanks

FIB_PLUS
Mount [Whitney] in Alaska was renamed to Mount [Denali] recently

FIB_PLUS
[Charles] Mingus was a [jazz|bebop|bop|hard bop] musician.

 

Multiple Choice

// 0 or f or false or incorrect or i == all the same, any case (upper, lower)
// 1 or -1 or t or true or correct or c == all the same, any case (upper, lower)

MC
How many states in the United States?
0|48
1|50
0|13

Multiple Answer

MA
Which of the following are states in the United States of America
1|Missouri
0|Ukraine
1|Alabama
0|Leicester
0|Sonora
1|Nevada

True False also 1/-1 or 0 or the rest as above (both examples give the same output)

True ::::: 1, -1 and true produce the same output for import by BB

TF
1|The capital of the United States is Washington, DC.

TF
-1|The capital of the United States is Washington, DC.

TF
true|The capital of the United States is Washington, DC.

Or

False :::: 0 and false produce the same output for import by BB

TF
false|The capital of the United States is Philadelphia

TF
0|The capital of the United States is Philadelphia

Essay * (not yet implemented)

ESS
Write 200 Words on the reason Napster was so popular.
Frozen meals were convenient. (sample of what you are looking for)

ESS
a. Explain the two main provisions of the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act).
b. Explain how "take-down" notices work and who they protect from lawsuits.
c. How do "take-down" notices sometimes infringe on "fair use"?

Order items

ORD
Put the following internet/web events and technical devices/developments in order
Packet Switching
ARPANET
Email
Ethernet
CERN Phone Book
WorldWideWeb

Matching

MAT
Match the car model with its manufacturer
Fusion|Ford
Sebring|Daimler-Chrysler
Altima|Nissan