Frequently Asked Questions
For participants of a course
For quiz and questionnaire answerers
not being participants of a course
For the curious
For quiz and questionnaire authors (not course owners)
For course owners
For administrators
For installers
For participants of a course
How do I access a quiz or questionnaire?
Its author probably gave you some instructions concerning
the location of the quizComposer site containing the quiz or questionnaire.
In the Location field of your browser window type the location
(e.g. http://www.quizcenter.dk).
On the page presented click participant.
In the form presented fill in your id and password and click
the button with the name of your course.
You are presented with listings of the quizzes and
questionnaires currently associated with your course.
For quiz and questionnaire answerers not being participants
of a course
How do I access a quiz?
Its author probably gave you some instructions on
how to access the quiz.
In the simplest case you got an internet address to the quiz
(e.g.
http://www.quizcenter.dk/okayser/mozart_en.htm).
Copy (paste) the name to the Location field of the browser
and press ENTER.
Otherwise on the main page of the QuizComposer site containing the quiz
(e.g. http://www.quizcenter.dk)
click quizzes.
In case of a particular quiz with a type and name stated by the author,
on the page presented,
click the appropriate link Access a .. according to the quiz type.
In the form presented fill in your id and password and a string
composed of the author id, a slash and the name of the quiz.
If you do not get the quiz check your data carefully before
contacting the quiz author.
For some quiz authors it is possible to get a listing of all their
accessible quizzes.
On the start page
(e.g.
http://www.quizcenter.dk/html.d/startpage_en.htm)
of any QuizComposer site
click Access public quizzes on current server to get a listing
of such authors.
Click a button and you will be presented with lists of quizzes
for that author.
Quizzes represented with a link can be answered by anyone.
Quizzes represented with a button can be answered only by registered
participants.
Clicking a button presents a form for filling in the id
and password of a participant in that quiz.
How do I access a questionnaire?
Its author probably gave you some instructions on
how to access the questionnaire.
In the simplest case you got an internet address to the questionnaire
(e.g.
http://www.quizcenter.dk/okayser/qstnr1dk.htm).
Copy (paste) the name to the Location field of the browser window
and press ENTER.
Otherwise on the main page of the QuizComposer site containing the questionnaire
(e.g. http://www.quizcenter.dk)
click questionnaires.
Click the link Access a questionnaire.
In the form presented fill in your id and password and a string
composed of the author id, a slash and the name of the questionnaire.
If you do not get the questionnaire check your data carefully before
contacting the quiz author.
For some questionnaire authors it is possible to get a listing of all their
accessible quizzes and questionnaires.
On the start page (e.g.
http://www.quizcenter.dk/html.d/startpage_en.htm)
of any QuizComposer site
click Access public ... on current server to get a listing
of such authors.
Click a button and you will be presented
with lists of quizzes and questionnaires for that author.
Questionnaires represented with a link can be answered by anyone.
Questionnaires represented with a button can be answered only by registered
participants.
Clicking a button presents a form for filling in the id
and password of a participant in that questionnaire survey.
For the curious
Can I view all the documentation?
Yes, on http://www.quizcomposer.dk
click quizzes or questionnaire.
On the page presented click Detailed instructions under the group
Reading material and examples or click any of the links on the page
for a form.
Many forms start with an explanation of its use together with links
to further instructions, if any.
Can I run an example quiz or questionnaire?
Yes, on http://www.quizcomposer.dk
click quizzes or questionnaires.
On the page presented click Examples.
On the page presented choose a line with an example
and click the first link (e.g. multiple-choice quiz).
In the quiz or questionnaire presented click some buttons or fill in an entry
field, then click the button SUBMIT .. following the last
question or press ENTER.
You may have to click the checkbox immediately preceeding the
SUBMIT .. button to confirm submission.
Can I view the definition form of an example quiz (or questionnaire)?
Yes, on http://www.quizcomposer.dk
click quizzes (or questionnaires).
On the page presented click Examples.
On the page presented choose a line with an example
(e.g. multiple-choice quiz)
and click the second link (i.e. Definition form for this quiz).
To view the guide to filling in a particular entry field click the nearest
# link.
You cannot submit a definition form unless you are a registered author
or course owner since that would create a quiz (or questionnaires).
Can I create a trial quiz?
Yes, on http://www.quizcomposer.dk
click quizzes.
On the page presented click Create a trial ...
A definition form for a quiz
will be presented.
Fill in the first fields marked Question phrase and either
Any points associated with buttons (for a multiple-choice quiz)
or Specification of correct answer(s) , e.g. by
copying and pasting the examples presented.
Click the button SUBMIT THIS FORM (or simply hit ENTER).
Can I create a trial questionnaire?
Yes, on http://www.quizcomposer.dk
click questionnaires.
On the page presented click Create a trial ...
A definition form for a questionnaire
will be presented.
Fill in the first fields marked Question phrase and
Any points associated with buttons, e.g. by
copying and pasting the examples presented.
Click the button SUBMIT THIS FORM (or simply hit ENTER).
Can I specify the appearance of a quiz or questionnaire?
Only if you are a registered author.
The quizzes and questionnaires produced contain a number of variables
color, font size and other properties
to be set in a file (a socalled Cascaded Style Sheet).
Definition forms for non-trial quizzes and questionnaires include
an entry field for specifying a CSS either in text or
as a name of a file which you have transferred to your QuizComposer server.
Can quizzes and questionnaires be written in any language?
Well, at least the languages supported by HTML 4.01 (see
HTML 4.01).
Authors must, however, work in one of the languages in which QuizComposer
is currently implemented in the sense that forms are
written in these languages.
The definition forms for quizzes and questionnaires
contain entry fields for defining (presumably) all messages
to be displayed to the answerer, e.g. messages associated with
results and error messages associated with the particular
quiz or questionnaire.
Unpercieved errors (programming errors) are reported in the
languages of the current QuizComposer implementation.
Can quizComposer be implemented in other than the current languages?
Yes, this (presumably) only requires
translation of language specific files for forms and documentation
to the other language.
Can I get a trial author account?
Yes, depending on available ressources.
On http://www.quizcomposer.dk click
Get a trial quiz and questionnaire author account ..
to apply via e-mail for such an account.
You are very welcome to add a few words stating your field of interest.
Can quizzes and questionnaires be archived?
Yes, if you are a registered author.
Sets of quizzes and questionnaires can be packed for storing on
your personal computer.
On the main page of your server site
(e.g. http://ww.quizcenter.dk)
click quizzes, on the page presented click
Pack and unpack quizzes ...
Alternatively, on the page listing your quizzes and questionnaires click
Pack/unpack ...
For a stand alone quiz you also have the option of
viewing all its data as a text in a single entry field of a form.
(The form can be viewed by clicking
http://www.quizcomposer.dk,
on the page presented clicking quizzes and
on the next page presented clicking Work with data for a quiz).
You can cut and paste this data to a file on your computer
(or elsewhere).
By pasting the data to the same form and cliccking the appropriate button
you recreate the quiz.
Similarly for questionnaires, however the link is presently
only visible to registered authors.
Can a quizzes and questionnaires be transported between
QuizComposer servers?
Yes, an archived set of quizzes and questionnaires can be unpacked
one a server site different from the one on which it has been packed.
Can I view all the software and data files for QuizComposer?
Yes, on
http://www.quizcomposer.dk
click CVS Open Source Software Repository.
Notice the link Recent changes.
Can I install the QuizComposer software on my own WWW server?
Yes, on http://www.quizcomposer.dk
click quizzes or questionnaire.
On the page presented click Get installation files.
On the page presented follow the instructions guide_en.txt.
You must have some knowledge of UNIX (GNU/Linux), Apache and CGI to succeed.
Can anyone contribute to the further development of QuizComposer?
Yes, your suggestions in the form of clear text or
Python code is most welcome.
Notice the Copyright link on
http://www.quizcomposer.dk.
For quiz and questionnaire authors (course owners, see
below)
How to create a quiz?
On your QuizComposer sites main page
(e.g. http://www.quizcenter.dk) click
quizzes.
On the page presented (startpage_en.htm) click
Access to files, modification of quiz definitions, testing of quizzes, etc..
On the page presented (rqlst_en.htm) enter your id and password.
On the page presented click Define a new ... quiz.
Fill in the definition form presented, click button SUBMIT ...
How to create a questionnaire?
On your QuizComposer server sites main page
(e.g.http://www.quizcenter.dk) click
questionnaires.
On the page presented (startpage_en.htm) click
Access to files, modification of questionnaire definitions,
testing of questionnaires, etc.
On the page presented (rqqstnrlst_en.htm) enter your id and password.
On the page presented click Define a new questionnaire.
Fill in the definition form presented, click button SUBMIT ...
How to create a copy of a quiz or questionnaire?
In the definition form of the quiz to be copied enter a new name for
the quiz or questionnaire.
(Before clicking the button SUBMIT .. make any other changes).
How to create a copy of an example?
When you are an author the list of examples is displayed with a button
associated with each example.
Unless your collection of quizzes/questionnaires already contains
a quiz/questionnaire with the same name clicking the button will
unpack the (packed) example thereby creating your own copy of the
example.
Reload your list of quizzes/questionnaires to access your copy.
Can I specify my own page head on quizzes and questionnaires?
In the definition forms there is a field for specifying a
text in HTML for a page head.
The page head thus specified replaces the standard QuizComposer page
head (like the one at the top of this page).
To specify the same page head for several of your quizzes and
questionnaires use the so-called logo option, sse the next paragraph.
Can I specify my own logo on quizzes and questionnaires?
A logo is a page head specified with a separate form.
A logo is always associated with a particular quiz or questionnaire.
You can specify any quiz and questionnaire to use a logo
associated with another quiz or questionnaire.
How to get a full listing of all quizzes or questionnaires
after having created a new quiz or questionnaire?
CLick the browsers BACK button until the page containing the listings,
click the browsers RELOAD button, confirm resending data.
How to alter the order of the questions in a quiz or questionnaire?
Click the button Work with data for a ..,
fill in the name of the quiz or questionnaire
and click the button Presentation of ...
In the list of variables presented
(line groups containing the name of a variable, mostly field entries,
followed by its value) alter the names or values, then click Create ...
(Rember to maintain consistency among field values).
Can I create a quiz for anyone to answer?
A multiple-choice quiz can be public or non-public.
This is set via a switch in the definition form.
You can specify that answers to your public multiple-choice quiz be registered
so that you can inspect the answers.
A public multiple-choice quiz with no registration is regarded as a
quiz for self-testing.
A dialog quiz is always public.
Examine the browsers location field when a quiz is created.
If ending with .htm or .xml the quiz is public, otherwise not.
Can I create a non-public quiz?
A non-public multiple-choice quiz can only be answered by
participants stating an id and a password specified by you.
A test quiz can only be answered by participants stating an id and a password
specified by you.
Can I create a questionnaire for anyone to answer?
A questionnaire can be public or non-public.
This is set via a switch in the definition form.
You can specify that answers to your public questionnaire be registered
so that you can inspect the answers
(an answerer of a questionnaire is anonymous in the sense that
no id is presented to the questionnaire owner).
A public questionnaire with no registration is regarded as a
questionnaire for self-testing.
Can I create a non-public questionnaire?
A non-public questionnaire can only be answered by
participants stating an id and a password specified by you
(an answerer of a questionnaire is anonymous in the sense that
his/her id is not presented to you, the questionnaire owner).
Can anyone view a listing of my public quizzes and questionnaires?
Only if the administrator of the server on which you are registered
has specified this feature for your account.
Such listings are accessed via the startpage on your server site
(e.g.
http://www.quizcenter.dk/html.d/startpage_en.htm or
)http://www.quizcenter.dk/html.d/qstnrstrtpg_en.htm.
Can I access one of my non-public quizzes or questionnaires
as an answerer?
Yes, via the startpage on your server site.
Click Access a particular ...
In the form presented fill in
your id and password and specify the quiz or questionnaire.
Your answers are not registered.
For course owners
How do I start?
Unless you are using QuizComposer from an enveloping system
(e.g. a school administrative system):
On the main page of your server site, e.g.
http://www.quizcenter.dk,
click instructor.
Fill in the password of your course and click the button with the course
name.
In the listing of your current quizzes and questionnaires click
a button Define a new ...
How do I specify participants for a course?
This is oly possible if the administrator of your QuizComposer server
specified this option for your course.
In that case the listing of your current quizzes and questionnaires
contains a button for specifying the participants.
Click the button and fill in the form presented, then click
an appropriate button in the form.
You may alter the identifications and passwords of the participants
at will.
If the listing does not contain a button
Specify the participants for this course
you can get some information about the participants by asking them to
answer a closed multiple-choice quiz and viewing the results.
Can I access one of my quizzes or questionnaires as an answerer?
Yes, via the startpage on your server site.
Click participant.
In the form presented fill in the id and password
for your course and click the button with the course name.
Your answers are not registered.
For administrators
How do I register authors and courses?
On the main page of your server site, e.g.
http://www.my-quizserver.dk
(similar to http://www.quizcenter.dk),
click quizzes or questionnaires.
On the page presented click Administer quiz authors if you wish to register
an author.
Click Administer courses if you wish to register a course.
Fill in the identification and password you recieved from the installer
of QuizComposer site administrated by you.
To register an author or course choose the first option.
All other administration of authors and courses is done with
the forms presented.
Notice that all operations are logged.
The last option gives you accesss tothe log.
For installers
How do I install QuizComposer on a web server?
The web page
http://www.quizcomposer.dk/html.d/rqinst_en.htm
describes the procedure for installing QuizComposer on a web server.
You should probably have some knowledge of UNIX (GNU/Linux) shell
and Apache (http://www.apache.com)
and CGI to succeed.
