Methods
for obtaining input
OUR FIVE TYPES OF
QUESTION - selecting, supplying, ordering/ranking, matching and locating - can be
implemented using a wide variety of input methods. Here are nine common methods:Text links
A text link is the standard hypertext method. The text is typically
underlined and/or differently coloured. The user answers the question by clicking on the
link.
Image links
Images, typically in the form of buttons, are an obvious alternative to the
above. Instead of the user clicking on text, they click on an image to make their
selection.
Image maps
With this method the user answers a question by clicking on a particular
part of an image. The image will contain a number of ‘hot spots’, each of which
represents an alternative answer.
Radio buttons
Radio buttons allow the user to make a single selection from a range of
options. To answer the question, the user simply clicks on the radio button corresponding
to their chosen option.
Check boxes
A single check box allows the user to make a binary decision - either they
tick the box or they don’t. Used in combination, they allow the user to make multiple
selections from a list of options.
Drop down lists
A drop down list provides the user with a limited list of text options,
from which they can typically make a single selection.
Text boxes
A text box allows a user to type in an answer.
Drag and drop
With this method, the user answers a question by dragging objects from one
part of the screen to another. Depending on the type of question it will make a difference
what objects they select and where they choose to position them.
Sliders
In this case, the user drags a slider to a chosen position, typically to
represent a position on a scale.
Implementing these methods
Not all of these input methods are equally simple to implement in an online
learning environment. Some require only basic HTML, some require the addition of some
JavaScript into the HTML code and some require the services of a Java programmer. The
following sections provide examples of the sorts of questions that can be achieved at each
of these three levels.
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