Setting up Extended Response components in EP Studio
Extended Response components (also known as Long Answer or Manually Marked questions on EP) allow students to demonstrate their understanding of topics in great detail. In this article we’ll show you how to set them up in Smart Lessons or Pre-Built Exams, using EP Studio!
Extended Response components can be created within Smart Lessons and Pre-Built Exams. See our separate articles for Short Answer components and Information & Media components.
Extended Response questions cannot be automatically marked by EP. In Smart Lessons, students can self mark against a model answer, but for Pre-Built Exams, marking must be completed by a teacher.
In this article
Getting Started
In order to use these components, start by creating or editing content in EP Studio. If you haven’t already, check out our guides to get acquainted with creating content on EP:
Once you’re in EP Studio, you’ll need to pick your section. The section determines what components will be available to you (see our full breakdown here). For the purposes of this guide, choose Extended Response (or Manually marked if you’re creating a Pre-Built Exam).
We recommend playing around with templates, but for this guide, we’ll be starting with a Blank slide.
Click and drag your chosen component from the sidebar to the blank slide. You’ll immediately be prompted to set it up.
Once added to a slide, you can click on any component to configure it at any time.
EP Studio enables you to move components around and lay them out however you’d like. For information on formatting the layout of components, see our article.
Setting up question components
This section covers each individual Extended Response component, and the settings available for each. Some are more complex than others!
Video Tutorials: Click the corresponding component tile below to access our video tutorials.
Long Answer
This versatile component type enables students to submit a long form text answer. This can be anything from a couple of words to many paragraphs.
- When setting it up, you'll be asked to enter a model answer that you'd expect from students. In Smart Lessons when students submit their answers, they will be shown the model answer which they can compare with their response.
- You can add Prompt text to give students a starting point, as well as set Answer expectations for length.
- You can also add keywords to allow students to gauge the quality of their responses. Learn more about this here.
In Smart Lessons, students will self mark against the model answer provided. See more about self-marking here.
You can also give feedback (and require resubmission) for responses that students have submitted.
Long Answer Settings
Click the Settings button to see additional options. Choose to allow students to use their built-in spell checker, and whether the platform will detect gibberish answers.
If you're creating content for a Languages subject, this is also where you can change the input language so that students are able to enter script or accented characters when working on the lesson. Toggle between English and your target language.
Scratchpad
This component enables students to draw using their cursor (or touchscreen).
- Select the tools (colour and brush type) that you'd like your students to draw with by default. They'll be able to change the colour and brush as they go.
- You can add a background image if you'd like your students to draw over the top of something.
- This can be useful if you want to ask them to label a diagram or note their confidence level on a scale (you can make the question unmarked for this purpose, in the settings!).
- You can also add a model answer. In Smart Lessons when students submit their answers, they will be shown the model answer which they can compare with their response.
File Uploader
Use this component to allow students to upload a file from their device. This can be an image, video, audio clip, or even a document or PDF. Students can also submit responses directly from their Google Drive.
When setting up the component, you can choose whether to allow specific file types and/or a maximum number of submissions.
Accessing submitted files
Once the lesson has been completed, you'll be able to access submissions that students have made. You can mark submissions and give feedback, and download the files if you need to. See more in our article here.
Audio Recorder
You have the choice between allowing a Quick Recording, which has a limit of 30 seconds or an Extended Recording, which can go up to 10 minutes.
If you have selected a Quick Recording, you’ll have the option to add a model answer. You'll be prompted to record yourself speaking the model answer, upload your own audio or select audio from EP's Media Gallery.
Working Formula
The Working Formula component is a powerful tool that allows students to complete stepped equations and show their work; particularly helpful for Math and Science content.
Setting this component up can be quite complex, so see our full article here.
Adding a question prompt
For most questions, you’ll want to insert an accompanying question prompt. Drag a Text component into the slide and type your prompt into the box. Use the rich text toolbar to style your text however you like!
You could also add other media as your question prompt, such as an audio recording or video.
Incorporating supporting media and components
You can insert various types of supporting media into your slide. Embed or upload videos, audio, PDFs or images - there are plenty of options! Our Media Gallery has plenty of existing media for you to choose from.
Simply drag an Information & Media component into your slide, and configure it however you’d like. Detailed information on adding media can be found in our article here.
When including media, ensure you are using content that is not protected by copyright. See our copyright guidelines here.
Adding an explanation
Choose to add an Explanation to your slide. If a student answers incorrectly, they’ll be shown the correct answer along with the explanation.
Toggle to the Explanation tab in EP Studio. From here, you can add Information & Media components to outline your explanation.
Peer Review
Smart Lesson content that you create can be used with the Peer Review feature on EP.
For your content to be eligible, it must:
- Be a Smart Lesson (not a Pre-Built Exam).
- Contain at least one Extended Response component.
For detailed information on how to create content for Peer Review, see our guide here.