Creating new items

Items can be created individually within Prolydian by item writers and designated users.

Follow the steps below to create an item:

• Log into your Prolydian account at https://app.prolydian.com and go to Exams > Items. 
• Search for the item bank you would like to add items to. Click on that item bank and then click Add Item. 

• Select your item type from the drop down list 
• Enter an item name 
  • If a naming pattern is being used this can be left unedited
• Choose a status
• Assign a domain
• Select an editor toolbar style
  • Normal = always shown above each text box in the editor window
  • Collapsed = hidden until the toolbar arrow is clicked
  • Pop up = hidden until a text box is clicked

• If rich text is enabled for your item bank, the toolbar allows for a high degree of customization for both question prompts and answers. A few key features include:
  • Font customization
  • Adding images or videos (It’s recommended that videos be imported as MP4 files as they are the most stable across all browsers.)
  • Inserting custom HTML 
  • Mathematic equations
  • Tables
• To add a reference click on “Manage References”
  • If no bibliography is attached to the item bank references can be added individually by clicking “Add a reference”
  • Fill out the reference details and click “Save”
  • If a bibliography is attached references can only be selected from that bibliography
• Add a tag if desired
  • Items can later be filtered/searched by tags.
• There are a number of advanced setting options available, as detailed below:
  • Item score (leave blank for a score of 1)
  • Unscored question
  • Practice question
  • Requires calculation
  • Includes description (rationale)
  • Provide a scoring rubric
  • Use introductory text
  • Use an exhibit (image)

Follow the instructions below for each specific item type

Multiple Choice

• Enter the question prompt and response options. 
  • The number of response options shown by default can be edited in the item bank’s settings
• To remove an response click the trashcan icon to the right of it
• To add a response click the “+” above the responses
• The responses can be reordered by dragging them to the desired location
• Click the check mark to the right of an option to designate it as the correct response
  • If there are multiple correct responses click on the three dots next to the plus sign and set the cardinality to “Multiple”
• Click “Save”
   

Essay

• Customize the “Essay name” if desired
• Enter a maximum and minimum scores
  • Only the maximum is required
• Choose between html or plain text for the “Response format”
• Enter your prompt
• If an additional description is needed it can be added under “Advanced settings” by activating the “Include description” option
• If the essay questions contains multiple prompts click "Add another essay" and fill out the prompt
• Click “Save”
   

Fill-in-the-blank

• Enter your fill-in-the-blank question into the prompt field without leaving extra space for “the blank”
• Under “Blank #1” edit the “Fill-in-the-blank name” if desired and enter one or more responses
  • Different responses can have different scores
  • Check/uncheck the “Case-sensitive?” option
• Return to the prompt and click in the text where you want to enter your “blank”
• Select the pencil icon from the toolbar to select an available “blank”
  • A box with the name of the blank you selected will appear in the desired location.
• To include more than one blank click “Add another blank” and repeat the process

Drawing

• Edit the “Drawing name” if desired
• Enter a maximum and minimum scores
  • Only the maximum is required
• Enter the prompt
• Upload a document to serve as a “canvas” under “Canvas Document”
• Click “Add another drawing and repeat the process to include multiple drawings in the same item
• Click “Save”

Custom

• Edit the “Item name” if desired
• Add “Presentation HTML”
• Add the “Presentation Script” and “Processing Script”
• Click “Save”
   

After creating an item it will be added into the item bank and can later be edited individually or removed from the bank. For instructions on item editing, please see: