A quicker way to build Moodle quizzes

Buying test banks from textbook publishers and then importing them to Moodle

Buying question banks from textbook publishers: http://newsletter.respondus.com/january-2013/easy-publisher-test-banks

Search test banks: 

• Respondus: http://www.respondus.com/products/testbank/search.php

Creating questions offline then importing them to Moodle

The different Moodle quiz import options:

Comprehensive information on importing questions into Moodle: http://docs.moodle.org/23/en/Import_questions

Moodle recommends using Moodle XML format, as it allows the most comprehensive quiz data to be imported.

Importing questions from native Moodle format or from text files:

Comprehensive formats:

Both of these formats support multiple-choice, true-false, short answer, matching, missing word, cloze, numerical and essay questions.

They may not support calculated, drag and drop, algebra, regular expression or random matching questions - this needs to be confirmed!

• GIFT format: Use a text file to export and import many Moodle question types with feedback, marks etc. Images are not supported. Find out how to format the text file here: http://buypct.com/gift_reference.pdf Enables multiple-choice, true-false, short answer, matching, missing word, numerical and essay questions to be imported or exported via text file.

There are many tools to create GIFT format files: 

• • Tools for creating GIFT files: http://bit.ly/109aA6o
  • Excel to GIFT: https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=45245
• Moodle XML format: A very comprehensive format for import and export of many question types, that also supports images.

Create Moodle XML format files using:

• • Java based program for Windows, Mac and Linux: http://www.nashcc.edu/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=248&func=startdown&id=1864
  • Word toolbar (open the .dot file): http://www.finemetronome.com/moodle/
  • VLE Tools: http://vletools.com
    • See how to add images to your questions using VLE tools: http://www.slideshare.net/tjuly/adding-images-to-moodle-quiz-and-import-via-xml

Simple formats for specific question types:

• Aiken format: a simple format for importing multiple choice questions from a text file.
• Embedded answers (Cloze): imports passage of text with questions such as multiple-choice and short answer embedded within it.
• Missing word format: This format is only used for multiple choice questions and short answer questions, similar to GIFT. Currently has problems with MCQs - not recommended!

Questions

• Do GIFT and Moodle XML support the import of images? GIFT doesn't, but Moodle XML does.
• Do GIFT and Moodle XML support Latex? It seems that Moodle XML supports this (though it might just export the image - it would be better if it exported the LaTeX code so it is editable). I'm not sure if GIFT supports LaTeX - needs confirming.
• Do GIFT and Moodle XML support calculated questions? It sounds like Moodle XML format supports calculated questions, but this needs to be confirmed. Not sure about GIFT.

Importing questions from other Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) and Quiz software into Moodle:

The following Moodle quiz import types allow you to import from other VLEs and quiz software:

• Blackboard: for importing questions from Blackboard version 5 "POOL" type export format.
• Blackboard V6+: supports all Blackboard export formats via zip file (includes images) or dat file.
• Examview: imports quetions from Examview 4 XML files. For Examview 5+ Blackboard format may be used.
• Hot Potatoes: imports Hot Potatoes questions into Moodle. Hot Potatoes is a freeware suite of applications that create interactive multiple-choice, short-answer, jumbled-sentence, crossword, matching/ordering and gap-fill exercises. Hot Potatoes is available from: http://hotpot.uvic.ca
• Learnwise format: imports multiple choice questions saved in Learnwise's XML format.
• WebCT format: imports multiple-choice and short answer questions saved in WebCT's text-based format.
• Examview: imports quetions from Examview 4 XML files. For Examview 5+ Blackboard format may be used.
• Respondus: As of Moodle 2, Respondus is no longer supported as a quiz question format. In order to import from Respondus a plugin would need to be installed on UCL Moodle.