Installation and Usage of Assessment Generator

Introduction

The eTEACH Assessment Generator is a Microsoft Word add-in which generates self-assessment exercises for use with eTEACH. These exercises may contain extensive mathematical content which is entered using the Math Type add-in available from Design Science. The execises are designed to be accessible to screen-reader users (primarily blind users.) This is accomplished by careful organization of the questions and answers, thus allowing screen-reader users to easily navigate the question and answers without getting lost. In addition, the mathematical content is presented in MathML format, which is readable by popular screen readers.

System Requirements

For authoring the self-assessments, you will need:

• Microsoft Windows (only tested with Windows XP)
• Microsoft Word 2003
• Math Type by Design Science

For viewing, your students will need:

• Microsoft Windows (only tested with Windows XP)
• Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Math Player plug-in by Design Science (free)

Installation

1. Download and install AssessmentGenerator_1_0_10.msi
2. Try running following the Usage instructions below.
3. If you get error like: The assembly AssessmentGenerator could not be found at ...
   1. Close Microsoft Word
   2. Download and install O2003PIA.msi
   3. Re-open Microsoft Word and try again.

Usage

1. Open the "File" menu and click "New...".
2. Choose "Templates -> On my computer"
3. Pick the "Assessment Generator tab".
4. Double-click on the Assessment Generator icon.
5. Use the newly-installed "Self Assessment" menu to add questions and answers.
6. When you save your document, a folder with the same name as your document, but with the extension "_files" will be created.
7. In the "..._files" folder you will find "SelfAssessment.xhtml" which is the MathType version of your self-assessment exercise. This can be viewed in Internet Explorer using the Math Player plug-in. The version "SelfAssessment.html" does not require the plug-in, but does not support screen-readers. You can make it available to your visual students.

Instructions for Screen-reader Users

If you have some screen-reader users, they will benefit from a few special "tips and tricks" which will help them interact smoothly with this application.

• Tips for JAWS users
• Tips for Window-Eyes users

If you have problems, contact me and I will try to help. Please be patient - I no longer have funding for this project, but will try to help on a time permitting basis.

Mike Litzkow
1500 Engineering Drive Madison, WI 53706
608-262-6122
mlitzkow@facstaff.wisc.edu