Number Line

To create an interactive response question, begin by creating a new test in Aware or open an existing test to add new questions.

Note: Assessments with interactive response questions can be printed as test booklets only. Answer documents are not available for these question types. This test is not scannable, nor will it have student IDs, class numbers, or any other information. Teachers must use the Enter Answers feature to manually input student responses for students taking a paper version of the assessment.

Creating a Number Line Question

The number line question type allows students to graph solutions by selecting a point on a number line. TEA suggests using number line questions in math assessments, but the number line question type is available for any assessment.

Quick Guide

1. When working on an assessment, go to the Questions tab and do the following:

   • If this is the first time adding a question, select the Interactive Item Types button.

   • If adding more questions, select the Plus sign and choose Interactive Item Types from the drop-down menu.

2. Select Number Line.

3. Use the text box and controls to enter the prompt for the question, including any directions. Select the Add Math button (Σ) to build an equation using symbols.

4. Select Continue.

5. Adjust the following settings for the number line:

   1. Starting Value

   2. Increment

   3. Large Hash Mark Intervals

   4. Small Hash Mark Intervals

   5. Extra Answer Choice Intervals

   6. Max Num of Lines

6. Check the boxes for each number line button you want to appear as answer choices. Then, set the correct answer(s) by selecting each relevant button and drawing the line.

7. When complete, select Create / Update.

Illustrated Guide

Step 1: When creating or editing an assessment in Aware, navigate to the Questions tab and do the following:

• If this is the first time adding a question to the assessment, select the Interactive Item Types button.

• If you want to add more questions to an existing assessment, select the Plus sign above or below an existing question and choose Interactive Item Types from the drop-down menu.

Step 2: On the Choose your interaction type step, select Number Line from the available question types.

Step 3: On the Construct your question step, use the text box and controls to enter the prompt for the question, including any directions. Select the Add Math button (Σ) to build an equation using symbols.

Step 4: Select the Continue button to move on to the next step.

Step 5: Adjust the following settings for the number line as needed:

• Starting Value – Sets the positive or negative value that starts the number line. For example, setting a value of -5 means the first number in the line remains -5.

• Increment – Sets the numerical quantity by a fixed scale. For example, setting an increment of 2 increases the numerical values represented on the number line by two. If your starting value is -5, then the numerical values on the line will be -5, -3, -1, 1, 3, 5, etc.

• Large Hash Mark Intervals – Sets the number of large hash marks that appear after the starting value. For example, an interval of 11 adds that number of large hash marks after the starting value’s hash mark, determining the length of the line. Numerical values display over large hash marks. If you set a higher value for large hash marks, be sure to preview the number line and check that it isn’t difficult to read for your students.

• Small Hash Mark Intervals – Sets the number of small hash marks that appear between one large hash mark and the next. For example, setting an interval of 3 divides the space between large hash marks into thirds. Students can place their answers on or between any large or small hash mark, depending on the settings. To prevent the number line from being divided into smaller parts, set the interval for small hash marks to 1.

• Extra Answer Choice Intervals – Sets the number of extra answer choices students are allowed to make for the question.

• Max Num of Lines – Sets the maximum number of lines students can select as 1, 2, or 3. The directions for how many number line buttons students need to select automatically update with your value.

Step 6: Check the boxes for each number line button you want to appear as answer choices. Then, set the correct answer(s) by selecting each relevant button and drawing the line.

Step 7: Review the preview and then select Create or Update to save the assessment question.

Student Experience

Students see the number line question during online testing. If they can only select one number line button, the other buttons become grayed out upon selection. Students should select the Remove button to remove a solution as needed.

Students can also use hotkeys to move points. Select the point to move, then hold down the shift key and use the arrow keys to move to the desired location. Using the arrow keys does not allow the points to cross over one another.

Data Analysis

Viewing Responses in Quick Views

Question Type is available in Quick Views. Access Quick Views through the navigation bar or through the Quick Views card.

Once in Quick Views, use the search field to find and select the assessment(s) you want to analyze. Choose the Student Individual Responses template from the drop-down menu. Select Apply to continue.

In data analysis, interactive items will be indicated next to the scores for each question. Teachers can view the exact question asked on the Enter Answers screen and modify student answers if needed.

Show or Hide the Question Type Column

If the table does not display the type of question, you can customize which columns appear or do not appear from the Edit menu. Select the Columns tab, and then expand the Responses folder. Drag the Question Type option to the empty space on the right side of the screen. Then, select Update to apply your changes. For more information, see Editing Data Views as a Teacher.

The Question Type column shows the type of question asked and the corresponding question number.

Allowing Teachers to Answer and Score Assessment Questions

For district- and school-level tests, the Questions teachers can answer and score option must be set to All Questions to enable editing privileges. Locate this setting in Administration > Collection > General Settings when authoring or editing an assessment in Aware.

Additional Information

Visit the Interactive Item Types FAQ for more information.