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Question Format: Using
Container Objects to Provide Feedback
Using the logic tools in eZediaMX, individuals can craft all sorts of
questions.
Note that the question example on this page is very plain to allow
beginners to walk themselves through the thought process. To see how
attractive question frames can be, check out the Scuba project in the
eZedia tour folder or the Fine Arts project. eZedia has done a very
nice job of demonstrating how their features can be combined to produce
very attractive questioning approaches.
In fact, the technique of using the Container Objects to provide
differentiated feedback is a technique that I have borrowed directly
from the Scuba project in the eZedia tour. Again, I have stripped it
down and simplified it for the purposes of demonstration.
In Figure 1, we see the question frame in Edit mode. Remember - the
end-user never sees the Edit mode. They only see the pretty version in
the eZedia player.
Let's explore Figure 1. I have a question that I created in a Text
Object and then converted to a Graphic Object. Why? So that the text is
presented the same way on every computer. No substitution of fonts or
formatting. (Just right-click on your Text Object and then choose Text
to Graphic.) I have also set up a little box to the right of the
question. It tells the user to put in their answer in that spot. You'll
notice a small Container Object placed on top of the little box.
The end-user types in the letter corresponding to their choice from the
list. They hit Enter. Their response travels down the link to the input
area of the Branch Object. It checks what they typed against the list
of choices it has. Notice that each choice has a link to a Container
Object that provides feedback on the quality of the answer. Here's
where it gets interesting. Each Container Object with feedback is
linked to a big, empty Container Object. The advantage of that is that
as the person tries more than one response, their feedback is replaced
each time in the Container Object. Also, you can click once on the
Container Object to select it. Go to Format and set up the formatting
features for the text. You can do the same for the Container Object
where the individual puts in their response. Until I saw this in the
Scuba project, I just never thought of doing it.
Here's a screen capture of the question set-up in Edit Mode.
Figure 1:
Figure 2: The Container Object
that receives the answer
Let's take a look at the features. It is on this Frame Only, we've made
it visible and we've given it a border. We also want the user to be
able to type in it, so we have enabled User Edit. We also want it to
start empty each time.
Figure 3: The Container Object
that has the feedback
Notice that the Contents area is filled in with the feedback statement
we will be providing. It activates on Link Only based on a connection
from the Branch Object. It is transparent and will only be visible when
it shows up in the final Container Object that displays the feedback.
Figure 4: The Container Object
that displays the feedback
The contents section is empty because it will be
displaying the phrase that is dumped into it from Figure 3. We've also
made it transparent and we want the user to be able to see whatever is
in it so we've also made it visible.
Figure 5: The Container Objects
at work in the frame.
Here's a screen capture of the question in operation. The
user has typed in an answer visible to the right. Below, we see the
feedback that was provided in response to this answer. Again, there are
lots of ways to improve the design of the frame to guide the end-user.
We're just focusing on basic structure at the moment.
The eZediaMX 3.0
manual provides complete details on using the Container Object starting
on page 243. The following instructions can
be considered a short-cut for one use of the Container object.
1. Have the eZediaMX software up and running.
2. Make sure you are on the frame where you want to include the
question.
3 Click on the Text Object 
4. Type up your question. Position the question on the frame. Create
your prompt for the user so they know where to enter their answer to
the question.
5. Click on the Container Object. 
You will need:
a. One Container Object to receive the answer.
b. One Container Object for each of the feedback responses you're going
to have.
c. One Container Object to display the answer.
6. Remember to double-click to open up the properties for the Container
Objects.
7. Click on the Branch Object. 
8. Double-click on the Branch and type in the responses - one for each
segment in the Branch Object.
9. Click on the Link Object  and draw a link
FROM the Container Object
that receives the user's answer to the input area of the Branch object.
Figure 1.
10. Click on the Link Object again to draw a link from each segment of
the Branch Object to the corresponding Container Object that has the
feedback you want the user to receive. Figure
1.
11. Finally, create links from each of the Container Objects with the
feedback statements to the Container Object that will display the
feedback. Figure 1.
How this works:
Let's go over this one more time. The user looks at the letter choices
displayed in the question. They type in one letter in the answer box
and hit enter. That information travels down the link to the input area
of the Branch Object. The Branch Object takes a look and tries to find
a match. Based on the match it finds, it activates one of the links to
one of the Container Objects that has the feedback statement. The
Container Object that has been shaken awake by the link sends its
information down another link to the Container Object that displays it
for the user. However, each time the user types in a different
response, the new piece of feedback replaces the previous piece of
feedback which makes this rather elegant as a technique.
Again, you're just creating logical circuits between bits of
information.
Variations:
Use what you want for the stimulus for the question. You could have had
a series of photos - one next to each letter option. The stimulus for
the question is not limited to just text.
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