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Number Line

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This lesson provides step-by-step guidance on creating a Number Line item in the Item Bank. This item type requires students to plot one or more correct answers on a number line. This question type can be administered online only, does not offer partial credit, and is automatically scored.

Before You Begin

This lesson begins assuming that users have the permissions to create new Item Bank items, and are familiar with the item creation process. To learn more about creating Item Bank items, take a look at the Create Items article.

Create Number Line Item

General Item Settings and Question Creation

An example Number Line item creation screen, with Item Type labeled as step 1, Link Passage labeled as step 2, Total Possible Points labeled as step 3, the Settings menu labeled as step 4, Teacher Instructions labeled as step 5, and the Question labeled as step 6.
  1. Select the Number Line item type.
  2. (Optional) Choose one or more passages by selecting Link Passage.
    • Passages must be published and located in the same Work Space to be available for linking.
  3. Enter the maximum Total Possible Points students can earn on the item.
  4. Select the Settings tab to include or exclude the Title, Question, and Rationale fields.
  5. (Optional) Enter Teacher Instructions, if desired.
  6. Enter the Question in the text box.

Set Up Number Line

An example Number Line item creation screen, with the Min and Max Values labeled as step 7, Tick Interval labeled as step 8, Label Interval labeled as step 9, Width labeled as step 10, Arrows labeled as step 11, the preview numberline labeled as step 12, and Title labeled as step 13.
  1. Select the desired Min and Max Value for the Number Line.
    • The default Min and Max Values are -5 and 5.
    • The Tick and Label Intervals will automatically change to match the scale of the Min and Max Values, but can still be manually altered.
  2. Select the desired Tick Interval unit and associated value.
    • The Tick Interval determines the distance between tick marks on the Number Line, in the chosen unit.
    • Available Tick Interval units include Integer, Unit Fraction, and Decimal.
    • The default Tick Interval is set to an Integer of 1.
    • Unit Fraction and Decimal Tick Intervals can be used when the difference between the Min and Max Values is 25 or less; e.g., -12 to 12, or -5 to 20.
    • Integer Tick Intervals can be used when the difference between the Min and Max Values is 3 or more; e.g., -1 to 2, or 0 to 3.
    • The upper and lower limits of Tick Intervals are determined by the Min and Max Values, as well as the width of the Number Line in pixels, in order to maintain legible units.
  3. Select the desired Label Interval value.
    • The Label Interval determines the distance between labeled tick marks, in the chosen unit.
    • The Label Interval must be a multiple of the Tick Interval, and is expressed as a whole number, fraction, or decimal, depending on the chosen Tick Interval unit.
    • The Label Interval updates automatically with changes to the Min and Max Values, and the Tick Interval, but can still be manually altered. Ensure that the Label Interval is large enough to allow the labels to be legible, and prevent overlapping.
  4. Select the desired Number Line Width in pixels.
    • The default width is set at 500 pixels; the minimum width allowed is 200 pixels, and the maximum is 800 pixels.
    • The default 500 pixel width is compatible with most devices; wider Number Lines may be difficult to access with smaller-screened devices.
  5. Select the Arrows checkboxes to include or exclude the right and/or left arrows at either end of the Number Line.
  6. A preview of the Number Line displays, and updates in real time as changes are made to the Number Line setup.
  7. (Optional) Add a Title to display directly beneath the Number Line.

Define Tool Set and Correct Response

An example Number Line item creation screen, with the Available Tools labeled as step 14, Max No of Elements labeled as step 15, the Correct Answer tools labeled as step 16, the Correct Answer number line labeled as step 17, Undo labeled as step 18, Clear All labeled as step 19, Rationale labeled as step 20, and the Save and Next buttons labeled as step 21.
  1. Select the Available Tools that students will be able to use to plot their answer on the Number Line.
    • Tools selected to be available to students are highlighted in a grey box, and appear as an option under Correct Answer.
    • Tools that are not selected do not appear for students during administration.
    • Available Tools include Point, Segments, and Rays, where the Segments and Rays include closed and open points options.
  2. Select the desired Max No of Elements that students will be able to plot on the Number Line.
    • The minimum Max No of Elements is 1, with a maximum of 20 elements allowed.
  3. Select the desired tool to begin plotting the correct answer on the Number Line. Select different tools to plot each desired element of that tool type.
  4. Plot the elements that constitute the correct answer on the Number Line.
    • Select on the Number Line to place the selected element.
    • When placed, segments appear as one Tick Interval long, with the left endpoint located at the selected location.
    • Select and drag any point or endpoint to alter and reposition elements.
    • Elements that overlap stack vertically above the Number Line to ensure legibility of individual elements.
  5. Select Undo to undo the last change made to the Number Line.
  6. Select Clear All to remove all elements added to the Number Line.
  7. (Optional) Enter the Rationale for the correct answer, if desired.
  8. Select Save to save the item progress, or select Next to save and continue to the next step.

Next Steps

To learn more about creating different item types, take a look at the other articles in the Item Types manual.

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