How to Support Students with Open Response Questions

To support students with answering open response questions, it is important to model and provide students with clear guidance on how to respond.

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When students get to an open response question, they will see 3 buttons: Insert image, capture image and draw.

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NOTE:  There is a 10,000 character limit on typed open responses.  If you go over this limit, you will not be able to submit your open response. 

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Below you will find some common types of open response problems and how to guide students in responding using these options. 

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Problem Type: Draw and Label 

Example problem: Draw and label a circle, with radius, diameter, and circumference

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Option 1: Using ASSISTments draw tool. Students can draw a circle and label using the text feature. 

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Option 2: Drawing the image on a piece of paper and use the ASSISTments capture image tool to take a picture directly from their camera

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Problem Type: Draw Using an Image:

Example problem:

Option 1: Take a screenshot of the image and use Jamboard to draw on the image. Take another screenshot of the work in Jamboard and insert the new screenshot using the insert image tool.

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Option 2: Send home a printed copy of the assignment. Students complete the assignment on paper and insert a photo of their work using the capture image tool. 

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Problem Type: Write an Equation/Expression

Example problem:

Option 1: Use the WIRIS editor

tool in ASSISTments to write the equation/expression

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Option 2: Use the ASSISTments draw tool to write the equation.

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Problem Type: Explain your thinking 

Option 1: Type out written response/explanation in the open response box

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Option 2: Use Vocaroo to have students record their answer and link the URL into the open response box. Here’s a video walkthrough using Vocaroo.

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Problem Type: Create a Table

Example problem:

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Option 1: Press the

button in the open response and select the number of rows and columns you want in the table. Then type in your answers along with the given numbers. You can use the WIRIS editor

tool for typing fractions as well as the font color

tool to distinguish your answers from given numbers.  

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Option 2: Create a table using the draw tool and write or type in your answers. 

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Problem Type: Create a Graph

Example problem: Graph and label coordinates pairs

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Option 1:  Send home a printed copy of the assignment. Students complete the assignment on paper and insert a photo of their work using the capture image tool. 

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Option 2: Use Jamboard. Students can choose their background as graph paper and create their graph using Jamboard and share the URL in the open response box. 

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Archived

Title:  Getting Students Familiar with Open Response Questions in ASSISTments

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To support students with answering open response questions, it is important to develop and implement a consistent routine, regardless of the types of devices, for students to take and upload pictures into ASSISTments open response boxes. Below you will find some resources to help students accomplish this.

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Tip #1: Share the tutorial for Open Response Questions with students. This video shows students the three ways to answer open response questions in ASSISTments: Uploading an image, creating a table, and using math symbols.   Note:  In order to upload an image, students will need to have taken a photo or screenshot and saved it to their device. This is not shown in the video, and students may require additional support with this step from a parent, guardian, or teacher. 

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Tip #2: Use the Student Practice Assignment #2. This gives students a chance to practice and become familiar with how to complete open response questions in ASSISTments. 

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Tip #3: Teach students how to take a screenshot with their device using keyboard shortcuts. The screenshot will be saved to student computers and they will be able to upload the image to ASSISTments. Note: Make sure students have a designated location for where their screenshots will go. For example, screenshots will go to the desktop or in the downloads folder. 

Mac → Command + Shift + 5 Your screen will dim and a mini menu will appear at the bottom of your screen, giving you the option to take a rectangular, window, or full-screen capture. 

Windows → Windows Key + Shift + S. Your screen will dim and a mini menu will appear at the top of your screen, giving you the option to take a rectangular, free-form, window, or full-screen capture. 

Chromebook → This will allow you to use your trackpad or mouse to select the image you would like to capture from your screen. 

If students are still unsure about how to take a screenshot on their device, you can share this resource on ‘How to Take a Screenshot with Any Device’.

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Tip #4: Teach students to copy and paste URL links from third-party websites like Vocaroo or Desmos. Below are some video examples to walkthrough open response questions that can be answered through each site: 

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1. Sample Video Walkthrough Using Vocaroo
2. Sample Video Walkthrough Using Desmos

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