Creating Audio Tests

Instructors can add embedded audio into their secure Blackboard exams. Some of the file formats for the embedded audio files include .WAV, .MOV, .AVI, MP3. Audio files can either be recorded by the instructor or be pre-produced. Once the instructor has the audio files he or she wants to use, then those files can be embedded into a Respondus exam question and published to Blackboard. These audio files can be listened to online by students during the administration and delivery of their secure, computer-based exams.

To create exams with originally recorded, embedded audio, instructors will need some way to record the audio. Many computers have built in internal recording capabilities which come standard with the system. There are also a variety of external audio recording devices and programs which can be purchased separately and which can be used to record audio. To record audio, you will also need a microphone.

Recording Audio

Below is an example of how to access a built-in sound recorder within Windows. The name and location of the recording device may vary depending on the computer system.

• Click on Start
• Select All Programs
• Select Accessories, Entertainment, Sound Recorder

Click on the circle icon to record and the square icon to stop/pause. Once you are satisfied with the recording, select File, Save As, and then save the file as a sound .WAV on your computer or on an external storage device.

To incorporate audio into an exam question, the audio file must be embedded into the question using the Respondus Authoring Tool before the question is published to Bb.

To embed audio into an exam question, do the following:

• Open the Respondus Authoring Tool
• Click Create (or Edit if you have downloaded the question file from Bb)
• Select the type of test question you want to create (i.e. Multiple Choice, True/False, etc.)
• Locate the desired position of the audio file (within the question wording and/or answer choice)
• Click on the insert file (camera) icon
• Select the Common Audio-Video files (wav, avi, mov, etc.) option from the Files of Type pull down menu on the Select Image or Audio/Video file to Add screen
• Select the audio or media file you wish to attach to your question
• Ensure that the Embedded Object option is selected (default)
• Select Windows Media Player from the Standard Player pull down menu
• Enter the width and height of the player (optional).
  Note: For audio only files, the player window can be fairly small

After the audio file has been inserted either into the question wording or one of the answer choices, the code <AV_1> is added where the file has been inserted. If you hit enter after the code, it will change to a small square. (See below)

After the audio files have been embedded, you are ready to publish the exam to Blackboard. At this point, the publishing process is exactly the same as the publishing process for other exam question files.

You will need to check with a Testing Center staff member to find out what their process is for students taking secure exams with embedded audio.

If you are an instructor at the PIN campus and need assistance embedding audio into a Bb exam, contact Jim Holzknecht at 223-8011, jholzkne@austincc.edu or contact an Instructional Development Specialist at an ACC campus near you.