Additional Options

The following options are available for pseudocode, Parsons, and Faded Parsons problem types.

For Parsons and Faded Parsons problem types, learners can add their own blocks via the “add block” option. In doing so, they must provide both the pseudocode and the text for the block. After clicking “add”, the block appears at the top of the starter (left-side) list.

If they ever want to change the pseudocode or text of this block, they can do so by clicking the edit icon in the upper right corner of the block. Once added, the only way to delete a custom block is to click the “reset” button, which returns all solution blocks to the starter list in a new random order (custom blocks are excluded, and therefore don’t show up again after the reset is complete). This way, the custom block remains for data integrity purposes, but is no longer viewable to the learner in the current Snapshot.

Note: the presence of learner-written blocks alters the type of line-based feedback provided.

Sometimes learners may wish to copy the pseudocode or text of a block in the problem interface. They can do this via the “copy block” option. On the pseudocode tab, they will be able to copy the pseudocode; on the Parsons tab, the block text; on the Faded Parsons tab, the block text plus their own faded text, if present (the expected faded text is otherwise omitted). They can only copy one block at a time.

Learners must “exit” copy mode in order to continue solving a problem. They do this by selecting the block they wish to copy, then clicking the “copy” button. They can also “cancel” to return to the regular problem-solving mode without having anything copied to their clipboard.