How to run an asynchronous IRAT activity

In general the difference between running both an Asynchronous and Synchronous IRAT is minimal. The main difference is at the early stages of the activity. Unlike a Synchronous IRAT, which gives you the chance to Start the activity manually. An Asynchronous IRAT automatically defaults into "SCHEDULED" status .


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The Instructor's Dashboard

Asynchronous activity

From the Modules & Activities click the Go to Dashboard of the IRAT Activity.

The Status "Scheduled" means that the activity is not open yet.

View the activity time limits from the SETTINGS Block in the dashboard

If you have set a time limit, then the ACTIVITY DURATION will remind you how long the students have to take the test.

If you did not set a time limit, then students will be able to answer the test, change and re-change their answer from the beginning to the end of the open period. Note that once students hits the "Submit" button though, it's the equivalent of surrendering their test papers back to the teacher, and they will no longer be able to change their answer.

View the activity's open period from the Activity Overview button.

You can see the activity's details here:

  1. Description

  2. Starts from date and time

  3. Ends on date and time

  4. Instructions (if any)

  5. Course where the activity belongs to

Update Open Period while the status is "Scheduled"

You'll still be able to change the "Activity Starts from" date and time and "Activity Ends on" date and time while the test is still "Scheduled".

Here's what the STUDENTS will see if the activity is "SCHEDULED"

Published Activity on their activity Dashboard

  • Students will be able to see the IRAT activity,

"Instructions" button

Students can click the "Instructions" button to view the following:

  1. Open Period date and time

  2. Activity Instructions (if any)

"Enter Test" button

Students can click the "Enter Test" to view details about the activity:

  1. Time limit (Total Time)

  2. No. of questions

  3. No. of points/ scores in total

  4. a Disabled "Take the Test" button. This button will only be enabled once the open period starts.

Here's what happens once the Open Period Starts

On the Teacher's Dashboard

  1. The activity Status will become "Ongoing"

  2. The "End IRAT" red button will appear, which you can click to force quit/end the activity.

Update Open Period of an Ongoing Asynchronous Activity

You'll still be able to update the open Period, but only the "Ends On" date and time.

When to extend the Open Period End date and time

"Teams-who-may-time-out" are teams who haven't answered all the questions in the activity. The percentage bar will automatically decrease as teams/ students finish answering the test.

In this example:
5 out of 5 Teams in the section have not finished the test and are still in answering. These teams "may time-out" or might run out of time without finishing the test.

**BEST PRACTICES**
Check this progress bar together with the timer. If the end date and time is almost out and the percentage bar is still high, then it might be a good idea to extend the end dates and time.

There is NO "Extend Time" in the Teacher's Dashboard for Asynchronous activities

For asynchronous activities, teachers will not be able to extend the time limit or activity duration.

On the Student's side here's what happens once the activity becomes Ongoing

Students can click the "Start" button

The "Enter Test" button will become a "Start" button can already be clicked.

Timer / Time Limit

  • If the test has time limit, the timer will indicate how much time they have to take test.

  • If there is no time limit, then the timer will not be there.

Students can take the test as per usual.

Here's the Dashboard

  • You will notice that the questions will be listed in the Item Analysis board according to the student fail rate, ranging from 100% to 0%. This section will help you analyze how your students are doing on a question by question basis.

  • At the top of the Student Analysis table you will see the grade legend tool which makes grading easier and less time consuming on multiple choice question types.

  • As you scroll down to the Questions area, you can see how your students are doing on a question by question basis. You can see the way your students are performing through a visual statistical representation if desired.

  • After the IRAT is over you may go into Presentation Mode. You may click on the Open Presentation Mode button in the questions area.