Manually marked question. The question is answered by drawing on a blank canvas or a background image.

The Drawing question type lets you create questions where candidates answer by using the drawing tool. Instead of adding the Drawing tool as an optional supplement to another question type, the drawing itself is the primary response.

In a Drawing question:

• The drawing canvas is always available as part of the question.

• The question is manually marked.

• The Author can create and save content on the canvas so that candidates start from a prepared drawing instead of a blank canvas.

This article explains how to create a Drawing question, including how to create and lock content on the drawing canvas, so that you can control the starting point for the candidate. 

• Use a Drawing question when you want the drawing to be the main part of the candidate’s answer, for example:

  • Completing or correcting a diagram in science, mathematics, or engineering.

  • Drawing and labelling maps, graphs, charts, or schematics.

  • Annotating or extending a prepared template, such as a flow chart.

  • If the drawing is only an optional supplement to another answer (for example, an extra sketch in an Essay question), you can instead add the Drawing tool to that question type. For more information, see: Add Drawing tool to Questions

Question layout

In the question's edit mode, you can do the following: 

1. Replace text with desired question text.
2. Add math (LaTex), files, tables, links, PDF, images and / or audio clips to the question text.

3. Set general options for the question type. Read more about general options for questions. 

   Select Advanced settings to make the question a Mandatory question.

4. The Drawing tool allows candidates to express their answers visually with a simple, easy-to-use freehand drawing tool.

Set general options for the question type. Read more about general options for questions. 

Specific options

Clicking on the interaction element (the drawing canvas area) provides access to specific options unique to the Drawing question type:

• Prompt: Write an explanation text for the question. This text will appear in the workspace. "Click here to open the drawing canvas" is set by default. 
• Canvas: if you want to provide a starting point for the candidates you can add that here. Learn more below
• External Identifier is a unique string that helps link the question to external systems for data collection, without serving any internal purpose in Inspera Assessment.

Edit the canvas 

New Author is required to create and edit the canvas

The main difference between a Drawing question and other question types with drawing is that Authors can create and edit the canvas. This allows you to prepare a starting point for candidates instead of giving them a blank canvas.

The drawing tool opens in an overlay on top of the question editor. This is the same drawing tool that candidates use in the test player.

In the canvas, you can:

• Use drawing tools such as selection, shapes, freehand drawing, text, arrows, and eraser.

• Insert images onto the canvas.

• Change colours, line types, and other style settings.

• Zoom in and out and move around the canvas.

The option to add links to objects in the drawing tool is not available in Inspera.

You can select View question inside the overlay to see the question text while you edit the canvas.

All content that you add and save on the canvas will be visible for all candidates who receive this question.

Lock and unlock items on the canvas

You can lock items on the canvas so that candidates cannot move, edit, or delete them. This is useful for fixed backgrounds and elements that should stay in place.

To lock items:

1. Select one or more objects on the canvas.

2. Right-click the selection.

3. Choose Lock from the menu.

To unlock items:

1. Select the locked object or group.

2. Right-click the selection.

3. Choose Unlock.

In the test player, candidates see locked items but cannot change them.

Save and close the canvas

When you finish editing the canvas, use the controls in the overlay to save or discard your changes.

You will see options such as:

• Save & Close

• Close

If you select Save & Close:

• Your latest changes to the canvas are saved to the question.

If you select Close after making changes that are not yet saved, a confirmation dialog appears. The dialog allows you to:

• Close without saving (discard your unsaved edits).

• Save & Close (save your edits and close the overlay).

• Cancel and return to the canvas to continue editing.

From the Canvas section you can select Edit canvas to reopen the overlay and change the canvas, or Delete canvas to remove all author-created content from the canvas.

If you confirm Delete canvas, the Draw interaction returns to its original state with an empty canvas for candidates.