Creator+ Spotlight – Fill in the Blanks and Dropdown Fill in the Blanks
“Fill in the blanks” is one of the most versatile assessment tools in learning design. This is because fill in the blanks can be applied to any type of content, with limited adaptation from the educator. Simply select an important phrase, replace key words with blanks, and you’ve got a rudimentary fill in the blanks question.
With Creator+, you can take your fill in the blanks questions to another level. That’s because we offer two unique types of fill in the blanks Practices: Dropdown Fill in the Blanks and Standard Fill in the Blanks.
In this article, we’ll help you understand the differences between these two Practices.
What’s the Difference?
Dropdown Fill in the Blanks is exclusive. It provides the learner with a "dropdown” of answer options for each blank. This allows the learner to narrow their focus to an exclusive list of possible answers.
Dropdown Fill in the Blanks is widely applicable, but it is particularly useful when learners need to distinguish between related terms. It works well if you have a set of answers that are plausible for each blank, such as the planets in the Solar System. It doesn’t work as well if your answer options are unrelated and learners can easily guess based on context.
Standard Fill in the Blanks is expansive. This option provides learners with a true blank space, where they can input any text or numerical response. Learners must consider an expansive possibility of answers, instead of a narrowed down list of options.
Standard Fill in the Blanks can be used in almost any context. It is applicable for basic recall of information to higher level mathematic equations. Keep in mind that this Practice is a bit trickier than “Dropdown,” so make sure learners have sufficient information to make their input. You also have the option to allow multiple entries and account for things like variable spelling or other possible answers.
Learn More
We’re here to help you get the most out of Fill in the Blanks. For a detailed list of instructions and best practices, check out the Dropdown Fill in the Blanks and Standard Fill in the Blanks articles in the Brightspace Community.
Do you have a question about Fill in the Blanks? Ask your question in the comment section below and someone on the Creator+ team will help you out.