Abstract.The Hot Potatoes is a kind of fast edit tool software that includes six applications. It is designed by the Research and Development team at the University of Victoria Humanities Computing and Media Center. Through the Hot Potatoes software, web interactive exercises and tests can be made only by inputting data, allocating settings and publishing them. This paper has introduced the functions and the application methods of the software. In addition, it takes the secondary school English as an example and introduces the fabrication process of different types of questions so as to optimize the English teaching service.
Key words: Hot Potatoes; English; web test questions; application and research
1.The function introduction and application of the Hot Potatoes
The Hot Potatoes is a kind of fast edit tool software that includes six applications. It is designed by the Research and Development team at the University of Victoria Humanities Computing and Media Center. Through the Hot Potatoes software, web interactive exercises and tests can be made only by inputting data, allocating settings and publishing them.
1.1.The introduction of the basic functions of Hot Potatoes
The Hot Potatoes home page is located at the University of Victoria. The Hot Potatoes suite includes six applications, enabling you to create interactive multiple-choice, short-answer, jumbled-sentence, crossword, matching/ordering and gap-fill exercises for the World Wide Web. Hot Potatoes is freeware, and you may use it for any purpose or project you like. It is not open-source. This paper has introduced the functions and the usage of the software. In addition, it takes the primary school English as an example and introduces the fabrication process of different types of tests in a relatively detailed manner. In this way, it can better serve the English teaching and optimize the English teaching. The interface of the Hot Potatoes can be seen in Picture 1:
1)The JQuiz program creates question-based quizzes. Questions can be of four different types, including multiple-choice and short-answer. Specific feedback can be provided both for right answers and predicted wrong answers or distractors. In short-answer questions, the student"s guess is intelligently parsed and helpful feedback to show what part of a guess is right and what part is wrong. The student can ask for a hint in the form of a "free letter" from the answer.
2)The JCloze program creates gap-fill exercises. Unlimited correct answers can be specified for each gap, and the student can ask for a hint and see a letter of the correct answer. A specific clue can also be included for each gap. Automatic scoring is also included. The program allows gapping of selected words, or the automatic gapping of every nth word in a text.
3)The JCross program creates crossword puzzles which can be completed online. You can use a grid of virtually any size. As in JQuiz and JCloze, a hint button allows the student to request a free letter if help is needed.
4)The JMix program creates jumbled-sentence exercises. You can specify as many different correct answers as you want, based on the words and punctuation in the base sentence and a hint button prompts the student with the next correct word or segment of the sentence if needed.
5)The JMatch program creates matching or ordering exercises. A list of fixed items appears on the left (these can be pictures or text), wth jumbled items on the right. This can be used for matching vocabulary to pictures or translations, or for ordering sentences to form a sequence or a conversation.
6)In addition, there is a sixth program called the Masher. This is designed to create complete units of material in one simple operation. If you are creating sequences of exercises and other pages that should form a unit, you may find the Masher useful. The Masher can also be used to upload Web pages not created with Hot Potatoes to the www.省略 server.
1.2.Several Concepts in the application process
1)Beginner or Advanced mode
There is a “mode” item in the JQuiz. Two modes have been set, which are the beginner and the advanced mode.
2)Item weight
In order to offer flexible choices, the teachers should determine the weight for each question. The general condition is 100%.
3)Accuracy rate
There is at least a correct answer to each question. However, the other answers should as well be correct partly.
4)Considering being correct
If an answer is considered to be correct, it is effective only when the students choose this particular answer, even though it is not correct.
1.3.The assembly and register of the Hot Potatoes software
1)The assembly of the Hot Potatoes software
Currently the latest version of the Hot Potatoes software is Hot Potatoes version 6. The download address is https://hotpot.uvic.ca. The default assembly program interface is in English.
2)The register of the Hot Potatoes Software
Hot Potatoes is a good Freeware Quiz generator program from the University of Victoria in British Columbia. It is free for educational establishments. Register first in the register area of Hot Potatoes: https://142.104.133.52/admin/register.htm. Click [help]>[register] and press [ok].
3)The application help of Hot Potatoes software
Find solutions in the website: https://www.省略.
2.Use the Hot Potatoes to made the English web tests
The Hot Potatoes suite includes six applications, enabling you to create interactive multiple-choice, short-answer, jumbled-sentence, crossword, matching/ordering and gap-fill exercises for the World Wide Web.
Hot Potatoes is freeware, and you may use it for any purpose or project you like. It is not open-source.
2.1.Use Hot to made multiple-choice question
1)To add content
2)To allocate documents
Click the “configuration” in [Options]>[Configure Output]. The major settings are Title/Instructions, Buttons, Appearance, and Timer.
3)To produce websites
4)Website test questions
2.2.Use Hot to made blank fillings
1)To add content
Click [File]-[Save]. Fill other correct answers in [Alternative correct answers].
2)To allocate documents
3)To produce websites
4)Website tests
3.Test integration
4.Acknowledgement
This paper is the phrase achievement（09BG21） of “major problems and countermeasures research for teaching in newly-built institutions of higher learning”, the teaching reformation and research project for ordinary higher schools in Shanxi Province; the phrase achievement（project number：09JK007） of “foundation and research on the education characteristics of teachers in newly-built institutions of higher learning”, the research plan project in humanities social science in the educational departments in Shanxi Province.
5.References
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[5] CHEN Dong-ping, PENG Chang-lin. The Hot Potatoes internet interactive practice tool[J]. Information technology education, 2005.12