PHYS_MCQ.EXE is a self-expanding archive file which contains Ken Tait's ToolBook MCQ application together with Physiology multiple choice questions supplied by Ian Hampton. Make yourself a directory called \MCQ and copy the file into it. Change to that directory, type the command PHYS_MCQ and the archive file will disgorge its contents. Run the book PHYSIOLOGY.TBK et voila. UPDATE 20th Aug '93 =================== Ken has updated the file makemcq.exe For the moment this has not yet been put into the self expanding file. Just take it direct from this directory. Ken's notes on the program follow: Leeds MCQ System v 2.09 Computer Based Learning Unit The University of Leeds LS2 9JT, UK Contact: Ken Tait Tel: +44 532 334628 Fax: +44 532 334635 Email: ken@uk.ac.leeds.cbl ken@cbl.leeds.ac.uk K.Tait@uk.ac.leeds 19th August 1993 The Leeds MCQ System consists of a program written in ToolBook 1.53. To use it to create a question bank it requires text files containing questions, some further text files which control the way the system functions, and another small program in Toolbook to provide the introductory screen. What follows is a description of the files required to run a demonstration using questions written by the Department of Pharmacology at Leeds. By suitably altering the paths in the *.INF and *.CON (see below) files the system can be made to run with the files in whatever directories you choose. (At Leeds the system runs on stand-alone machines and over a Novell network.) The ToolBook run-time system and Windows are needed. MCQ System ---------- File MCQ2.TBK The MCQ System When the MCQ System is run on its own it requests information. This mode is for testing only. MCQ2.TBK should be run from another Toolbook such as PHARMW.TBK. Pharmacology ------------ Files PHARMW.TBK Calls MCQ2.TBK and exits to Windows on Quit PHARMD.TBK Calls MCQ2.TBK exits to DOS on Quit [not supplied] PHARMW.INF Information file for PHARMW.TBK PHARMD.INF Information file for PHARMD.TBK [not supplied] PHARM.CON Control file for menu creation and access to the question files. A1.MCQ Biotranformations (Easy) [Parmacology question file] A2.MCQ Biotransformations (Average) [Parmacology question file] A3.MCQ Biotransformations (Hard) [Parmacology question file] All question files for a given subject (such as Pharmacology) must be in a single directory. Microbiology ------------ Files MICROB.TBK Calls MCQ2.TBK and exits to Windows on Quit [not supplied] MICROB.INF Information file for MICROB.TBK [not supplied] MICROB.CON Control file for menu creation and access to the question files. [not supplied] Utilities --------- File MAKEMCQ.EXE Program (written in Turbo Pascal) to convert questions written in a simple format using a wordprocessor to the rather fussy format required by the MCQ System. Type: makemcq /h for further information. (Options may be prefixed by / or -) Instructions on the use of this program and a couple of illustrative sheets are available separately which will be sent to anyone sending their contact information (name, address and e-mail) to me preferably by e-mail with the subject Leeds MCQ System. Setting up ---------- (1) Modifying .INF files Each line begins with a letter an a colon. C: These lines are ignored. T: Two strings separated by a comma - the two lines dsiplayed on the opening screen. M: The full path and filename of the MCQ System. F: The full path and filename of the control file (.CON). X: TRUE|FALSE TRUE => exit to DOS. R: Path of directory where records are to be stored. It is necessary that .INF files be in the same directory as the corresponding .TBK files. The record handling assumes that each user has a directory of the same name. This works fine on a Novell network when this can be (for example) the user's home directory, or on a stand-alone machine used by one person. It is of no use when many users share one stand-alone machine. The only way round it would be to give each user a Toolbook which is a renamed copy of PHARMW.TBK (for example) with a corrsponding .INF which ensures the records go to different directories. (2) Modifying .CON files. C: These lines are ignored. D: This line is displayed on the first screen of the MCQ System. S: The name of the subject. R: The name used for files holding records. L: The names of the levels of questions. W: The weights used to calculate percentages. They are applied to correct, incorrect and unanswered branches. P: The path to the directory containing the question files. T: The title of a topic. F: The files (excluding path) and type (which is always .MCQ) for the levels of questions in the topic on the previous line. G: The name of a group of students. These MUST match the groups in the question files. S:, R:, L:, W:, T:, F:, G: need not be changed. (3) Linking to an icon Link .TBK files to icons in the usual way. It is only necessary to link the specific subject .TBK files (e.g. PHARMW.TBK). The MCQ System is protected so there is no advantage in using TOOLBOOK.EXE, TBOOK.EXE is sufficient. (4) Customising the introductory page. If PHARMW.TBK (or a copy of it) is invoked with TOOLBOOK.EXE it can be modified provided that the corresponding .INF file contains the line: A:TRUE This would allow (for example) the University of Leeds logo to be replaced by something more appropriate for your institution. Notes ----- The format of the question files is unnecessarily complicated. A completely redesigned system will be tried out at Leeds in the coming academic year. When this is made available a program for converting old MCQs to the new format will also be distributed. The new system works on a different principle and complete Toolbook programs are compiled from text files. These can be linked together to form a question bank which operated much more efficiently than the present one. Also, the system will be able to handle a variety of styles of CBL materials and include images as well as text. If you are interested in the developments let me know. Ken Tait