Gapfill quiz questions in Moodle using AI

If you have not already seen, you can use Generative AI, in this instance ChatGPT, to build MCQs for quizzes in Moodle. But, you can also build Gapfill questions using prompts and rules very much in the same way.

We can use the instructions to build a template for our rules, and from there introduce a prompt for the topic. We know that we need spaces denoted with [_____], we need ‘distractors’ and we also know how it needs to be an exact match. By putting these rules into a template we can start to create such a prompt. To save confusion I have placed a ‘#’ around the text to be edited, but remove these too.

Use the rule below to build a gap fill question for a quiz on the #topic of choice#
1.	Produce a 3 word title for the question that does not indicate any of the correct answers
2.	Use [] to surround words to form the gaps to drop words into.
3.	Produce at least #number of gaps# gaps to be filled.
4.	Interchangeable words are disallowed, for example [first] or [second] phalanges where either could be correct but would be incorrect in the quiz. 
5.	UK English to be used. 
6.	the text should use terms expected in the knowledge of a level #level of study# on a #programme or field of study#
7.	the text should be around #lengeth of text# words in length. 
8.	a set of #number of incorrect but potential words# distractor words provided separated by commas that could be potentially correct. 
9.	Words can only be used once.
10.	Adjacent gaps are disallowed, for example ‘the humerus connects with the two bones of the forearm: the [radius] and the [ulna].’ is disallowed as either orientation of the answers could be correct, but not recognised within the quiz tool

The rules here are a little more complicated, and ChatGPT does not always get them right. The output needs a read through before putting into the Moodle quiz as sometimes there are still words sat next to each other that could be interchangeable which is disallowed in Moodle (an you might get a lot of student emails about this from experience…).

Lets take a look at an example template:

Use the rule below to build a gap fill question for a quiz on the building of digital literacy of academics
1.	Produce a 3 word title for the question that does not indicate any of the correct answers
2.	Use [] to surround words to form the gaps to drop words into.
3.	Produce at least 5 gaps to be filled.
4.	Interchangeable words are disallowed, for example [first] or [second] phalanges where either could be correct but would be incorrect in the quiz. 
5.	UK English to be used. 
6.	the text should use terms expected in the knowledge of a level 7 on a PGCert in Teaching in Higher Education
7.	the text should be around 100 words in length. 
8.	a set of 3 distractor words provided separated by commas that could be potentially correct. 
9.	Words can only be used once.
10.	Adjacent gaps are disallowed, for example ‘the humerus connects with the two bones of the forearm: the [radius] and the [ulna].’ is disallowed as either orientation of the answers could be correct, but not recognised within the quiz tool

I would normally use a lot more that this, with around 15 gaps in 500 words with 10 distractors. But I am not sure you are going to read all that….

This is the response to this prompt, which could be directly copied and pasted in Moodle.

Question Title: Enhancing Digital Competency
In order to effectively integrate technology into teaching, academics must focus on [developing] their digital literacy skills. This includes the ability to [evaluate] digital tools and platforms critically, as well as [adapting] teaching strategies to meet the needs of a digitally engaged student body. Furthermore, understanding how to [incorporate] digital technologies in ways that enhance student learning and [facilitate] collaboration is key to modern educational practices.

Distractors: utilising, creating, modifying

But I would not do so. [adapting] and [modifying] may be too confusing for the answer, they are just too close. This would need changing, I would probably change the distractors in this instance to keep the text input the same. There are normally less issues in a larger text than can be seen here, are there are more than one, but this does save me a lot of time in building short answer question style quizzes either for formative or summative assessments. If you are going to use for a summative, then make sure that you have proof read the answer for accuracy; a bad workperson always blames their tools.

All the student would then have to do is drop the correct answer into the correct gap. I normally set all the gaps the the same length to make it a tiny bit less like guess work.