Introducing a new UIComponent QuestionListing

1 Initial Problem

Regarding the re-implementation of the List of Questions initiated by the feature request Revamping Exam View with List of Questions there has already been a lot of discontent, discussion, and proposed solution approaches, including

In this feature request, I would like to take a different approach to the current implementation than simply trying to find a solution for the saving behavior that everyone misses when navigating through a list of questions.

The feature request for redesigning the List of Questions, mentioned above, relied on the existing UIComponent WorkflowListing, which unfortunately does not cover all the requirements needed for the display and functionality of the List of Questions.

To give an impression, here are a few examples of where the UIComponent WorkflowListing is used:

In my opinion, one possible approach to addressing the existing problems with the question list is to move away from using the UIComponent WorkflowListing and introduce a new UIComponent QuestionListing that allows the implementation of the current requirements. In terms of implementation, the QuestionListing can probably be derived from the WorkflowListing for the most part, so that only certain functionalities need to be added or overwritten.

I am picking up on an idea that I already expressed here almost a year ago, but which unfortunately was not pursued further.

2 Saving while navigating through the list of questions

When navigating to the next or another question via the question list after answering a question (or changing an existing answer), the answer entered should be saved, similar to the behavior when navigating to another question using the “back” or “next” buttons.

However, we first need to set up the necessary requirements to address the issue of the saving behavior. If the UIComponent WorkflowListing is unable to do this and we do not want to modify the UIComponent WorkflowListing at this point, we will inevitably need an other UIComponent to implement the pending “holistic saving concept”.

3 Marking individual questions

Marking questions is used extensively, especially in e-exams. After switching from ILIAS 7 to 9, I received many questions and comments from students who missed the markers in the question list. Constantly switching back and forth between the exam questions and the “Test Attempt Overview” disrupts the flow when checking the answers before submitting the exam. It is easy to lose track of which question you were on.

The display of question markers is therefore an important feature of the question list. As can be seen in the screenshot of the learning sequence, for example, icons can also be integrated into the bullets. This means that an asterisk could certainly also be inserted here in a derived UIComponent QuestionListing. An alternative display, in which the asterisk is inserted between the bullet and the question title, can be seen below in the Layout section.

4 Layout of the list of questions

As the examples above illustrate, the UIComponent WorkflowListing is designed for displaying shorter lists with up to 5 entries and shorter titles. In tests, and especially in e-exams, there are usually far more entries, which can also have longer question titles. It is not uncommon to have 30 or more questions in a test.

The layout of the UIComponent WorkflowListing is too bulky here and makes it hard to see everything at a glance. Longer question titles tend to wrap, and you have to scroll a lot to get an overview of all the questions.

As an ILIAS system administrator, it is currently not possible to customize the layout of question lists via the system style, as the changes would also affect the workflow listings. Also for this reason, we need a separate UIComponent here.

Here is an example of how the list of questions could look in a more compact layout, including a question marker:

5 Conceptual Summary

Introduce a new UIComponent QuestionListing which allows to

6 User Interface Modifications

6.1 List of Affected Views

6.2 User Interface Details

{ For each of these views please list all user interface elements that should be modified, added or removed. Please provide the textual appearance of the UI elements and their interactive behaviour. }

6.3 New User Interface Concepts

Introduce a new UIComponent QuestionListing derived from WorkflowListing

6.4 Accessibility Implications

Nothing specific.

7 Additional Information

7.1 Involved Authorities

7.2 Technical Aspects

{ Necessary technical information have to be provided here, e.g. dependencies on other ILIAS components, necessary modifications in general services/architecture, potential security or performance issues. }

7.3 Privacy

Nothing specific.

7.4 Security

Nothing specific.

7.5 Contact

Person to be contacted in case of questions about the feature or for funding offers:  Hilbert, Mirco [mirco.hilbert]

7.6 Funding

Funding status and funding parties are listed in the block 'Status of Feature' in the right column of this page.

If you are interested to give funding for this feature, please get into contact with the person mentioned above as 'Contact'.

8 Discussion

9 Implementation

Feature has been implemented by {Please add related profile link of this person}

9.1 Description and Screenshots

{ Description of the final implementation and screenshots if possible. }

9.2 Test Cases

Test cases completed at {date} by {user}

9.3 Privacy

Information in privacy.md of component: updated at {date} by {user} | no change required

9.4 Approval

Approved at {date} by {user}.