Hotspot question types allow learners to select specific coordinates or a specific area on a given piece of content. These content types can range from charts/graphs/images, or, put simply, anything that can be described and selected within question and answer content, respectively.

 

Hot Area question types expand upon the hotspot question type and allow learners to select one or more areas on a given piece of content.

 

The creative limitations for hotspot and hot area question type are endless, but we’ll demonstrate two uses and how BluePrint can be used to realize those desired outcomes. It’s worth noting that question and answer content should be used in similar or identical ways you’d use other question types.

 

Hotspot Example:

 

In this instance, the question is asking us to identify the coordinate (-4, 1). When the learner answers the question, a dot will appear on the spot they’ve identified as the proper answer to the question.

 

To mark the “hotspot” that allows for click points to qualify, you’ll want to add a hotspot and click each point that would make the perimeter of an acceptable click zone. The shaded area will qualify as your acceptable hotspot.

To reiterate, this method not only works for charts/graphs, but can work for helping learners identify specific pieces of information/content given in a simple piece of media.

 

Hot Area Example:

 

In this instance, the question is asking us to identify the acute angles on the triangle. When the learner answers the question, each angle will have a shaded area that they can select, and the area(s) they’ve selected will be highlighted.

To mark the “hot areas” that learners can select, you’ll want to add a hot area for each answer, and click each point that would make the perimeter of that specific area. The shaded areas will be possible answers to the question.

 

Creating Hotspot and Hot Area Questions

To create a hotspot or hot area question in BluePrint, follow the instructions below:

 

1. Navigate to the Questions tab of your course, and click on New Question.
2. Add your question content. Then, under Template, select “Hotspot/Hotarea Question.”
   
   
   
3. Upload your hotspot/hot area image.
   
   
   
4. Click on Source. Copy and paste the image’s src text to the hotspot/hot area's src. Paste it where you see the # sign.
   
5. Delete the image’s code (last line), since the hotspot/hot area now has a link to the image. Also, delete the "<span>Add image url to this img tag.</span>” code.
   
6. Add your answer explanation content.
7. Select the question type as “Hotspot" or "Hotarea."
   
8. If you selected Hotspot:
   1. Under answers, click on Edit Hotspots and your image will appear. Click on Add Hotspot to add a new hotspot area, and save it by clicking on Finalize Hotspot.
      
      
      
   2. Click on Undo Point if you need to undo your last selected point, or Delete Last Hotspot to delete all point selections.
9. If you selected Hot Area:
   1. Under answers, click on Edit Hotspots and your image will appear. Click on Add Hotspot to add a new hotspot area, and save it by clicking on Finalize Hotspot.
      
      
      
   2. Click on Undo Point if you need to undo your last selected point, or Delete Hotspot to delete all point selections.
   3. If this hot area is the correct answer or a part of the correct answer, check the box Include in correct answer.
      
   4. Repeat the steps above for each hot area answer. If you need to add more answers, click on Add New Answer.
      
10. Select a question category and distribution.
    
11. Click on Create to finish creating your new question.