Testing

Score codes are new, and we are still testing them. You are welcome to try them with your classes. Things may change as we improve the tool, so please tell us what works and what doesn’t.

Virtual Science Teachers

How score codes work

Score codes let you see how each student did on a VST activity. No student accounts, no logins, and no student information sent to VST.

Three steps

  1. Copy a score code link

    In the Resource Finder, sign in and set Links to copy to Score code links. Only activities that make score codes will show.

    Choose an activity, select Score code link or embed, and copy the student link (or the embed code for Canvas, Schoology, or Google Sites). Put it in an assignment like any other link.

  2. Students finish and turn in their code

    When a student finishes, the activity asks for their first and last name and shows a code like this:

    Ella Ment · Oct 31, 9:41 PM · VST-XW9R0-0082B-W1CH8A

    They select Copy code and paste it into a one-question quiz or form you set up. How to set one up.

  3. Paste the codes into the Score Decoder

    Copy everything students turned in, even with other text mixed in, or download a CSV from your LMS. Paste it into the Score Decoder and select Show scores.

Collect codes with a one-question quiz

The easiest way to collect codes is a quiz or form with one short-answer question. Make it once and reuse it for any activity.

Directions to give students

Copy these into your assignment. Change the parts in [brackets].

  1. Open the activity: [paste the score code link].
  2. Finish the activity. When it asks for your name, type your first and last name exactly as it appears in [Canvas / Google Classroom / Schoology].
  3. Select Copy code.
  4. Come back to this quiz, paste your code into the answer box, and submit.

Set up the quiz in your platform

Menu names change from time to time, so yours may look a little different.

Google Classroom (with Google Forms)
  1. In Classroom, select Create, then Quiz assignment. A blank Google Form opens.
  2. Add one Short answer question: “Paste your score code here.” Turn on Required.
  3. Add the activity link and student directions to the assignment, then assign it.
  4. To see codes: in the form, open Responses, then select the three dots and Download responses (.csv). Drop that file into the Score Decoder.
Canvas
  1. Go to Quizzes and create a new quiz.
  2. Add one Essay question: “Paste your score code here.” Set the points to match how you grade completion.
  3. Put the activity link and student directions in the quiz instructions, then publish.
  4. To see codes: download the quiz’s Student Analysis report (a CSV file) and drop it into the Score Decoder. You can also copy answers from SpeedGrader and paste them in.
Schoology
  1. In your course, select Add Materials, then Add Test/Quiz.
  2. Add one Short-Answer/Essay question: “Paste your score code here.”
  3. Add the activity link and student directions, then publish.
  4. To see codes: open the quiz Results, export or copy the answers, and paste them into the Score Decoder.
Microsoft Teams or Microsoft Forms
  1. Create a new form with one Text question: “Paste your score code here.” Turn on Required.
  2. Share the form with the activity link and student directions, or assign it in Teams.
  3. To see codes: open Responses, then Open results in Excel. Copy the answers and paste them into the Score Decoder.
No LMS? Use an online form or email

Any online form with a text answer works, or students can email their codes to you. Paste everything you collect into the Score Decoder. It finds the codes even when other text is mixed in.

Tip: ask students to type the same name your platform shows. The Score Decoder compares the two and flags a name that doesn’t match.

What you will see

Who finished

Every student who turned in a code, with the date and time they finished.

First-try results

Which questions each student missed on their first try, and how many tries it took.

Who needs help

Students who may need extra support, common wrong answers, and reteach groups by question.

Codes to check

Typos, a code that doesn’t match the student’s name, and the same code turned in by two students.

Student privacy

Names and codes never leave your computer. The activity makes the code in the student’s browser, and the Score Decoder reads the codes in yours. Nothing is sent to VST or stored by us.

Find activities with score codes Open the Score Decoder

Questions

Who can use score codes?

Score code links and the Score Decoder are part of the VST Teacher Membership. Students never need an account. Anyone can use the regular links for free.

Which activities have score codes?

About 200 so far, including all of the PhET challenges and many mini-challenges. In the Resource Finder, set Links to copy to Score code links to see them. We are adding more every week.

Should I grade on accuracy or completion?

Most activities can’t be finished until every answer is correct, so the code shows the student completed it. The decoder also shows first-try misses and number of tries, which are helpful for planning, not as a grade.

Why does the code include the student’s name?

Each code is locked to the name the student typed. If a student copies a classmate’s code, the decoder flags it because the name and code don’t match. Ask students to type the same name your LMS shows.

What if a student closes the activity before copying the code?

If they reopen it in the same browser tab, the code is usually still there. If not, they can do the activity again. The new code will show more tries.

Does it work on phones and Chromebooks?

Yes. Activities and the Score Decoder work on phones, tablets, Chromebooks, and computers.

Can the regular link and the score code link both be used?

Yes. It is the same activity. The score code version only adds the name and code at the end.

Score codes are in testing. If something looks wrong, please let us know and include the activity name and what happened.