If you want your students to do some long reading comprehension assignments or if you want them to view a website or something else online, it is possible to insert a Web Link into the question text. While it is called a Web Link, this function can link to files online. This feature is especially useful for long passages or large images.

To add a link, you first need to write the text associated with the question. If you have no text, you can't create a link. So, first, we will write our question text. While we are writing the text, we will also fill in the answers and assign scores.

Now that we have our text, I select the word or words to be the link to our external information, image, web page, and other destinations. Once the words are highlighted, click on the Insert Web Link icon. When you click on it, an Insert Link window will appear.

Here, you need to enter the link to the URL you want to use. You also need to give the entry some kind of title, which will appear as a tool tip in standard-compliant browsers and can be used by screen readers for the visually impaired. Giving the link some kind of name to recognize where it will take you to is also a good idea. You can also choose the Target. There are several options here: new window, same window, and others. If you decide to use Target, choose one that works best for your needs. However, it may be better to let the user decide since setting a target goes against web-interface standards.

There is also the option for using an Anchor, if you have created any. An Anchor is a link within a page, and it allows you to jump quickly to an area by clicking on it. Top and Bottom are two common anchors, which quickly bring you to the top or bottom of the page you are viewing. These anchor spots first need to be defined by you before using the Anchor options.

Now, we are going to create a question about Brazil. We've found a web page we want our students to read over before they answer the question. We'll add the address to the reading in the URL line. For the Title, we are going to call it Brazil Reading, so the students, when hovering their mouse over the link, will see what it leads to. We are going to set a target here. For Target, we are going to select New Window, so the reading and test will be on two different pages. Do not forget to use New Window If you do, the quiz will effectively end when the page changes. This mistake is a No! Because we have not set an Anchor, there is no option for selecting anything in this box.

Scan the Wikipedia article about Brazil and then add the hyperlink to the Wikipedia article about Brazil. The question is now ready. The text I highlighted to be the link is now a link that will open a new window with the reading about Brazil. The students will click on the this article link, which will open the Brazil Reading, find the information, and then answer the question. Here is what the final product looks like.

You can also link to files on your computer. Looking at the Insert Link window, you will see a Browse button to the left-hand side of the OK button. If you click on this button, you will be brought on the Insert Link File Browser. In this browser, you will see a list of files you have uploaded to the course. You can select one of these files to use, or you may upload a new file. If you want to use any of the files already in the File Browser, then simply click on one and it will be added as the URL. If you want to use a file not already uploaded, then you need to go to the Browse button at the bottom of the menu and find the file you want to upload. Click on the Upload button and the file will be added to the main course files directory. You will want to upload your files well in advance so that you can make good decisions about where you want the files located. Once the file is uploaded, you will be able to click on it and its location will be added to the URL. Then follow the same steps as before to make the question work the way you want it to.