[Steve Side Hustler]

Hello — I teach and want to start using AI to help build question banks I can import into an LMS like Moodle or Canvas. I’m not very technical and would appreciate practical, simple advice.

Specifically, I’m wondering:

• Workflow: What are the basic steps from prompting an AI to producing an importable file?
• Formats: Which export formats work best (CSV, QTI, SCORM)? Any tips on what each format is good for?
• Question types & metadata: Can AI help create multiple choice, short answer, difficulty levels, and tags so the LMS can organize them?
• Quality control: How do I check for accuracy, plagiarism, or bias without being an expert?

If you’ve done this before, could you share simple prompts, tools, or a short step-by-step example that worked for you? Friendly, non-technical replies are especially welcome — thanks!

[Becky Budgeter]

Nice focus on exporting directly into your LMS — that’s the practical step that saves you the most time. Quick win: try asking an AI to draft 5 multiple-choice questions, then paste those into a spreadsheet and save as a CSV to test import in 5 minutes.

What you’ll need:

• A simple AI assistant or generator (chat or tool you’re comfortable with).
• A spreadsheet program (Excel, Google Sheets) and your LMS account with quiz import access.
• One small test quiz (5–10 questions) to import first so you can tweak formatting.

Step-by-step: how to do it

1. Decide question types and template: pick the mix you want (MCQ, true/false, short answer). Create column headers in your spreadsheet like: type, question, option1, option2, correct, points, feedback, tags.
2. Generate content with AI in batches: ask the AI for questions following your template (you don’t need to copy a full prompt here — keep it conversational). Produce several variants for each question so you can choose the clearest wording.
3. Paste results into your spreadsheet and edit: check facts, clear any ambiguous wording, confirm the correct answer, and add short feedback for students. AI helps draft, but you must verify correctness.
4. Format for your LMS: many systems accept CSV or QTI/GIFT formats. If your LMS has a sample CSV template, match that exactly. Otherwise, use the spreadsheet format above and export a small CSV.
5. Import a small test file into the LMS: start with 5 questions. Expect a few errors—read any import error messages, fix the spreadsheet, and repeat. When the test looks right, import the full bank.
6. Tag and organize: add tags, difficulty, or topic columns in your spreadsheet so you can filter and randomize later in the LMS.

What to expect

• Time saved on writing and variant generation, but you’ll still spend time editing for clarity and accuracy.
• Import hassles at first—format, punctuation, or special characters (math, images) can break imports. Fix in small batches.
• Better long-term payoff: once you have a clean spreadsheet template, creating future banks becomes much faster.

Simple tip: always keep a named sample import file for your LMS so you can copy it next time instead of starting from scratch.

Quick question to help next: which LMS are you using (Moodle or Canvas) and which question types matter most to you?

[Jeff Bullas]

Nice point — exporting into the LMS first is the real time-saver. Great practical tip: generate 5 items, paste into a spreadsheet, and test-import quickly. Let’s turn that into a repeatable process you can use every week.

What you’ll need

• An AI chat tool you like (Chat-based or API).
• A spreadsheet (Google Sheets or Excel).
• Access to your LMS quiz import (Moodle or Canvas). A small test course is ideal.
• A 5–10 question sample to start with — keep it tiny.

Step-by-step (do this now)

1. Choose your format: For Moodle use GIFT or Moodle XML if you want richer items. For Canvas, QTI is best — but both accept simple CSV if you follow a template.
2. Create a spreadsheet template. Suggested headers: type, question, option1, option2, option3, option4, correct, points, feedback, tags.
3. Ask the AI to generate 5–10 questions using that template (prompt below). Paste the AI output into the sheet and tidy wording.
4. Export a small CSV (5 questions) and import into the LMS. Read the import log, fix errors, repeat until clean.
5. Once clean, scale up: generate batches of 20–50, review for accuracy, tag by topic and difficulty, then import.

Example CSV row (copy-paste friendly)

type,question,option1,option2,option3,option4,correct,points,feedback,tags

MCQ,”What is the capital of France?”,”Paris”,”London”,”Berlin”,”Rome”,Paris,1,”Paris is the capital of France.”,geography

Common mistakes and quick fixes

• Problem: Special characters or smart quotes break imports. Fix: convert smart quotes to straight quotes and remove commas inside fields or wrap fields in quotes.
• Problem: Incorrect correct-answer formatting. Fix: Match exact option text as the correct field or use option letter if your LMS requires it.
• Problem: Image or math questions fail. Fix: Upload images separately to LMS and reference URLs, or use LMS-native equation editors rather than raw LaTeX in CSV.
• Problem: Import errors are vague. Fix: Import one question at a time to isolate the bad row.

Action plan — first 30 minutes

1. Create the spreadsheet template (10 min).
2. Use the AI prompt below to generate 5 MCQs and paste into the sheet (10 min).
3. Export CSV and do a test import in LMS (10 min). Read errors, fix, repeat once.

Copy-paste AI prompt (use as-is)

“Create 5 multiple-choice questions for [topic]. For each question, provide: type (MCQ), question text, four options (option1–option4), the correct option exactly as written, a 1-sentence feedback, and a short tag. Return results as CSV rows matching: type,question,option1,option2,option3,option4,correct,points,feedback,tags. Use points=1. Topic: [insert topic].”

What to expect

• First imports will need tweaks — that’s normal. Small iterations are faster than perfection up front.
• Once your template is solid, you’ll be producing reliable question banks quickly.

Tell me: Moodle or Canvas? And which question types matter most (MCQ, short answer, matching)? I’ll give a one-click-ready template for your LMS.

[aaron]

Short version: Generate question banks with AI, export to CSV/GIFT/QTI, test-import 5 items, then scale. Do the template and import work once — everything after is faster.

The problem: People ask AI for questions but skip formatting for the LMS. Result: lots of editing, failed imports, wasted time.

Why it matters: A clean export workflow saves hours per course, reduces grading errors, and ensures assessments behave as intended for students.

What I learned (fast): Start tiny, lock the import format, then batch-generate. The single biggest time-sink is troubleshooting a failed import. Solve that once.

What you’ll need

• An AI chat tool you trust (ChatGPT, Claude, Bard or an API).
• Spreadsheet (Google Sheets or Excel).
• Access to your LMS quiz import (Moodle or Canvas) and a test course.
• Reference: your LMS sample CSV or GIFT file (download one test export).

Step-by-step (do this now)

1. Download a sample export from your LMS (one quiz with 5 questions). Open it — that is your template.
2. Create a matching spreadsheet: headers like type,question,option1…option4,correct,points,feedback,tags (or match your LMS exact headers).
3. Use the AI prompt below to generate 5 test questions. Paste into the sheet and clean wording — ensure answers match option text exactly.
4. Export CSV (or GIFT) and import those 5 items. Read the import log, fix the offending row, repeat once until clean.
5. Once clean, batch-generate 20–50, review in 10–15 minute blocks, tag by topic/difficulty, then import in batches of 50–100.
6. Store the validated file as your master template for future banks.

Copy-paste AI prompts

CSV (works for Canvas or simple LMS CSV)
“Create 10 questions for [TOPIC]. Mix: 6 MCQ, 2 short answer, 2 true/false. Return as CSV rows with columns: type,question,option1,option2,option3,option4,correct,points,feedback,tags. For short answer, leave option2–4 blank and put the short answer text in correct. Use points=1 and short one-sentence feedback per item. Ensure no commas inside fields or use straight quotes.”

GIFT (for Moodle)
“Create 10 Moodle GIFT-format questions for [TOPIC]. Include question types: MCQ, SHORT ANSWER, TRUE/FALSE. For MCQs provide exactly 4 options and mark the correct one. Return only valid GIFT text ready to paste into Moodle import.”

Metrics to track

• Time per question (goal: < 5 minutes review per AI question).
• Import error rate (target: < 5% rows error on first import).
• Review rejection rate after QA (target: < 10%).
• Questions produced per hour (scale target: 100+/hr after templates are set).

Common mistakes & fixes

• Smart quotes or commas inside fields: convert to straight quotes or wrap fields in quotes.
• Correct field mismatch: ensure the correct column exactly matches one option or uses A/B/C format per LMS rules.
• Images/equations fail: upload assets to LMS first, then reference stable URLs or use LMS equation editors.
• Vague import errors: import one row at a time to isolate the problem row.

7-day action plan

1. Day 1: Download LMS sample export and build spreadsheet template (30–60 min).
2. Day 2: Generate 5 test questions with AI and do first import (30–45 min).
3. Day 3–4: Fix template issues, generate batches of 20, QA and tag (1–2 hrs total).
4. Day 5–6: Produce full bank (100–300 Qs) in batches, import and spot-check (2–3 hrs).
5. Day 7: Final QA, save master template, document import steps for the team (30–60 min).

Your move.

— Aaron

[aaron]

Locking the import format before scaling is the right move. You’ve nailed the foundation. Now let’s make it production-grade so you can generate, QA, and export to Moodle (GIFT) and Canvas (CSV/QTI) with minimal rework.

Reality check: Format errors aren’t the only drag. Inconsistent answer keys, weak distractors, and missing tags kill reuse and analytics.

Why it matters: A repeatable pipeline (schema → AI generation → QA → exports) cuts your time per question to minutes, keeps imports clean, and gives you durable banks you can version and reuse across courses.

My lesson: Generate once in a “canonical schema,” then render to GIFT and CSV from that source. Add lightweight QA checks before importing and you’ll 3–5x throughput without quality slip.

• Do: Use a canonical item schema (ID, stem, 4 options, correct, rationale, difficulty, Bloom level, tags).
• Do: Keep IDs stable (e.g., ACC201-Q017-v1). Increment versions when editing to avoid duplicates.
• Do: Bake QA into the prompt: one correct answer, plausible distractors, similar option length, remove negatives unless intentional.
• Do: Tag with topic|difficulty|bloom|item_id for filtering and randomization.
• Don’t: Mix curly quotes, stray commas, or hidden characters — use straight quotes and UTF-8.
• Don’t: Rely on LaTeX or images in CSV. For formulas, use LMS-native editors post-import.
• Don’t: Use “All of the above” or overlapping distractors; it reduces diagnostic value.

What you’ll need

• AI chat tool.
• Google Sheets or Excel.
• LMS test course with import permissions (Moodle and/or Canvas).
• One small sample export from your LMS to confirm header naming.

Steps to execute

1. Create your canonical sheet with headers: item_id, type, stem, optionA, optionB, optionC, optionD, correct, points, rationale, difficulty(1–3), bloom, tags.
2. Use the dual-output prompt below to generate 10–20 items into: (A) canonical CSV, (B) Moodle GIFT, (C) Canvas-friendly CSV.
3. Run a quick QA pass: check one correct per item, option length balance (no telltale 3-word vs 10-word gaps), remove ambiguous wording, confirm feedback/rationale.
4. Import 5 items to Moodle via GIFT. Fix any line causing an error, re-export, re-import.
5. Import the same 5 items to Canvas via CSV. If your Canvas instance prefers QTI, keep CSV for Classic, and plan a QTI step later if needed.
6. Once clean, scale to batches of 50. Keep IDs and tags consistent for future randomization and analytics.

Worked example (one item, three outputs)

• Canonical (CSV row): MCQ,”Which organelle is known as the cell’s powerhouse?”,”Mitochondria”,”Nucleus”,”Ribosome”,”Golgi apparatus”,”Mitochondria”,1,”Mitochondria generate ATP.”,1,Remember,”cell_bio|energy|BIO101-Q001-v1″
• Moodle GIFT: Which organelle is known as the cell’s powerhouse? {=Mitochondria ~Nucleus ~Ribosome ~Golgi apparatus}
• Canvas CSV row: type,question,option1,option2,option3,option4,correct,points,feedback,tagsMCQ,”Which organelle is known as the cell’s powerhouse?”,”Mitochondria”,”Nucleus”,”Ribosome”,”Golgi apparatus”,”Mitochondria”,1,”Mitochondria generate ATP.”,”cell_bio|remember|d1|BIO101-Q001-v1″

Copy-paste prompt (dual-output, use as-is)

Generate [N] assessment items on [TOPIC] for [LEVEL] learners. Use only multiple-choice (4 options). Apply this policy: one unambiguously correct answer, three plausible distractors, avoid negatives unless flagged, keep option lengths within ±20% of correct. Include a 1-sentence rationale (feedback) and tags. Return exactly three sections in this order, with no extra commentary.

SECTION A: Canonical CSV with columns: type,question,option1,option2,option3,option4,correct,points,feedback,tags. Use type=MCQ, points=1. Use straight quotes only. Do not include commas inside fields unless the field is wrapped in quotes.

SECTION B: Moodle GIFT for the same items. Each item as: Question text {=Correct ~Distractor ~Distractor ~Distractor}

SECTION C: Canvas CSV with the same columns as Section A.

Topic=[insert]; Level=[insert]; N=[insert].

Quality KPIs to watch

• Time to first clean import: target under 30 minutes.
• Import error rate (first pass): under 5% rows.
• QA rejection rate after review: under 10%.
• Throughput after template lock: 100–150 questions/hour (including review).
• Distractor plausibility score (subjective 1–5): average ≥4.

Common mistakes & fixes

• Mismatch in correct column: Ensure the correct field exactly matches one option text (case and punctuation).
• Curly quotes/smart punctuation: Convert to straight quotes; set spreadsheet to plain text before paste.
• Duplicate stems: Add an item_id and search for duplicates before import.
• Canvas variant differences: Some instances prefer QTI. Validate CSV import in your environment with 5 items first; if blocked, export QTI later.
• Images or math fail: Upload assets to LMS first and reference stable URLs, or add equations post-import with the LMS editor.

7-day sprint

1. Day 1: Build the canonical sheet and confirm LMS headers. Create 5-item sample export for reference.
2. Day 2: Generate 10 items with the dual-output prompt. Import 5 to Moodle (GIFT) and 5 to Canvas (CSV). Fix formatting.
3. Day 3: Codify your QA checklist (answer key, option length, clarity, tags). Apply to 20 new items.
4. Day 4: Scale to 50 items. Tag by topic and Bloom level. Import in batches of 25.
5. Day 5: Add rationales and difficulty labels. Spot-check 10 items in the LMS as a student preview.
6. Day 6: Produce another 50–100 items. Version IDs (v1 → v2) for any edits.
7. Day 7: Final QA, archive master canonical CSV, plus export packs: Moodle GIFT and Canvas CSV.

Next step: Tell me Moodle or Canvas (or both) and I’ll tune the headers and a ready-to-import starter file for your setup.

Your move.

— Aaron

[Author]

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