Overview of the Classification task

The Classification task lets learners categorise a list of possible responses (words or images) into a table. Learners can drag items to and between the different categories using their mouse/keyboard or by tapping on the item to pick it up, and tapping again to drop it.

Example Classification task that requires learners to sort plants into three columns: Terrestrial, Gas giants, and Ice giants.

When should I use a Classification task?

Classification is great for getting learners to spot patterns, similarities and differences.

Example 1: Different sounds of a "C"

Example classification task where learners drag words into columns: "K" Sound, Both, or "S" sound.

Example 2: Comparing and contrasting

Example classification task where learners drag examples of learning into columns: Behaviourist, or Constructivist.

Example 3: Nine diamond ranking

However, as with some of the other task types, with classification you don't have to set a correct response. This means you can have more open options like this example of a nine diamond ranking activity.

Example classification task where learners drag work skills/attributes (e.g. Works well with others, Flexible) into columns: Least important (1 item), Lesser important (2 items), Important (3 items), Very important (2 items), or Most important (1 item).

Example 4: Nine diamond ranking with images

Or this example with images.

Example classification task where learners drag environmental actions (e.g. conserve water) into columns: Least important (1 item), Lesser important (2 items), Important (3 items), Very important (2 items), or Most important (1 item).

Example 5: True or false

You can also use Classification for true or false questions if you prefer the look of this over using another task type.

Example classification task where learners drag space statements (e.g. Mars is the fourth planet from the sun) into columns: True, or False.

How do I create a Classification task?

All tasks load with an example task to give an idea of what each field is for. To add your own task details, you can type over the existing content in the fields or select Clear task content, to start completely fresh.

Clear task content button on right of task element below task type choice.

Standard fields

This task has the standard fields/options that all tasks have.

At the top:

Question: Where you set the main question/task which tells learners what to answer or do.

And at the bottom:

Hint: Add a hint to give pointers or clues to give learners extra guidance to complete the task. Learners can choose to See hint so it allows them to get this help “on demand”.
Feedback: Add feedback to give learners an automated response when they submit the task. See Writing feedback for tasks for pointers and ideas.
For this task you can also choose to add feedback per response instead of, or as well as, general feedback to provide specific feedback to the response the learner chose.

In between the top and bottom standard fields we have the following areas and fields.

Setting the columns for categorisation

Specify the number of columns under Column count and give the columns titles as required.

Available responses

Under Available responses, add all the possible responses for learners to put into categories.

Use +Add to add more items to the list. To remove an option use the bin icon to the right. The up/down arrows to the left of each response allows you to re-order how the options appear to your learners.

You have the option to Group possible responses. This puts the possible responses for learners into labelled groups.

Screenshot showing grouped possible responses on a matching task. The example has groups of draggable items in three columns: Planets, Satellites, and Stars and nebulae.

If you choose to do so, you will notice a group appear. Give it a name, add the title of the group and then begin adding the possible responses that belong in that group. You can then add a second group with possible responses and so on.

Setting the correct answer

Under Correct, drag your items into the correct order to allow the task to be automarked.

If there are more correct answers, use the + to add alternative answers.

As seen in the examples, you can also choose to not set a correct answer. If you don’t want the question to be automarked, leave the items in the grey space, unallocated to a column. In this case, the task will not be automarked and the task will be allocated the complete/incomplete with feedback marking template to allow facilitators to manually mark the task (if desired).

Other options

Duplicate responses means the available responses you've set can be chosen/used by the learner more than once e.g. you can use response A twice to match it to item 1 and item 2.

Shuffle options displays the response options in a different order each time the question is shown.

The Choice matrix task

The Matching task

The Number line task

The Label with drag and drop task

The short text task