Using tags in items

NOTE: To learn about setting up tag groups and tag values, as well as tag categories, tag hierarchies, tag collections, and tag collection groups, read Setting up tag groups.

In Surpass, you can attach metadata (known as “tags”) to items and then use these tags to organise items when authoring content, creating tests, and viewing results.

Metadata in Surpass is divided into tag groups and tag values. Tag values are the metadata labels that are attached to items. Tag groups are themed containers for tag values. There are three default tag groups: Learning Outcomes, Units, and Keywords. You can create custom tag groups in Setup > Subjects. Tags are subject specific.

This article explains how to assign tag values to an item and includes information on how to set up Marked Learning Outcomes and selecting tag values from a tag hierarchy.

1. Go to your item’s Edit screen

Select an item in your subject to open it and go to the Edit screen.

NOTE: Tags cannot be added to Introduction Pages, Finish Pages, or Information Pages in Mixed subjects.

2. Open a tag group

Select Tags to open the Tags information panel. The item tree collapses when the Tags panel is open.

TIP: Use the resizer () to change the panel width.

Select any of the Tag Group buttons to add a new tag to that group. This will open the Edit <tag group> dialog.

Use Previous item and Next item to navigate the item tree.

Select the Folder () icons to open the item tree. The Tags panel closes when the item tree is reopened.

Select Hide to close the Tags panel.

NOTE: You can also view inline comments, source material, and hints in the panel. For more information, read Leaving comments on items, Leaving comments on item sets, Using the source material panel in Item Authoring, and Creating a Numerical Entry question.

3. Add tag values

TIP: You can create new tag values in the Edit <tag group> dialog if Allow authors to create their own tags is enabled at the subject level. For more information, read Setting up subject tag groups.

In the Edit <tag group> dialog, use the Enter a new tag field to find a tag value. You can use the text field to search for a tag value or the menu to select a tag value from the list. Select Add Tag Value to add the tag value to the item. Select Save Changes to close the dialog.

NOTE: If item language variants are enabled, note that all language variants for an item inherit and share the default language (parent item)’s tags; adding or amending tag values on a language variant also saves the new or updated tags to the default language. If you do not have permission to edit tag values for a language variant but have permission to edit the default language, you can add or change its tag values from the default language. Read Creating and managing language variants for more information.

Setting up Marked Learning Outcomes

Marked Learning Outcomes lets markers give a numerical score to each tag value rather than the item as a whole. This allows for greater specificity in marking. Marked Learning Outcomes can be added to any human-marked item.

EXAMPLE: For an Essay item, you might want to set up Marked Learning Outcomes for ‘Quality of written language’, ‘Use of secondary sources’, and ‘Strength of argument’.

Using tag hierarchies

Tag values can be added to your item from a tag hierarchy if a tag hierarchy has been published for your subject. Read Setting up tag hierarchies to learn about how tag hierarchies are configured.

4. Check tag values

Select a tag group’s expand icon to view associated tag values on the Edit screen.

Any tag values added from a tag hierarchy are indicated by a hierarchy icon on the tag group button.

Selecting a tag value from a tag group in a tag hierarchy opens a dialog highlighting the tag’s position within the hierarchy.

Featured tag groups are indicated by a star icon.

Assigned tag values from a featured tag group are displayed under the item’s name. These tag values are also displayed in the subject’s item tree, for more information read ‘Viewing featured tags’ in Managing items in a subject.

For information on setting up featured tag groups, read ‘Featuring tag groups’ in Setting up tag groups.

5. Save the item

Select Save to save your item to your subject.

WARNING: Saving changes to live items included in scheduled tests might affect candidate delivery.

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