In a free text scene, the learner types their own answer instead of picking a choice. Use it when you want learners to put a reply in their own words. Every answer is saved, and in BranchTrack Classes you can grade the answers.
How to create a free text scene
Open the scene's content window (click the scene, then the menu button with three lines).
Click Convert to a free text scene. You can only convert a scene that has no more than one choice.
Type what the character says, for example a question. A new free text scene starts with the text "Please enter your free text comment in the field below."
In Button text, type the label of the button learners click to send their answer. The default is "Submit and continue".
Link the scene to the next scene. A free text scene has a single link (shown as a blue scene number, for example #94), so every learner continues to the same scene after answering.
Note: you can't turn a free text scene back into a regular scene. If you no longer need it, delete the scene and create a new one in its place.
The content window of scene #1. On the right, below Color and Play this scene, the option Convert to a free text scene is highlighted.
A free text scene (scene #93) open on the canvas. The character says “Please enter your free text comment in the field below.” Highlighted: the Button text field (“The text learners will see on the button.”), the blue link #94 to the next scene, and the FREE TEXT SCENE label.
What learners see
The character says the scene's text, and the learner types an answer in a text box.
Aim for answers up to 500 characters. When an answer gets longer, the character counter turns red, but the answer can still be sent.
Learners can't send an empty answer.
After clicking the button, the learner goes straight to the next scene.
A free text scene as the learner sees it. Highlighted: the answer box with the character counter (0 / 500) in its corner, and the orange button with the button text below it.
Where the answers go
Answers are recorded in every play, wherever the simulation is used.
They are included in xAPI exports, so your LRS or LMS receives them.
In BranchTrack Classes, the Class owner and facilitators can read and grade the answers with Grade answers. See Points, grading and the Leaderboard.