Simple Editor basics:
Edit or create Mastering™ items

Edit text, add answer, add/delete part, add new answer type

Aid student learning with feedback and hints; insert images, links, and tables

Add variables in Simple Editor to randomize question values

You can also find links to videos for particular answer types by opening the answer type in this Help.

Set your browser security to allow pop-ups from the Simple Editor (itemedit.mastering.pearsoncmg.com). More about finding and turning off pop-up blockers.

You can use the Simple Editor to make the following edits to most Mastering assignment items.

• Change the structure of an item. Add, delete, or reorder parts, hints, and transitions.
• Edit part content, including question text and instructions, answers, wrong answer feedback, and follow-up text.
• Revise and format text. Add and edit images, links (including to audio, video, and other resources) and tables.
• Copy and paste (text, links, or tables) between text boxes within an item or between items, including items in different Mastering products. For images, copy and paste within an item.
• Add variables to vary item content.
• Edit column display and math settings for an item.
• Adjust tolerance and significant figures for numeric and symbolic answers.
  

See also What you can edit in an item.

See the list of answer types available in the Simple Editor, including which answer types can be accessible or mobile.

You can copy and edit any item in the Item Library, even if you can't edit all of the information it contains.

1. Select Instructor Tools then Item Library from the course menu.

   Otherwise, select Item Library from the course menu.

2. Find the item you want to copy and edit: From the Item Library, select the source location and use content filters to narrow your search.

   About searching for My Items— Any My Items you may have created or imported earlier are associated with the chapter "No Chapter Specified" unless you associate the item with a chapter. To search for My Items, select the Item Types (any) content filter and then choose My Items.

3. Select the item title from the item list. The item opens in a new window.
4. From the top right menu, select Copy and Edit Item and then choose OK.

   The item appears in the Simple Editor. Its title is followed by "- Copy".

5. Make your edits. To check your edits without saving, select Validate to verify the XML.
   • For more about editing, see Edit item elements and Format text and more.
   • For instructions while you work, select  Help or any available Learn more links, as needed.
6. When you finish editing, select Save or the Save & Preview link.

   Your customized item is associated with the chapter of the original item and is classified as an item in My Items.

   When you're ready for your item edits to appear in assignments where the item is included, remove the item from the assignments and then re-add it. For instructions on how to remove and add items, search the Instructor Help.

You can create new items using the answer types (kinds of questions) supported by the Simple Editor.

1. Select Instructor Tools then Item Library from the course menu.

   Otherwise, select Item Library from the course menu.

2. Select Create New Item (page bottom) next to "Can't find what you need?" The Simple Editor opens in a new window.
3. Make your edits to create the item, including at least one part question and its correct answer. To check your edits without saving, select  Validate to verify the XML.
   • For more about editing, see Edit item elements and Format text and more.
   • For instructions while you work, select  Help or any available Learn more links, as needed.
     
4. When you finish editing, select Save or the Save & Preview link.

   Your new item is classified as an item in My Items.

5. Specify a chapter and section for the item to help you find it later. (Optional)
   
   

You can edit any of your saved My Items. These can be items you copied and edited or items you created with the Simple Editor. My Items can also be items that you imported.

1. Select Instructor Tools then Item Library from the course menu.

   Otherwise, select Item Library from the course menu.

2. Identify the source location of the item in the Item Library.
   

   If you didn't specify a chapter for the item you created or imported, select No Chapter Specified for the chapter source.

   If you did specify a chapter or copied and edited a publisher item, choose the chapter associated with the My Item.

3. Select the Item Types (any) content filter and then choose My Items.

   You can further narrow your search by also selecting other filters, such as for a particular answer type.

4. Open the item by selecting its title from the list of found items. The item opens in a new window.
5. From the top right menu, select Edit Item to open the Simple Editor.
6. Make your edits. To check your edits without saving, select Validate to verify the XML.
   • For more about editing, see Edit item elements and Format text and more.
   • For instructions while you work, select  Help or any available Learn more links, as needed.
     
7. When you finish editing, select  Save or the Save & Preview link.

   Your item is saved in its original chapter location.

   When you're ready for your item edits to appear in assignments where the item is included, remove the item from the assignments and then re-add it. For instructions on how to remove and add items, search the Instructor Help.