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This Or That

Create preference-based choice questions where learners select one option from mutually exclusive alternatives. Each selection increments a variable associated with that option, perfect for building preference inventories, personality assessments, or “would you rather” scenarios.

Behavior

  • Radio-style selection – Only one option can be selected at a time
  • Variable tracking – Each option increments its associated numeric variable when selected
  • Automatic decrement – Previously selected option’s variable is decremented when switching
  • Rich option content – Each option can contain text, images, or other content components
  • Practice item – Reports as attempted (no correct/incorrect evaluation)
  • Flexible layout – Display options vertically or horizontally

How It Works

When a learner clicks an option:

  1. The variable for that option increments by 1
  2. If a different option was previously selected, its variable decrements by 1
  3. The widget marks itself as “attempted”

This creates a running tally across multiple steps - perfect for preference inventories where you sum up categories at the end.

Inputs

Options (array)

  • List of mutually exclusive choices
  • Each option has:
    • Option ID: Unique identifier for the option
    • Option Content: Rich content (text, images, etc.) displayed as the option
    • Variable: The numeric variable to increment when this option is selected
  • Default: Two options (“This” with ThisCount, “That” with ThatCount)

Layout Direction (Vertical / Horizontal)

  • How to arrange the options on screen
  • Vertical: Options stacked in a column (default)
  • Horizontal: Options arranged side-by-side

Setup Requirements

Before using this widget, you must:

  1. Create numeric variables for each option in your lesson
  2. Initialize each variable to 0 (or your desired starting value)
  3. Select these variables when configuring each option

Use Cases

1. Preference Inventory

Build a multi-step assessment where learners indicate preferences and you calculate category totals at the end.

Example: Learning Style Inventory

Create variables:

  • VisualLearningScore (number, initial: 0)
  • AuditoryLearningScore (number, initial: 0)
  • KinestheticLearningScore (number, initial: 0)

Over 10 steps, present different scenarios:

Step 1: “When learning new software, I prefer to…”

  • Option 1: “Watch a tutorial video” → VisualLearningScore
  • Option 2: “Listen to instructions” → AuditoryLearningScore
  • Option 3: “Try it myself hands-on” → KinestheticLearningScore

Step 2: “I remember information best when I…”

  • Option 1: “See diagrams or charts” → VisualLearningScore
  • Option 2: “Hear it explained” → AuditoryLearningScore
  • Option 3: “Practice the skill” → KinestheticLearningScore

After all steps, display the highest-scoring category to identify their dominant learning style.

2. Would You Rather Scenarios

Create engaging preference questions where learners choose between two options and you track their choices.

Example: Career Path Explorer

Create variables:

  • IndependentWorkScore (number, initial: 0)
  • TeamWorkScore (number, initial: 0)

Multiple steps with scenarios:

“Would you rather…”

  • “Lead a solo project” → IndependentWorkScore
  • “Collaborate with a team” → TeamWorkScore

“Would you rather…”

  • “Work remotely from anywhere” → IndependentWorkScore
  • “Work in a bustling office” → TeamWorkScore

Use the final scores to recommend career paths that match their work style preferences.

3. Product Recommendation Quiz

Help learners discover which product or service best fits their needs.

Example: Course Track Selector

Create variables for each track:

  • WebDevelopmentScore (number, initial: 0)
  • DataScienceScore (number, initial: 0)
  • MobileAppScore (number, initial: 0)

Ask questions about interests and goals, incrementing the relevant track variable with each selection. Recommend the track with the highest score.

4. Character/Personality Assessment

Build personality quizzes or character assessments based on repeated choices.

Example: Communication Style Quiz

Create variables:

  • DirectCommunicatorScore (number, initial: 0)
  • DiplomaticCommunicatorScore (number, initial: 0)

Present scenarios and have learners choose their typical response, building a profile of their communication preferences.

Best Practices

Variable Naming

  • Use clear, descriptive names for your variables
  • Example: OutdoorActivitiesScore instead of Score1
  • This makes it easier to use variables in expressions later

Number of Options

  • Works best with 2-4 options per question
  • Too many options can overwhelm learners
  • Consider breaking complex choices into multiple steps

Tracking Results

  • Use the variable values in expressions to show running totals
  • Display results on a final summary step
  • Use conditional branching based on highest-scoring variable

Visual Design

  • Use the horizontal layout for simple “this or that” questions
  • Use the vertical layout when options have longer content
  • Keep option content concise and scannable

Tips

  • Initialize variables to 0 at the start of your lesson
  • Use expressions like {{VisualScore}} + {{AuditoryScore}} + {{KinestheticScore}} to show total responses
  • Combine with BranchingLogic to route learners based on their highest-scoring preference
  • Create a results step that uses expressions to display each variable’s value
  • Consider equal weight - each question contributes equally since variables increment by 1

Example Workflow

  1. Create a lesson with a Variables section
  2. Add numeric variables for each category (e.g., Option1Count, Option2Count)
  3. Set initial values to 0
  4. Add This Or That widgets to multiple steps
  5. Map each option to its corresponding variable
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