.. _free_text:

Free Text
=========

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The **Free Text** tool is a graded open-response assignment. Learners write a free-form answer,
which can be graded manually by an instructor, automatically by AI, or both. It also offers an
optional AI check that estimates how likely a response was AI-generated.

Authoring a Free Text assignment
--------------------------------

#. Add a Free Text activity to a course via :ref:`Deep Linking <deep_linking>`.
#. Compose the **prompt** with the TinyMCE rich-text editor (math notation supported). Free Text
   prompts are localized, so you can provide the prompt in each supported language.
#. Set the **maximum number of attempts**. Leave it **blank for unlimited retries** — when
   retries are unlimited, bounded attempt labels are hidden from learners.
#. Optionally configure AI features (see below).
#. Save and publish. See :ref:`runtime_authoring`.

AI-assisted authoring
---------------------

You can **generate** an assignment from a selected AI :ref:`knowledge base <knowledge_bases>`,
using your own source material as the basis for the prompt.

AI grading
----------

* **AI grading** can be enabled **only when a knowledge base is configured** for the activity.
* When enabled, each submission is queued for grading by a background worker and moves through
  **pending AI grading** to **AI graded**.
* AI-graded learners see a **pass/fail** result, a **numeric grade**, and **feedback**, and can
  rate the AI grade with a thumbs up/down.
* A learner **cannot submit another attempt while their latest attempt is pending an AI grade**.

AI submission-likelihood scoring
--------------------------------

You can optionally enable **AI submission-likelihood scoring**, which estimates how likely a
response was AI-generated. The authoring checkbox is **enabled by default** for new activities.
When enabled, each submission is scored in the background and the activity record stores an
instructor-facing **AI score percentage** and a short scorer note.

The learner experience
----------------------

#. A learner launches the activity and submits a written response, consuming one attempt.
#. If AI grading is enabled, the response is queued and graded automatically; the learner sees
   the result and feedback when grading completes.
#. If manual grading is used, the learner sees the result once an instructor reviews it.

Instructor review and grading
-----------------------------

From the instructor view you can **filter, order, inspect, approve, fail, cancel, and review**
free-text submissions, including the **AI score** and scorer feedback when available. When you
grade a submission, Blocks records your instructor launch identity alongside the grade and
feedback for accountability.

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