How to Use Hot Potatoes (JCLOZE)

A.    Introduction to Hot Potatoes  (JCloze)

Hot Potatoes is a suite of six educational authoring tools used to create interactive web-based language exercises. The six tools are: JQuiz, JCloze, JMatch, JMix, JCross, The Masher. JCloze specifically allows you to create *gap-fill (cloze) exercises*, where learners fill in missing words or phrases in a reading text.

JCloze supports features such as:

·         Automatic scoring

·         Hints and clues

·         Feedback messages

·         Embedded media (images, audio, video)

·         HTML export for online use

B.      Starting JCloze

1.      Launch the “Hot Potatoes” application.

2.      Click “JCloze”  from the main menu or icons.

3.      An empty workspace appears containing:

·         Text area for the cloze passage

·         Toolbars

·         Menu buttons

·         Gap creation controls

C.     Adding Material (Text) to JCloze

Step-by-step:

1.      Type or paste the passage* you want to use for the exercise into the text window.

   Example:

   “Hot Potatoes is a software used to create interactive exercises.”

2.      Highlight a word or phrase you want to turn into a blank.

3.      Press “Ctrl + G” or click “Gap.”

4.       In the “Gap Specification Window”, enter:

·         Correct answer

·         Alternative acceptable answers (optional)

·         Case sensitivity (optional)

·         Hint for students (optional)

5.       Click “OK”, and the word becomes a blank (shown as square brackets in the editor).

6.       Repeat for all words you want to remove.

D.     Adding Images to JCloze

JCloze allows images to appear above or around the text when exported to HTML.

How to insert an image:

1.      Click “Insert” in the menu bar.

2.      Select “Picture”.

3.      Browse your computer and choose the image.

4.      Set the image placement:

·         Alignment: left, right, or center

·         Adjust size: manually change width or height

5.      Click “OK” to insert the image.

Important Notes:

·         Images: do not appear directly in the editor, but they will appear in the browser preview.

·         Supported formats: JPG, PNG, GIFT..

·         You can insert multiple images.

E.     Adding Audio or Video (Optional)

JCloze supports multimedia by embedding them in the exported HTML file.

Steps:

1.      Go to Insert > Media Object.

2.      Choose audio (MP3, WAV) or video (MP4, AVI).

3.      Adjust size and position.

4.      Confirm with “OK”.

 

Students will see a play button in the web version.

F.     Configuring Exercise Settings

You can customize how the quiz looks and behaves.

Go to:

➡ Options > Configure Output.

Inside this menu, you will find:

✔ Title

Set the title that appears at the top of your exercise.

✔ Instructions

Write simple directions such as:

“Fill in the missing words in the text below.”

✔ Feedback Messages

Custom messages for:

·         Correct answer

·         Incorrect answer

·         Try again

·         Show hint

✔ Buttons and Labels

Modify button text such as:

·         “Check”

·         “Hint”

·         “Show Answers”

·         “Restart”

✔ Scoring Options

Set:

·         Penalties for incorrect attempts

·         Whether hints reduce the score

·         Whether learners can retry until correct

✔ Appearance Settings

·         Background color

·         Font style

·         Font size

·         Text alignment

G.    Saving the JCloze Project

JCloze projects have an editable file format:.”jcl”

To save the editable file:

1.      Click File > Save As.

2.      Choose a folder.

3.      Name the file.

4.      Save as “.jcl”.

You can return anytime to continue editing.

H.    Exporting the Exercise as a Web Page (HTML)

This is the most important step because students will open the HTML file, not the .jcl file.

Steps:

1.      Click File > Create Web Page.

2.      Choose Standard Format (recommended).

3.      Name the HTML file.

4.      Click Save.

Your interactive cloze exercise is now ready to be opened in a browser.

I.       Previewing the Exercise

Before sharing it with students.

1.      Open the HTML file using Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.

2.      Test:

·         Gaps

·         Hints

·         Scoring

·         Buttons

·         Images or audio

If something looks incorrect, go back to JCloze, edit, and re-export.

J.      Publishing or Sharing Your JCloze Exercise

You can publish the HTML file through:

✔ Learning Management Systems

·         Google Classroom

·         Moodle

·         Schoology

✔ Communication Platforms

·         WhatsApp

·         Telegram

·         Email

✔ Websites / Blogs

Embed or upload directly.

Students only need a browser—no software installation required.

K.    Tips for Designing Effective JCloze Activities

·         Do not create too many blanks—choose key vocabulary only.

·         Provide helpful hints for difficult words.

·         Use images to support understanding.

·         Keep instructions short and clear.

·         Test the quiz before distributing.

·         Combine cloze text with an image for contextual learning.