Online Quizzes for In-Person Classes
Why Use an Online quiz/test for an In-Person Class?
Taking an assessment tool like a quiz/test out of the classroom can free-up a lot of time and automating the process via Canvas can reduce costs for students and workload for instructors by eliminating Scantron sheets and automatically scoring and recording grades.
I would add that it also eliminates the need for students to make-up assessment due to missing class or to provide assessment to ACE (formerly DRC) ahead of time since quizzes can be set to allow extra time for specific students.
Canvas has multiple ways of rendering quizzes/tests, although I recommend a standard multiple choice or variation since the process can be completely automated after the initial creation.
There are a variety of pedagogical uses for quizzes or tests. In this example, the purpose of the quiz is to motivate students to complete required readings by a certain date. A basic online multiple-choice quiz is great motivator for students to read required materials. Once a quiz is set-up, it runs automatically. Quizzes can also form an automated baseline for points in the course.
Once a quiz question bank is constructed, a quiz is created to access those questions. Quiz capabilities include:
- Timed: this limits the ability to look up answers
- Set for specific start and end dates
- Extending times for ACE/DRC access students
- Multiple attempts for individual or all students
- Questions are pulled randomly from a pool
- The order of questions and potential answers within questions are randomized
- Scores are automatically entered into the grade book
- Students can be scored using highest or latest score
- Are fully tracked and viewable by the instructor
- 24/7 access for students
In a funnel strategy, a quiz on required readings would close prior the class meeting in which the reading are required. Quiz points can be minimal, for example 15 points for a 15 questions quiz. Even at that rate the conceptual pressure on completing this type of assessment means there is high compliance. In my courses, I open all quizzes at the beginning of the term and close them as we cover the materials, an idea suggested by a student who wanted to work ahead.
Of course, an online quiz that can be taken at any time from anywhere means it would be open book or note. I have used these quizzes in dozens of courses and scores vary as much as a traditional paper in class quiz. However, it also means that students would be able to take quizzes in teams and look up answers. Realistically there is no way to prevent this, although few students appear to take the time to coordinate. I had student plainly tell me in a course that five of them would get together to take the quizzes. At first I was angry, but then I realized that getting 5 students to meet outside of class about course content was a good result in and of themselves. Moreover, that instead of each student taking one quiz, the each took the quiz 5 times! They came in contact with those questions and looked up those answers on specific and important course content multiple times. They would know the material and that seemed like a good outcome to me. Quizzes are also effective when paired with structured discussion.
The Case for the Weekly Quiz
High value exams (midterms and finals) encourage a lot of negative behavior in students such as cramming and cheating. Regular, smaller assessments keep students up-to-date with course content and discourage cramming and cheating as well as reducing stress and test anxiety.
"But I like Midterms and Finals"
However, some instructor like high value or cumulative exams for certain topics and I respect that. One solution is to use the test banks from the small weekly quizzes to create larger exams. Larger exams can pull question banks easily via Canvas and in specific proportions. For example, 5 questions from each chapter or more questions on larger chapters. Once questions are entered into Canvas they can be accessed for a variety of purposes.
"And I also want to watch students take the exam"
Okay, since Canvas can be accessed via computers, tablets, or phones (yes, in fact, there are apps for that) students can take Canvas assessment in a physical class (or computer lab) if you feel that you want students to take it at the same time. Of course, this requires both wifi and students having devices.
"Wait, don't we have to give finals?"
Technically a final or cumulative experience. Another advantage of using Canvas is not having to come to campus for finals. An option I use is to have students retake or make-up any one quiz from the term. Other options are to allow students to retake or makeup any quiz or simply put all quiz questions into a cumulative final.
Strategies for Quiz/Test Taking Windows
Quizzes have open and close dates and times during which students can access them. There are several strategies on managing access based on personal preferences.
- All open/staggered close: my preference (providing all quizzes exists at the start of the term...) is to open all assessment at the start of the term and then close each quiz as students cover the material. This allows for students to work ahead - a rare benefit to the A students and those who may be off-line out of town.
- Open and Close Periods: a more traditional approach is to have quizzes open as students cover the material. So usually for a week during which the content is covered.
Creating Quizzes
Setting up your Quiz
Creating Quiz Questions
Tutorials on Quiz Creation
What are the different types of Quizzes?What options are available for Quizzes?
How do I create a new Quiz with individual Questions?How do I create a new Quiz with a Question Bank?How do I create a Question Bank?How do I randomize the order of the questions on my quiz?