Using the New Quizzes tool in Canvas allows instructors to create assessments that are automatically graded (except for questions that involve file uploads or essays) which saves time and accurately reports student performance. New Quizzes includes feature enhancements that allow for more robust exams. How do instructors create more effective exams? Below are some general guidelines to follow when designing your exams.
Share which course objectives the exam aligns with.
Highlighting which course objectives the exam addresses helps students make connections and recall relevant experiences and knowledge learned in class.
Write instructions that preview the format of the exam.
Including a preview of the exam format (e.g., there will be two essays questions, each worth 10 points, and 20 multiple choice questions, each worth 2 points) in the instructions can help students use their time more effectively during the exam.
Word questions clearly and simply.
Word questions clearly and simply by avoiding double negatives, idiomatic language, and absolutes such as “never” or “always.” Test only a single idea in each item. Make sure wrong answers (distractors) are plausible.
Choose the appropriate question type for your objective.
The new hotspot question type allows instructors to define a target area in an image, so students can choose a city on a map or an area on a chart. Other new question types are detailed below.
Write answer choices that are clear, explicit, and unambiguous.
Avoid using “All of the above” and “None of the above” in responses. (In the case of “All of the above,” students only need to know that two of the options are correct to answer the question.
Set an appropriate time limit for completion.
Appropriate time limits help prevent the temptation to look up answers online. If the tests are too short, your students will not have enough time to answer all the questions. This will lead to test-related anxiety, stress and general demotivation.
Vary the point value of different question types.
Essay questions should be worth more than multiple choice questions.
Ask a colleague or GSI to proofread your exam.
It is always helpful to have someone read through the exam to make sure everything is clear and unambiguous.
Take the exam yourself using Student View in Canvas.
Student View in Canvas allows you to preview the exam to make sure everything is in working order before assigning it to students.
Give students a low-stakes practice exam beforehand so they can practice using the technology.
Providing students with an opportunity to become familiar with the New Quizzes interface before the exam will help decrease stress and anxiety, allowing students to focus on the course content.
New Quizzes Innovations
The addition of New Quizzes in Canvas brings several new features, including the ability to:
- Print assessments and save them as PDF files
- Quickly duplicate a question type
- Easily align questions to Canvas outcomes
- Edit item banks
- Persistent time adjustment accommodations
- Access additional quiz settings
- Waiting period in exam attempts
- Question shuffling
- Exam time increase for all students
- Take advantage of new question types
- Ordering — students place answers in a specific order
- Stimulus — students provided content with associated questions
- Categorization — students place answers in the correct categories
- Hot Spot — students identify an area in an uploaded image
Additional Information:
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