Assessments
From FerrisConnect KnowledgeBase
There are three types of assessments available within the FerrisConnect Assessments tool: quizzes, surveys, and self-tests.
Quizzes allow for a variety of objective question types including multiple choice, true-false, matching, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, jumbled sentence, and calculated questions. Other types include paragraph and combination questions. Quizzes using objective questions may be automatically graded and the score provided to the student within the grade book. Subjective quizzes using paragraph questions require the instructor to assign a grade before the score can be released to the student.
Surveys are a means for students to provide anonymous feedback.
Self-tests allow students to check on their own understanding of content. The score is not stored within the grade book.
Contents |
Learner outcomes
When finished with this section the learner will be able to...
- create questions
- manage questions and categories in the question database
- create and edit assessments
Creating Questions
Regardless of the type of assessment (quiz, self-test, or survey), questions must first be created and added to the course question database. Questions are organized into categories, which may be associated with a specific assessment, or an assessment may be configured to use question sets from multiple categories.
For example, an instructor may choose to create a category of 25 questions for each chapter of a textbook used in the course. A practice quiz may be created for each chapter which randomly draws 10 out of the 25 questions from the related category within the question database. Midway through the semester the instructor may create a quiz which draws 5 randomly selected questions from each of the five chapters studied so far, creating a 25 question mid-term exam.
Many textbook publishers provide question database which may be imported either directly into FerrisConnect, or via Respondus to create categories for use in quizzes and self-tests. This can save many hours of preparation and allow students to use questions which are designed specifically for their course text. Ferris State University has a campus-wide license for Respondus for instructors to install or their workstations.
To create a question you must be in the Build tab. Select "Assessments" under "Course Tools". Click on the "Go to Question Database" button. Select a question type from the "Create Questions" drop-down menu.
Question Types
- Multiple Choice
- Multiple choice questions can have one or multiple answers set to "correct". As with all question types, images may be attached and feedback can be provided for both correct and incorrect answer selection.
- True-false
- True-False questions are identical to Multiple choice except they are limited to two choices T/F Y/N.
- Matching
- Matching questions allow for pairing of answers with definitions or terms or descriptions, etc. Scoring options for answers include equally weighted, right minus wrong, or all or nothing.
- Short Answer
- The short answer question is frequently used with terminology or names. An example might be, "compressed folders with the "zip" extension are commonly referred to as ___________ files." The answer would be "zip". The short answer question can be configured to allow for variations of spellings, abbreviations, or alternate terms.
- Paragraph
- The paragraph question is essentially an essay question. Because it is a subjective question type, the instructor will need to grade the question, as opposed to the software grading it automatically. (additional question types)
Activity - Create Questions Create a new category entitled "Survey". Create four paragraph questions: 1) What do you like about this course? 2) What would you have the instructor change to improve learning? 3) What would you the student change to improve learning in this course? 4) How would you describe the learning you have accomplished so far?
Creating Quizzes
It is a good practice to provide a low-stakes assessment early-on in the course to allow students an opportunity to become comfortable with the assessment tool. Many instructors provide a brief syllabus quiz (allowing students multiple attempts) which serves a dual purpose - assuring the instructor that the students have read and understand the syllabus, and helping students become familiar with the functionality of the assessment tool prior to taking a higher-stakes quiz or exam.
Quizzes are composed of questions drawn from the question database. Quizzes may be created using questions from a specific database category and delivered in a specific order, or questions may be randomly selected from a question set.
To create a quiz select the Build tab, and then click on Assessments in the Course Tools menu. Click the "Create Assessment" button and provide a title for the new assessment. This title will be used as the column title in the grade book, unless it is modified at this point. The type of assessment is then selected; choices include the quiz, survey, or self-test. Click "save" or "save and add questions".
To add questions select the quiz by clicking on the title and select "Add to Assessment". Options include "Existing Questions" and "Question Set". By selecting Question Set designers may use a specified number of questions out of a category (example: 20 out of 35 questions) and deliver the questions randomly. Selecting Existing Questions will import specific questions in the order they appear.
Configuring Quizzes
Once a quiz has been created the instructor must decide when it will be released and what the students should see. The instructor selects the Teach tab and then Assessments. Using the ActionLinks for the assessment to be released, select "Edit Properties". The instructor may choose whether all questions are delivered at one time, or one at a time, and whether the title of the questions are visible. Other options include opening the quiz in a new window, the duration of the quiz, how many attempts a student is allowed, and whether or not they will see the score when finished.
Activity - Import Questions to a New Quiz Create a new quiz. Entitle it "Computer Skills". Import questions from the Computer Skills category. Edit the quiz properties to allow students to retake the quiz unlimited times and require 15 minutes between attempts. Make the quiz available immediately and for an unlimited time.
