Tips for using quiz

When quizzes are set up, the main constraints that can be applied by the academic to minimise collusion are:

  • a timeframe - how long the quiz is open for i.e. when it opens and closes
  • a time limit - when a student begins their attempt, how long do they have to complete the quiz
  • how the quiz handles the end of a time limit - does it submit them automatically when the clock ticks to zero? Does it allow students to keep looking at questions? Does it not count their result if they don't submit it before the quiz timer ends?
  • review options - when students are able to view answers and feedback - deferred feedback is ideal.

Consider this example to help with understanding how students can exploit your quiz settings, in particular the review options and timeframe to collude:

  1. A quiz is set up to release the results, right answers and feedback immediately after a student finishes their attempt.
  2. Student 1 submits their final attempt. Then they see all the right answers and feedback.
  3. Student 2 hasn't started the quiz yet and it is still open for students to attempt.
  4. Student 1 passes on their feedback and results for students to be able to get even more questions right during their attempt either through screenshots/screencasts or by sitting together as Student 2 attempts the quiz.

This problem can be solved through:

  • delaying review options
  • setting a fair, but limited length of the time for quiz completion, and
  • applying fair and reasonable time limits for the quiz to be open

as well as

  • writing more questions than needed to apply randomisation to questions, question order in quizzes and answer order.
  • writing quality answer keys and distractors to make answering correctly more dependent on knowledge, versus the ease of guessing.

With that in mind, expand each of the accordions below for advice on the four key steps when creating online Moodle quizzes.