Assignment, Discussion, or Quiz?

Use the following questions to help you decide which kind of assessment to build in Canvas.

Is this item graded or does it need to appear in the gradebook?
- If yes, use an Assignment, Graded Quiz/Survey, or a Graded Discussion.
- If no, use an Ungraded Survey or Ungraded Discussion

Should the student submission be visible to the other students in the class?
- If yes, use a Discussion
- If no, use an Assignment or Quiz

Does the assessment include questions like True/False or Multiple Choice?
- If yes, use a Quiz
- If no, use an Assignment or Discussion

Note: Quizzes can include a mixture of BOTH essay questions and fixed-answer questions like True/False.

Is a student turning in something?
- If yes, use an Assignment, Quiz, or Discussion
- If no, use an Assignment with the Submission type set to "No Submission." This setup is most commonly used for Participation grades.

Do you need to convert an exam already written for blue book or other handwritten submission?
- If yes, use a Quiz or Assignment with the File Upload submission type.
- If no, use a Quiz, Assignment or Discussion depending on your answers to the other questions.

Note: "Quizzes" in Canvas can be used for Quizzes or Exams, as it is referring to the tool name rather than the specific kind of assessment.

Recommendations for building assessments that work for you and your students

Approach your assessments with an eye towards creativity and flexibility.

Providing opportunities for multiple means of action and expression, a principle of Universal Design for Learning can help you explore various formats for assessment.

For example, an instructor could involve students in “designing your own exam.” Students write and submit exam questions to the instructor that are then circulated as a review sheet. Students have to also submit answers and justifications/explanations (these are not shared/circulated). The instructor chooses the best questions for the exam. This technique helps the instructor get a better picture of what level of comprehension and synthesis students are at with materials before an exam. It also provides students with valuable review materials and brings them in as collaborators in their learning process. Best of all, it can reduce the number of questions you need to write for an exam.

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"Alternative Final Assignment Format Tips and Tools," by Jean Clipperton, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences

“A Professor Asked His Students to Write Their Own Exam Questions. Here’s What He Found.”, from The Chronicle of Higher Education

“Student-Written Exams Increase Student Involvement“, from Faculty Focus

Utilize student collaboration to advance their learning

Generally, we seek to avoid student collaboration during assessment, but with a collaborative approach an exam is a team effort and is a continuation of the learning experience. Sometimes referred to as a “two-stage exam,” students first complete and turn in an exam individually. Then, working in small groups, they answer the exam questions again, engaging in discussion and receiving immediate targeted feedback. On an episode of the Teach Better podcast, hosts Edward O’Neill and Doug McKee discuss with Teddy Svoronos, Lecturer in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, the details of using two-stage/collaborative exams. Check out the podcast to hear their discussion on the whys and hows of collaborative exams.

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“The Effects of Collaborative Testing“, from Faculty Focus

Make Canvas work for you to reduce the grading and feedback load.

- Whenever possible, use automated grading in quizzes.
- Try adding in a Peer Review exercise for early drafts of larger assignments.

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How Can Technology Help You Give Your Students Great Feedback?