How to Decide Which One to Use: Quizzes/Surveys/Self-Assessments
Goal
After completing this how-to you will have the knowledge needed to make a choice on which one is best to use: a quiz, a survey, or a self-assessment. For other standalone guides not listed on any other topic page, see the Additional Guides topic page.
Which one to use?
| Quizzes | Surveys | Self-Assessments | |
| Feedback for learner | Feedback is released based on setup of quiz by instructor, may not be instant | Feedback is released after completion in the form of a report | Feedback is instantaneous after answering question |
| Reporting for learner/instructor | Reporting for Instructors-yes, they can see summative feedback on scores and particular answers | Reporting for instructors-yes, reports are generated and can be done anonymously | Reporting for Instructors-yes, but limited to who has taken self-assessments and for time spent |
| Use Case | Formative/Summative-ideally suited for formative assessment, the tool takes too many clicks | Ice breaker to get learners to access previous knowledge of a topic | Diagnostic-to help gauge learner retention midway through topic |
| Use Case | Pre-Assessment-Use the quiz tool to act as a diagnostic before the course begins. Set up release conditions to provide content that learners need based on their answers | Diagnostic-to help gauge learner retention midway through topic | Self-Awareness tool-Learners can test themselves without the pressure of a graded item. They are allowed to make mistakes |
| Use Case | Acknowledgment-Use the quiz tool as a form for agreeing to criteria in your course. "Check her to confirm you won't cheat" | Class Perception-builds a community of learning, as cohort can see opinions of other learners | Case Studies-Use the power of storytelling to elicit answers to demonstrate new knowledge |
| Use Case | Course/Instructor Feedback-great for getting feedback on how a course was perceived | Ask your virtual tutor-Use self-assessments to bounce ideas off of, and to act as your personal tutor | |
| Use Case | Pre-Assessment-Inspire students to engage with class material by seeing how much they already know, and convey the course objectives simultaneously |