This guide explains the purpose of the Canvas Quizzes tool, outlines the essential benefits of quizzing, and clarifies the key differences between the original Classic Quizzes and the modern New Quizzes.
The Role of Quizzes
The Quiz tool in Canvas is a versatile assignment type used to create and administer online quizzes, tests, exams, and surveys. It is a powerful tool to challenge learner understanding and assess comprehension of course material.
Quizzes serve both major assessment functions:
- Summative Assessment: Used for formal grading, often counting towards the final course grade (e.g., exams or tests). When correctly invigilated, these can be done in class under exam conditions.
- Formative Assessment: Used to check learner understanding of a specific topic. This provides you with an opportunity to offer feedback and adjust your teaching approach as needed. These can be open or closed book.
Benefits and Use Cases
Using the Quizzes tool effectively establishes a strong feedback loop and reinforces student learning through active recall. Announcements drive students back into the course where all their learning materials are located, reinforcing the course’s digital structure.
| Pedagogical Goal | Canvas Quiz Use Case |
| Check for Understanding | Use an Ungraded Practice Quiz or Quiz with multiple attempts at the end of a module to prompt students to retrieve key information. |
| Encourage Pre-Reading | Create a short, auto-graded Pre-Quiz on required reading to ensure students are prepared before a lecture or lab session. |
| Encourage Participation | Use a Marked Survey to award points for completion only, ensuring students read specific material or provide necessary pre-course information. |
| Formal Grading & Efficiency | Use a Timed Quiz or Exam with auto-graded questions (e.g., Multiple Choice) to quickly assess large groups and record results immediately in the Gradebook. |
Breakdown: Classic vs. New Quizzes
Canvas offers two distinct environments: Classic Quizzes (the original tool) and New Quizzes (the recommended tool). You should confirm your programme’s standard, but it is best practice to begin creating all new assessments in the modern environment.
| Feature Area | Class Quizzes | New Quizzes (Recommended) |
| Randomisation | Uses Question Banks and Question Groups to store and randomise questions. | Uses Item Banks (a more flexible, modern format) to store and randomise questions. |
| Interface | Legacy interface; offers four specific types (Marked, Practice, Marked Survey, Unmarked Survey). | Modern, streamlined editor; all quizzes are one type, with grading rules and attempt limits set in the assignment settings. |
| Question Types | Strong variety of basic types (MC, T/F, Essay, etc.). | Includes all Classic types plus enhanced types like Categorisation, Ordering, and Hot Spot. |
| Timeline | Still available on our system due to programme needs despite it having been retired from Canvas in 2024. | The recommended standard platform. |
Question Types and Randomisation Strategies
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Canvas offers a variety of question formats to fit your assessment goal. The following types are available in both Classic and New Quizzes (New Quizzes offers more types not listed here, such as Categorisation and Ordering).
| Question Type | Description | Manual Grading Required? |
| Multiple Choice | Students select a single correct answer. | No (Auto-graded) |
| True/False | Students select one of two options. | No (Auto-graded) |
| Fill-in-the-Blank | Students fill in a single word or phrase. (Be mindful of spelling!) | No (Auto-graded) |
| Matching | Students pair items from two lists, useful for definitions or concepts. | No (Auto-graded) |
| Numerical Answer | Used for mathematical questions, allowing settings for precision or margin of error. | No (Auto-graded) |
| Essay | Students answer in a rich text box. Use for longer responses or critical thinking. | Yes |
| File Upload | Students upload a file (e.g., an image, PDF, or document) in response to the prompt. | Yes |
Randomisation: Question Banks vs. Item Banks
To ensure fairness and reduce cheating, you should always use the randomisation feature:
- Item Banks (New Quizzes): The modern equivalent. These are more flexible as they can be shared and linked across multiple courses, not just the one they were created in.
- Question Banks (Classic Quizzes): A collection of questions within a single course. You pull a random number of questions from a bank using a Question Group.