The following is a very simple text-based 10 question multiple choice quiz on clean energy use in Australia(1). This type of quiz is designed to introduce the learner to a topic, testing prior knowledge and even encouraging guess work. Informative feedback is given after each question that provides information that supports and expands on the correct answer.

See how you go - click the answer you think is correct...

Why use quizzes?

Formative quizzes that provide immediate feedback add the dimension of active learning that can greatly increase long term memory retention of information and improve students' learning.(2) Other benefits can include: helping students to identify gaps in their knowledge; giving them opportunites to apply knowledge to new contexts with the appropriate quiz questions; and re-inforcing good study habits. When given the opportunity to immediately apply new knowledge and receive immediate and meaningful feedback, students are able to better organise and contextualise their learning.(3) 

Do I have to provide feedback?

Emphatically, yes. There is no question that quizzes without immediate and meaningful feedback are far less effective. It is also beneficial to give feedback not only after an incorrect response but also for correct ones to re-inforce the reasoning behind the answer (which may have been selected by guess work) and provide a motivational 'reward'. To take this a step further you can also incorporate question "branching". Branching provides a non-linear learning pathway based on a student's responses. Students who respond to questions incorrectly can be directed to additional information, feedback and further questioning that scaffolds their learning of the problem area.

What can I include?

The great thing about using PowerPoint, combined with iSpring Pro, is the ability to create a multi-modal quiz with a combination of just about any digital resource you can imagine. Quiz questions may be centred around a text only question, an image, a video (inc. YouTube), an Excel chart or diagram, or an online resource such as a Google map, Flash game or other interactive object.

What are the limitations?

PowerPoint quizzes are limited to point and click interactions, which means only multiple choice or true/false questioning is possible. Quizzes may only be of a formative nature, that is, quiz performance data (scores) cannot be collected. It is also not easily possible to tally an overall quiz score, and therefore performance feedback is limited to individual questions.

How do I make a quiz?

You can start by downloading the PowerPoint file below - a copy of the demonstration quiz. Try using this as a template, changing the questions, answers and feedback with your own. Remember, if you add new slides before the end of the deck or change the order of slides, you'll need to change the links on the answer buttons - right-click on the edge of each button, select "Hyperlink" then "Edit hyperlink".