Clearly articulate the learning objective: Before writing a multiple-choice question, clearly define the learning objective you want to assess. This ensures that your question aligns with the intended outcomes of the instructional material for learners. Use action verbs to specify what knowledge or skill the question should target, such as “analyze,” “evaluate,” or “apply.” You can use the following tips in knowledge checks and the final assessment quiz in your courses.
- Keep questions concise and focused: Write clear and to the point. Avoid unnecessary wordiness or complex sentence structures that can confuse learners. Ensure that each question has a single, unambiguous correct answer and that the distractors (incorrect options) are plausible but different from the correct answer.
- Avoid irrelevant cues or clues: Be mindful of unintentional cues in a quiz that may give away the correct answer or mislead learners. Ensure that the correct answer’s language, grammar, or formatting does not differ noticeably from the distractors. Additionally, avoid using absolute terms like “always” or “never” in the correct answer, as they can often be inaccurate.
- Incorporate real-life scenarios or practical application: Where possible, frame questions within realistic or relatable scenarios that mirror learners’ challenges or situations in practice. This enhances the authenticity and applicability of multiple-choice questions and promotes higher-order thinking skills by requiring learners to apply their knowledge to practical contexts.
- Include various question types: Use a mix of question formats to engage learners and assess different levels of understanding. Besides standard multiple-choice questions, consider including scenario-based questions, matching items, fill-in-the-blanks, or true/false statements. Varying the question types provides a more comprehensive assessment and accommodates different learning styles.
Enroll Now in Course on Writing Effective Questions
Remember, these tips serve as general guidelines, and it’s essential to adapt them to suit your specific instructional context and the needs of your learners. Also, don’t forget to check out our course that will enable you to master your multiple-choice questions game.
Click this link or search for the course: Writing Effective Quiz Questions on Udemy.
About Check N Click's eLearning Services
As a leader of your organization, you are always looking for ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your learning and development programs. One way to do this is to outsource some of your eLearning needs to a reputable company like Check N Click. We have a team of experienced instructional designers and developers who can help you create custom eLearning solutions that meet your organization’s unique needs. In addition, outsourcing your eLearning needs can save you time and money in the long run. Contact Check N Click today to learn more about their eLearning outsourcing services.
Learn Instructional Design
As an instructional designer, you always look for ways to improve your craft. Whether you are new to the field or a seasoned veteran, there is always room for improvement. One great way to sharpen your skills is by taking courses offered by Check N Click on Udemy. These courses offer practical, real-world advice you can use immediately. And best of all, they are very affordable. So what are you waiting for? Check out the course offerings today and get started on becoming a better instructional designer!
