Starting next week, all instructors will have access to New Quizzes, the updated quiz engine in Canvas. There are many opportunities this summer to learn about and try New Quizzes.
The shift away from the existing quiz engine, Classic Quizzes, will be a two-year process, giving instructors the flexibility to navigate the transition at their own pace. For the next year, instructors can create new assessments with either tool. Beginning next summer, they can administer an assessment through Classic Quizzes but won't be able to build new ones. The classic format will be eliminated June 30, 2024, though instructors will be able to migrate quizzes to the new format even after that date.
The change, which is required by Canvas, will introduce new features to assessments offered in the learning management system, including an updated interface, mobile-friendly design, new question types (such as hot spot, stimulus, categorization and ordering questions), print-out capacity, options for student accommodations and more.
A list of essential things to know posted by the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) provides an overview and a rundown of what features are in the process of being improved, added or fixed. A continuously updated comparison between the old system and the new system provides a detailed outline of the differences.
Feedback from the small group of instructors who piloted New Quizzes during the spring semester indicated they appreciated the accommodation options, randomizing the order of questions and answers, and new question types.
CELT instructional specialist Lesya Hassall said instructors are encouraged to take their time to learn about New Quizzes and create a Canvas course shell to experiment, known as a sandbox. She advised those who are ready to start using New Quizzes to be strategic about their first steps. Instructors may want to avoid using the new system this fall when teaching courses with more than 50 students, for instance.
"Courses with smaller enrollment and simple quizzes that do not rely heavily on formula-type questions and exportable quiz data reports are a good way to start," she said.
One-hour general training sessions will be available June 2 at 10 a.m. and June 6 at 2 p.m. (2030 Morrill or via Webex). General trainings also will be offered Aug. 8 (1 p.m.), Aug. 9 (10 a.m.) and Aug. 16 (2 p.m.), and virtual open labs with a special emphasis on New Quizzes are available throughout the summer, Mondays (8-10 a.m.) and Thursdays (1-3 p.m.).
Other learning opportunities include a New Quizzes training course on Canvas and a tipsheet with 10 things to help instructors migrate to New Quizzes. Use this form to request a department demonstration or training on New Quizzes. Before June 1, use this form to request a sandbox course to explore New Quizzes. All Canvas courses shells will include New Quizzes after June 1.
See CELT's New Quizzes webpage for links to other resources, and send any questions or feedback about New Quizzes to celt-help@iastate.edu.
Related articles:
- Multiple support options available during transition to New Quizzes, March 24, 2022
- Canvas making switch to New Quizzes, Feb. 24, 2022
