There are many ways to test learners’ knowledge and understanding. In the LabXchange library, you’ll find questions that you can mix into your pathways, and you can create your own. These include multi-select, short answer, and single-select questions. But what about open-ended questions? You can ask them using Google Forms.
| Notice: By making use of Google Forms you are using services outside of the LabXchange environment. Our Privacy Policy does not extend to services outside of the LabXchange site and we are not liable for any activities occurring off-site. In using Google Forms, you may be taking on the responsibility for the data privacy concerns of those visiting the external resources you link to. Consult your relevant compliance officer or legal counsel should you have concerns. |
Why ask open-ended questions?
Open-ended questions are great for learners to demonstrate understanding and attitudes. They encourage critical thinking and reflection. When you leave the answers up to your learners, you’ll be able to address more complex learning objectives that focus on creating, evaluating, and analyzing.
Here are examples of types of questions you could ask:
- What did you learn from this lesson/activity?
- How has your understanding changed after completing this lesson/activity?
- What did you expect to find and why?
- What patterns did you notice?
Can I create longer assessments with mixed question types?
Yes! Google Forms is an easy way to create an assessment that asks different types of questions, for different levels of learning. The form gives you options for creating the following question types:
- Short answer
- Paragraph
- Multiple choice
- Checkboxes
- Dropdown
- Linear scale
- Multiple choice grid
- Textbox grid
You can also upload images and videos within questions. Using different types of questions allows you to test a variety of learning objectives.
How do I use Google forms on LabXchange?
- Create a Google Form using your Google account.
- In the top right, click Send.
- At the top of the window, click Link
.
- Copy the link. This link will allow learners to access the form to complete it, but they won’t be able to edit the form.
- In LabXchange, go to your Dashboard and then create a text asset.
- Provide additional instructions if you need to, and include the link in the body of the text. This will allow learners to complete the form as part of the pathway.
- You’ll be able to access their responses through your Google account. But the Google Form results will not appear in the progress for your LabXchange class.
If you want to record student names or email addresses, make sure that you select that as an option under Settings.
For more ideas on how to assess your learners’ understanding, you can read about Using LabXchange Lab Simulations as a Teaching Tool. For more clarity on how scores are calculated on LabXchange, you can read the article Understanding Learners' Progress in Classes.