subject: Proactively Engage Students With Customizable Online School Quizzes [print this page] As a teacher or administrator, you know how hard it is to get students interested in learning. Friends, social networking sites and extracurricular activities all attract their attention more than classes and homework. But when you create a quiz online, learning becomes fun. That's because kids get to work on the Internet using interactive tools rather than completing quizzes with plain ole paper and pen.
You might not realize that there are exceptional, free tools online that let you create a quiz that grabs your students' interest by imbedding pictures, images and graphics. With these applications, you can use colors, custom setups and other features to develop a platform that not only teaches, but also engages.
Just because quiz tools are free doesn't mean they are limited in features. While some are extremely basic, there are options that offer sophisticated capabilities which are still easy to use. Here are four ideas for connecting with students through online school quizzes.
1. Provide a low-stress testing environment
Most students dread the day of the big test. But you can lessen their anxiety and help improve their test scores by creating practice quizzes. Customize quiz questions, and the look and feel of the quiz, so it mimics the actual test. Giving students the ability to work through a pre-test helps them become comfortable with the types of questions they'll be asked on a real test. And, because repetition brings remembrance, chances are they will retain the information for a longer period of time as opposed to cramming for a test.
2. Enable sharing of information
Let students discuss the school quizzes in a comment section. This enables them ask each other questions and see everyones feedback. Interacting with other students engages them in a way teachers alone cant always achieve. They learn from their peers and enjoy helping and sharing information with each other.
3. Create a quiz with achievement certificates
Everyone likes to be told they are doing a great job. Go one step further and give students a certificate they can be proud of. Students work harder when there is a reward involved. A personalized certificate fosters a feeling of accomplishment. Students will want to display their certificates and before long all their classmates will want one too.
4. Offer instant, self-scoring options
Part of the anguish of test taking is waiting for your score. Look for online applications that create school quizzes with self-scoring options. As soon as the student enters his/her answer, their grade is calculated/updated so they know precisely how they are doing as they progress through the questions.
With all the technology available now, it has become much easier to offer interactive, interesting options for taking quizzes. Take some time to find a free quiz tool that empowers you to capture your students' interest even when taking tests. With the right online application you can increase attention, encourage learning, and make taking school quizzes fun.
