A colleague here is thinking about giving students short (10-item)
quizzes frequently throughout the semester in order to encourage
distributed studying. He wishes to quiz them by computer (he is using
Blackboard) and is trying to decide on a time limit for each quiz. At
the end of the time limit, the answers the person has provided will be
automatically submitted and the student will be unable to return to the
quiz to change his/her answers. So, it is important to choose a time
limit that is adequate for students to complete the quiz.
His question: is there any research that specifies how long students
should be given to complete a four-choice mutiple-choice item? He
doesn't want to make the time limit so long that students can easily
look up answers in their books or notes (although he realizes that this
will be impossible to prevent completely); but he also doesn't want to
make it so short that slower reading or very careful students will be
penalized. Does anyone have any information that can help?
Jeff
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Jeffry P. Ricker, Ph.D. Office Phone: (480) 423-6213
9000 E. Chaparral Rd. FAX Number: (480) 423-6298
Psychology Department [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, AZ 85256-2626
"The truth is rare and never simple."
Oscar Wilde
"Science must begin with myths and with the criticism of myths"
Karl Popper
