Writing better multiple choice questions
Well-designed multiple-choice questions can do far more than test factual recall; they can reveal student thinking, diagnose misconceptions, and assess higher-order problem-solving skills. Yet writing strong questions is challenging. This interactive workshop is designed for STEM faculty who want to create more effective multiple choice questions that provide students and instructors with deeper assessment of learning. Participants will explore research-based principles for constructing clear, rigorous, and fair multiple-choice questions that align with learning outcomes. We will examine how to write plausible distractors based on common student errors, design questions that assess conceptual understanding rather than rote memorization, and ensure that items are more inclusive and free from unnecessary barriers. We will also discuss strategies for using student response data to refine questions over time and improve exam reliability and discrimination.
(in person, with Zoom option)