Student-generated Multiple-Choice Questions - A Java and Web-Based Tool for Students to Create Multiple Choice Tests - Recommended study tool for students

Q: How were students trained to create multiple-choice questions?

Students completed a graded assignment and were taught to write high-quality multiple-choice questions that addressed course objectives and Bloom’s Taxonomy.

Q: What role did Makequiz play in the course?

Makequiz is a Java and web-based tool used for students to generate multiple-choice questions for submission and study resource creation.

Q: What were the main findings about exam performance?

Students performed significantly better on student-written questions than on instructor-written questions on the final exam in Class A and Class C (p < .05).

Q: Why is additional research needed?

Further investigation is required to measure Makequiz’s impact on learning, metacognitive skills, and anxiety levels before test-taking.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Alexandar

Student-generated multiple-choice questions improve active learning, metacognitive skills, and examination performance. In three semesters of a kinesiology research methods course, students were trained to write high-quality questions aligned with course objectives and Bloom’s Taxonomy. Students used Makequiz, a Java and web-based tool, to submit a graded set of three questions. Good-quality items (n = 169–245) became study resources, with 40 selected each semester for the final exam, where student-written questions outperformed instructor-written questions in multiple classes (p < .05). Most students valued the assignment and supported keeping or modifying Makequiz.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time1 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Study design and training

Makequiz tool and assessment results

Student perceptions and comparison

Future research directions

The Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning | Volume 15 | Issue 2 | Article 10 | | --- | --- | | Summer 08-31-2024
Student-generated Multiple-Choice Questions: A Java and Web-Based Tool for Students to Create Multiple Choice Tests
Larry Katz
University of Calgary, katz@ucalgary.ca
Dave Carlgren
SAIT, dave.carlgren@sait.ca
Cory Wright-Maley
St. Mary's University, [Cory.WrightMaley@stmu.ca](Cory.WrightMaley@stmu.ca)[ ](Cory.WrightMaley@stmu.ca)Megan Hallam
Ambrose University, [mhallam@ambrose.edu](mhallam@ambrose.edu)[ ](mhallam@ambrose.edu)Joan Forder
University of Saskatchewan, [joan.forder@usask.ca](joan.forder@usask.ca)[ ](joan.forder@usask.ca)Danielle Milner
[daniellemilner9@gmail.com](daniellemilner9@gmail.com)
Lisa Finestone
University of Calgary, lisa.finestone@ucalgary.ca
Follow this and additional works at: [https://www.cjsotl-rcacea.ca](https://www.cjsotl-rcacea.ca)
[https://doi.org/10.5206/cjsotlrcacea.2024.2.16625](https://doi.org/10.5206/cjsotlrcacea.2024.2.16625) | | Recommended Citation Katz, L., Carlgren, D., Wright-Maley, C., Hallam, M., Forder, J., Milner, D., & Finestone, L. (2024) . Student-generated multiplechoice questions: A Java and web-based tool for students to create multiple choice tests. The Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 15(2). [https://doi.org/10.5206/cjsotlrcacea.2024.2.16625](https://doi.org/10.5206/cjsotlrcacea.2024.2.16625) Student-generated Multiple-Choice Questions: A Java and Web-Based Tool for Students to Create Multiple Choice Tests Abstract Student-generated questions can be an effective study technique to improve active learning, metacognitive skills, and performance on examinations. Students have shown greater success when assessed using peer-made study questions than when studying without questions. In three semestersof a kinesiology research methods course students were taught how to write high-quality multiplechoice questions that addressed course objectives and Bloom’s Taxonomy. Students were given a graded assignment to write three multiple-choice questions using Makequiz, a Java and web-based tool for helping students generate multiple choice questions. Student-generated questions that were rated as good quality (n = 169-245) were provided to the students as a study resource prior to the final exam. Of those study questions, 40 were selected each semester to be on the final exam. Students performed significantly better on student-written questions than instructor-written questions on the final exam in Class A (p < .05) and in Class C (p < .05) . A majority of students felt this assignment was a worthwhile component of the course, voting to keep Makequiz in the curriculum (Class A: 52.6%, Class B: 62.3%, Class C: 58.3%) or to modify Makequiz (Class A: 25.3%, Class B: 14.5%, Class C: 18.1%) . Many of the students stated it was the most valuable assignment of the course (32% Class B and Class C) . Makequiz is, therefore, a recommended study tool for students. Comparisons are also made with PeerWise, an online platform for creating and sharing MCQ and feedback. Further investigation is required to measure the impact Makequiz has on learning, metacognitive skills, and anxiety levels before testtaking. Les questions générées par les étudiants et les étudiantes peuvent être une technique d'apprentissage efficace pour améliorer l'apprentissage actif, les compétences métacognitives et les performances aux examens. Les étudiants et les étudiantes ont obtenu de meilleurs résultats lorsqu'ils ont été évalués à l'aide de questions créées par leurs pairs que lorsqu'ils ont étudié sans questions. Au cours de trois semestres d'un cours de méthodes de recherche en kinésiologie, les étudiants et les étudiantes ontappris à rédiger des questions à choix multiples de haute qualité qui répondaient aux objectifs du courset à la taxonomie de Bloom. Les étudiants et les étudiantes ont été noté

FAQs

How were students trained to create multiple-choice questions?

Students completed a graded assignment and were taught to write high-quality multiple-choice questions that addressed course objectives and Bloom’s Taxonomy.

What role did Makequiz play in the course?

Makequiz is a Java and web-based tool used for students to generate multiple-choice questions for submission and study resource creation.

What were the main findings about exam performance?

Students performed significantly better on student-written questions than on instructor-written questions on the final exam in Class A and Class C (p < .05).

Why is additional research needed?

Further investigation is required to measure Makequiz’s impact on learning, metacognitive skills, and anxiety levels before test-taking.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Alexandar