In the fast-paced world of learning and education, traditional methods can sometimes fall short. Enter the multiple choice quiz, an engaging, efficient and incredibly effective tool that leverages techniques like microlearning and spaced repetition. In this post, we’ll explore how multiple choice quizzes can be a powerful approach for learning, moving beyond their traditional role as mere assessments to become key components of a dynamic L&D strategy.
The multiple choice quiz: it’s kind of our thing…
Yarno is a quiz-based learning platform. While we’re certainly not the only kids on the block, we feel pretty confident about what we do and how we harness the power of the humble multiple choice quiz.
Microlearning is a core principle of our offering, and so it’s no surprise that multiple choice quizzes are the bread and butter to our learning pudding. It’s not only effective for knowledge building and retention, but it also Just Makes Sense for the fast-paced lifestyle characteristic of today’s workers. Microlearning, and specifically the multiple choice quiz, recognises that while you need to do training on the job, you also need to, well, do your job.
The multiple benefits of multiple choice
We’ve all been there. Painstakingly colouring in A/B/C/D options in what felt like an endless science test in Year 8 (when in doubt, always C, right?). Or maybe trawling through pages and pages of questions in a university exam only to get a single numerical score in return. The multiple choice model often gets a bad rap, and when not used well, it’s easy to understand why. But there’s a reason Yarno believes multiple choice quizzes are a unicorn of L&D approaches, so let’s have a look at the benefits:
Multiple choice quizzes are about learning, not assessing
Multiple choice quizzes are most beneficial when they’re used as a technique for learning new information, rather than as a test for determining what you already know. This reframing is really important, especially as most of us have experienced multiple choice questions in contexts like those listed above. Traditionally they are used to recall x-y-z, whereas we are using multiple choice quizzes to teach x-y-z.
When designed strategically, multiple choice quizzes enhance the learning experience by encouraging the repetition of newfound knowledge, highlighting common misunderstandings that need more attention, and providing opportunities to ‘double down’ on key concepts. Another benefit of our quizzes at Yarno is the immediate feedback learners receive. No disconnected final scores here – learners can immediately find out not only if they were right or wrong, but why.
Multiple choice quizzes are fun, not dense
One of the standout benefits of multiple choice quizzes is their inherent fun factor. There’s something inherently novel about a quiz in contrast to, say, a 3,000 word instructional article or a logistically-challenged group project. All of these are opportunities for learning and deepening your understanding of a topic. But the humble quiz, specifically this nifty multiple choice type, has that gamification element we at Yarno are always harping on about.
The gamification aspect of multiple choice quizzes can motivate learners to explore new topics and challenge themselves in a relaxed environment that feels less like a chore and more like a game. The added elements of leaderboards, badges and winning streaks make our multiple choice quizzes an interactive challenge not just for individuals, but for teams too. If you can design learning with more engagement and less eye-rolls, why wouldn’t you?
Multiple choice quizzes are snappy, not snooze-worthy
Long, text-heavy learning modules are a thing of the past for smart businesses who know their learners. Upskilling is a critical part of increasing work performance, but it needs to fit into already busy calendars. Well-designed multiple choice quizzes allow learners to quickly get their heads around new concepts, with the rhythm of a few daily questions seamlessly woven into their day-to-day duties.
Another reason multiple choice quizzes are time-efficient is the principle of spaced repetition. This is a learning technique that leverages the idea that we remember information better when we encounter it over spaced intervals rather than in one concentrated session. Each time a learner revisits a topic or concept, the information is reinforced and past learning is solidified. Spaced repetition turns quizzes into a proactive learning tool rather than a passive, one-and-done testing format.
Multiple choice mechanics: the Yarno method
So we know that multiple choice quizzes are effective learning tools and how they can elevate the learner experience. But what do they actually look like at Yarno?
How do we create multiple choice quizzes?
Our content creators (absolute legends, I’ve heard) partner with SMEs to distil big blocks of information into multiple choice questions. We aim to address key concepts and common misunderstandings of a topic, crafting a range of questions that explore a concept in different ways:
- Quiz the facts
- E.g. Who is the powerful wizard who partners with Frodo in Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings?
- Quiz the why
- E.g. Why are the rings distributed around Middle Earth?
- Quiz the process:
- E.g. Aragorn is needing to slow the poison from a wound inflicted by a Nazgul. What should he do first before he can access the healing powers of the elves?
- Quiz the consequence
- E.g. The ‘one ring’ holds huge power and as always seeking to be returned to Sauron. If the ring bearer succumbs and puts on the ring, what might happen?
- Quiz the choice:
- E.g. Hobbits all know there are several ways to cook potatoes. Which of these options would be the best option if you were camping with a devoted gardener-turned-friend and a possessed swamp-adjacent maniac?
Aside from the questions, we also need the ubiquitous A/B/C/D of answer options. In order to create the most effective learning experience, we want learners to engage their critical thinking and not get stuck in guesswork (again, it’s C, right?). So, we craft one correct answer, and two to three incorrect answers. Our guidelines for effective answer options are:
- Don’t make it too obvious
- Keep it realistic and plausible
- Steer away from ‘all of the above/none of the above’ options (because they are known to typically be the correct answer)
How do learners complete multiple choice quizzes?
On the Yarno platform, learners are presented with question-and-answer choices. After making their selection, they are taken to an ‘explanation’ (if they got the answer wrong) or have the option to skip to the next question (if they got the answer right).
Usually, learners answer 3 to 4 questions each day. As already mentioned, questions will be re-fielded as part of the spaced repetition learning technique, so they’ll have opportunities to solidify their knowledge and/or have a second chance.
Workplaces use Yarno’s multiple choice quizzes in a range of ways:
- To build healthy competition between teams or individuals
- To offer incentives for completion and/or performance
- To quickly get staff across a new topic/product/procedure in their business
- To onboard new employees as part of the induction process
- To reinforce knowledge learned from an in-person training event or program
- To introduce industry/government policies, compliance and initiatives
Bite-sized learning = big gains
As a company that geeks out on all things instructional design, we want to shout from the rooftops all the benefits of microlearning and the power of the humble multiple choice quiz. But it’s not just enthusiasm. At Yarno we see completion rates of 89% (compared to 15% for online learning more broadly), as well as an impressive average learner feedback score of 4/5. Multiple choice quizzes are a versatile tool that can transform the learning experience, enabling learners to grasp new concepts, enhance memory retention, and enjoy the process along the way.
Want some multiple choice magic in your learning strategy? Get in touch with our friendly team and we’ll work out the A/B/C/Ds of bringing the power of microlearning to your business today.
