Questions Good and Bad

Submit smile-sheet questions here!

Whether you created them yourself or found them elsewhere.

Whether you think they’re great, or think they stink.

You type in smile-sheet question examples,
and if they’re particularly noteworthy,
I’ll post commentary about them.

Thank you in advance!

Thank you!

Will’s Comments

Question 1

I was pleased with the room setup.
A. Strongly Disagree
B. Disagree
C. Agree
D. Strongly Agree

Will’s Commentary

Despite being a question recommended by a leading learning-measurement consultancy, this question stinks!
  1. First, it uses Likert-like answer choices, providing fuzzy response terms that (a) make it difficult for learners to make precise responses and (b) make it difficult to create results that are actionable.
  2. Second, while the room setup does affect learning, learners are unlikely to fully appreciate the subtleties involved.
  3. Third, room setup, even if it does make a difference, is much less important than more critical learning factors. Smile-sheet responding is precious. Don’t waste it on trivialities.

Question 2a, 2b

How much have your Spanish skills improved with GREETINGS & COURTESY PHRASES?

A. None
B. Minimal (not much at all) improvement
C. Some improvement but not “major”
D. I see (or others see in me) a very noticeable improvement
E. I was already competent in this area

How much improvement do you see in your Spanish skills with NUMBERS, COUNTING, MONEY, AND TELLING TIME?

A. None
B. Minimal (not much at all) improvement
C. Some improvement but not “major”
D. I see (or others see in me) a very noticeable improvement
E. I was already competent in this area

Questions Developed by:  Emily Schaber, Certification Program Director, Indiana State Library

These questions were delivered halfway through a course teaching Spanish to beginning  students. 80% of students completed the evaluation instrument.

Will’s Commentary

These questions are good, and their delivery timing is wonderful!
  1. First, the questions are focused on specific skills to be learned in the course. This is fantastic! Also, it demonstrates that you don’t have to rely on the candidate questions included in the book. Indeed, it’s best when you can go beyond generic questions and target specifics.
  2. Second, the answer choices offer clear distinctions — much better than the difference between strongly agree and agree.
  3. Third, the answer choices are clearly written and are worded appropriately for the target audience.
  4. Finally, it’s a nice innovation to provide these halfway through the course. This enables mid-course improvements and also increases the likelihood that learners will take them seriously and provide valid data.