This page provides reasons and samples of syllabus quizzes. These instructions are provided as examples only. They are not meant to address every potential scenario. Feel free to use them as a guide and edit for your own course needs.
Uses
Assigning a syllabus quiz or a syllabus review encourages students to read the full course syllabus. It can be an opportunity to highlight specific aspects of the syllabus, or it can serve as a contract affirming understanding of course goals and expectations.
Examples of Syllabus Quizzes
Syllabus Acknowledgement
The quiz consists of one or more questions. A single-question quiz might include a short answer in which a student is asked to retype a commitment or confirmation such as, “I have read and understand the course syllabus.” A quiz might also include multiple choice or true/false questions about grading, late work policies, participation requirements, etc.
Full Syllabus Quiz
A full Syllabus quiz includes a group of multiple choice, true/false, short answer or other assessment questions to check for understanding of the information shared in the course syllabus. The questions might address grading, late work policies, participation requirements, etc.
Instructions for the Student (for either example)
To ensure that you have read and understand the contents of the syllabus, you will complete a syllabus quiz. You can take as much time as needed to complete the quiz. You are encouraged to look through the syllabus while completing the quiz.
To complete this assignment, do the following:
Access the syllabus by selecting the Syllabus link from the main course menu.
Read the entire syllabus, paying particular attention to assignments, due dates, and course and university policies.
Once you have read through the entire syllabus, begin the quiz.
Example of a Syllabus Review
Annotating the Syllabus
Having your students annotate your course syllabus—marking up areas where they have questions—is another great way to ensure that they have read and understand the syllabus. It also allows students to share a common dialogue about the syllabus so everyone can learn from each other’s questions. Perusall, Hypothesis, or even Google Docs are just a few of the social annotation tools that you can have your students use to leave comments on a digital version of your course syllabus. If you plan on using social annotation for other areas of your course (such as having students comment upon readings, websites, or videos throughout the course), having students annotate the syllabus is a great way to introduce them to the social annotation tool you plan to use.
Refer to the Perusall or Hypothesis pages with the Course Navigator to learn how to set up assignments using these tools.
