By Natalia Dias, Transition Services Consultant
There are lots of ways to help learners check their understanding in Brightspace. Two tools that may seem similar at first are Self-Assessments and Quizzes.
Both can be used for practice. Both support the same Brightspace question types. Both can pull questions from the Question Library. But they are not equally powerful.
Self-assessments are best for simple, private learner reflection. Quizzes offer a much richer experience for instructors and learners, especially when you want flexibility, visibility, data, and stronger connections across the course.
Feature comparison
Feature | Self Assessments | Quizzes |
|---|
Supported question types | 11 question types | 11 question types |
Question pools | ✅ | ✅ |
Feedback timing | Immediate feedback after each question | Feedback after the quiz is submitted |
Point values | No point values for questions or the overall assessment. | Supports scored quizzes, hidden point values, and zero-point questions |
Instructor visibility into learner responses | ❌ | ✅ |
Release conditions | ❌ | ✅ |
Reuse questions from the Question Library | ✅ | ✅ |
Content integration | Can only be added as a Quicklink | Can be displayed inline in Content |
Reporting and analytics | No available data sets | Data sets and question statistics are available |
Best fit | Private learner reflection | Practice, formative checks, review, progress tracking, and learning path decisions. |
Where Self Assessments fit
Self-assessments are helpful when the goal is simple: give learners a private way to check their understanding and receive immediate feedback. They work well when instructors do not need to see responses, track progress, or use the activity to guide what happens next.
That can be useful in some courses. For example, a learner might complete a quick self-check before moving on to the next topic, with no grade and no instructor follow-up.
Why Quizzes offer more value
Quizzes can support the same low-stakes practice experience, but with many more options.
Instructors can see learner responses, review question statistics, and use the quiz activity to better understand where learners are doing well and where they may need more support. Quizzes can also work with release conditions, allowing you to personalize what learners see next based on their progress.
That flexibility is a big advantage.
A quiz does not have to feel high-stakes. With options like hidden point values and zero-point questions (not linked to Gradebook), instructors can create practice-focused quiz experiences while still benefiting from the structure, visibility, and data that the Quizzes tool provides.
Quizzes also fit more naturally into the learning experience. Because they can be displayed inline in Content, learners can encounter them directly in the flow of a lesson, without having to jump to a separate activity.
The takeaway
For most practice and formative assessments, quizzes are the better option. They offer instructors greater insight, create a more engaging experience for learners, and allow for more versatile learning pathways.
When in doubt, choose Quizzes. They can do more today, and they provide a better foundation for where Brightspace learning experiences are headed.
Need more help with Quizzes? Explore the Quizzes documentation for setup instructions, workflows, and additional guidance.