Trivia Quiz

What is this technique about

A Trivia Quiz is a game that involves asking questions on various subjects such as the topic of your lecture but also history, geography, entertainment, science, and sports, among others. The goal of the game is to correctly answer as many questions as possible and accumulate points. The trivia quiz method may include different formats such as multiple-choice questions, true or false statements, or open-ended questions.

Some common features of trivia quizzes include a host or moderator who poses the questions, a time limit for answering each question, and a scoring system. Additionally, some trivia quizzes may have different rounds or categories of questions, or include bonus or penalty questions to add more complexity and excitement to the game.

Where does it come from 

The origins of trivia as a concept can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where scholars and philosophers would gather to test their knowledge on various subjects. The word “trivia” itself comes from the Latin word “trivium,” which refers to the intersection of three roads where people would gather to exchange information and engage in discussions.

In its modern form, trivia games and quizzes became popular in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s, with the rise of television game shows such as “Jeopardy!” and “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” These shows popularized the format of asking questions on a variety of topics, with contestants competing for prizes or money.

For which purposes it is used (why in your engineering teaching)

A Trivia Quiz can be an effective and fun way to engage participants in a workshop or reinforce learning. With it, you can create a memorable and impactful learning experience for your participants.

How to use it

In a workshop setting, the steps to conduct a Trivia Quiz are as follows:

1. 1. Define the purpose and objectives of the trivia quiz. What knowledge or skills do you want participants to demonstrate or reinforce through the quiz? Make sure the quiz aligns with the overall goals of the workshop.
   2. Determine the format and structure of the quiz. Will it be a group activity or an individual competition? Will there be multiple rounds or categories of questions? Will participants use buzzers, whiteboards, or online tools to answer the questions?
   3. Prepare the questions. Create a set of questions that are relevant to the workshop content and level of difficulty appropriate for the participants. You can use different types of questions, such as multiple-choice, true or false, or open-ended, depending on the goals of the quiz and the level of interaction you want to encourage.
   4. Set the rules and scoring system. Communicate the rules and scoring system clearly to participants before the quiz starts. You can assign points for each correct answer, deduct points for incorrect answers, or use a time-based scoring system.
   5. Facilitate the quiz. As the workshop facilitator, you can serve as the quiz master or designate someone else to do it. Make sure to keep the energy level high, provide feedback and encouragement, and create opportunities for participants to learn from each other.
   6. Debrief and wrap up. After the quiz, facilitate a debrief discussion to review the questions and answers, clarify any misconceptions, and reinforce key concepts from the workshop. You can also use the quiz results to identify areas for further learning or improvement.

A very useful online tool is the website https://kahoot.com. Kahoot is an online learning-based platform where participants can create and perform trivia quizzes.