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I'm a big proponent of studying via practice questions, and I had this idea for how to generate a lot of course specific questions in my med school (I'm in MS1). I'm wondering if anyone can comment on the logistics, i.e. the best ways of implementing this using software that either already exists or using some good PHP or perl scripts that are out there. Here's the idea.
Our MS1 and 2 years are divided into systems based units, ranging from about 3-8 weeks in duration, lets say there are between about 50-100 lectures per unit, and about 220 students. Each lecture is given a certain number of questions per exam (i.e. 2 questions/lecture for our first unit.)
I want to set up a question databank where in order to use the questions, users have to submit two questions for a lecture where questions haven't yet been offered up. Once every lecture has been filled, people can submit extra questions for a lecture to gain access, and people always have the option of submitting additional questions if they so choose. Students can then setup a test from the database for either a week's worth of lectures or by lecturer, or for the whole think based on a script that pulls these out of the database. They can also select the number of questions per lecture. The database becomes closed for entry of new questions after the exam, so there would be no issue with taking a profs questions off of an exam.
I would clear this with the school first, but I can't see there being any objections provided no material is being reproduced from existing exams or copyrighted materials. Anyone submitting material would have to acknowledge a disclaimer to that effect.
Please let me know of any loopholes I left out, potential pitfalls, etc. Assuming a 25% participation rate, we could fill 50 lectures, in a larger unit it would be split up by midterms with about 50 lectures between midterms, so I think it's a feasible target. If anyone is using a similar software for this sort of thing, please let me know. If anyone is also at McGill and is particularly good with PHP/perl or web design, please also let me know if you'd like to help me set this up.
Our MS1 and 2 years are divided into systems based units, ranging from about 3-8 weeks in duration, lets say there are between about 50-100 lectures per unit, and about 220 students. Each lecture is given a certain number of questions per exam (i.e. 2 questions/lecture for our first unit.)
I want to set up a question databank where in order to use the questions, users have to submit two questions for a lecture where questions haven't yet been offered up. Once every lecture has been filled, people can submit extra questions for a lecture to gain access, and people always have the option of submitting additional questions if they so choose. Students can then setup a test from the database for either a week's worth of lectures or by lecturer, or for the whole think based on a script that pulls these out of the database. They can also select the number of questions per lecture. The database becomes closed for entry of new questions after the exam, so there would be no issue with taking a profs questions off of an exam.
I would clear this with the school first, but I can't see there being any objections provided no material is being reproduced from existing exams or copyrighted materials. Anyone submitting material would have to acknowledge a disclaimer to that effect.
Please let me know of any loopholes I left out, potential pitfalls, etc. Assuming a 25% participation rate, we could fill 50 lectures, in a larger unit it would be split up by midterms with about 50 lectures between midterms, so I think it's a feasible target. If anyone is using a similar software for this sort of thing, please let me know. If anyone is also at McGill and is particularly good with PHP/perl or web design, please also let me know if you'd like to help me set this up.
