| 13 | | |
| 14 | | |
| 15 | | |
| 16 | | |
| 17 | | |
| 18 | | |
| 19 | | == Other features of Bolt == |
| 20 | | |
| 21 | | By default, every Bolt page includes an "ask a question" link. |
| 22 | | These questions are delivered as private messages to the course developer. |
| 23 | | |
| 24 | | == Identification of course elements == |
| 25 | | |
| 26 | | A course can change over time. |
| 27 | | Elements (lessons, exercises, sets) may be added, deleted, or reordered. |
| 28 | | |
| 29 | | A student has a "context" in a course - a sequential position, |
| 30 | | and a set of review items. |
| 31 | | What if the course changes, and these items change or disappear? |
| 32 | | |
| 33 | | Each element may be given a "logical name". |
| 34 | | For items, this defaults to the file name. |
| 35 | | |
| 36 | | A user's sequential position is stored in the DB as the logical name |
| 37 | | or last item viewed. |
| 38 | | On continuation, Bolt looks up that item. |
| 39 | | |
| 40 | | == Implementation notes == |
| 41 | | |
| 42 | | At the implementation level, an exercise has three functions: |
| 43 | | |
| 44 | | * When invoked with $mode_show set, it shows the exercise. |
| 45 | | * When invoked with $mode_score set, it computes a score based on the responses stored in $_GET, and assigns the score to $score. Its text output, if any, is ignored. |
| 46 | | * When invoked with $mode_answer, it shows and "answer sheet" based on the responses stored in $_GET. If the response is correct and no answer sheet is to be shown, it sets $no_answer_sheet. |
| 47 | | |
| 48 | | Bolt's exercise primitives perform all these functions for you; |
| 49 | | however, you're free to implement your own exercises. |
| 50 | | |
| 51 | | == The bigger picture == |
| 52 | | |
| 53 | | Bolt's primary goal is to serve the needs of volunteer computing and skill aggregation projects. |
| 54 | | However, we believe that it can also become a tool for research in education and cognitive science, |
| 55 | | for a variety of reasons: |
| 56 | | |
| 57 | | * Experiments can be deployed with large sample sizes. |
| 58 | | * Experiments can be deployed immediately, with no dependence on the academic calendar. Significant results are available in days rather than months or years. |
| 59 | | * The student population varies widely in age, language, and education level. |
| 60 | | * The student population is self-selecting for interest in the topic area, and has diverse learning goals. |
| 61 | | * Experiments are not limited by standards or syllabi. |
| 62 | | * Experiments can be conducted without dependence on educational institutions or teachers. |
