General developer forum

From the above and private correspondence, I have reached a certain (not neccerality correct) understanding of part of the functionlity of Copilot. Here it is.

I think I see how analysing a body of learning using Copilot allows a teacher to define relationships between concepts, so that Copilot can then create questions, answers and feedback about the body knowlege. Copilot can probably do other things too.

Copilot achieves this by defining a matrix of terms with synonyms, and active and passive forms. Hence if a teacher of moodle were to set up the relationship (this is only an example)

Who created moodle? Answer = Martin Dougiamas

Then Copilot would be able to create lots and lots of questions (about 20 or more?)
1) using synonyms
Who made moodle?
2) passives and passive synonyms
Who created moodle?
Who was moodle made by?
3) (perhaps) using antonyms
Who definately did not destroy moodle?
Who definately did not annihilate moodle?
3) (perhaps) using passive antonyms
Who was moodle definately not destroyed by?

It can also create feedback and perhaps even wrong answers automaticallly. Or something like that. I hope I am not misrepresenting copilot too much. I think that for people teaching content (non-language) courses this functionality of copilot is definately useful.

If I find that if I askk the same question then students are inclined to cheat so I am always creating at least one variation, often more. Copilot creates the variations for you. For content courses, it is definately an interesting, time saving idea. Copilot can probably do other things too.

In my language teaching situation however, the list of verbs is in itself a body of study for students.

This is also probably, or definately, part of "the dark side of the moodle," in that it is a way of automating testing rather than extending socially constructive activity.

In my situation I can not rely on my students understanding the matrix of verbs that Copilot uses. I would not therefore be able to use software that takes knowledge of the copilot lexical matrix for granted. But along the same lines, it would be nice if there were functionality at a lower level of abstraction to do a similar task. Lets call this (non existant) software "Codrive". All it takes for granted is that answers have a subject and a predicate.

For example (a real example) I have a bit of text that I want my students to read. (This happens to be a very non-socially constructive bit of text, which is perhaps appropriate)

Text I want students to read:
I am a student and my job is to study. Company employees are paid a salary. Students are paid credits. So, to me, credits are like money. Credits are the reward I get for studying.

Then I have a question:
What do students and workers have in common?

I must make some answers. I can do this in the normal way. But it would be great if I could define:
1) A list of subjects
People who study and people who work
Students and workers
People who work for a company and people who study something
Employees and students

2) Perhaps -- if I am happy with 'tricky questons' -- a list of inappropriate subjects. I don't usually do this but, for the sake of this example.
Students and people that study
People that work or have a job

3) A list of appropriate predicates
pay something to their employer or school.
think that credits resemble money.
like to get money for doing what they do.
get a reward for the money they earn.

4) A list of inappropriate predicates
receive something in return for their effort.
are given something in exchange for what they do.

Then, using "Codrive" I could press a button and it would automatically create a myriad of random permutations of the above. E.g. using GIFT notation one random question would be

What do students and workers have in common? {
~Students and people that study are given something in exchange for what they do.
=People who study and people who work like to get money for doing what they do.
~People who work for a company and people who study something think that credits resemble money.
~Employees and students get a reward for the money they earn.
}

I would like codrive software. Ideally it would be part of moodle, or an extension to the GIFT format. If an extension to the GIFT format then perhaps it might look like this in codrive-GIFT form

What do students and workers have in common? {
=S=People who study and people who work
=S=Students and workers
=S=People who work for a company and people who study something
=S=Employees and students
~S~Students and people that study
~S~People that work or have a job
=P=pay something to their employer or school.
=P=think that credits resemble money.
=P=like to get money for doing what they do.
=P=get a reward for the money they earn.
~P~receive something in return for their effort.
~P~are given something in exchange for what they do. }

Adding the feedback also requires a bit of thought. But it could be done. And it would save time.

Socially constructively speaking, is Codrive hell warmed up?

It is where I live. I must make about 80 questions. Back to the grindstone.

Tim