Why test answers are not automatically provided

Today, I added a new item in the FAQs for my A&P courses regarding the value of not automatically providing test answers when an online test is graded. 

Here's my answer:

When online tests are graded, you are provided with information on which items are marked as incorrect. You are then expected to FIND THE ANSWERS on you own. This is an active form of learning and is a vitally important part of the whole concept of online testing and learning.

Your test is a LEARNING EXPERIENCE as much as it is an evaluation of progress. If I provide the correct answers automatically, you will have no reason to go back to your resources and find the answers. You'll thus miss out on a critical learning opportunity! And, most importantly, you'll have no long-term recollection of the correct concept!

Visit lionden.com/ap-faq.htm#online-answers to see this item on the FAQ page. Read More!

What's a SECTION grade in Moodle?

In some of my Moodle courses, I have an entry in the gradebook called Section.  Moodle reports a percentage for that grade and it has caused some concern among students when looking at the gradebook.  To explain what's going on, I've added an explanation at lionden.com/moodle-course-grade.htm#section

Here's the story found at the new item in Moodle Help in the Lion Den:

In some "meta" courses where there are more than one course section all rolled into one Moodle course shell, a grade called Section may appear in the grade book. This is usually in the "miscellaneous" grade category. This is NOT a grade.

The Section entry is merely the number assigned to the course section in which you are enrolled for a course. For example, in BIO 240 01, then "1" is your section number. If you are enrolled in BIO 240 80, then "80" is your section number. It's merely there to help me figure out where you belong when I submit grades to the registrar.

Moodle, however, being a silly computer program and not a real person, does not understand this. So Moodle assigns you a percentage for Section, as if it's a real grade. Ignore that percentage. It's meaningless.

Ordinarily, NOTHING in the "miscellaneous" grade category is part of your course grade.

Not all courses have a Section grade. Read More!

Updated "Partially correct" section of Moodle Help

This week, I found out about a glitch in the way Moodle was reporting the item score for Partially correct items in online tests and practices.  So I've been tweaking the settings on all the tests to avoid any issues. 

I also updated the section on Partially correct at lionden.com/moodle-test-items.htm#partial to more clearly explain scoring on such items. Read More!

Slide samples added to Teaching Slides page

I've just added a few random samples of the PowerPoint compatible slides that are available to teachers of A&P at lionden.com/ap_teacher_slides.htm

From that page, teachers can access a form to request access to the complete Lion Den Slide Collection. Read More!

Updated "exam info" for A&P 1, A&P 2

Today I updated the pages summarizing "exam info" for midterm and final exams in BIO 240 and BIO 241.

lionden.com/ap1_exams.htm

lionden.com/ap2_exams.htm

The primary change is a reminder to bring clickers to class on exam days. Read More!

The circus has arrived

Today, I finally moved all my circus-related pages over from the legacy site to the current Lion Den.

To explore these pages, go to lionden.com/circus.htm Read More!

More Moodle help

Today, I added a new Moodle Help page.  This one focuses on interpreting corrected online tests.  It shows graphics that tell users how to tell which items are correct and which are incorrect.  The page also explains some issues and questions related to interpreting corrected tests.

Find the new page at lionden.com/moodle-test-items.htm Read More!

Ready for Spring 2012 semester!

I've made updates to course documents for Anatomy & Physiology 2 (BIO 241) and for A&P 1 Supplement (BIO 242) to make them ready for the Spring 2012 semester. 

Kevin's Schedule


BIO 241 A&P 2
Syllabus (main page)
Lecture Schedule
Online test schedule


BIO 242 A&P 1 Supplement
Syllabus (main page)


I also updated my page on using clickers in my courses, adding a new section explaining my reasons for using clickers.  The rest of the page outlines tips for how to use and maintain the i>clicker remote and how points are calculated for the course grade.

Student Response System Read More!

New concept map video

I've added another video to the Study Tips & Tools page on Concept Maps:

lionden.com/concept_maps.htm

This video is a pencast that shows you how to get started with concept mapping with a simple, easy-to-use approach.

Want to find out more about using pencasts to study A&P?

Read More!

Pass the password

Today I added a new entry in the Moodle Help section to explain why a student may be asked for a password on an online test.   See http://lionden.com/moodle-test-not-available.htm for further information. I also updated the main navigation menus to reflect this change.

I recently updated my personal information page to better reflect details about my academic appointments and other information. Read More!

Blueberry oatmeal cookie, anyone?

Today I fixed a broken link in the DNA Mini Lesson that provides a recipe for Kevin's Favorite Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies.  It's there as an optional resource to supplement my mention that protein synthesis is analogous to cooking in many ways.

If you try the recipe, let me know if you like the cookies!

Read More!

New search engine

Today I updated the search engine available when clicking the search button at the bottom of any page in the Lion Den. 

The prior search engine had been abandoned by its supplier and no longer functioned.

The new search engine is provided by Google and searches all the pages in the Lion Den for whatever term is entered in the search form.

Read More!

New icons, updated course materials, new Moodle help

I've recently updated several things in the Lion Den:

Need a new computer?

All course syllabi and related course materials have now been updated for the Fall 2011 semester.

The icon for Power-Point compatible slides has been updated.

A new icon for sound files, podcasts, or any other audio has been added.

Both new icons now appear on the Kinda Smart page and in the Key available in the top menu bar of any outline page.

New audio icon

New slide icon

I've added a link to an NPR story on the impact of culture on science research to the History & Culture Mini Lesson.

I've added new Moodle Help page on how to get all the questions from a previously taken test, quiz, or Check In to appear so you can print them out.

I've added links to the new Moodle Help page in the top menu bar. Read More!

Moodle is here!

Because SCC has now transitioned to the use of Moodle as our learning management system (LMS), I've added a bunch of "Moodle Help" pages to the Lion Den. 

Students in Kevin's classes can now get answers to their questions about using Moodle all in one location.  Any issues related to using Moodle in BIO 095, 240, 241, 242 and other courses can likely be resolved here.

For a current list of Moodle helps, go to lionden.com/moodle.htm or use the top navigation bar in any Lion Den page. Read More!

Our MILLIONTH viewer!

I just found out that lionden.com just passed the MILLION VIEWER mark:

http://my-ap.us/ihzvBp

Over a million folks have tuned in to the Lion Den since 2006, when the count was started. 

However, I started Lion Den eight years before that, in 1998, so perhaps there really have been BILLIONS of viewers, eh? Read More!

New videos, new navigation, newsletter, and more!

Today I made the following updates to the Lion Den website:

•  Added videos to these Study Tips & Tools pages 
• Concept Maps
• Concept Lists
• Taking Tests
  
• Added a button at the bottom of each page, enabling users to subscribe to the Lion Den Newsletter
  
• Added specific Lion Tracks "breadcrumb" navigation hints to top of several pages in the Study Tips & Tools  collection
  
• Migrated the Patton Fan Club page from the legacy site

Read More!

Get your newsletter!

Get an email everytime this blog is updated . . . which is when the Lion Den website has new updates (or news of some sort).

Just fill out this form and you're all set!

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Read More!

Floating bar & feedback form removed

Today, I'm removing two features of lionden.com that many users found to be annoying.  And none of us want the Lion Den to be annoying.  Well, except for the smell . . . but there's nothing to be done about that, eh?

The menu bar at the top of each page was originally set to float along and stay at the top of the browser window, even as you scroll down the page.  Unfortunately, many users have slower systems that caused the floating bar to float in the middle of the page for a few moments after scrolling down, then back up again.  So I reset this feature to stay at the top of the page.  If you want to access another page in the Lion Den, you'll now have to scroll all the way up to the top of the page.  But you can do it . . . I know you can!

I was also using a third-party service to solicit feedback (like how annoying the floating menu bar is).  But because it occasionally asks viewers to respond, and many users are FREQUENT users, you were getting tired of either giving feedback or telling the popup feedback request to go away.  So from now on, please give feedback by using the email response link found in several places in each page in the Lion Den. Read More!

Course materials updated for SP 2011

I just updated the syllabus, schedule, and related online documents for my Anatomy & Physiology 2 (BIO 241) course for the SP 2011 semester.  Go to lionden.com/ap2.htm to see the syllabus . . . then follow links to the related documents from there.

Also updated:

• All pages related to slides now include FREE access to the Lion Den Slide Collection.  Go to lionden.com/slides-form.htm to get access to the download site.
  
  
• Course documents related to my Anatomy & Physiology 1 Supplement (BIO 242) course have also been updated.  Go to lionden.com/ap1-supp.htm to start at the syllabus for that course.
  
  
• The copyright notice for all pages in lionden.com has been updated to reflect the new year.

Read More!

New feature: Pencasts

I've recently added the first in what I hope will be a series of pencasts.  These are quick, handwritten and often narrated overviews of individual anatomy & physiology concepts.

The first pencast is a quick overview of bone cell actions. It quickly runs through the main actions of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

Hopefully, other pencasts will soon follow.

If you'd like to make your own pencasts, you can do that with a Livescribe 2 GB Pulse Smartpen or similar model.  If you have one that you think would help other users of Lion Den, be sure to pass it along! Read More!

New video on using flash cards

I just added a new video that offers some practical tips for using study cards to reduce your study time and get a solid foundation in learning any topic.  This video also includes some surprising advanced techniques that show how to use flash cards to also learn higher-level thinking in any subject. Includes discussion of the Leitner system (plus Patton's adaptation of the Leitner system), color codes and symbols, using cards to learn processes and ordered structures, and using cards to build concept maps (mind maps).

You can find this video, along with other tips on using flash cards at the newly updated page New Terms at http://lionden.com/new_terms.htm Read More!

Lion Den is now a registered trademark

Just in case . . . the Lion Den trademark is now registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Read More!

Updated course information

Syllabi and related course materials for two courses has been updated:

• BIO 240 Anatomy & Physiology 1
• BIO 242 A&P 1 Supplement

Course information for BIO 095 is continually and frequently updated Read More!

Started a Moodle section

In anticipation of the upcoming migration of all SCC courses from WebCT to Moodle learning management system, I've begun a section in the A&P Study Tips & Tools area to start building help pages.  Students can use these pages to quickly find help when they run into trouble.

lionden.com/moodle.htm Read More!

St. Kevin pages are ready

The St. Kevin pages have now been moved to the main Lion Den site from the old legacy site. . . albeit a bit too late for the big St. Kevin's Day celebration on June 3.  Well, at least I'll be ready for next year's big party, eh?

St. Kevin's Day

Amazing Coincidences

Hymn of St. Kevin

Read More!

Reproductive Systems outline updated

The A&P 2 Learning Outline for the Reproductive Systems has been formatted and updated and is reasonably ready to be used. Read More!

Urinary outline updated

The A&P 2 Learning Outline for the Urinary System (including fluid/electrolyte balance and acid/base balance) is now updated and formatted and ready for use at
http://lionden.com/ap2out-urin.htm Read More!

Muscle names added to Study Tools and Tips

Another Study Tips & Tools page has been added to help A&P students use muscle names as a way to find and learn their muscles.

The new page Muscle Names includes videos that walk the reader through the basic concept of muscle naming.  This page also includes downloadable, printable tables to aid in learning major muscle names and their translations (plus pronunciation of muscle names).

http://lionden.com/tips-lab-anatomy-muscle-names.htm

Several linked pages (and the top nav bar on all pages) have been updated to reflect this addition. Read More!

Digestive System outline updated

The A&P 2 Learning Outline for the Digestive System has been formatted, updated, baked, and sliced . . . ready for your enjoyment! Read More!

Lion Tracks breadcrumbs . . . the saga begins

Ok, finally . . . I'm starting to leave a trail of breadcrumbs.  Well, that's what ORDINARY webmasters call this navigation tools that shows where a page is in the heirarchy of organization within a website.  In the Lion Den, however, it's no wonder that this navigation tool is instead called Lion Tracks. 

Found at the top of all pages at lionden.com, the Lion Tracks tool is not yet complete on all pages.  I've started with the A&P 2 pages . . . from there, I'll finish the remaining A&P pages . . . then eventually the whole site. Read More!

Respiratory outline updated

The A&P 2 Learning Outline for the Respiratory System is now formatted and updated.  Of course . . . as always . . . expect the occasional additional tweaks. Read More!

Lymphatic-Immunity Learning Outline updated

The A&P 2 Learning Outline for the Lymphatic and Immune Systems is now formatted, updated, shined, and polished . . . and ready for your reading enjoyment! Read More!

Navigation menu improved

The top menu bar in all pages has been updated to better navigate to the Review Outlines for the course Foundations in Science (BIO 095).  The label "Learning Outline" was changed to "Review Outline" to better reflect the term used in BIO 095. Read More!

Cardiovascular outline formatted and updated

I just posted the formatted and updated version of the Learning Outline for the Cardiovascular System.  Enjoy! Read More!

Blood outline updated

The A&P 2 Learning Outline for Blood is now fully formatted and updated . . . and ready to roll! Read More!

A&P 2 course info updated

The syllabus, schedule, and related pages related to BIO 241 (A&P 2) have been updated for Spring 2010.
Learning Outlines are still unformatted and updated at LionDen.com (but the formatted previous versions can still be accessed at LionDen.info). Read More!

Student Success info added

I recently added some brief Student Success strategies at lionden.com/APsuccess.htm including links to overviews of my "refresher course" and my "shortcut course" for A&P.

I also updated the list of links for all A&P pages (it's still not complete, but closer to it). Read More!

Clarified cholesterol/steroid hormone connection

In the chemistry outlines for both A&P 1 and Foundations in Science, the role of cholesterol as the molecule from which the steroid hormones are derived (converted) has been clarified. Read More!

AP 1 syllabus updated

I added a clarifying table to show how Participation Points in BIO 240 are awarded.  They are awarded for specific ranges of Clicker Points accumulated. Read More!

Endocrine outline now live

The formatted and fully updated Learning Outline for the Endocrine System (A&P 1) is now available. Read More!

Nervous System Part 2 now live

The Learning Outline for Nervous System - Part 2 is now formatted, updated and "ready to roll."

Next up: Endocrine System Read More!

Free Parking

A tab for Free Parking was added to the top menu under A&P 1 Lecture and A&P 2 Lecture.   This item previously appeared only under the WebCT help portion of the top menu under "Missed test deadline." Read More!

Nervous System Part 1 live

Today I uploaded the complete, formatted version of the Nervous System Part 1 outline for A&P 1.

Other updates this weekend:

• Nervous System Overview formatted and updated
• WebCT 18 updated today, further clarifying gradebook issues
  
• Blog newsfeed added to Hot Tips drop-down box in the right sidebar of all pages
  

Read More!

The migration continues!

The conversion of hte Lion Den website from Frontpage format to Dreamweaver has been taking WAY longer than planned.  But the migration continues . . .

PLEASE change the URL in the address bar from "lionden.COM" to "lionden.INFO" if you land on a page that has not yet been migrated.  This will take you to the old "legacy" site and the content you are looking for will be there. Read More!

Welcome!

After more than 10 years of lionden.com, I guess it's time to have a blog, eh?

The intent of this blog is to keep users of the Lion Den website up to date on the status of the website, new postings, changes, the story behind the story, and general silliness. Read More!