From: James Gray <james@...>
Date: 2009-01-16T01:42:57+09:00
Subject: Re: Quizmaster Retiring: Revenge of the Sith

On Jan 15, 2009, at 10:31 AM, rick_2047 wrote:

> I do not know the particular history & culture of quizzes (i say
> quizzes because i know about python and perl quiz) but i find it very
> common that most of them are like for the stack of people just above
> the intermediate level(correct me if its wrong). Nobody seems to be
> bothered about those learners just who have just understood the
> syntax, conventions and philosophy of ruby. While the quizzes are
> great they are of little value for such people (who actually are the
> most in need). I always maintained that the best way to learn the
> solution is to actually solve the problem. Now i propose that apart
> from the regular quiz section we have, we also start a beginner quiz.
> You know like quizzes intended for people who are just learning tho
> ropes.

Perl's Quiz of the Week (which I modeled Ruby Quiz off of) had two  
quizzes each week for a while.  One was a beginner quiz and the other  
was an expert.

My approach for the quiz was just to try to have quizzes that ranged  
the gamut.  We were probably more top heavy than I intended, but we  
definitely had a few beginner problems.  I've used those same problems  
in teaching beginners anyway.

What I think would have helped is a way for people to rate quiz  
difficulty.  As it stands now, you pretty much need to comb the sight  
and look for the quizzes with a lot of solutions.  Those are generally  
the easy problems.  But that process is less than ideal.

James Edward Gray II