Publishing exam questions in advance

I just finished reading an article in the Times Higher Education in which it is suggested that exam papers should be published in advance to students to cut down on stress. This idea apparently stems from a paper published by the University Mental Health Advisors Network.

Now I hope this is an oversimplification of what the paper actually suggests. Wen taken literally, the suggestion seems rather awkward. Surely just publishing questions in advance would lead to all sorts of problems. Papers are often designed to test only a subset of the curriculum. This is only a valid approach in combination with a moratorium on the questions during learning (otherwise learning would most likely be limited to these questions).

What we need is to move towards more authentic and negotiated assessment, and away from the eternal exam and essay constructions. That is hardly a new notion however, and not really anything to do with disability in particular.

Split personalities

This fascinating short video give some insight into how our brain (or should I say brains?) work. The subject has had his 2 hemispheres severed in an attempt to decrease epileptic seizures. The video shows how Joe can now 'talk' to his disconnected right half of his brain through letting it draw pictures for him with his left hand. Amazing stuff, thanks for that to Donald Clark.

I am truly fascinated by research like this, in particular with the more philosophical questions that it raised about identity. Another amazing video on this topic is from Jill Taylor, in one of the most gripping TEDtalks I have seen. Jill describes how she one morning discovered she was having a massive stroke... Quite an opportunity for a brain scientist.

Tutored by pirates

I just watched this incredibly inspiring and funny TEDtalk by David Eggers. It's a wonderful example of the power of what direct and personal feedback can do for learning. More importantly though, it is about how passion and fun can help children learn.

It does make me wonder though... would we be able to set up something like this in the UK, given all the bureaucracy with CRB checks and the likes?