Computer-aided learning system and method

A computer-aided learning method and apparatus based on a super-recommendation generator, which is configured to assess a user's or a student's understanding in a subject, reward the user who has reached one or more milestones in the subject, further the user's understanding in the subject through relationship learning, reinforce the user's understanding in the subject through reviews, and restrict the user from enjoying entertainment materials under certain condition, with the entertainment materials requiring a device to fulfill its entertainment purpose. The generator does not have to be configured to perform all of the above functions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to learning and more particularly 
to using a computer to enhance learning. 
The foundation of a vibrant society depends on skilled workers. To 
strengthen this foundation, every year the U.S. Government with the 
private industry have poured billions and billions of dollars to improve 
on learning systems and methods. Money has been spent in areas such as 
laboratory facilities, educational materials, teacher recruitment and 
retention, and others. However, for decades, the way to test a student has 
remained the same; learning has been treated typically as a reward in 
itself; a fixed syllabus usually controls the educational process of a 
subject without taking into account students' individual progress; what 
students have learnt are rarely selectively reviewed; and typically, the 
students can access non-educational materials when they should be using 
computers to learn. 
It should be obvious that we need methods and systems that are based on 
computers to remedy the above deficiencies. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a learning method and 
system that assess and enhance a student's or a user's understanding in a 
subject. Based on the user's understanding, individually-tailored tests 
are generated, whose difficulties can be geared towards the user's level 
of understanding in the subject. The user not only can use the tests to 
prepare for an examination, but can also use the tests to learn the 
subject. 
In another embodiment, the invented method and system are based on the 
latest test results from the latest test taken by the user on the subject, 
which can be divided into line-items. Each line-item covers one area in 
the subject. In yet another embodiment, at least one line-item is more 
difficult than another line-item. The latest test includes questions from 
different line-items. 
In one embodiment, the invented system includes a score generator coupled 
to a recommendation generator. In one embodiment, the recommendation 
generator includes an inference engine; and in another embodiment, the 
recommendation generator includes a pre-requisite analyzer. The 
recommendation generator can be coupled to a report generator and a 
question generator. 
In one embodiment, the score generator accesses the user's latest test 
result and his prior-to-the-latest test results from a storage medium to 
generate an overall score for each set of questions related to the same 
line-item. In one embodiment, the prior-to-the-latest test results are 
test results from the test immediately before the latest test. In another 
embodiment, each overall score reflects the user's degree of forgetfulness 
as a function of time for that group of questions. Based on the calculated 
overall scores, the score generator updates information in the storage 
medium to include the latest test results. 
Both the pre-requisite analyzer and the inference engine in the 
recommendation generator can generate recommendations based on the user's 
test results. The prerequisite analyzer accesses pre-requisite rules, 
which, based on the complexity levels of the line items, determines a 
complexity-hierarchy among the line-items. Then, applying the 
complexity-hierarchy to the test results, the pre-requisite analyzer 
determines the user's level of understanding in the subject to provide 
recommendations for the user which, for example, can be providing 
suggestions to the user as to the line-item to work on. 
The inference engine accesses a set of relationship rules that define 
relationship among the line items and the subject. Then applying the set 
of relationship rules to the user's test results, the inference engine 
determines the user's level of understanding in the subject to provide 
recommendations for the user. 
If there is any conflict among one or more relationship rules with the 
contents in the test results, or if there is any conflict among two or 
more relationship rules, the inference engine can resolve it. Resolving 
such conflicts helps to ensure a consistent assessment of the user's 
understanding in the subject. 
In one embodiment, the report generator accesses a report format. Based on 
the recommendations and the report format, the report generator generates 
a report, which can provide assessment of the user's understanding in 
line-items of the latest test and the prior-to-the-latest tests, and which 
can provide action items to improve on the user's understanding in the 
subject. 
The question generator, based on the recommendations, generates a number of 
questions, which, in another embodiment, can be categorized into at least 
two line items-one being the one suggested by the recommendations, and the 
other being different from the one suggested by the recommendations. The 
user can take this new set of questions to further enhance his 
understanding in the subject. 
In one embodiment, the invented system and method enhance a user's 
understanding in a subject through associating the subject's different 
areas that the user has studied. 
The subject can be divided into line-items and relationship-items. Each 
relationship-item covers areas that relate two or more items. The items 
include learnt and un-learnt items, with a learnt item being an item that 
the user has achieved a preset level of learning, and with an un-learnt 
item being an item that the user has not yet achieved a preset level of 
learning. 
In one embodiment, the recommendation generator also selects and classifies 
the items. That embodiment includes a learning-material generator for 
generating learning materials for the user. 
In one embodiment of the invented method, first, the recommendation 
generator selects one un-learnt item. After the selection, the 
learning-material generator generates learning materials for the user to 
learn the selected item, and the system assesses the user's learning 
progress in the selected item. If the assessment on the selected un-learnt 
item is satisfactory, then the recommendation generator classifies one or 
more relationship-items to be learnt as un-learnt items, with each 
classified relationship-item relating the selected item with one or more 
learnt items. The recommendation generator can also re-classify the 
selected item as a learnt item. Then, another un-learnt item can be 
selected, which can be a line-item, or a relationship-item. The process 
can continue on until all of the items have been learnt. At that point, 
the user has mastered the subject. 
There are different ways for the recommendation generator to select an 
unlearnt item. In one embodiment, the recommendation generator selects an 
unlearnt line-item or an un-learnt relationship-item, depending on a value 
set by an instructor. If the un-learnt item is a line-item, the process to 
select a line-item can be based on the difficulty level of the line-item; 
if the un-learnt item is a relationship-item, the selection process can be 
based on the difficulty level of the relationship-item, the time the 
relationship-item was classified as an un-learnt item, and/or whether the 
user has previously failed to learn the relationship-item. 
For the learning materials, in one embodiment, the learning material 
includes questions. In another embodiment, the learning material does not 
include questions. 
One embodiment of the invented system and method provide users dynamic 
reviews. After a user has learnt certain areas in a subject, summarized 
learning materials on those areas can be selectively generated for the 
user so as to reinforce the user's learning in the subject through 
reviews. Unlike prior systems, the reviews in the present invention can be 
dynamic; they can be specifically tailored to the needs of individual 
users, or the characteristics of the subject. 
In one embodiment, the present invention selects an un-learnt item, and 
generates detailed learning materials for it. Then a learnt item is 
selected, for example, based on one or more learnt-item-selection rules, 
depending on factors such as the time elapsed from the time when the user 
learnt that item, the level achieved by the user in learning that item, 
its difficulty level, whether that learnt item is related to the selected 
un-learnt item, and whether that learnt item has been selected before. 
Then, the invention generates summarized-learning materials on the 
selected learnt item for the user to review. 
Different materials are applicable for learning. For example, the 
summarized-learning materials may or may not include questions. 
For an un-learnt item, after presenting the generated learning material to 
the user, the present invention can assess the user's understanding in the 
item. If the assessment is satisfactory, the un-learnt item can be 
re-classified as a learnt item. 
In another embodiment, the present invention accesses an item probability 
value to select an item. If the item is an un-learnt item, the invention 
can generate detailed learning materials for the user; and if the user is 
successful in learning the materials, the invention can re-classify the 
item as a learnt item. If the item is a learnt item, the invention can 
generate summarized learning materials for the user. The invention then 
can repeat and select another item. 
In one embodiment, the present invention enriches a user's learning process 
through individualizing rewards. The invention allows an instructor or a 
user to set when and what to reward. The invention also allows a user or 
the user to delay receiving the reward. 
In one embodiment, the invented system teaches the user a subject. The 
subject is divided into line-items, with at least one line-item being more 
difficult than another line-item. The instructor, such as the user's 
teacher, guardian or parent, enters his password into the invented system. 
If the password matches the instructor's password stored in the system, 
the instructor has gained access into the system, and can set each 
line-item where there should be a milestone. The system also can provide a 
list of pre-selected rewards for the instructor to pick the reward at each 
milestone. The list or a part of the list can depend on the user's 
preference. The system can then generate a milestone/reward table, 
capturing the instructor's inputs. 
In one embodiment, the recommendation generator accesses the table, and 
determines if the user has reached any one of the milestones set by the 
instructor. This determination process can be accomplished in a number of 
ways; for example, it can be done through one or more rules pre-stored in 
the system. Such information can then be transmitted to a reward 
determinator. 
The reward determinator based on the information in the reward table can 
determine the type of reward for the user who has reached a milestone. In 
one embodiment, there are two types of rewards. The first type is a point 
system, and the second type is an actual reward. The user can accumulate 
points or get an actual reward. It would be up to the user to decide. If 
the user's preference is to pick an actual reward, the user can postpone 
receiving the reward. If the user's preference is to pick the point 
system, his points can be accumulated as he gets more points through 
reaching more milestones. 
In one embodiment, the report generator accesses the user's preference and 
the milestone reached by the user from the reward determinator. The 
generator stores the milestone-reached in the storage medium, and accesses 
from the storage medium the history of the milestones reached by the user. 
In one embodiment, based on the accessed information, a report is 
generated every time the user reaches a milestone. In another embodiment, 
the instructor can query the report generator to find out about the user's 
performance. Based on the report, if the user picks points as rewards, 
then based on the accumulated points, rewards can be set by the instructor 
accordingly. 
If the user does not want to postpone getting the reward, a reward 
generator generates the reward for the user. Depending on the type of 
reward, in one embodiment, the reward generator accesses the reward from a 
reward storage medium; and in another embodiment, the reward generator 
accesses the reward from a network. 
After the user has claimed the reward, the system can ask for the user's 
feedback as to his interest in the reward. This information is also sent 
to the report generator to be presented in the report so that the 
instructor knows whether she should adjust the rewards for future 
milestones. 
If the user has postponed receiving his reward and later decides to 
re-claim it, he can enter his password into the system. If the password 
matches the user's password stored in the system, the user can re-claim 
his postponed rewards. 
In one embodiment, the invention provides rewards when the user has 
demonstrated understanding in the subject through tests, not just when the 
system has presented instructional materials. That embodiment requires 
feedback from the user, with rewards reflecting on the user's 
understanding. 
In one embodiment, the invented method and system help a user focus on 
study materials by restricting him from freely enjoying entertainment 
materials on the computer. With such an invention, the user is not 
distracted by entertainment materials on the computer when he should be 
working on the study materials. Even if he wants to play, he has to finish 
studying first. 
In one embodiment, the entertainment materials are presented through an 
entertainment program, and the study materials are presented through a 
study program. 
In one embodiment, the invented system includes an access filter between 
the programs and a device. The entertainment program needs the device to 
entertain. A controller controls the access filter to automatically 
restrict the coupling between the device and the entertainment program, 
but simultaneously allow the coupling between the device and the study 
program. 
Different entertainment materials typically require different types of 
devices to entertain. Some examples of devices required by entertainment 
materials include speakers, a position-pointing device such as a 
joy-stick, an output device, a storage medium and a circuit board. The 
circuit board can be used to couple to video-signals, audio-signals or 
other digital or analog signals. The video-signals can be television 
signals. 
In one embodiment, the access filter includes a device driver. 
Under a predetermined condition, the controller removes the restriction 
automatically to allow the device to couple to the entertainment program. 
This can be done through a token system. Under the predetermined 
condition, the user is given a token, which the user can use to remove the 
restriction. With the restriction removed, the user can enjoy the 
entertainment materials. 
These predetermined condition can be based on one or more factors, such as 
the amount of time the user has been working on the study materials, the 
user's performance in the study materials, and the time of day. In one 
embodiment, one predetermined condition is a user has claimed a 
corresponding reward. 
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent 
from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction 
with the accompanying drawings, illustrates by way of example the 
principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the invention including a 
super-recommendation generator 100 for implementing a computer-aided 
learning method to help a student or a user learn a subject. The generator 
100 in general is for enhancing the learning experience of the user, and 
can be implemented in software, firmware, hardware or some combination of 
the above. 
In one embodiment, the subject can be divided into items, including one or 
more relationship-items, with each relationship-item relating two or more 
items. The items can include learnt and un-learnt items, with a learnt 
item being an item that the user has achieved a preset level of learning, 
and with an un-learnt item being an item that the user has not yet 
achieved a preset level of learning. 
In one embodiment, the super-recommendation generator 100 performs a number 
of functions, including the following: 
assessing a user's understanding in a subject as, for example, described in 
the Test Application; 
rewarding the user who has reached one or more milestones in the subject 
as, for example, described in the Reward Application; 
furthering the user's understanding in the subject through relationship 
learning, as, for example, described in the Relationship Application; 
reinforcing the user's understanding in the subject through reviews, as, 
for example, described in the Review Application; and 
restricting the user from enjoying entertainment materials under certain 
condition, with the entertainment material requiring a device to fulfill 
its entertainment purpose, as, for example, described in the Restrict 
Application. 
One embodiment of the super-recommendation generator is configured to 
perform the following operations: 
analyzing (102) the user's prior-to-the-latest and the latest test results 
to assess the user's understanding in the subject, as, for example, 
described in the Test Application; 
determining (104) whether the user has reached a milestone, as, for 
example, described in the Reward Application; 
determining a reward (106) for the user that has reached a milestone, with 
the reward depending on the user's preference, as, for example, described 
in the Reward Application; 
identifying (108) a relationship-item to be learnt, with the identified 
relationship-item relating an item and a learnt item, as, for example, 
described in the Relationship Application; 
selecting (110) a learnt item to be reviewed, as described, for example, in 
the Review Application; and 
modifying (112) an access filter to restrict coupling between the device 
and the entertainment materials, with the restriction removed to allow 
coupling between the device and the entertainment materials under a 
predetermined condition. 
In another embodiment, the super-recommendation generator is configured to 
perform only some of the operations, with the subject categorized 
accordingly. For example, the generator 100 is configured not to perform 
the function of modifying an access filter. In another example, the 
generator 100 is configured to assess (102), identify a relationship-item 
(108) and reinforce through reviews (110). In yet another example, the 
generator 100 is configured to perform similar functions as the previous 
example, except for the function of assessment, in which the generator 100 
analyzes the user's test results using a set of analysis rules to 
determine the user's understanding level in the subject. In a further 
example, the super-recommendation generator is configured to assess (102), 
determine (104) if the user has reached a milestone, and determine (106) a 
reward; for this example, the subject can be categorized to include one or 
more milestone. 
Note that in one embodiment, computer can be defined as a machine that can 
perform a computable function, which can be defined as a function that can 
be performed by a Turing machine or its equivalence. 
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the 
art from a consideration of this specification or practice of the 
invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and 
examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit 
of the invention being indicated by the following claims.