Abstract:
A method of providing an automated learning sequence includes pretesting a user with at least one question from each of a plurality of learning objectives. The results of the evaluations of the pretesting process are used to produce a specific sequence of instructional units in response to those responses that varied materially from the respective standard. The sequence of instructional units is then presented to the user for interactive learning.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to interactive learning systems. More particularly, the invention pertains to computer based interactive learning systems which incorporate pre and post testing capabilities to evaluate the status and progress of a user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Computer based interactive learning systems are known. One particular example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,243 to Lubin et al. entitled Interactive Learning System and which is Assignee to the Assignee hereof. The specification and figures of the Lubin et al. Patent are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Lubin et al. describes a computer based interactive learning system wherein a user can be assisted in learning how to use a pre-written application program. Typical application programs include word processing or spread sheet operation or operating systems. Lubin et al. describes three different learning paths. One of the learning paths is a preset lesson path in which the user goes through a sequence of audio visual lessons relating to various predetermined features of the application program being studied. Upon completion of the lesson sequence, the user is then given an opportunity to work with the actual application program to reenforce the previously provided instruction. 
     In a second learning path, the user may independently select a topic relating to an aspect of the application program which is being studied. The user will then receive audio/visual lessons and/or electronically displayed material relating to that topic. 
     In a third learning path, the user is able to execute the application program without receiving any training of the type provided by Lubin&#39;s system. During this sequence however, the user may access various help files which can present electronic textual reference information relating to that application program while the program is running. This process can be carried out without having to exit the application program. 
     The above described types of learning paths have been found to be useful and effective for many users. Lubin&#39;s system, however, did not incorporate any capability to evaluate a user&#39;s level of skill prior to executing any of the learning paths. It would be desirable to be able to combine systems of the type taught by Lubin with a functional capability to take into account a user&#39;s initial level of skill, if any. 
     Thus, there continues to be a need for interactive learning systems which take into account a user&#39;s initial skill level. It would also be desirable, if a user were able to combine lesson elements to create an individualized learning experience apart from any pre-established learning paths. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the invention, an interactive learning system and method are provided and can be used for learning a selected, pre-written program. In one aspect of the invention, a paperless, individualized, learning sequence can be developed and presented to the respective user for the purpose of improving a user&#39;s skill and understanding with respect to given subject matter. 
     An apparatus in accordance with the present invention incorporates a prestored, machine-readable database having a plurality of questions or exercises which are directed toward assessing the individuals understanding of a selected learning objective. Pluralities of questions are provided for each member of a plurality of different learning objectives. 
     The apparatus carries out an automatic evaluation of the individual by sequentially selecting from the database at least one of the questions or exercises associated with each member of the plurality of learning objectives. The selected question or exercise is displayed for the individual who in turn enters a response. Each of the responses that is received is evaluated relative to a predetermined standard before the next question is selected. 
     The system accumulates the responses and the results of the evaluations for subsequent processing. 
     The apparatus in turn produces from the results of the evaluations a sequence of instructional units, based on those responses which varied materially from the respective standard which are intended to improve the user&#39;s skills on an individualized basis. The sequence of instructional units can then be presented on a display, for example, for the individual. The individual can then progress through the sequence of units so as to improve selected skills in response to the prior evaluation. 
     In one aspect of the invention, subsequent to complete execution of the sequence of instructional units, the user can then go through a post-learning evaluation or test for comparison purposes. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, a user can select from among a number of object elements to independently create a personalized learning experience. At a first level, topic-type object elements can be selected which contain, for example, a single objective and an assessment capability. At a higher level, lesson-type object elements can be selected. The lesson-type object elements incorporate a plurality of related topic-type object elements. In another aspect of the invention, at yet another level, unit-type object elements can be selected. The unit-type object elements incorporate a plurality of related lesson-type object elements. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, learning-type objects can be grouped together and associated because they incorporate related subject matter or one functions as a prerequisite to another. Similarly, unit-type objects can in turn be associated with one another because they incorporate related subject or because some of them represent prerequisites for others. 
     Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings in which the details of the invention are fully and completely disclosed as a part of this specification. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an overall flow diagram of the process of creating an individual learning profile; 
     FIG. 3 is a more detailed flow diagram of one aspect of the process of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a more detailed flow diagram of another aspect of the process of FIG. 2; and 
     FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a process of selecting learning objects for the creation of a personal learning experience. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawing and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an interactive learning system 10 which incorporates a plurality of components. The system 10 includes a control unit 12, which could implemented as a microprocessor. Associated with the microprocessor 12 are read-only memory 14 and read-write memory 16 which communicate with the processor 12 via a bidirectional bus structure 18. The memories 14, 16, as is known in the art, can be used to permanently or temporarily store constants programs being executed, or related data. 
     Also coupled to the bus 18 is a monitor, such as a CRT-type display 20, loud speakers 22, magnetic disk drive 24, CD-Rom Drive 26 and a user input device 28. The user input device 28 could be a keyboard, it could alternately be a mouse. 
     In addition, a local area network (LAN) interface 30 enables the system 10 to communicate with the local network. Further, a remote network interface 32 provides bidirectional communication with the Worldwide Web or other remote networks either through telecommunications or through other forms of data transmission without limitation. 
     In normal operation, programs can be stored on and read from disk drive 24 or CD-Rom drive 26. Graphics can also be read from the CD-Rom drive. 
     Both the disk drive 24 and the CD-Rom drive 26 can be used as sources from which databases can be accessed. 
     During normal operation of the system 10, visual information in lessons can be displayed on the display unit 20, under control of the processor 12. Text and graphics can be read from disk drive 24 or CD-Rom drive 26 for the purpose of displaying same to the user. As will be discussed subsequently, a control program for the purpose of carrying out the interactive learning process can be stored on one or both of disk drive 24 or CD-Rom 26 for access by processor 12. Processor 12 is thus able to carry out a prestored process which provides for individual assessment of a user&#39;s skills prior to the user going through the interactive learning process. 
     FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating various steps of a method in accordance with the present invention. In a step 100, the operating system for the system 10 is started. In a step 102 execution of the interactive learning system application program, of a type, for example described in Lubin but for use with an icon driven operating system such as available under the Trademark Windows 95 is started. In a step 104 the learning system carries out an initial sequence of displaying titles and related text. When the system exits the initiating step 104, the user can select an introduction in a step 106 or can elect to turn directly to the course associated with the system in a step 108, or in a step 110, a user can enter a course overview and pre-assessment testing sequence. After passing through a course overview in a step 112, the user enters the beginning of a plurality of pre-assessment sequences indicated generally at 114A, 114B . . . 114N. The steps of a selected pre-assessment sequence are similar so a description of the sequence 114a will also describe sequences 114B . . . 114N. 
     If the user wishes to skip the preassessment by proceeding directly to step 108, the Precision Learning Track view is displayed in step 108a or a hierarchy view of the course unit lesson topics is presented in step 108b which leads to a study of profile units. 
     In a step 120, instructions are presented on the display 20 for the user as to how to carry out the pre-assessment process. Subsequently, in a step 122 a plurality of questions or exercises are displayed, one at a time, in random order on the display 20. The user responds to each of the questions or exercises using the keyboard or mouse 28 and the responses are stored by the processor 12. In a step 124, the responses are compared to a pre-established standard, also stored in the disk drive 24 or the CD-Rom drive 26 to assess the performance of the user. For example and without limitation, if questions are presented to the user, they can be ranged so as to have right or wrong answers or to have more preferred vs. less preferred answers which can be in turn reflected in the pre-stored standard. The correlation between the answers received from the user during the step 122 and the appropriate or desirable answers as reflected in the prestored standard, provides a basis for establishing a quantitative assessment of user performance (step 124). Subsequent to the step 124, if an individualized learning profile is to be produced based on the sequence 114a, that profile is then produced in a step 126. Subsequent to the step 126, the learning units can be presented to the user in a step 130 discussed subsequently. 
     If desired, prior to generation of the individualized learning profile in the step 126, additional pre-assessment sequences 114B . . . 114N can be executed to provide a composite learning profile. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates in more detail the generation of the individualized learning track as illustrated in the step 122. Test items 1-1 . . . 1-N to be presented in the step 122 are prestored in one of the disk drive 24 or CD-Rom drive 26. In the step 122, one of the test questions or exercises is selected and presented to the user on the display 20. The answer or response received via the input device 28 is compared to a previously stored answer and a step 122a. If the answer is unsatisfactory, the objective associated with the test item and the associated topic are retrieved in respective steps 122b, 122c. At least the associated topic is then added to the individual learning profile in a step 122d. If the answer is answered correctly in the step 122a, a determination is made in the step 122f if the testing sequence is finished. If it is not finished, the next test item selected. If the test sequence is finished, either (step 122g) the next text sequence 114b is entered or the user&#39;s performance is assessed in the step 124. 
     Examples of test items follow as Examples 1 and 2. Example 1 illustrates two different matching-type test items. Example 2 illustrates two different process educating test items. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Objective 
     Identify the Explorer features to view files and folders. 
     Related Topic(s): 
     Changing the Display 
     Expanding and Collapsing Folders 
     Test Item 1: (question type=matching) 
     Match the button to the kit performs: 
     a:  Displays files as large icons 
     b:  Displays file names in a list 
     c:  Displays file information for each file 
     d: + Opens a folder 
     e:  Closes a folder 
     Test Item 2: (question type=matching) 
     Match the feature to the desired outcome. 
     a: Arrange by Date Orders file names by last modification 
     b: Arrange by Size Lists file names according to their space requirements 
     c: Arrange by Type Displays all text documents 
     d: Plus Sign Displays the files in a folder 
     e: Minus Sign Closes an open folder containing files 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     Objective 
     Preview a file using Quick View on the sortcut menu. 
     Related Topic(s): 
     Quick View 
     Test Item 1: (question type=simulation) 
     Complete the steps to see a Quick View of REPORT1.DOC using the shortcut menu. 
     Test Item 2: (question type=simulation) 
     Complete the action to preview a Quick View of Agenda.doc using the shortcut menu. 
     FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating in more detail executing the personal learning sequence, step 130. Where the personal learning sequence, created in the step 122d includes a plurality of topics T 1  . . . T N  the system 10 presents each of the selected topics in a series of steps 130-1 . . . 130-N to the user via the display 20. The user can interact with the various presented topics via the keyboard or mouse 28 during the process of going through that particular individualized learning sequence. Subsequent to exiting the learning sequence, the system 10 can present a post-assessment test in a step 132 to determine the level of skill that the user has improved to as a result of the process. A similar set of steps can be carried out to implement the personal learning sequence for each of the units U2 . . . U N . 
     Hence, when completed, the user will have experienced an individualized learning sequence in connection with one or more of the units 1-N. The user can then exit to the step 109 and enter the application or other program being taught for direct execution or can enter additional course units for further instruction. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an overall flow diagram for an alternate approach to creating a personalized learning experience based on collecting together a plurality of separately accessible learning objects. The learning objects are contained in an accessible database which is organized in several different ways, having both hierarchical and contact-sensitive aspects. 
     A course object is made up of a plurality of independently accessible unit objects. Unit objects are learning objects which include a plurality of independent lesson objects. Lesson objects, in turn, are also learning objects which are made up of a plurality of dependent topic objects. Topic objects are dependent objects which contain a single objective and an assessment. 
     The content of a learning object is illustrated, in an overall sense, in block 150 of FIG. 5. 
     The lesson object is the smallest independent instructional activity available to a user. A given lesson object exhibits internal cohesion and is focused about a plurality of dependent topic objects. 
     A lesson object incorporates a plurality of objectives as well as a second plurality of test or assessment items. It also incorporates predefined sequencing and interactions between related, dependent, topic objects. 
     Lesson objects can be linked with other lesson objects or can stand alone. Topic objects, by way of contrast, are dependent on the associated lesson object and contain only a single objective and an associated assessment. 
     As illustrated in block 152 of FIG. 5, learning objects can be implemented out of a plurality of linked pages. The pages can be linked together both linearaly and non-linearaly. Pages can contain text, multi-media components and user interaction logic. 
     Alternately, learning objects can be grouped together as a result of content or because one or more serves as a prerequisite for another, as illustrated in element 154 of FIG. 5. 
     A plurality of learning objects can be selected via a User through an object access program 156. The User can select, via the access program 156, one or more lesson objects to be experienced for the purpose of addressing an education or training objective. Learning objects can be stored on a variety of media such as magnetic disc drives and/or CD Rom drives. The object access program 156 can be accessed by the User not only directly through a local area network but also remotely via the Internet and the Worldwide Web, if desired. 
     From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.