Abstract:
A method for collaborative teaching and learning, while facilitating simultaneous and dynamic changes by multiple users, includes: receiving a command to add or modify an existing topic record in a series of topic records in response to a user request; creating a new record in the event the received command is to add a new topic record; generating a modify token in the event the received command is to modify an existing topic record; deleting the modify token in response to completion of modifying the existing topic record; wherein the modify token prevents additional users from editing the existing topic record, but allows for the existing record to copied and modified while the first user is modifying the existing topic record; and wherein a collaboration engine generates and manages the modify token.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to computer software, and more particularly to a method, article, and system that provides for collaborative teaching and learning, while facilitating simultaneous and dynamic changes by multiple users. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A growing trend in education today is the use of the Internet to provide online educational coursework through electronic forums. Online courses offer exceptional accessibility, and are a flexible resource for gaining new skills, meeting professional development requirements, or advancing to a career with a program certificate. Online training allows for the convenience of “coming to class” whenever it&#39;s convenient, by choosing when and where to participate in class. Online courses are conducted according to a schedule, but there are no “live” classes to attend. Instead, lectures, coursework, and discussions all take place at one&#39;s convenience. Online students choose the place—at home, at school, at work—wherever they have access to a computer, modem, and an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Online students obtain the same high-quality instruction and course content that they demand, but without the day-to-day obstacles that prevent so many of them from pursuing their goals. With online learning, commuting to a campus is a thing of the past. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention include a method, article, and system for collaborative teaching and learning, while facilitating simultaneous and dynamic changes by multiple users, the method includes: receiving a command to add or modify a topic record in a series of topic records in response to a user request; creating a new record in the event the received command is to add a new topic record; generating a modify token in the event the received command is to modify an existing topic record; deleting the modify token in response to completion of modifying the existing topic record; wherein the modify token prevents additional users from editing the existing topic record while the user is modifying the existing topic record; wherein in the event the modify token has been issued, the additional users can copy an existing record, modify the copy of the existing record, and assign a new name to the modified copy of the existing record while the existing record is being modified by the user; and wherein a collaboration engine generates and manages the modify token. 
     An article comprising one or more computer-readable storage media containing instructions that when executed by a computer enables collaborative teaching and learning, while facilitating simultaneous and dynamic changes by multiple users, wherein the method further includes: receiving a command to add or modify a topic record in a series of topic records in response to a user request; creating a new record in the event the received command is to add a new topic record; generating a modify token in the event the received command is to modify an existing topic record; deleting the modify token in response to completion of modifying the existing topic record; wherein the modify token prevents additional users from editing the existing topic record while the user is modifying the existing topic record; wherein in the event the modify token has been issued, the additional users can copy an existing record, modify the copy of the existing record, and assign a new name to the modified copy of the existing record while the existing record is being modified by the user; wherein a collaboration engine generates and manages the modify token; wherein in the event the user requests the subdivision of a topic record from the series of topic records the method further comprises: generating a subdivide token; releasing the subdivide token in response to the completion of the subdivision of the topic record; wherein in the event an additional user requests to edit the existing record while the subdivision token is in use by the user, a copy of the original record is generated to create a new record that is a subset of the original record; wherein in the event the modify token has been issued, the additional users can copy an existing record, modify the copy of the existing record, and assign a new name to the modified copy of the existing record while the existing record is being subdivided by the user; and wherein a collaboration engine generates and manages the subdivide token. 
     A system for collaborative teaching and learning, while facilitating simultaneous and dynamic changes by multiple users, the system includes: one or more server devices configured with a collaboration engine, a reconciliation engine, and a scheduling engine; the one or more server devices in communication with one or more client devices through a network; the server devices and the client devices configured to execute electronic software; wherein the electronic software is resident on storage mediums in signal communication with the client and server devices; wherein the electronic software comprises a series of instructions configured for: receiving a command to add or modify a topic record in a series of topic records in response to a user request; creating a new record in the event the received command is to add a new topic record; generating a modify token in the event the received command is to modify an existing topic record; deleting the modify token in response to completion of modifying the existing topic record; wherein the modify token prevents additional users from editing the existing topic record while the user is modifying the existing topic record; wherein in the event the modify token has been issued, the additional users can copy an existing record, modify the copy of the existing record, and assign a new name to the modified copy of the existing record while the existing record is being modified by the user; wherein the collaboration engine generates and manages the modify token; wherein in the event the user requests the subdivision of a topic record from the series of topic records the method further comprises: generating a subdivide token; releasing the subdivide token in response to the completion of the subdivision of the topic record; wherein in the event an additional user requests to edit the existing record while the subdivision token is in use by the user, a copy of the original record is generated to create a new record that is a subset of the original record; wherein in the event the modify token has been issued, the additional users can copy an existing record, modify the copy of the existing record, and assign a new name to the modified copy of the existing record while the existing record is being subdivided by the user; and wherein the collaboration engine generates and manages the subdivide token. 
     TECHNICAL EFFECTS 
     As a result of the summarized invention, a solution is technically achieved for a method, article, and system for providing collaborative teaching and learning, while facilitating simultaneous and dynamic changes by multiple users. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a Venn diagram showing the relationships between organizations, mentors and students in an educational system with private and open teams according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a domain model illustrating the relationships between entities required for a learning system according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a flowchart for a method for adding and modifying topics in a learning system that matches topics, teachers, and students according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a flowchart for a method for scheduling topics and courses in a learning system that matches topics, teachers, and students according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a flowchart for a method for building a course in a learning system that matches topics, teachers, and students according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system that may be utilized to implement exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a functional block diagram of a learning system according to embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Even with the advent of online education, many problems arise due to the coarse grained nature of traditional courses that offer training on particular subjects. Students encounter a significant overlap in content delivered through training they have already received, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of the course. In addition, there are a limited number of instructors available who have the expertise in all of the subjects within a course. Finally, collaboration programs presently do not allow simultaneous updates of records by different users, because a second record update will overwrite changes made by the first record update. 
     Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method that addresses the aforementioned problems that are associated with traditional educational approaches. Embodiments of the invention breakdown courses into fine-grained topics, where experts in particular subjects may define their own topics to share. In embodiments of the invention, individuals may sign up to be instructors to teach particular topics, while students may build their own courses by selecting topics. Students may also request topics that are not yet available. Individuals or mentors may build courses for their proteges by selecting topics. Embodiments of the invention, determine if topics are similar in order to increase the pool of instructors in a given subject area, while also matching up students and instructors in classes based on a certain threshold of requests for a topic or similar topic. In addition, embodiments of the invention maintain calendars for instructors and automatically schedule classes. Finally, in embodiments of the invention a collaboration engine manages tokens by modifying and subdividing the tokens to permit multiple access and simultaneous modification to records, under a set of system modification rules, while a reconciliation engine eliminates duplicate courses and topics. 
     Embodiments of the invention utilize software that capture topics, and present the topics for students to select. Participants who wish to teach a topic, or group of topics, may indicate their preferences via the software. The software will allow the students to construct their own classes from the list of topics. The software will match the topics and groups of topics with instructors. The software will determine if there is a need to increase the pool of instructors in a given topic. The software will match the topics with instructors with students and automatically schedule classes on the students and instructors calendars. A graphical user interface (GUI) may be implemented with the software to carryout embodiments of the learning system. 
     Embodiments of the invention may be offered as a software service on the Web, and may be managed from a central area. In an enterprise environment, organizations may have a directory with permissions for users. Each enterprise may have their own virtual service, where each enterprise may protect their content, and may also share their content if they choose to, as illustrated by the Venn diagram of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a Venn diagram  100  showing the relationships between organizations, mentors and students in an educational system with private and open teams according to embodiments of the invention. The circles  102  represent separate organizations that are made up of one or more teams ( 104 ,  106 ). The teams may be open  104  or private  106 . In embodiments of the invention, a pool of mentors, a variety of topics, and an audience of students may cross-organizational boundaries. The extent to which mentors and topics are made available across organizational boundaries is in the control of the originating organization through the use of private  106  or open teams  104 . Individuals belonging to teams ( 104 ,  106 ) contained within the organizational circles  102  define access to topics and mentors. Overlapping organizational circles  102  show areas where topics and mentors are available across organizations. 
       FIG. 2  is a domain model  200  illustrating the relationships between entities required for a learning system according to embodiments of the invention. The domain model  100  is a model of the structure and relationships of real world entities required to support embodiments of the invention. The notation for the domain model  100  is defined using the Unified Modeling Language (UML). UML is a standardized specification language for object modeling. UML is a general-purpose modeling language that includes a graphical notation used to create an abstract model of a system, referred to as a UML model. Key elements within the domain model  200  of embodiments of the invention include topics  202 , learning paths  204 , material  206 , teams  208 , users  210 , experts  212 , contributors  214 , and learners  216 . 
     Continuing with  FIG. 2 , a topic  202  is a nugget of learning, which is fine grained enough that it might be learned in a relatively short amount of time. The fine-grained nature of topics  202 , allows for topics  202  to be organized and re-organized into groups or learning paths  204  that provide broader learning objectives. The fine-grained nature of topics  202  also increases the likelihood of learners  216  to eventually become experts  212  that may train other learners  216  on the topic  202 . A learning path  204  defines a collection of topics  202  that when learned together result in a completion of a learning objective. Material  206  is all the content that makes up a topic  202 . Material  206  may be captured in a file that is uploaded, may be a uniform resource locator (URL) link to external content, or may be a Wiki. Material  206  may be shared by more than one topic  202 . A team  208  is formed with members with common concerns that band together to facilitate team specific learning. A team  208  may express interest in relevant topics  208  and learning paths  204 . A user  210  is any individual that performs a role within this invention. A user  210  may simultaneously be acting in many different roles (e.g., contributors  214  and experts  212 ) depending on their involvement in individual topics  202 . An expert  212  is someone one who may be consulted on a topic  202  on demand, and who may be willing to teach topics  202  in live or virtual interactive classes. An expert  212  may also accept requests to teach topics  202 . Any user  210  may sign up to become an expert  212 . A contributor  214  helps to define the content for a topic  202 , or learning path  204 . A user  210  automatically becomes a contributor  214  when adding, editing or removing topic  202  materials  206 . Finally, a learner  216  is someone who has learned a topic. A user  210  automatically becomes a learner  216 , if they view materials  206  for a topic  202 , and are not already identified as a contributor  214  or expert  212  for the topic  202 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a flowchart for a method for adding and modifying topics in a learning system that matches topics, teachers, and students according to embodiments of the invention. The process starts (block  300 ) with a user either adding (decision block  302 ) or modifying a topic (decision block  306 ). If the user wants to add a new topic (decision block  302  is Yes), a new topic is created (block  304 ). If the user wants to modify an existing topic (decision block  306  is Yes), the collaboration engine (see  FIG. 7 ) will issue a modify token (block  308 ) that allows the to modify the topic (block  310 ). The modify token prevents other users from editing the record while the user is modifying the record. The issued modify token, however, does not prevent others from copying the record, and modifying it with a different assigned name, to create a new subset of the record that the other users in a learning system may modify. The copying of the record is used for subdividing a topic record. The modify token is deleted following the users completion of modification. 
     Continuing with  FIG. 3 , if the user wants to subdivide the topic record (decision block  312  is Yes), a sub divide token is issued (block  314 ). The subdivide token does not prevent others from editing the record at the same time, by allowing a copy of the original record in order to create a new record that is a subset of the original record. Copying of the original record will occur even if there is someone editing the original record. The subdivide token is released following completion of the subdivision. A new subdivide record is created only if changes have occurred to the original record, otherwise the copy of the record is deleted. If the user wants to reconcile topics (decision block  316 ), a reconciliation of topics occurs (block  316 ), and duplicate topic records are eliminated. If the user wants to exit the learning system (decision block  318  is Yes), the process ends (block  320 ), or else the process repeats. 
       FIG. 4  shows a flowchart for a method for scheduling topics and courses in a learning system that matches topics, teachers, and students according to embodiments of the invention. The process starts (block  400 ) when the user wants to select topics and courses (decision block  402  is Yes), and the user selects the topics and courses (block  404 ), and a schedule engine (see  FIG. 7 ) matches students with topics and courses. If the user wants to exit the learning system (decision block  408  is Yes), the process ends (block  410 ), or else the process repeats. 
       FIG. 5  shows a flowchart for a method for building a course in a learning system that matches topics, teachers, and students according to embodiments of the invention. The process starts (block  500 ) when a user wants to build or create a course (decision block  502  is Yes), and the user selects the topics for the courses (block  504 ). The course is built and validated for uniqueness (block  506 ). If the course is unique (decision block  508  is Yes) the process ends (block  512 ), otherwise the user is prompted as to whether they want to continue to build the course (decision block  510 ) and the process repeats or ends (block  512 ). 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system  600  that may be utilized to implement a learning system according to embodiments of the invention. The system  600  includes remote devices in the form of multimedia devices  602 , and desktop computer devices  604  configured with display capabilities  614  for implementing graphical user interface (GUI) aspects of the invention described herein. The multimedia devices  602  may be mobile communication and entertainment devices, such as cellular phones and mobile computing devices that are wirelessly connected to a network  608 . The multimedia devices  602  have video displays  618  and audio outputs  616  for implanting the GUI described herein. The network  608  may be any type of known network including a fixed wire line network, cable and fiber optics, over the air broadcasts, satellite  620 , local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), global network (e.g., Internet), intranet, etc. with data/Internet capabilities as represented by server  606 . Communication aspects of the network are represented by cellular base station  610  and antenna  612 . 
     Software for carrying out features of embodiments of the invention may be resident on the individual multimedia devices  602  and desktop computers  604 , or stored within the server  606  or cellular base station  610 . 
       FIG. 7  is a functional block diagram of a learning system server  700  (corresponding to the server  606  of  FIG. 6 ) according to embodiments of the invention. The server  700  has a collaboration engine  702 , a reconciliation engine  704 , and a scheduling engine that are configured to create and modify courses and topics in a learning system. The collaboration engine  702  manages tokens by modifying and subdividing tokens to permit multiple access and simultaneous modification to records, under a set of system modification rules. The reconciliation engine  704  eliminates duplicate courses and topics. The scheduling engine  706  is configured to schedule courses, topics, teachers, and students. Storage units  708  and  710  store information related to courses and topics, and schedules, respectively, and is in electrical communication with the server  700 . The server communicates with users via network  712  (corresponding to the network  608  of  FIG. 6 ). 
     The capabilities of the present invention can be implemented in software, firmware, hardware or some combination thereof. 
     As one example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be included in an article of manufacture (e.g., one or more computer program products) having, for instance, computer usable media. The media has embodied therein, for instance, computer readable program code means for providing and facilitating the capabilities of the present invention. The article of manufacture can be included as a part of a computer system or sold separately. 
     Additionally, at least one program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying at least one program of instructions executable by the machine to perform the capabilities of the present invention can be provided. 
     The flow diagrams depicted herein are just examples. There may be many variations to these diagrams or the steps (or operations) described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order, or steps may be added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed invention. 
     While the preferred embodiments to the invention has been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.