Patent Publication Number: US-9905136-B2

Title: Role based history in a modular learning system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2012/054696, titled “Role Based History in a Modular Learning System” filed on 12 Sep. 2012, which claims the benefit of Indian Provisional Specification No. 2579/MUM/2011, titled “Role Based History in a Learning System” filed on 13 Sep. 2011, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     FIELD OF THE ART 
     The present invention relates generally to modular learning systems, and more particularly to systems and methods of generating role-based histories in a modular learning system. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     The current education environment includes various members like learners, teachers, tutors, coaches, lecturers, content authors, schools, educational boards, professional standards authorities, admission testing authorities, placement organizations, recruiters, publishers and various governments. These members maintain transactional and functional relationships with each other. Members are unaware of each other&#39;s activities in their respective activities through an organized medium, except for isolated activity such as bulletin boards, newsletters, circulars, as well as journalistic articles. Such services, though useful, do not enable the said members to view a comprehensive activity history of other members, especially those who play another role in the current educational environment. 
     Each of a plurality of kinds of users on the modular learning system are not able to grant granular access to each such user&#39;s activity history on the modular learning system, to one or a subset of the plurality of other users in a variety of other user roles on the said modular learning system through a user role history management interface generated and displayed with corresponding interface items and input areas to each such requested user on the said user&#39;s preferred user device; and for each corresponding viewing user to view each such user&#39;s activity history, through an exemplary user role history viewing interface generated and displayed with corresponding interface items to each such viewing user on the user&#39;s user device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A system and a computer-implemented method for providing role based histories to a requested user in a modular learning system is disclosed. A modular learning system provides user histories to a viewing user. The modular learning system maintains a database of activity items associated with a set of user roles allowed to view and interact with the activity items. The activity items are generated as users perform actions on the modular learning system. The modular learning system receives a request for a user history from a viewing user. Upon receiving the request, the modular learning system verifies a viewing user&#39;s role and identifies activity items that are accessible to the viewing user based on the viewing user role. The identified activity items are then used to generate histories that are provided to the viewing user. 
     In an aspect, the invention further provides a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having tangibly embodied thereon a program of instructions executable by a processor for performing a method for generating role-based histories in a modular learning system 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Additional features and advantages will be made apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The disclosed embodiments have other advantages and features which will be more readily apparent from the detailed description, the appended claims, and the accompanying figures (or drawings). A brief introduction of the figures is below. 
         FIG. 1  is a modular learning environment including a modular learning system  144  according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a modular learning system according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A  is a block diagram of a learning application according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3B  is a block diagram of a learning application according to an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a role-based activity history management module according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of a method for generating role-based activity histories in a modular learning system environment according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates components of an example machine able to read instructions from a machine-readable medium and execute them in a processor (or controller) according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The Figures (FIGS.) and the following description relate to embodiments by way of illustration only. It should be noted that from the following discussion, alternative embodiments of the systems, methods, figures, diagrams and interfaces disclosed herein will be readily recognized as viable alternatives that may be employed without departing from the principles of what is claimed. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted that wherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used in the figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figures depict embodiments of the disclosed system (or method) for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the systems, methods, figures, diagrams and interfaces illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles described herein. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It will be evident, however to one skilled in the art that the various embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. 
     Configuration Overview 
     A system and method for generating role-based activity histories in a modular learning system environment is provided. In one embodiment, a role-based activity history management module is used in a modular learning system  144  and comprises a plurality of modules and generators like a purchase items module, a performance items module, a user databases module, a user role preferences module, a user role validation module, a history items module, a summary updation module, an activity monitoring module and a user role history interface generator. A method for generating role-based activity histories in a modular learning system environment may comprise receiving a history items display request from a viewing user, determining the viewing user&#39;s user role in the modular learning system, determining if the viewing user is same as the user whose history is requested, determining requested user&#39;s user role in the modular learning system, displaying the history access request to the requested user, retrieving items relevant to the requested user&#39;s user role, generating history items for the requested user based on the user&#39;s user role in the modular learning system, and displaying the requested history items to the viewing user. 
     Figure ( FIG. 1  is a modular learning environment  100  including a modular learning system  144  according to one embodiment. Modular learning system  144  operates in modular learning environment  100  and communicates with a plurality of user devices  140  over a network  142 . The user devices  140  are operated by a plurality of kinds of users in the learning environment. The user devices  140  may comprise any of a variety of computing devices, such as a desktop computer, a laptop, a mobile device, a tablet computer, a set-top box, a kiosk, interactive television, gaming console, and other computing platforms suitable for communicating with modular learning system  144 . The modular learning system  144  provides a system for managing curricula, learning facilities, standardized tests, learning applications, tutors, and other modules of a learning experience in micro increments of time and money. The modular learning system  144  enables the various users to communicate with other users in a learning environment and provide services to learning user  102 . The network  142  includes a wireless area network, a local area network, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network, an Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) network and the like. The user devices  140  are connected to the modular learning system  144  via the network  142 . 
     Modular learning system  144  allows a learning user  102  to manage the purchase and performance of each module of a single microlearning service stack for a learning application (e.g. Breaststroke) or a group of learning applications (e.g. Breaststroke, Freestyle, Butterfly and Swimming Safety). Tutor access, such as access to a swimming instructor may be purchased in various increments, such as in hours. Learning content applications such as a breaststroke application with attached instructional media and other data may be purchased in timed access quantities or may be permanently purchased. Learning facility access such as an Olympic Sized Swimming Pool may be purchased in increments of hours or learning application performances such as ten laps. Learning tools or materials such as Swimming Goggles may be purchased as well. Each of these modules may be separately purchased and interacted with through an interface displayed on user device  140 . In case of a learning performance which can be completed on the user device  140  itself, the learning application content is not only purchased and managed, but also performed, through an interface displayed on the user device  140 . A learning user  102  may manage the purchase and performance of groups of microlearning performances in the form of learning visits and learning workshops, through an interface displayed on user device  140 . Learning user  102  may manage an individual learning identity (or learning profile) and offer details of microlearning application performances completed by the learning user, as well as the personal learning metrics, scores, and reviews. This learning identity may be provided to recruiting users for the purpose of placement. 
     The modular learning system  144  manages, regulates and supervises the purchase, sale, preview, performance and review of a plurality of microlearning applications, each comprised modularly of a tutoring service, a learning application, learning facility access, and/or learning tools or infrastructure access, a learning visit, and/or a workshop as described in further detail below. The modular learning system  144  manages transactional and functional relationships between users of the modular learning system  144 . These various users interact with the modular learning system  144  to modify learning applications and provide learning services as described below. 
     The modular learning system  144  may enable various other users including but not limited to tutors, authors, tool/material suppliers learning application template developers, translators, certifying user, learning facility administrators, learning event organizers, recruiters, and funders to modularly manage at least one of micro tutoring services associated with specific learning applications, microlearning content applications, microlearning application templates, translation of microlearning content applications, certification of microlearning content applications, access to learning facilities, access to learning workshops, organization of learning visits associated with specific learning applications, supply of tools, aids and/or materials, recruitment services, as well as granular funding services. 
     The modular learning system  144  enables a tutoring user  112  to provide micro tutoring services to learning user  102 . Tutoring user  112  are typically individuals with credentials or other knowledge in the area of learning applications. The tutoring user  112  may associate themselves with particular pieces of content to and may indicate qualifications to teach each learning application, as is described further below. The modular learning system  144  manages the sale of micro tutoring services and associated tutoring user  112  with specific learning applications to learning user  102 . Tutoring user  112  assist the learning user  102  with learning the subject matter of the learning application. The tutoring user may provide tutoring to the learning user  102  by meeting the learning user  102  in person to assist the learning user  102  in performing the learning application. As such, the modular learning system  144  facilitates the meeting and communication of tutors and learners. Tutoring user  112  may also provide learning performance data to the modular learning system  144 . The learning performance data may indicate, for example, the level of the learner&#39;s mastery or proficiency through scoring or other metrics for reviewing performance at a learning performance task. The tutoring user  112  provides input to the modular learning system  144  using a plurality of learning applications through an interface displayed on the tutoring user&#39;s  112  user device  140 . 
     The modular learning system  144  enables a learning application authoring user  104  to manage the drafting, editing, testing, publishing, sale and updates of learning content in applications through an interface displayed on user device  140 . That is, the learning application authoring user  104  authors individual pieces of learning content which may be purchased and used by a learning user. For example, a learning application authoring user  104  may create instructional content for learning the backstroke. The instructional content may comprise instructions and multimedia, as well as directions for the learning user  102  to practice aspects of the backstroke in a suitable pool. The learning application authoring user  104  may use a pre-existing application template to create the learning application. 
     The modular learning system  144  enables a learning application template developing user  110  to create learning templates for use in creating learning applications. The learning application templates provide a framework for creating various types of learning applications. For example, learning application templates may comprise a quiz, simulation, role play, experiment, multimedia material, and other types of learning frameworks. The learning application template developing user  110  may manage the development, testing and sale of the learning application templates to learning content application authoring users  104  through an interface displayed on a user device  140 . 
     The modular learning system  144  enables a learning application translating user  106  to manage the translation and translation updates of learning content in applications and sale of such services to microlearning content application authors through an interface displayed on a user device  140 . The translations are provided to the modular learning system  144  and may be stored with the corresponding learning application to enable providing instructions to learning users  102  in a variety of languages. 
     The modular learning system  144  enables a learning application certifying user  108  to certify various learning applications according to standards applied by the certifying user  108 . Such certifying users may include boards of education at various levels, universities, professional standards groups, and other certification authorities. Certifying users  108  may or may not be formal institutions. For example, a certifying user may include a company establishing a set of learning applications to prepare a candidate for a job with the company. The certifying user  108  manages the certification of each learning content application as a part of their respective curricula or syllabi and manages the sale of such certification services to learning content application authoring users, through an interface displayed on user device  140 . 
     The learning facility  132  facilitates the performance of specific learning applications available on the modular learning system  144 . Learning facilities  132  may comprise any location suitable for performing types of learning applications. For example, learning facilities  132  may comprise an athletic club, a chemistry lab, a science lab, a university, a library, or a tutor&#39;s home. In some embodiments, the modular learning system  144  enables a facility administering user  124  to determine the compatibility of various learning applications which can be performed within learning facility  132  by picking the learning infrastructure available in the learning facility and associating the learning facility  132  with each learning application (e.g. Breaststroke) compatible with the learning infrastructure (e.g. Olympic sized Swimming Pool). In one embodiment, rather than expressly associating the learning facility with individual learning applications, the learning facility administering user  124  indicates to the modular learning system  144  the specific infrastructures and amenities available at the learning facility  132 . In this embodiment, the modular learning system  144  enables a learning user  102  or learning application authoring user  104  to identify a learning facility  132  which is compatible with the learning application based on the infrastructure available at the learning facility  132 . The modular learning system  144  may also identify compatible learning facilities based on metadata associated with the learning application and the infrastructure indicated by the learning facility administering user  124 . 
     The learning facilities  132  may comprise a variety of types of learning facilities, such as an independent learning facility, institutional learning facility, workplace learning facility, and temporary learning facility. The modular learning system  144  enables an administrator  124  of an independent learning facility owned, managed or franchised by the modular learning system  144  to manage the sale of learning facility access for performances of specific microlearning applications as well as sale of learning tools and materials (e.g. sulphuric acid or swimming goggles) or access to the same in micro increments of time and money ($six/hour or $five/learning application performance) depending on multiple factors like the learning infrastructure to be accessed (e.g. Swimming Pool, Computers, Chemistry Lab), number of hours of access, and the like, through an interface displayed on a user device  140 . 
     The modular learning system  144  enables an administrator  124  of an institutional learning facility like a preschool, school, college or university (e.g. Bangalore University) associated, partnered or linked with the modular learning system  144  to, in addition to managing the sale associated with the independent learning facility (e.g. learning facility access for performances of specific microlearning applications), manage the learning performances of a plurality of learners (students or outsiders) across a plurality of learning applications available on the system (with the learning user&#39;s explicit consent), optionally delegated to a plurality of teachers, professors, lecturers or coaches registered as tutoring users  112  on the modular learning system  144 , through an interface displayed on a user device  140 . 
     The modular learning system  144  enables an administrator  124  of a workspace learning facility associated, partnered or linked with the modular learning system  144  to, in addition to managing the sale associated with the independent learning facility (e.g. learning facility access for performances of specific microlearning applications), manage the learning performances of a plurality of learners (employees) across a plurality of learning applications available on the system (with the learning user&#39;s explicit consent), optionally delegated to a plurality of Human Resource Managers, Trainers and/or immediate superiors, registered as tutoring users  112  on the modular learning system, through an interface displayed on a user device  140 . 
     The modular learning system  144  enables an administrator  124  of a temporary learning facility (e.g. a Cricket Ground available for net practice on Saturdays and Sundays from six in the morning to twelve in the midnight) to, in addition to managing the sale associated with the independent learning facility (e.g. learning facility access for performances of specific microlearning applications), manage the hours of accessibility to the designated learning facility, through an interface displayed on a user device  140 . In addition to managing the sale and performance of microlearning applications, an administrator of an independent, institutional, workspace, or temporary learning facility may manage the modular purchase of learning infrastructure (e.g. chemistry equipment, computers, cricket stumps) as well as learning tools, aids and materials (e.g. sulphuric acid, swimming goggles, cricket bat) from the modular learning system or a third party, topic wise, subject wise, location wise or otherwise based on the learning applications intended to be offered in the designated learning facility, through an interface displayed on a user device  140 . 
     The modular learning system  144  enables a learning visit organizing user  114  to manage the organization of learning visits, and the sale of learning visits to learning users  102 . The learning visit organizing user  114  may also associate a learning visit with compatible microlearning applications. Such learning visits may comprise, for example, a visit to a factory or industrial area, a museum, or a trip to a city. The learning visit organizing user  114  may associate the learning visit with learning applications and manage the learning performances during the learning visits. The management of performances of associated learning applications may be optionally provided by tutoring users  112 . The learning visit organizing user  114  communicates with the modular learning system  144  through an interface displayed on a user device  140 . 
     The modular learning system  144  enables a learning workshop organizing user  116  to manage the organization of workshops available to learning users  102 . A workshop comprises a plurality of specific microlearning applications to be performed in the workshop, and a sequence of the microlearning applications to be performed at the workshop. The workshop may also specify learning tools, a designated learning facility, and a tutoring user or tutoring users to perform the workshop. As such, the workshop user organizes performance and modules of learning applications to be performed together with a group of learning users  102 . The learning workshop organizing users  116  also manage the sale of such microlearning workshop access and manage the learning performances for a plurality of learners. The learning workshop organizing users communicate with the modular learning system  144  through an interface displayed on a user device  140 . 
     The modular learning system  144  enables a learning tools supplying user  118  to provide learning tools and materials such as chemicals, biology samples, computer software, and other materials for use with learning applications to learning users  102 . The learning tools supplying user  118  manages the organization and sale of the learning tools and materials (or optionally, access to the same) to learning users and administrators of learning facilities  132 . The learning tools supplying user  118  may also associate learning tools with particular learning applications stored on modular learning system  144 . Alternatively, the learning tools supplying user  118  may designate the tools available and the modular learning system  144  may determine which learning applications may require the tools provided by the learning tools supplying user  118 . The learning tools supplying user communicates with the modular learning system  144  through an interface displayed on a user device  140 . 
     The modular learning system  144  enables a recruiter  120  of learning users  102  to manage the recruitment of learning users  102  through the modular learning system  144 . The recruiter  120  may view and filter learning users  102  by specific learning applications performed on the system, scores, metrics and reviews generated in relation to the learning applications performed by learning users  102 . The recruiter may access and filter learning users  102  based on demographic data like the language used in performing the learning application. Recruiting user  120  may also operate as a certifying user  108  to certify particular learning applications that may be desirable to the recruiting user  120 . The recruiting user may use the certified application as a filter prior considering learning users for a position. The recruiting user  120  manages recruiting access to the modular learning system  144  through an interface displayed on a user device  140 . 
     The modular learning system  144  enables a funding user  122  of learning users  102  to provide funding and scholarship funds and other support to learning users  102 . Such funding users  122  may comprise a parent, sibling, friend, spouse, relative, university, employer, or scholarship/grant offering institution. The funds may be provided for the funding of specific learning users or of specific learning applications, or of specific microlearning goods and services associated with the specific learning applications, in small increments, through an interface displayed on a user device  140 . 
     Although the modular learning environment  100  is described as being composed of various, user devices (e.g. personal computer), a network (e.g. internet, intranet, world wide web), learning facilities (e.g. an Independent Learning Facility, an Institutional Learning Facility), it would be appreciated by one skilled in the art that fewer or more kinds of users (e.g. a Learning Application Fact Checking User, a Web Based Offsite Tutoring User), user devices (e.g. a mobile phone device, a portable gaming console device, a tablet device, a learning console device, gaming console device or server device attached to a television or other screen), networks (e.g. an intranet at a preschool, school, college, university, educational board, professional standards authority, coaching/tuition class; a social or professional network; an intranet at a company, HR department, training department and at a training organization) and learning facilities may comprise the modular learning environment  100 , with the present disclosure still falling within the scope of various embodiments. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a modular learning system  144  according to one embodiment. The modular learning system  144  includes a variety of databases and modules for providing learning applications and learning services to users of the modular learning system  144 . The modular learning system  144  maintains learning applications in a learning application database  204 . The learning applications are sold to users along with microlearning services using the purchase management module  238 . Performance of learning applications is enabled by with performance management module  240 . Additional modules of the modular learning system  144  are described below. 
     A user database  202  is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each user, such as the user&#39;s name, address, and contact details. Depending on the user&#39;s role in the modular learning system  144 , the user database  202  maintains additional information on the user. For example, for a learning user  102 , the user database  202  maintains learning history outside the modular learning system  144 , learning application performance history on the modular learning system  144 , purchase history of learning applications as well as purchase history of a host of related microlearning purchase items like, for example, timed access to learning facility  132 , timed access to tutor  112 , and purchase of access to a learning tool from learning tools database  232 . In some embodiments, the data fields are used to determine purchase compatibility using purchase management module  238  and to determine performance compatibility using performance management module  240 . 
     The user database  202  may maintain information about each type of user based on the user&#39;s role in the system. The user information may be stored in a plurality of databases, each database associated with a user role, or the user roles may be stored in a single user database  202 . For example, the additional user roles include learning application authoring users, learning facility administering users, learning visit organizing users, learning facility administering users, and other types of users of the modular learning system  144 . 
     In one embodiment, a distinct Learning User Database is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each learning user  102 , comprising the learning user&#39;s name, address, contact details as well as learning related data fields like learning history outside the modular learning system  144 , learning application performance history on the modular learning system  144 , purchase history of learning applications as well as purchase history of a host of related microlearning purchase items like, for example, access to learning facility  132 , access to tutor  112 , and purchase of access to an learning tool. In one embodiment, a distinct Learning Application Authoring User Database is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each learning application authoring user, say, user  104 . In one embodiment, a distinct Independent Learning Facility Administering User Database is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each independent learning facility administering user, say, user  124 . In one embodiment, a distinct Learning Tools Supplying User Database is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each learning tools supplying user, say, user  118 . In one embodiment, a distinct Learning Visit Organizing User Database is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each learning visit organizing user  114 . In one embodiment, a distinct Learning Application Translating User Database is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each learning application translating user, say, user  106 . In one embodiment, a distinct Learning Application Certifying User Database is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each learning application certifying user, say, user  108 . In one embodiment, a distinct Learning Application Template Developing User Database is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each learning application template developing user, say, user  110 . In one embodiment, a distinct Learning Workshop Organizing User Database is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each learning workshop organizing user, say, user  116 . In one embodiment, a distinct Recruiting User Database is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each recruiting user, say, recruiting user  120 . In one embodiment, a distinct Funding User Database is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each funding user, say, funding user  122 . 
     In one embodiment, a distinct Institutional Learning Facility Administering User Database is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each, institutional learning facility administering user, say, user  124 . In one embodiment, a distinct Workspace Learning Facility Administering User Database is used to is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each workspace learning facility administering user, say, user  124 . In one embodiment, a distinct Temporary Learning Facility Administering User Database is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each temporary learning facility administering user, say, user  124 . In one embodiment, a distinct Learning Facility Database is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of a plurality of kinds of learning facilities, say, facility  132 , as received from a plurality of kinds of learning facility administering users, say, user  124 . In one embodiment, a distinct Learning Visits Database is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each learning visit from the respective learning visit organizing user, say user  114 . In some embodiments, the data fields of the databases in the above embodiments are used to determine purchase compatibility using purchase management module  238  and to determine performance compatibility using performance management module  240 . 
     The learning application database  204  is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving all the learning application metadata of all learning applications whose purchase is managed through the module  238 . Optionally, all purchase related metadata of learning application, like number of copies accessed per day, segmented by location, language, learning facility, user device, as well as other learning related purchase analytics metadata that may be generated during the purchase process may be received, stored, and updated by the microlearning purchase management module  238  in the learning application database  204 . 
     In one embodiment, database  204  is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving all the learning application metadata of all learning applications whose performance is managed through the module  240 . Optionally, all performance related metadata of the learning application, like number of copies performed per day, segmented by location, language, learning facility, user device, as well as other learning related performance analytics metadata that may be generated during the performance process may be received, stored, and updated by the microlearning performance management module  240  in the learning application database  204 . 
     A subject database  206  is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each subject linked or tagged to each learning application  300  in Subject Metadata  312 . The subject database  206  provides a categorization system for the learning applications and enables learning application authoring users, like user  104 , to categorize learning applications as belonging to one or more subjects by associating them with one or more subjects, such subjects then stored in subject metadata  312  of each authored learning application  300 . The subject database  206  also allows users to search for learning applications according to particular subjects using the subjects associated with the learning applications. For example, a tutoring user  112  with a mathematics specialty may search the learning applications using the subject database  206  to identify mathematics learning applications for the tutor to associate his services with. 
     A tutor database  208  is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each tutoring user, comprising the tutoring user&#39;s name, address, contact details, as well as learning related data fields like learning users to whom microlearning services have or are being provided, performance data and performance review data for the tutoring services, tutoring history outside the modular learning system  144 , and remittance history. In some embodiments, the data fields are used to determine purchase compatibility using purchase management module  238  and to determine performance compatibility using performance management module  240 . 
     A learning facility database  230  is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of a plurality of kinds of learning facilities such as learning facility  132  as received from learning facility administering users  124 . In some embodiments, the data fields are used to determine purchase compatibility using purchase management module  238  and to determine performance compatibility using performance management module  240 . 
     A learning tools database  232  is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving a plurality of data fields of each learning tool or material from each learning tools supplying user  118 . In some embodiments, the data fields are used to determine purchase compatibility using purchase management module  238  and to determine performance compatibility using performance management module  240 . 
     Each of these databases, such as the tutor database  208 , facilities database  230 , and learning tools database  232 , may also include information relating to purchase and performance compatibility. For example, a tutor in the tutor database may specify the tutor is only willing to teach students aged thirty to forty, or a learning facility may indicate it is only willing to allow entry to learning users who are a member of the facility. 
     A purchase management module  238  is configured for managing the purchase of learning applications and associated application services as a microlearning stack by the learning user  102 . 
     A performance management module  240  is configured for managing the performance of learning applications and associated application services as a microlearning stack by the learning user  102 . 
     A role-based activity history management module  242  is configured for generating role-based histories in a modular learning system. The role-based histories are generated based on the activities occurring within the modular learning system and the roles of various viewing users. The role-based activity history management module  242  identifies user roles that are permitted to view each type of activity that occurs on the modular learning system  144  and creates histories responsive to history access requests. The histories provided for history access requests are created by determining the applicable user role of the requesting user and identifying activities accessible by the user role and for the user. 
     In one embodiment, the tutor database, learning facilities database, tools database and other application services databases form a single consolidated application services database in modular learning system  144 . 
     Although the modular learning system  144  is described as being composed of various components like databases and modules, the modular learning system  144  may comprise fewer or more databases, components, and other modules. For example, the modular learning system  144  may include a Learning Application Genre Database, a Locational Learning Facility Price Range Database, a Learning Workshop Database, a Multilingual Dictionary Database, a Concept Tags Database, a Learning Objectives/Outcomes Database, and a Micro tutoring Services Database, and a Skill and Ability Tags Database. The modular learning system  144  may also include an Age Compatibility Module, a Learner Ranking Module, a Tutor Ranking Module, a Learner Billing Module, a Tutor Remittance Module, a Profile Management Module, a User Roles Management Module, a Learning Tools Management Module, a Learning Facility Management Module, Metadata Management Module, a Notification Module, a Recruitment Module, a Funding Module, a Map Module, a Learning Application Template Programming Interface Module, an Age Compatibility Module or a Translation Interface Module, with the present disclosure still falling within the scope of various embodiments. In some embodiments, an individual or group may play a plurality of user roles on the modular learning system, (e.g. tutoring user learning new applications as a learning user through another tutoring user, a learning application authoring user translating the authored application or developing the application template), with the present disclosure still falling within the scope of various embodiments. 
     In various embodiments the modular learning system  144  may be any of a web application, a mobile application, or an embedded module or subsystem of a social networking environment, a learning content management system, a learning management system, a professional networking environment, an electronic commerce system, an electronic payments system, a mobile operating system, a computer based operating system, or of a tablet based operating system, with the present disclosure still falling within the scope of various embodiments. 
     In one embodiment, a distinct roles management module is configured for managing and authorizing different roles associated with the various users of the modular learning system  144  and in the respective user databases. For example, the roles management module may provide distinct feature tabs and functionalities to each user based on the role associated with him or her. It can be noted that, the roles management module may enable a user to have one or more roles for accessing the modular learning system  144 . For example, a tutoring user can avail the functionality and interface tabs of a learning user and also of a translating user if authorized by the modular learning system  144 . 
     In one embodiment, a distinct metadata management module is configured for managing metadata associated with a plurality of specific learning applications, like learning application  300 . In one embodiment, the metadata management module is configured for receiving, storing, updating and retrieving various types of metadata associated with each learning application  300  in the learning application database  204 . In another embodiment, the metadata management module is configured for receiving and storing updated metadata of a specific learning application  300  in database  204  at regular intervals of time as updated by different users in authorized user roles and retrieving the required metadata when requested by the purchase management module  238  and the performance management module  240  for determining compatibility and performance compatibility of requested microlearning service stack respectively. In yet another embodiment, the metadata management module enables various users of the modular learning platform to update metadata associated with specific learning applications in the learning application database according to their user role. 
     It is appreciated that, in some embodiments, various databases like  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  230 , and  232 , modules  238 ,  240  and  242  as well as the databases, engines, modules and components of the above embodiments may be stored in the form of machine readable instructions in the memory of the modular learning system  144  and executed by a processor of the modular learning system  144  to perform one or more embodiments disclosed herein. Alternatively, the various databases like  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  230 , and  232 , modules  238 ,  240  and  242  as well the databases, engines, modules and components of the above embodiments may be implemented in the modular learning system in the form of an apparatus configured to perform one or more embodiments disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 3A  is a block diagram of a learning application  300 , according to one embodiment. Each learning application  300  comprises a plurality of kinds of application metadata in addition to the instructional content and associated media for a particular topic or subject. The instructional content and media of each learning application  300  may comprise a specific unit of instruction for a particular portion of knowledge or a skill, and may vary widely in scope. The learning application  300  may be very narrow in scope, such as “treading water” or may be broad in scope, such as “overview of world history”, depending on the authoring process of learning application authoring user  104 . The learning application  300  could indicate a theoria (to think, a theory based application using primarily memory, reasoning, logic) performance type or a praxis performance type (to do, a practical performance type or a poeisis performance type). The learning application  300  may comprise metadata indicating associated application services for purchasing or performing the learning application  300  like tutor metadata  336 , tools metadata  322  and learning facility metadata  316 . In one embodiment, the learning application  300  may be requested for purchase or performance with associated application services as a microlearning service stack, wherein the application services comprise of access to tutoring user  112 , access to a learning tool from learning tools database  232  and access to a learning facility from facilities database  230 . For example, the media metadata  326  of a learning application  300  provided by learning application authoring user  104  may specify instructions for learning how to swim a breaststroke, but the media metadata  326  does not typically specify individual pools i.e. learning facilities to perform the learning application or tutors to coach and review the performance. Rather, the application services metadata like tutor metadata  336 , tools metadata  322  and learning facility metadata  316  indicates tutors, tools, and facilities which the learning user may choose to perform the learning application&#39;s instructions. 
     The Certification Metadata  302  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update certification history as well as live certifications of the learning application  300 , including, for example, a certification from educational board  108  and another educational board in another state, present as a certifying user in database  202  or a distinct certifying user database. In some embodiments, the certification metadata is also used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . 
     The Scoring Metrics Metadata  304  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update a plurality of metrics for quantitative and qualitative scoring as defined and updated for learning application  300  by learning content application authoring user  104 . In some embodiments, the quantitative scoring of each metric is conducted during the performance by a dedicated module within the learning application  300  itself, while in other embodiments of a performance, especially a non-screen based praxis or poeisis performance, the quantitative and optionally, qualitative score for each metric is received through a user device  140  from the learning user  102  and/or the tutoring user  112 . In some embodiments, the scoring metrics metadata is also used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . 
     The Language Metadata  306  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update a plurality of translations of all user viewable application metadata for learning application  300  translated by, for example, learning application translating user  106  into Bengali, comprising of media metadata  326  like instructional text, subtitles to audio and video instructions, and all other linguistic content for the preview, performance and review of learning application  300  by learning user  102  and preview and review of the learning performance by tutoring user  112 . In some embodiments, metadata  306  further comprises translations in at least one other language, of performance type metadata  308 , duration metadata  310 , subject links and tags metadata  312 , age level metadata  314 , learning facility metadata  316  authoring metadata  318 , sequence metadata  320 , tool metadata  322 , mode metadata  324 , medium metadata  328  and job skill metadata  330 . In some embodiments, the language metadata is also used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . 
     The Performance Type Metadata  308  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update the performance type of the learning application  300 . For example, the metadata  308  could indicate a theoria (to think, a theory based application using primarily memory, reasoning, logic, like a ‘Biomechanics of Swimming’ Pop Quiz) performance type or a praxis performance type (to do, a practical performance type like an ‘eight hundred meter Freestyle Swim as per Olympic performance guidelines’ or a poeisis performance type (to make, a creation oriented performance type like a ‘5 minute Synchronized Swimming Choreography’), such that the learning user is already aware of the task or performance type before purchasing and performing the learning application  300 . In some embodiments, the performance type metadata is also used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . 
     The Duration Metadata  310  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update the suggested duration of the learning application  300 . In some embodiments, the metadata  310  indicates a fixed duration like, fifteen minutes, or thirty minutes, or one hour, while in other embodiments, the metadata indicates a variable duration with, optionally, a predetermined minimum or maximum duration depending on the duration metadata set by the learning application authoring user  104 . In some embodiments, the duration metadata is also used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . 
     The Subject Metadata  312  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update a plurality of subject links and tags attached to the learning application  300  by the learning content application authoring user from among the subject links and tags present in the Subject Database  206 . In some embodiments, the subject links and tags are attached to specific concepts or terms within the Media Metadata  326 . In some embodiments, the subject link/tag metadata is also used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . 
     The Age Level Metadata  314  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update the suggested age level of the learning user  102  for performance of the learning application  300 . In some embodiments, the age level is set as a minimum suggested age say, for example, over ten years old by the learning content application authoring user  104 . In other embodiments, a range of suggested learner ages is set by the learning application content authoring user  104 . In some embodiments, the age level metadata is also used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . 
     The Learning Facility Metadata  316  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update the suggested learning infrastructure required in a learning facility for performance of the learning application  300 . In some embodiments, such learning facilities and infrastructure (e.g. Olympic Sized Swimming Pool) required for the performance of the learning application (e.g. eight hundred meter Freestyle to Olympic Guidelines) is received and updated by the learning content application authoring user  104  by picking the same from a learning facility database  230  available on the modular learning system  144 . In other embodiments the metadata  316  is received and updated by the administering user  124  of learning facility  132 . In some embodiments, the learning facility metadata is also used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . 
     The Authoring Metadata  318  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update the authoring metadata received by the learning content application author  104 , including for example the name, signature, contact details, intellectual property disclaimer and other information of the user or user group. In some embodiments, the metadata also includes metadata generated by the modular learning system  144  during the authoring user&#39;s editing process, including the version history, tracked changes and time stamps of edits and updates to the learning content application. In some embodiments, the metadata may also include citations to other learning content applications or other learning content application authoring users made by the user  104 . 
     The Sequence Metadata  320  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update the suggested sequence of performance of the learning application  300  relative to another learning application. The sequence metadata may indicate if the learning application should be performed before, after, instead of, or with another learning application by learning content application authoring user  104 . The user  104  may wish for any learning user, say  102  to perform an advanced microbiology learning application  300  only after performing a corresponding beginner&#39;s microbiology learning application, irrespective of the learning user&#39;s age or quality of performance. In other embodiments, wherein the learning application authoring user is not the author of the suggested beginner&#39;s application, the user  104  may input a sequence suggesting to the learning user  102  to perform the learning application before or after a learning application authored by another learning application authoring user. In some embodiments, the sequence metadata is also used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . 
     The Tool Metadata  322  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update the compatible tools or learning materials to the learning application  300 . In some embodiments, the tool compatibility is received from and updated by the learning application authoring user  104  by accessing the tool database  232 . In other embodiments, the tool compatibility is received and updated by the learning tools supplying user  118  by accessing the learning application database  204 . In still other embodiments, the tool compatibility may be updated by the modular learning system  144 . In some embodiments, the tool metadata is used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . In some embodiments, wherein the learning tool is a peripheral input device which can be connected to the user device  140  during the learning application performance (e.g. Electric Guitar attached to a user device  140  during an ‘Introduction to Hard Rock’ learning application) the Tool Metadata includes the compatibility to the user device  140 . In other embodiments, wherein the learning material is not material to the user device  140 , (e.g. Sulphuric Acid during a Chemistry Experiment) the Tool Metadata may not include any additional user device compatibility. 
     The Mode Metadata  324  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update the available modes of performance of the learning application. In some embodiments, the mode metadata is determined by the modes chosen by the learning content application authoring user from the learning application template chosen. In various embodiments, the learning application may comprise an individual learner performance mode, a learner plus learner cooperative performance mode, a learner versus learner competitive performance mode, a learner plus tutor cooperative performance mode, a learner versus tutor competitive performance mode, a limited plurality of learners (e.g. four learners) cooperative performance mode, a limited plurality of learners (e.g. four learners) competitive performance mode, a tutor plus limited plurality of learners (e.g. nine learners) cooperative performance mode (a typical classroom mode). Although the Mode Metadata is described as being composed of various available modes as chosen by the learning application authoring user, various other modes (e.g. a limited plurality of learners vs. a limited plurality of learners competitive performance mode) may comprise the Mode Metadata  324  and still fall within the scope of various embodiments. In some embodiments, the various Media Metadata for the preview, performance and review screens for each mode of the same learning application and the sequence of the same (especially wherein the learning application  300  is performed by multiple users from the same user device and, optionally, by viewing the same display device) is received, stored, retrieved, displayed and updated in the Media Metadata  326 . In some embodiments, the mode metadata is also used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . 
     The Media Metadata  326  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update text, image, audio, video, animation, links and other interactive elements of the learning content application as received and updated by the learning application authoring user  104  during the publishing and revision of the learning content application  300 . In other embodiments, the learning application Media Metadata may comprise the theoria, praxis or poeisis task or, optionally, plurality of tasks to be completed during the performance, their sequence, and, optionally, the learning outcomes and objectives of the same. In some embodiments, the media metadata is also used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . 
     The Medium Metadata  328  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update the medium of access to the learning application preview, review and performance screen during the microlearning performance. For example, for a Beginner&#39;s Kathak Dancing microlearning Application, in addition to requiring a compatible learning facility and tutoring user, the learning application authoring user  104  or, optionally, modular learning system  144  may require the preview and review screen to be viewable only on a display device connected to a learning console user device or the display device of a computer device but not a mobile device screen to ensure an optimum learning experience. In another case, for a Kathak Quiz microlearning application, the learning application authoring user  104  or, optionally, modular learning system  144  may require the performance screen, preview screen and review screen to be viewable only on a mobile device screen but not on a display device connected to a learning console user device, or the display device of a computer device. In some embodiments, the medium metadata may further comprise the compatibility to a plurality of software platforms and, optionally, runtime environments as determined by the modular learning system  144 . In some embodiments, the medium metadata is also used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . 
     The Job Skill Metadata  330  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update the skills and abilities tagged to the learning application  300  by the learning application authoring user  104 , the recruiting user  120  or, optionally, the modular learning system  144  from the skills and abilities database provided by the modular learning system  144 . In some embodiments, the metadata is used by a recruiting user  120  to post the completion of the learning application (optionally, in a controlled testing environment) or group of applications as a minimum requirement for a particular job role to a plurality of potentially employable learning users. In other embodiments, the metadata is used by the recruiting user  120  to post the requirement of completion of the learning application  300  (optionally, in a controlled testing environment) or group of applications as a minimum requirement for a promotion to a higher post in a particular organization, to a plurality of potentially employable learning users. In some embodiments, the job skill metadata is also used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . 
     The Error Metadata  332  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update the potential errors which can be made by the learning user  102  (e.g. ten potential errors in an auditing microlearning application), as determined by the learning application authoring user  104 . In some embodiments, wherein the learning application (e.g. a Karnataka History Quiz) is performed through an input device on a user device  140  itself, the error metadata may be synchronized to each potential input point during the learning application  300  performed through the user device  140  by the learning application authoring user  104 . In some embodiments, wherein the learning application (e.g. a Karate kata)  300 &#39;s error metadata is outside the recordable boundaries of the user device  140 , the potential errors may be entered with reference to each instructional step of the performance by the learning application authoring user  104 , such that at the time of the performance, the tutoring user (or, in some modes, the learning user  102  himself, another learning user, or the recruiting user  120 ) may note errors in each observable step of the performance and confirm the same on user device  140  to generate the score. In other embodiments, wherein the error observed by the observing user (say, tutoring user  112 ) is not part of the potential errors in the Error Metadata  332  of the application  300 , the tutoring user  112  may update such errors to the Errors Metadata, or optionally, send the same to the learning application authoring user  104 , to be updated after review. In some embodiments, the error metadata is also used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . 
     The Template Metadata  334  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update the default script, formatting and media modules of the learning application template used to author the learning application  300 . In some embodiments, wherein a particular sequence and format of the same has been chosen by the learning content application authoring user from the options offered in the template developed by the learning application template developing user, the chosen setting may be a part of the Template Metadata  334 . In various embodiments, the learning application templates may comprise a quiz, role play, simulation, project, experiment, essay, recital, research paper, race, challenge, problem, game, question, exercise or problem set. In some embodiments, the templates may be for performances conducted and supervised in front of a display device with an input device connected to the user device  140 , while in other embodiments the templates may be for previews, reviews and guidelines for performances conducted without the input device, with the user device  140  merely placed next to the performance area or learning station (e.g. for Praxis Tasks in Dance Applications) as a reference point. Although the Template Metadata is described as being composed of various available templates as developed by the learning application template authoring user and chosen by the learning application authoring user, various other templates (e.g. a Swimming Race Template, a Patent Drafting Template) may comprise the Template Metadata  334  and still fall within the scope of various embodiments. In some embodiments, the template metadata is also used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . 
     The Tutor Metadata  336  is used to receive, store, retrieve, display and update the compatibility of tutoring users to learning content application. In some embodiments, the tutoring user compatibility is received from and updated by the tutoring user  112  by updating the tutor database  208  (e.g. a Mathematics Tutoring User whose medium of instruction is Mandarin updating compatibility to a plurality of Mathematics microlearning applications available in Mandarin, in the tutor database  208 ). In other embodiments, the tutoring user compatibility metadata is received from and updated by the tutoring user  112  by accessing the learning application database  204 . In still other embodiments, the tutoring user compatibility metadata may be updated by the modular learning system  144 . In some embodiments, the Tutor Metadata is also used to determine purchase compatibility in the microlearning purchase management module  238  through learning application database  204  and to determine performance compatibility in the microlearning performance management module  240  through learning application database  204 . 
     In various embodiments, the metadata of learning application  300  is retrieved, displayed to and updated by a plurality of kinds of users as may be applicable to the kind of metadata and the kind of user. Optionally, in addition to receiving and storing the metadata, the modular learning system  144  may update the learning application metadata as and when generated in the system through a dynamic metadata update module or through a dedicated administering user. In some embodiments, the learning content application authoring user  104  may further play the role of the learning application template developing user. In some embodiments, the modular learning system  144  may play the role of the learning content application authoring user  104  and, optionally, the role of the learning application template developing user  110  to author and update the media and template metadata of the learning application  300 . 
     In some embodiments, the microlearning purchase management module  238  and microlearning performance management module  240  retrieve some or all of the above metadata associated with the learning application  300  from a learning application database  204  in a repository module of the modular learning system  144 . 
     In some embodiments, the media metadata  326  of the learning application may comprise an electronic textbook, an electronic journal, an instructional video, or an instructional animation. In some embodiments each learning application  300 , may be a distinct mobile application, browser based web application, or a desktop application. In some embodiments, each learning application  300  may be an executable file, a program, add in, macro, plug-in, or other program of instructions associated with a plurality of application programming interfaces of the modular learning system  144 . 
     Although the learning application  300  is described as comprising various metadata and associated data fields stored and updated in learning application database  204 , fewer or more metadata and associated data fields (e.g. Application Programming Interface Metadata, Organization versus Organization Social Learning Mode Metadata, University versus University Social Learning Mode Metadata, Testing Metadata, Learning Visits Metadata, Learning Workshops Metadata, Tutorials Metadata) may comprise the Learning Application  300  and associated learning application database  204 , with the present disclosure still falling within the scope of various embodiments. In some embodiments, each version of the same learning application  300  with different metadata, for example language metadata, is treated as a distinct learning application in learning application database  204 . 
     In some embodiments, an authorization to update certification metadata  302  of a learning application  300  is limited to a predetermined plurality of certifying users like user  108  and recruiting users like user  120 . In some embodiments, an authorization to update scoring metrics metadata  304 , performance type metadata  308 , age level metadata  314 , authoring metadata  318 , mode metadata  324 , media metadata  326 , medium metadata  328 , and error metadata  332  of a learning application  300  is limited to a predetermined plurality of learning application authoring users like user  104 . In some embodiments, an authorization to update language metadata  306  of a learning application  300  is limited to a predetermined plurality of learning application translating users  106 . In some embodiments, an authorization to update duration metadata  310  of a learning application  300  is limited to a predetermined plurality of learning application authoring users like user  104  and learning application template developing users like user  110 . In some embodiments, an authorization to update subject link/tag metadata  312  of a learning application  300  is limited to a predetermined plurality of users in any user role. In various embodiments, such authorizations may be set by an administrator of modular learning system  144  based on the user role, user profile information and user preferences information of the corresponding users. 
     In some embodiments, an authorization to update learning facility metadata  316  of a learning application  300  with associated learning facilities is limited to a predetermined plurality of learning facility administering users like user  124 . In some embodiments, an authorization to update sequence metadata  320  of a learning application  300  is limited to a predetermined plurality of learning application authoring users like user  104  and tutoring users like user  112 . In some embodiments, an authorization to update tool metadata  322  of a learning application  300  with associated learning tools is limited to a predetermined plurality of tool supplying users like user  118 . In some embodiments, an authorization to update job skill metadata  330  of a learning application  300  is limited to a predetermined plurality of recruiting users like user  120 . In some embodiments, an authorization to update template metadata  334  of a learning application  300  is limited to a predetermined plurality of learning application authoring users like user  104  and a predetermined plurality of template developing users like user  110 . In some embodiments, an authorization to update tutor metadata  336  of a learning application  300  with associated tutoring services is limited to a predetermined plurality of tutoring users like user  112 . In some embodiments, an authorization to update an optional learning event metadata of a learning application  300  with associated learning workshops, visits and other learning events is limited to a predetermined plurality of learning workshop organizing users like user  116  and learning visit organizing users like user  114 . In some embodiments, the associations of application services to learning applications are enabled automatically by a metadata association module in the system  144 . In some embodiments, each learning application  300  is associated with a subset of learning facilities in a learning facilities database  230 . In some embodiments, each learning application  300  is further associated with a subset of learning stations of each associated learning facility. In some embodiments, each learning application is associated with a subset of tutors in a tutor database  208 . In some embodiments, each learning application is associated with a subset of tools in a learning tools database  232 . 
       FIG. 3B  is a block diagram of a learning application  340  according to another example embodiment. The learning application  340  is illustrated to depict metadata of the learning application related to a microlearning service stack. The learning application  340  also illustrates some other performance data used during its performance by a learner. This microlearning service stack may be requested for purchase or performance by learning user  102 . In this embodiment, the microlearning service stack includes a learning application  340 , a time based tutoring service by a particular tutor in database  208 , time based access to a particular learning facility from database  230 , and access to a particular tool from database  232 . The particular services above may or may not be associated with the corresponding tutor metadata, facilities metadata, and tool metadata of learning application  340  at the time of a request. The learning application  340  includes content data  342  which designates particular content media and content attributes of the learning application  340 . The learning application also includes other metadata as described above, such as tutor metadata  336 , learning facility metadata  316 , learning tool metadata  322 , performance type metadata  308 , and scoring metrics metadata  304 . As such, the learning application  340  illustrates some aspects of the learning application used for purchase or performance of the learning application  340  by a learner as part of a microlearning service stack, such as content, tutors, facilities, and tools. The learning application  340  may also include any other metadata as described above with reference to  FIG. 3A . Any other metadata as described above with reference to  FIG. 3A  may also be part of the content data  342  of the learning application  340 . 
     The lifecycle of a learning application  300  is now described according to one embodiment. Initially, a learning application template developing user  110  creates a learning application template stored in a distinct template database in a modular learning system  144 . Next, the learning application authoring user  104  publishes learning application content stored as media metadata of the learning application  300 . In case a template has been chosen for the application  300 , the template metadata is stored as well. The tutor metadata, learning facility metadata, learning tool metadata and other optional application services metadata indicating tutoring services, learning facilities, learning tools, and other application service types associated with the learning application  300  are dynamically updated by the corresponding tutoring users, learning facility administrators, tool suppliers and other application service providers. At this point, the learning user may modularly select application services in a microlearning stack to purchase or perform the learning application. Next, the learning user  102  selects the learning application  300  and identifies application services requested for purchase or performance as a consolidated stack. The approval of the purchase or performance request for learning application  300  and particular application services in the microlearning service stack may be determined by the specific metadata of the learning application  300  being associated with corresponding application services, and other specific metadata of the learning application being compatible with the profile information and preferences of the learning user. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a role based activity history management module  242 . The role based activity history management module  242  includes various databases and computing modules for managing role-based user histories. 
     A purchase items database  402  is configured for receiving, storing, retrieving and updating a plurality of purchase items generated by the microlearning purchase management module  238  during each unique microlearning application or application service purchase by the plurality of learning users in learning user database  202 . 
     The performance items database  404  is configured for receiving, storing, retrieving and updating a plurality of performance items generated by the microlearning performance management module  240  during each unique microlearning performance by the plurality of learning users in learning user database  202 . 
     The activities items database  406  is configured for receiving, storing, retrieving and updating a plurality of activities items generated by an activity monitoring module  418  for each unique user activity for each unique user on the modular learning system  144 . Each activity item indicates action on the modular learning system and may be associated with one or more users. The activity item may also be associated with particular user roles allowed to view information related to the activity item. In additional embodiment each activity stored in the activities items database specifies user roles permitted to access the activity; and wherein the retrieved activity items are retrieved based on the viewing user&#39;s user role matching a permitted user role for activity items. 
     The user database  408  is configured for temporarily receiving, storing, retrieving and updating identity items of each of a plurality of kinds of users from the user database  202  during the generation of role-based histories for the plurality of users in for each user role. 
     The user role preference module  410  is configured for receiving, storing and retrieving the kind and interface of history items for a plurality of requested user roles to be displayed to a plurality of kinds of authorized viewing users. The module is accessed by the user role validation module  412  to validate if the viewing user&#39;s user role is the same as the user role for which the user role history is being generated. In some embodiments, the history preferences are updated for some or all of the requested user roles by modular learning system  144 . In other embodiments, the user role history preferences of the requested users are considered as default preferences of the requested users, with each unique requested user in the user role allowed to modify, personalize and update their particular user role&#39;s history access preferences through the history settings management interface generated by the user role history interface generator  420  and displayed on the requested user&#39;s user device  140 . For example, the learning user  102  may modify their performance history access preferences to allow funding user  122  to access the user&#39;s performance history while another learning user may grant access to the corresponding performance history to all funding users, some recruiting users and one tutoring user on the modular learning system  144 . 
     The user role validation module  412  is configured for validating the viewing user&#39;s user role to determine if the viewing user is authorized to view the purchase history, performance history and other activity history of the requested user. In some embodiments, the validation module is used to determine if the viewing user is the same as the user whose purchase history, performance history and other activities history is requested. In case, the requested user is the same as the viewing user, the user role validation module  412  validates the role of the requested user as being the same as that of the viewing user to history items module  414 . In case the viewing user is different from the requested user, the user role validation module  412  accesses the user database  408  and the user role preference module  410  to determine the requested user&#39;s user role in the modular learning system  144 . For example, a funding user  122  who wishes to access a funded learning user  102 &#39;s performance history in the last one year, the role validation module may validate the requested user  102 &#39;s role as a learning user and confirm the same to history items module  414  for generation of the appropriate history items of the requested learning user  102  to be accessed upon the requested user&#39;s authorization by the viewing funding user  122 . 
     The history items module  414  is configured for generating, storing, retrieving and updating a plurality of history items for the user role of each unique user whose history is requested by a viewing user on the modular learning system  144  by accessing purchase items from database  402 , performance items from database  404 , and activities items from database  406 . In some embodiments, a plurality of history items may be generated and stored for future access by the user role history interface generator  420  for each unique user in a user role. 
     The summary updation module  416  is configured for receiving, storing, retrieving and updating history summary updation preferences of one or a plurality of requested users for the authorized viewing user. In some embodiments, an authorized viewing user may prefer the activity history summary of requested users to be updated after predetermined intervals of time. For example, a tutoring user  112  authorized to access the performance history of ten learning users may wish to view a summary of the performance history of the learning users once an hour. In another example, an independent learning facility administering user  124  authorized to access the purchase history of twenty five learning users visiting the facility regularly, may wish to view a summary of the purchase history of the learning users once in three months. The module  416  is accessed by history items module  414  to determine the frequency and intervals of the history items summary generation for future access upon request by the viewing user. 
     The activity monitoring module  418  is configured for monitoring activities conducted on or through the modular learning system  144  between various users on the system  144 . These activities are stored as activities items in the activities items database  406 . In various embodiments, the activities could include new applications performed, monitored, reviewed, funded, scored, published, translated, certified, purchased, sold, edited, as well as learning facilities set up, accessed, booked; tutoring services, learning facility access, learning events access, purchased and sold; user profiles updated with new identity items, update purchase compatibility or performance compatibility, among other activities. In some embodiments, the user role preferences for each viewing user&#39;s user role in module  414  allow for access to history items relating to activities conducted by a predetermined subset of authorized requested user roles, to the viewing user. For example, the user role preferences of a viewing funding user  122  may allow for access to performance histories of learning users being funded by the funding user. In some embodiments, the activity monitoring module  418  does not capture purchase or performance activities as these activities are monitored by the microlearning purchase management module  238  and the microlearning performance management module  240 , with the items thus generated being received by the purchase items database  402  and performance items database  404  respectively. In some embodiments, the activity monitoring module  418  monitors activities of the each of a plurality of kinds of users on a plurality of kinds of user devices and at a plurality of kinds of associated learning facilities. 
     The user role history interface generator  420  is configured for retrieving the plurality of user role history items of the requested user from the history items module  414  and displays the same to the viewing user on a user device  140 . In some embodiments, the user role history interface generator  420  generates and displays updated user role history interface items upon request to the viewing user on a user device  140  by retrieving the same dynamically at predetermined intervals of time from module  414 . 
     Although the role-based activity history management module is described as being composed of various modules, fewer or more modules (e.g. History Access Preferences Module, History Items Consolidation Module) may comprise the module with the present configuration still falling within the scope of various embodiments. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram  500  of a method for generating role-based activity histories in a modular learning system according to one embodiment. At step  502 , the role based activity history management module  242  receives a history items display request from a viewing user on the modular learning system  144  through an interface generated by user role history interface generator  420  on a user device  140 . At step  504 , the user role validation module  412  receives a role validation request for the viewing user and corresponding user role. At step  506 , the user role validation module  412  determines the viewing user&#39;s user role in the modular learning system  144  by accessing the identity items of the viewing user in user database  408  and the user role items in module  410 . If the viewing user&#39;s user role cannot be validated after accessing the modules, the history items display request is denied. 
     At step  508 , the role based activity history management module  242  requests the user role validation module  412  to determine if the viewing user is the same as the user whose history is requested. At step  510 , the user role validation module  412  determines if the viewing user is the same as the user whose history is requested (i.e., the user is requesting his own history). If the requested user is the same as the viewing user, the user role validation module  412  validates the role of the requested user as being the same as that of the viewing user to history items module  414  and the role based activity history management module  242  proceeds directly to step  520 . At step  512 , if the viewing user is different from the requested user, the role validation module accesses the user database  408  and the user role preferences module  410  to determine the requested user&#39;s user role in the modular learning system  144 . 
     At step  514 , the user role validation module  412  determines the requested user&#39;s user role in the modular learning system  144  by accessing the identity items of the requested user in user database  408  and the user role items in user role preference module  410 . If the requested user&#39;s user role cannot be validated after accessing the modules, the history items display request is denied. 
     At step  516 , the user role history interfaces generator  420  displays the history access request to the requested user. In some embodiments, the user role preferences module accesses the activity history access preferences of the requested user to determine the kind of activity items authorized to be accessed and the kind of user roles authorized to access the requested user&#39;s activity history. In such embodiments, if such access is authorized to the viewing user or viewing user role, the user role preferences module may directly grant access to the requested user&#39;s activity history. 
     At step  518 , the user role history interface generator  420  receives an access confirmation or access denial input from the requested user through an interface generated on a user device  140 . If access is denied, an access denied interface item may be displayed through an interface generated by user role history interface generator  420  on the viewing user&#39;s user device  140 . In an embodiment, the access to activity item is based on default user role history preference. 
     At step  520 , if access is manually granted, automatically granted or when the viewing user is the same as the requested user, the history items module  414  retrieves purchase items, performance items and other activities items for the requested user by accessing the purchase items database  402 , performance items database  404  and activities items database  406 . 
     At step  522 , the history items module  414  generates history items of the requested user for the viewing user based on items retrieved in the previous step and user role preferences for the requested user&#39;s particular user role. At step  524 , the user role history interface generator  420  retrieves the history items from history items module  414 , and displays the corresponding requested user&#39;s history interface items through the preferred viewing user role interface on the viewing user&#39;s user device  140 . 
     Although the method for generating role-based activity histories in a modular learning system environment is described as being composed of various steps, fewer or more steps (e.g. Generate History Items Summary of Predetermined Plurality of Requested Users, Receive History Access Preferences from Requested Users) may comprise the method with the present configuration still falling within the scope of various embodiments. 
     Computing Machine Architecture 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating components of an example machine suitable for use as a modular learning system  144 , in which any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be performed, according to one embodiment. This example machine is able to read instructions from a machine-readable medium and execute them in a processor (or controller). 
     Specifically,  FIG. 6  shows a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the example form of a computer system  600  within which instructions  624  (e.g. software) for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may be executed. In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g. networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server machine or a client machine in a server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. 
     The machine may be a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing instructions  624  (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute instructions  624  to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. 
     The example computer system  600  includes a processor  602  (e.g. a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), or any combination of these), a main memory  604 , and a static memory  606 , which are configured to communicate with each other via a bus  608 . The computer system  600  may further include a graphics display unit  610  (e.g. a plasma display panel (PDP), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a projector, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system  600  may also include alphanumeric input device  612  (e.g. a keyboard), a cursor control device  614  (e.g. a mouse, a trackball, a joystick, a motion sensor, or other pointing instrument), a storage unit  616 , a signal generation device  618  (e.g. a speaker), and a network interface device  620 , which also are configured to communicate via the bus  608 . 
     The storage unit  616  includes a machine readable medium  622  on which is stored instructions  624  (e.g. software) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions  624  (e.g. software) may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory  604  or within the processor  602  (e.g. within a processor&#39;s cache memory) during execution thereof by the computer system  600 , the main memory  604  and the processor  602  also constituting machine-readable media. The instructions  624  (e.g. software) may be transmitted or received over a network  142  via the network interface device  620 . 
     While machine readable medium  622  is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g. a centralized or distributed database, or associated caches and servers) able to store instructions (e.g. instructions  624 ). The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing instructions (e.g. instructions  624 ) for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies disclosed herein. The term “machine-readable medium” includes, but not be limited to, data repositories in the form of solid-state memories, optical media, and magnetic media. 
     The modular learning system  144  may be one or more servers in which one or more methods disclosed herein are performed. The processor  602  may be a microprocessor, a state machine, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, etc. (e.g. Intel® Pentium® processor). The main memory  604  may be a dynamic random access memory and/or a primary memory of the modular learning system  144 . The static memory  606  may be a hard drive, a flash drive, and/or other memory information associated with the modular learning system  144 . 
     The bus  608  may be an interconnection between various circuits and/or structures of the modular learning system  144 . The video display  610  may provide graphical representation of information on the modular learning system  144 . The alphanumeric input device  612  may be a keypad, keyboard and/or any other input device. The cursor control device  614  may be a pointing device such as a mouse. 
     The storage unit  616  may be a hard drive, a storage system, and/or other longer term storage subsystem. The signal generation device  618  may be a bios and/or a functional operating system of the modular learning system  144 . The network interface device  620  may be a device that may perform interface functions such as code conversion, protocol conversion and/or buffering required for communication to and from a network (e.g. the network  142  of  FIG. 1 ). The machine readable medium  622  may provide instructions  624  on which any of the methods disclosed herein may be performed. The instructions  624  may provide source code and/or data code to the processor  602  to enable any one/or more operations disclosed herein. For example, the modular learning system  144  may be stored in the form of instructions  624  on a storage medium such as the main memory  604  and/or the machine readable medium  622  such as compact disk. 
     In an embodiment, the invention further describes a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having tangibly embodied thereon a program of instructions executable by a processor (e.g. the modular learning system  144 ) for performing a method for generating role-based histories in a modular learning system as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     Additional Configuration Considerations 
     The role-based activity histories allow users to identify and select histories of activity in the modular learning system related to the user and the user&#39;s role. The histories of activity can be used by various users for different purposes. For example, a learning facility may use history of accesses to the learning facility to determine whether to expand or contract availability of the learning facility. A funding user may request performance history data for learning applications to determine which learning applications to fund, and the system may identify historical information of the learning applications that best improve learner performance in order to select learning applications to fund. In addition, the type of history generated for each user role may differ, which allows each user to view a customized view of activities on the system. These customized views allow users to see information presented in a way that is useful to the particular user role of the user and allows for protecting private information. In some embodiments, the private information is anonymized in order to allow display to certain types of users while allowing for meaningful history review. For example, a funding user may seek to determine which learning applications provide better scores for learning users. The learning users&#39; performance scores may be anonymized before presentation to the funding user to protect the learning user identities. Alternately, the funding user may seek to actively promote certain applications within the modular learning system in an attempt to increase expertise in a particular area. For example, a local trade business council may have a funding role and may seek to increase the number of trained machine operators in order to ensure adequate supply of skilled machinists for employers at a local industrial park. The funding user, here the local trade counsel, can fund applications with appropriate online, facility, and tutor resources. These can matched by the modular learning system with learners having the requisite role, e.g., some prior training history as identified by the modular learning system, and that would be interested in working through the applications and courses to get trained. 
     Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement modules, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate modules in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or module. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single module may be implemented as separate modules. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein. 
     Certain embodiments are described herein as including functionality implemented in computing logic or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms, for example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Modules may constitute either software modules (e.g. code embodied on a machine-readable medium or in a transmission signal) or hardware modules. A hardware module is tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain manner. In example embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g. a standalone, client or server computer system) or one or more hardware modules of a computer system (e.g. a processor or a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g. an application or application portion) as a hardware module that operates to perform certain operations as described herein. 
     In various embodiments, a hardware module may be implemented mechanically or electronically. For example, a hardware module may comprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured (e.g. as a special-purpose processor, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) to perform certain operations. A hardware module may also comprise programmable logic or circuitry (e.g. as encompassed within a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. It will be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware module mechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g. configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations. 
     The various operations of example methods described herein may be performed, at least partially, by one or more processors, e.g. processor  602 , that are temporarily configured (e.g. by software) or permanently configured to perform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanently configured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modules that operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modules referred to herein may, in some example embodiments, comprise processor-implemented modules. 
     The one or more processors may also operate to support performance of the relevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a “software as a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a group of computers (as examples of machines including processors), these operations being accessible via a network (e.g. the Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces (e.g. application program interfaces (APIs).) 
     In another embodiment, the microlearning purchase and performance interface provided by the modular learning system  144  can be accessed over a local area network, intranet or virtual private network accessible to a limited plurality of user devices at a preschool, school, college, university, educational board, professional standards authority, coaching class, a company, HR department, training department or at a training organization through a user device. 
     In another embodiment, the microlearning purchase and performance interface provided by the modular learning system  144  can be accessed over a wide area network, General Packet Radio Service network, an Enhanced Data for Global Evolution network, a 3G telecommunications network, a 4G LTE telecommunications network or other telecommunications network through a user device. 
     The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed among the one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments, the one or more processors or processor-implemented modules may be located in a single geographic location (e.g. within a home environment, an office environment, or a server farm). In other example embodiments, the one or more processors or processor-implemented modules may be distributed across a number of geographic locations. 
     Some portions of this specification are presented in terms of algorithms or symbolic representations of operations on data stored as bits or binary digital signals within a machine memory (e.g. a computer memory). These algorithms or symbolic representations are examples of techniques used by those of ordinary skill in the data processing arts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. As used herein, an “algorithm” is a self-consistent sequence of operations or similar processing leading to a desired result. In this context, algorithms and operations involve physical manipulation of physical quantities. Typically, but not necessarily, such quantities may take the form of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being stored, accessed, transferred, combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated by a machine. It is convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to such signals using words such as “data,” “content,” “bits,” “values,” “elements,” “symbols,” “characters,” “terms,” “numbers,” “numerals,” or the like. These words, however, are merely convenient labels and are to be associated with appropriate physical quantities. 
     Although the present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. For example, the various devices, modules, databases, etc. described herein may be enabled and operated using hardware circuitry (e.g. complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) based logic circuitry), firmware, software and/or any combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software (e.g. embodied in a machine readable medium). 
     Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using words such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “presenting,” “displaying,” or the like may refer to actions or processes of a machine (e.g. a computer) that manipulates or transforms data represented as physical (e.g. electronic, magnetic, or optical) quantities within one or more memories (e.g. volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof), registers, or other machine modules that receive, store, transmit, or display information. 
     As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some embodiments may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context. 
     As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). 
     In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and modules of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. 
     According to the embodiments described in  FIG. 1 through 5 , various methods and electric structures may be embodied using transistors, logic gates, and electrical circuits (e.g. Application Specific Integrated Circuitry and/or in Digital Signal Processor circuitry). For example, the purchase management module  238 , performance management module  240  and other modules of  FIGS. 1 to 5  may be enabled using a purchase management circuit, a performance management circuit, and other circuits using one or more of the technologies described herein. In addition, it will be appreciated that the various operations, processes, and methods disclosed herein may be embodied in a machine-readable medium and/or a machine accessible medium compatible with a data processing system (e.g. a server) and may be performed in any order. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 
     Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciate still additional alternative structural and functional designs for a system and a process for managing the purchase and performance of learning applications and associated application services in a microlearning stack through the disclosed principles herein. Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and modules disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes and variations, which will be apparent to those, skilled in the art, may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims.