Interactive employee training system and method

• US 20020106622A1
• Filed: 02/07/2001
• Published: 08/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Association of Airport Executives
• Original Assignee: American Association of Airport Executives
• Inventors: Martin, James, Osborne, Patrick J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,589,055 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/350
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/12 different stations being capable of presenting different information simultaneously G09B5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/04 characterised by modifying the teaching programme in response to a wrong answer, e.g. repeating the question, supplying a further explanation
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/08 characterised by modifying the teaching programme in response to a wrong answer, e.g. repeating the question, supplying further information

Abstract

The disclosed system and method for computer aided training and certification employs a central network for storing certification information and a plurality of training units. In preferred embodiments, the training units are individual systems comprising training software running on a turn-key based personal computer. An advantage of the invention is that the software is completely customized on each training unit to provide instruction using customized multi-media content, such as high quality digital video footage, taken of the trainee'"'"'s specific job tasks and work site, as well as questions and instructional scripts customized for the job tasks and work site.

Claims

1. A method for compiling material for use in educating trainees, comprising:

determining a relevant activity type;

determining a relevant activity site; and

providing multi-media training based on the relevant activity type and the relevant activity site wherein said multimedia training has multi-media content specifically adapted for said activity type and said activity site.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

providing a series of questions designed to identify whether a predetermined portion of said multi-media training has been understood by a given trainee;

receiving answers from said given trainee in response to said series of questions; and

generating data in response to said received answers, said data being representative of a degree to which said answers evidence a proper understanding of said multi-media training.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said multimedia training is performed via software that incorporates said multi-media content, and wherein said multi-media content comprises video files having images of said relevant activity site.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said trainee is an employee having a job and said activity type is a work task associated with said employee'"'"'s job, and wherein said activity site is a facility at which said employee is to perform said task.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said multimedia training is performed via software that incorpates said multi-media content, and wherein said multi-media content comprises video files having images of said facility.

6. An integrated method of training and certifying one or more individuals based on a relevant activity type and a relevant activity site comprising:

determining a relevant activity type;

determining a relevant activity site;

providing multi-media training specific to said relevant activity type and said relevant activity site;

providing a certification interface configured to receive user input relating to a series of questions, and receiving user input relating to said series of questions; and

transmitting results data evidencing a relative level of success to a central storage medium based upon results of said queestions.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising after receiving said user input relating to said series of questions and before transmitting said results data:

evaluating whether said received user input satisfies a predetermined criteria;

when the predetermined criteria is not satisfied, providing supplemental multi-media training based on the relevant activity type and the relevant activity site, and providing a certification interface configured to receive user input relating to a series of supplemental questions; and

wherein said relative level of success is based upon results of said queestions and said supplemental questions.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein said determining steps are performed automatically by software that cross-checks identifiers of said individuals with a master roster.

9. A system for managing training and certification information pertaining to a plurality of individuals, comprising:

a centralized data store configured to receive, store and transmit training and certification data;

server software designed to enforce rules relating to the receipt, storage, and transmission of training and certification data;

a plurality of training units configured to transmit training and certification data with respect to said individuals, wherein training and certification data is generated by said training units after said units provide multimedia training, said multi-media training being based on a relevant activity type and a relevant activity site of said individuals, and wherein at least one of the units is remotely located from the centralized data store;

a plurality of network clients configured to receive training and certification data from said data store, said clients being operable upon direction of one or more training and certification data administrators;

a first set of network connections providing connectivity between the centralized data store and the plurality of training units; and

a second set of network connections providing connectivity between the centralized data store and the plurality of network clients.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said multimedia training has multi-media content specifically adapted for said activity type and said activity site.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said multimedia training is performed via software running on said training units, said software incorporating multi-media content comprising video files having images of said relevant activity site.

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein said training units are individual turnkey computing devices containing training and testing software thereon, said training and testing software being adapted to provide training materials to said a given individual and then test that said given individual regarding said training materials to determine whether that said given individual exhibits a minimum certification level understanding of said training materials.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said software utilizes task-specific and site-specific multi-media content to provide customized training to said individuals.

14. The system according to claim 9, wherein said training units comprise a video display device, audio speakers, and input means.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein said video display means and said input means together comprise a touch-screen video monitor, and wherein said audio speakers comprise earphones.

16. A turnkey system for training and certifying an individual for an associated relevant activity type and an associated facility, said turnkey system comprising:

a touch screen monitor;

a network device comprising a central processing unit configured to provide instruction with multi-media content, said multi-media content being adapted to provide customized training to said individual based on the relevant activity type and the relevant facility associated with the individual; and

an auditory output device.