Variable types of sensory interaction for an on-line educational system

• US 20020115051A1
• Filed: 02/01/2002
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: eCollege.com, Inc (Pearson plc)
• Original Assignee: eCollege.com, Inc (Pearson plc)
• Inventors: Sanda, Joel M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,871,043 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/350
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/00 Electrically-operated educational appliances working with questions and answers G09B7/00; simulators G09B9/00; advertising or displaying in general G09F

Abstract

An on-line educational system. An instructor builds a course on-line containing identification of assignments and educational materials, which are compiled into an on-line electronic syllabus. Users enrolled in the course may access the electronic syllabus and perform various functions with the on-line educational system in order to participate in the on-line educational course. Options exist to accommodate various types of visual, auditory, tactile, and cognitive interaction with and participation in on-line educational courses.

Claims

1. A method for providing variable forms of interaction with an on-line educational system for participation in educational courses, comprising:

providing on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course;

providing on-line an electronic syllabus for the educational course, the syllabus identifying units, assignments, and educational materials for the educational course; and

selectively permitting users to participate in the educational courses using variable types of sensory interaction.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the permitting step includes providing variable visual options for the sensory interaction.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the providing variable visual options step includes providing at least one of the following:

a magnifier program to enhance a size of information displayed to the user;

a program that permits user manipulation of an appearance of displayed information;

a program that converts displayed text into various languages selected by the user; and

a program that graphically displays cues for audio information.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the permitting step includes providing variable auditory options for the sensory interaction.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the providing variable auditory options step includes providing at least one of the following:

a screen reader program to convert displayed text into audio form;

a program that provides for input of spoken commands; and

a program that permits the user to control a rate or volume of audio information.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the permitting step includes providing variable tactile options for the sensory interaction.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the providing variable tactile options step includes providing at least one of the following:

a program that provides a Braille display;

a program that provides for entry of commands through a touch screen;

a program that provides for entry of commands through a stylus;

a cursor-control device and a program for receiving commands from the cursor-control device; and

a keyboard and a program for receiving commands from the keyboard.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the permitting step includes providing variable cognitive options for the sensory interaction.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the permitting step includes providing a plurality of displays for the content having a plurality of complexities.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the permitting step includes providing a plurality of types of the content having a plurality of complexities.

11. The method of claim 1, further including providing assignments for the educational course and relating to the content.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the sensory module includes a module for providing variable visual options for the sensory interaction.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the sensory module for providing variable visual options includes at least one of the following:

a magnifier program to enhance a size of information displayed to the user;

a program that permits user manipulation of an appearance of displayed information;

a program that converts displayed text into various languages selected by the user; and

a program that graphically displays cues for audio information.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the sensory module includes a module for providing variable auditory options for the sensory interaction.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the sensory module for providing variable auditory options includes at least one of the following:

a screen reader program to convert displayed text into audio form;

a program that provides for input of spoken commands; and

a program that permits the user to control a rate or volume of audio information.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the sensory module includes a module for providing variable tactile options for the sensory interaction.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the sensory module for providing variable tactile options includes at least one of the following:

a program that provides a Braille display;

a program that provides for entry of commands through a touch screen;

a program that provides for entry of commands through a stylus;

a cursor-control device and a program for receiving commands from the cursor-control device; and

a keyboard and a program for receiving commands from the keyboard.

19. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the sensory module includes a module for providing variable cognitive options for the sensory interaction.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the sensory module includes a module for providing a plurality of displays for the content having a plurality of complexities.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the sensory module includes a module for providing a plurality of types of the content having a plurality of complexities.

22. The apparatus of claim 12, further including a module for providing assignments for the educational course and relating to the content.

12. An apparatus for providing variable forms of interaction with an on-line educational system for participation in educational courses, comprising:

a content module for providing on-line content concerning educational materials for a particular educational course;

a syllabus module for providing on-line an electronic syllabus for the educational course, the syllabus identifying units, assignments, and educational materials for the educational course; and

a sensory module for selectively permitting users to participate in the educational courses using variable types of sensory interaction.