Interactive training system and method

• US 20030008266A1
• Filed: 07/12/2001
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Accesso Technology Group PLC
• Original Assignee: Accesso Technology Group PLC
• Inventors: Tate, Chris, LoSasso, Mark, Witiak, Martin, Urbisci, Michael, LoSasso, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 6,755,659 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/118
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06398 Performance of employee with respect to a job function
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/02 of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system and method for facilitating personnel education and training, and more particularly to a system and method that allows efficient creation, implementation and utilization of interactive training modules and/or scenarios. The disclosed system and method facilitate creation, implementation and utilization of computer-based simulations by personnel involved in a wide range of educational, professional and/or business pursuits, and include administrative functionalities that greatly enhance system/method efficiency, flexibility and the ease and speed with which educational/training modules and scenarios may be customized and/or implemented.

Claims

1. A system for use in creating an interactive educational module, said system comprising:

a) an administrative interface that includes a plurality of predetermined links for accessing predefined screens for use in inputting information associated with creation of said interactive educational module, wherein at least one of said predetermined links provides access to a predefined input screen that is designed and configured to receive a rating for information that is input on said redefined input screen, said rating being based on a predefined rating scale; and

b) a verification system that checks to ensure that said rating for said information input on said predefined input screen satisfies predetermined criteria.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of links provide access to predefined screens for inputting information associated with said interactive educational module, said information being selected from a group consisting of interactive educational module subject matter, questions associated with said interactive educational module, needs associated with said interactive educational module, offers and features associated with said interactive educational module, value statements associated with said interactive educational module, and combinations thereof.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said interactive educational module subject matter information is selected from a group consisting of module name, module description, product description, industry description, need description, customer description, competitor description, segment description, geography description, and combinations thereof.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said rating is selected from a rating scale that includes good, bad and neutral ratings.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said rating corresponds to a predetermined rating classification within said predefined rating scale, and wherein said verification system checks to ensure that information ratings input on said predefined input screen include a predetermined number of ratings within said predetermined rating classification.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said rating corresponds to a predetermined rating classification within said predefined rating scale, and wherein said verification system checks to ensure that information ratings input on said predefined input screen do not exceed a predetermined number of ratings within said predetermined rating classification.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said administrative interface includes an alert system that provides a tangible signal if said information ratings fail to satisfy predetermined ratings criteria.

8. A system according to claim 1, further comprising an activation system that prevents activation of said interactive educational module if said information ratings fail to satisfy predetermined ratings criteria.

9. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a scoring system that utilizes said information ratings to derive a performance level for a user of said interactive educational module.

10. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a reporting system that generates reports reflecting performance levels for users of said interactive educational module.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said reporting system further generates reports reflecting usage levels of the users with said interactive educational module.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein access to said administrative interface is controlled by password protection.

13. A system according to claim 1, wherein said predefined input screen includes predefined informational content for use in creating said interactive educational module.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein said administrative interface includes at least one link to a predefined screen for input and modification of said predefined informational content.

15. A system according to claim 13, wherein said predefined input screen is designed and configured for use in customizing said predefined informational content.

17. A system according to claim 16, further comprising a reporting system that generates at least one report reflecting performance levels for users of said interactive educational module.

18. A system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of said plurality of predetermined links provides access to a predefined scoring input screen that is designed and configured to receive operative parameters for said scoring system.

19. A system according to claim 16, wherein said scoring system is responsive to at least one attribute of a user of said interactive educational module.

20. A system according to claim 19, wherein said at least one attribute of a user of said interactive educational module is selected from a group consisting of user experience level, user skill level, prior user interactions with said interactive educational module, and combinations thereof.

16. A system for use in creating an interactive educational module, said system comprising:

a) an administrative interface that includes a plurality of predetermined links for accessing predefined screens for use in inputting information associated with creation of said interactive educational module, wherein at least one of said predetermined links provides access to a predefined input screen that is designed and configured to receive a rating for information that is input on said predefined input screen, said rating being based on a predefined rating scale;

b) a scoring system that utilizes said ratings for said information to derive a performance level for a user of said interactive educational module.

21. A method for creating an interactive educational module, comprising:

a) providing an administrative interface that communicates with a processor and a memory unit, said administrative interface providing a plurality of links to access input screens for inputting information associated with creation of said interactive educational module;

b) selecting from among said plurality of links to access a first of said input screens;

c) selecting information for inclusion in said interactive educational module from predefined information displayed on said first input screen;

d) inputting additional information on said first input screen for inclusion in said interactive educational module;

e) providing a rating for said information selected and input on said first input screen, said rating selected from a predefined rating scale; and

f) providing a scoring system for establishing a performance level of users of said interactive educational module.

22. A method according to claim 21, further comprising:

g) activating said interactive educational module for access by users across a computer network.

23. A method according to claim 21, wherein said predefined information is copied from a prior interactive educational module.

24. A method according to claim 21, further comprising:

g) utilizing said information in the creation of a second interactive educational module.

25. A method according to claim 21, further comprising:

g) hosting said interactive educational module on a server accessible across a computer network.