Electronic course evaluation

• US 20040152064A1
• Filed: 02/04/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: First Principals, Inc.
• Original Assignee: First Principals, Inc.
• Inventors: Raniere, Keith A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,646,311 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/350
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F

Abstract

A method, apparatus, questionnaire, and system for evaluating student(s), teacher(s), and a course(s). A participant enters data into a device. A participant is a student or a teacher. The data reflect a response by the participant to at least one item that is presented to the participant. The at least one item relates to at least one session of the course. The at least one session is taught to the participant by a teacher. The data may include teacher data relating to the teacher(s), student data relating to the student(s), course data relating to the course(s), or combinations thereof.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

entering data by a participant into a device, wherein the data reflect a response by the participant to at least one item that is presented to the participant, wherein the at least one item relates to at least one session of a course, wherein the at least one session is taught to the participant by a teacher of the course, wherein the data are selected from the group consisting of teacher data relating to the teacher, student data relating to a student of the course, course data relating to the course, and combinations thereof, and wherein the participant is selected from the group consisting of the student and the teacher.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data comprise said teacher data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data comprise said student data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data comprise said course data.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant prior to the at least one session.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant during the at least one session.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant after the at least one session.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one session is taught remotely.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one session is taught non-remotely.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one session is taught live.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one session is taught off line.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said entering data comprises entering all of the data within about 10 minutes following the end of the at least one session.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said entering data comprises entering all of the evaluation data prior to the end of the at least one session.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the entered data are stored in a non-volatile memory portion of the device.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted from the device to an entity selected from the group consisting of a database, a computer, and combinations thereof.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted over cable lines from the device to the entity.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted over telephone lines to the entity.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted via satellite from the device to the entity.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted over the Internet from the device to the entity.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted in real time from the device to the entity.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the entity comprises the computer.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the entity comprises the computer, and wherein the computer is a remote computer.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein the entity comprises the database.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein the entity comprises the database, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted in real time from the device to the database, and wherein the database is adapted to be updated in real time with the transmitted data.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the entered data are adapted to be normalized in accordance with a statistical criterion.

27. The method of claim 1, further comprising entering similar data by at least one other participant into at least one device, wherein the similar data reflect a response by the at least one other participant to the at least one item, wherein aggregate data comprise the data entered by the participant and the similar data entered by the at least one other participant, wherein the aggregate data are adapted to be analyzed statistically resulting in a statistical analysis of the aggregate data, and wherein the at least one device is selected from the group consisting of the device, at least one other device, and combinations thereof.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the aggregate data comprise said teacher data, and wherein the statistical analysis is adapted to be utilized for determining whether the teacher will teach a subsequent session of the course.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the teacher was scheduled prior to the statistical analysis to teach the subsequent session of the course.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the device consists of a miniature device.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant from within the device.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant from a source that is external to the device.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein the device consists of a digital device.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein the device consists of an analog device.

35. An apparatus, comprising:

a device adapted to have data entered therein by a participant, wherein the data reflect a response by the participant to at least one item that is presented to the participant, wherein the at least one item relates to at least one session of a course, wherein the at least one session is taught to the participant by a teacher of the course, wherein the data are selected from the group consisting of teacher data relating to the teacher, student data relating to a student of the course, course data relating to the course, and combinations thereof, and wherein the participant is selected from the group consisting of the student and the teacher.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the data comprise said teacher data.

37. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the data comprise said student data.

38. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the data comprise said course data.

39. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the device comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).

40. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant prior to the at least one session.

41. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant during the at least one session.

42. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant after the at least one session.

43. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the at least one session is taught remotely.

44. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the at least one session is taught non-remotely.

45. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the at least one session is taught live.

46. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the at least one session is taught off line.

47. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said entry of data by the participant is completed by the participant within about 10 minutes following the end of the at least one session.

48. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said entry of data by the participant is completed by the participant prior to the end of the at least one session.

49. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the entered data are stored in a non-volatile memory portion of the device.

50. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted from the device to an entity selected from the group consisting of a database, a computer, and combinations thereof.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted over cable lines from the device to the entity.

52. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted over telephone lines to the entity.

53. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted via satellite from the device to the entity.

54. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted over the Internet from the device to the entity.

55. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted in real time from the device to the entity.

56. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the entity comprises the computer.

57. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the entity comprises the computer, and wherein the computer is a remote computer.

58. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the entity comprises the database.

59. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the entity comprises the database, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted in real time from the device to the database, and wherein the database is adapted to be updated in real time with the transmitted data.

60. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the entered data are adapted to be normalized in accordance with a statistical criterion.

61. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein at least one device is adapted to have similar data entered therein by at least one other participant, wherein the similar data reflect a response by the at least one other participant to the at least one item, wherein aggregate data comprise the data adapted to be entered by the participant and the similar data adapted to be entered by the at least one other participant, wherein the aggregate data are adapted to be analyzed statistically resulting in a statistical analysis of the aggregate data, and wherein the at least one device is selected from the group consisting of the device, at least one other device, and combinations thereof.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the aggregate data comprise said teacher data, and wherein the statistical analysis is adapted to be utilized for determining whether the teacher will teach a subsequent session of the course.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the teacher was scheduled prior to the statistical analysis to teach the subsequent session of the course.

64. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the device consists of a miniature device.

65. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant from within the device.

66. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant from a source that is external to the device.

67. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the device consists of a digital device.

68. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the device consists of an analog device.

69. A questionnaire, comprising:

at least one item encoded within a device, wherein the at least one item comprises computer readable data, wherein the device is adapted to have data entered therein by a participant, wherein the data reflect a response by the participant to the at least one item, wherein the at least one item relates to at least one session of a course, wherein the at least one session is taught to the participant by a teacher of the course, wherein the data are selected from the group consisting of teacher data relating to the teacher, student data relating to a student of the course, course data relating to the course, and combinations thereof, and wherein the participant is selected from the group consisting of the student and the teacher.

70. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the data comprise said teacher data.

71. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the data comprise said student data.

72. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the data comprise said course data.

73. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the device comprises a personal assistant (PDA).

74. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant prior to the at least one session.

75. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant during the at least one session.

76. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant after the at least one session.

77. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the at least one session is taught remotely.

78. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the at least one session is taught non-remotely.

79. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the at least one session is taught live.

80. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the at least one session is taught off line.

81. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein said entry of data by the participant is completed by the participant within about 10 minutes following the end of the at least one session.

82. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein said entry of data by the participant is completed by the participant prior to the end of the at least one session.

83. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the entered data are stored in a non-volatile memory portion of the device.

84. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted from the device to an entity selected from the group consisting of a database, a computer, and combinations thereof.

85. The questionnaire of claim 84, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted over cable lines from the device to the entity.

86. The questionnaire of claim 84, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted over telephone lines to the entity.

87. The questionnaire of claim 84, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted via satellite from the device to the entity.

88. The questionnaire of claim 84, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted over the Internet from the device to the entity.

89. The questionnaire of claim 84, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted in real time from the device to the entity.

90. The questionnaire of claim 84, wherein the entity comprises the computer.

91. The questionnaire of claim 84, wherein the entity comprises the computer, and wherein the computer is a remote computer.

92. The questionnaire of claim 84, wherein the entity comprises the database.

93. The questionnaire of claim 84, wherein the entity comprises the database, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted in real time from the device to the database, and wherein the database is adapted to be updated in real time with the transmitted data.

94. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the entered data are adapted to be normalized in accordance with a statistical criterion.

95. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the at least one item is encoded within a device, wherein the device is adapted to have similar data entered therein by at least one other participant, wherein the similar data reflect a response by the at least one other participant to the at least one item, wherein aggregate data comprise the data adapted to be entered by the participant and the similar data adapted to be entered by the at least one other participant, wherein the aggregate data are adapted to be analyzed statistically resulting in a statistical analysis of the aggregate data, and wherein the at least one device is selected from the group consisting of the device, at least one other device, and combinations thereof.

96. The questionnaire of claim 95, wherein the aggregate data comprise said teacher data, and wherein the statistical analysis is adapted to be utilized for determining whether the teacher will teach a subsequent session of the course.

97. The questionnaire of claim 96, wherein the teacher was scheduled prior to the statistical analysis to teach the subsequent session of the course.

98. The questionnaire of claim 96, wherein the device consists of a miniature device.

99. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the device consists of a digital device.

100. The questionnaire of claim 69, wherein the device consists of an analog device.

101. A course, comprising:

at least one session that is taught to a participant by a teacher of the course, wherein the course is adapted to have data entered by the participant into a device, wherein the data is computer readable, wherein the data reflect a response by the participant to at least one item that is presented to the participant, wherein the at least one item relates to at the least one session, wherein the data are selected from the group consisting of teacher data relating to the teacher, student data relating to a student of the course, course data relating to the course, and combinations thereof, and wherein the participant is selected from the group consisting of the student and the teacher.

102. The course of claim 101, wherein the data comprise said teacher data.

103. The course of claim 101, wherein the data comprise said student data.

104. The course of claim 101, wherein the data comprise said course data.

105. The course of claim 101, wherein the device comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).

106. The course of claim 101, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant prior to the at least one session.

107. The course of claim 101, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant during the at least one session.

108. The course of claim 101, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant after the at least one session.

109. The course of claim 101, wherein the at least one session is taught remotely.

110. The course of claim 101, wherein the at least one session is taught non-remotely.

111. The course of claim 101, wherein the at least one session is taught live.

112. The course of claim 101, wherein the at least one session is taught off line.

113. The course of claim 101, wherein said entry of data by the participant is completed by the participant within about 10 minutes following the end of the at least one session.

114. The course of claim 101, wherein said entry of data by the participant is completed by the participant prior to the end of the at least one session.

115. The course of claim 101, wherein the entered data are stored in a non-volatile memory portion of the device.

116. The course of claim 101, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted from the device to an entity selected from the group consisting of a database, a computer, and combinations thereof.

117. The course of claim 116, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted over cable lines from the device to the entity.

118. The course of claim 116, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted over telephone lines to the entity.

119. The course of claim 116, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted via satellite from the device to the entity.

120. The course of claim 116, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted over the Internet from the device to the entity.

121. The course of claim 116, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted in real time from the device to the entity.

122. The course of claim 116, wherein the entity comprises the computer.

123. The course of claim 116, wherein the entity comprises the computer, and wherein the computer is a remote computer.

124. The course of claim 116, wherein the entity comprises the database.

125. The course of claim 116, wherein the entity comprises the database, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted in real time from the device to the database, and wherein the database is adapted to be updated in real time with the transmitted data.

126. The course of claim 101, wherein the entered data are adapted to be normalized in accordance with a statistical criterion.

127. The course of claim 101, wherein the course is adapted to have similar data entered by at least one other participant into a device, wherein the similar data reflect a response by the at least one other participant to the at least one item, wherein aggregate data comprise the data adapted to be entered by the participant and the similar data adapted to be entered by the at least one other participant, wherein the aggregate data are adapted to be analyzed statistically resulting in a statistical analysis of the aggregate data, and wherein the at least one device is selected from the group consisting of the device, at least one other device, and combinations thereof.

128. The course of claim 127, wherein the aggregate data comprise said teacher data, and wherein the statistical analysis is adapted to be utilized for determining whether the teacher will teach a subsequent session of the course.

129. The course of claim 128, wherein the teacher was scheduled prior to the statistical analysis to teach the subsequent session of the course.

130. The course of claim 128, wherein the device consists of a miniature device.

131. The course of claim 101, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant from within the device.

132. The course of claim 101, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant from a source that is external to the device.

133. The course of claim 101, wherein the device consists of a digital device.

134. The course of claim 101, wherein the device consists of an analog device.

135. A data transmission method, comprising:

transmitting data from a device to an entity selected from the group consisting of a database, a computer, and combinations thereof, wherein the data has been entered into the device by a participant, wherein the data reflect a response by the participant to at least one item that is presented to the participant, wherein the at least one item relates to at least one session of a course, wherein the at least one session is taught to the participant by a teacher of the course, wherein the data are selected from the group consisting of teacher data relating to the teacher, student data relating to a student of the course, course data relating to the course, and combinations thereof, and wherein the participant is selected from the group consisting of the student and the teacher.

136. The method of claim 135, wherein the data comprise said teacher data.

137. The method of claim 135, wherein the data comprise said student data.

138. The method of claim 135, wherein the data comprise said course data.

139. The method of claim 135, wherein the device comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).

140. The method of claim 135, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant prior to the at least one session.

141. The method of claim 135, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant during the at least one session.

142. The method of claim 135, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant after the at least one session.

143. The method of claim 135, wherein the at least one session is taught remotely.

144. The method of claim 135, wherein the at least one session is taught non-remotely.

145. The method of claim 135, wherein the at least one session is taught live.

146. The method of claim 135, wherein the at least one session is taught off line.

147. The method of claim 135, wherein said entry of data by the participant is completed by the participant within about 10 minutes following the end of the at least one session.

148. The method of claim 135, wherein said entry of data by the participant is completed by the participant prior to the end of the at least one session.

149. The method of claim 135, wherein the entered data are stored in a non-volatile memory portion of the device.

150. The method of claim 135, wherein the computer is a remote computer.

151. The method of claim 135, wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting the data over telephone lines from the device to the entity.

152. The method of claim 135, wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting the data over cable lines from the device to the entity.

153. The method of claim 135, wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting the data via satellite from the device to the entity.

154. The method of claim 135, wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting the data over the Internet from the device to the entity.

155. The method of claim 135, wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting the data in real time from the device to the entity.

156. The method of claim 135, wherein the entity comprises the computer.

157. The method of claim 135, wherein the entity comprises the computer, and wherein the computer is a remote computer.

158. The method of claim 135, wherein the entity comprises the database.

159. The method of claim 135, wherein the entity comprises the database, said transmitting comprises transmitting the data in real time from the device to the database, and wherein the database is adapted to be updated in real time with the transmitted data.

160. The method of claim 135, wherein the entered data are adapted to be normalized in accordance with a statistical criterion.

161. The method of claim 135, further comprising transmitting similar data from a device to the entity, wherein the similar data has been entered into the device by at least one other participant, wherein the similar data reflect a response by the at least one other participant to the at least one item, wherein aggregate data comprise the data entered by the participant and the similar data entered by the at least one other participant, wherein the aggregate data are adapted to be analyzed statistically resulting in a statistical analysis of the aggregate data, and wherein the at least one device is selected from the group consisting of the device, at least one other device, and combinations thereof.

162. The method of claim 161, wherein the aggregate data comprise said teacher data, and wherein the statistical analysis is adapted to be utilized for determining whether the teacher will teach a subsequent session of the course.

163. The method of claim 162, wherein the teacher was scheduled prior to the statistical analysis to teach the subsequent session of the course.

164. The method of claim 162, wherein the device consists of a miniature device.

165. The method of claim 135, wherein the device consists of a digital device.

166. The method of claim 135, wherein the device consists of an analog device.

167. A system, comprising:

a database having computer readable data embedded therein, said database embedded in a computer usable medium, said database adapted to receive data transmitted thereto from a device, wherein the device is adapted to have the data entered therein by a participant, wherein the data reflect a response by the participant to at least one item that is presented to the participant, wherein the at least one item relates to at least one session of a course, wherein the at least one session is taught to the participant by a teacher of the course, wherein the data are selected from the group consisting of teacher data relating to the teacher, student data relating to a student of the course, course data relating to the course, and combinations thereof, and wherein the participant is selected from the group consisting of the student and the teacher.

168. The system of claim 167, wherein the data comprise said teacher data.

169. The system of claim 167, wherein the data comprise said student data.

170. The system of claim 167, wherein the data comprise said course data.

171. The system of claim 167, wherein the device comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).

172. The system of claim 167, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant prior to the at least one session.

173. The system of claim 167, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant during the at least one session.

174. The system of claim 167, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant after the at least one session.

175. The system of claim 167, wherein the at least one session is taught remotely.

176. The system of claim 167, wherein the at least one session is taught non-remotely.

177. The system of claim 167, wherein the at least one session is taught live.

178. The system of claim 167, wherein the at least one session is taught off line.

179. The system of claim 167, wherein said entry of data by the participant is completed by the participant within about 10 minutes following the end of the at least one session.

180. The system of claim 167, wherein said entry of data by the participant is completed by the participant prior to the end of the at least one session.

181. The system of claim 167, wherein the entered data are stored in a non-volatile memory portion of the device.

182. The system of claim 167, wherein the computer is a remote computer.

183. The system of claim 167, wherein the data are adapted to be transmitted over cable lines from the device to the database.

184. The system of claim 167, wherein the data are adapted to be transmitted over telephone lines from the device to the database.

185. The system of claim 167, wherein the data are adapted to be transmitted via satellite from the device to the database.

186. The system of claim 167, wherein the data are adapted to be transmitted over the Internet from the device to the database.

187. The system of claim 167, wherein the data are adapted to be transmitted in real time from the device to the database.

188. The system of claim 167, wherein the data are adapted to be transmitted in real time from the device to the database, and wherein the database is adapted to be updated in real time with the transmitted data.

189. The system of claim 167, wherein the entered data are adapted to be normalized in accordance with a statistical criterion.

190. The system of claim 167, wherein the database is adapted to receive similar data transmitted thereto from a device, wherein the device is adapted to have the similar data entered therein by at least one other participant, wherein the similar data reflect a response by the at least one other participant to the at least one item, wherein aggregate data comprise the data adapted to be entered by the participant and the similar data adapted to be entered by the at least one other participant, wherein the aggregate data are adapted to be analyzed statistically resulting in a statistical analysis of the aggregate data, and wherein the at least one device is selected from the group consisting of the device, at least one other device, and combinations thereof.

191. The system of claim 190, wherein the aggregate data comprise said teacher data, and wherein the statistical analysis is adapted to be utilized for determining whether the teacher will teach a subsequent session of the course.

192. The system of claim 191, wherein the teacher was scheduled prior to the statistical analysis to teach the subsequent session of the course.

193. The system of claim 191, wherein the device consists of a miniature device.

194. The system of claim 167, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant from within the device.

195. The system of claim 167, wherein the at least one item is presented to the participant from a source that is external to the device.

196. The system of claim 167, wherein the device consists of a digital device.

197. The system of claim 167, wherein the device consists of an analog device.

198. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, wherein the computer readable program code comprises an algorithm adapted to be executed on a computer so as to statistically analyze aggregate data resulting in a statistical analysis of the aggregate data, wherein the aggregate data comprise data entered by a plurality of participants or a single participant a plurality of instances into at least one device, wherein the data reflect a response by the plurality of participants or the single participant to at least one item that is presented to the plurality of participants or the single participant, wherein the at least one item relates to at least one session of a course, wherein the at least one session is taught to the plurality of participants or the single participant by a teacher of the course, wherein the data are selected from the group consisting of participant data relating to the plurality of participants or the single participant, course data relating to the course, and combinations thereof, and wherein each participant of the plurality of participants or the single participant is selected from the group consisting of the teacher and a student of the course.

199. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the data comprise said teacher data.

200. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the data comprise said student data.

201. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the evaluation data comprise said course data.

202. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the device comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).

203. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the at least one item is presented to the plurality of participants or the single participant prior to the at least one session.

204. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the at least one item is presented to the plurality of participants or the single participant during the at least one session.

205. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the at least one item is presented to the plurality of participants or the single participant after the at least one session.

206. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the at least one session is taught remotely.

207. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the at least one session is taught non-remotely.

208. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the at least one session is taught live.

209. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the at least one session is taught off line.

210. The computer program product claim 198, wherein said entry of data by the plurality of participants or the single participant is completed by the plurality of participants or the single participant within about 10 minutes following the end of the at least one session.

211. The computer program product claim 198, wherein said entry of data by the plurality of participants or the single participant is completed by the plurality of participants or the single participant prior to the end of the at least one session.

212. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the entered data are stored in a non-volatile memory portion of the device.

213. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted from the device to an entity selected from the group consisting of a database, a computer, and combinations thereof.

214. The computer program product claim 213, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted over cable lines from the device to the entity.

215. The computer program product claim 213, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted over telephone lines to the entity.

216. The computer program product claim 213, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted via satellite from the device to the entity.

217. The computer program product claim 213, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted over the Internet from the device to the entity.

218. The computer program product claim 213, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted in real time from the device to the entity.

219. The computer program product claim 213, wherein the entity comprises the computer.

220. The computer program product claim 213, wherein the entity comprises the computer, and wherein the computer is a remote computer.

221. The computer program product claim 213, wherein the entity comprises the database.

222. The computer program product claim 213, wherein the entity comprises the database, wherein the entered data are adapted to be transmitted in real time from the device to the database, and wherein the database is adapted to be updated in real time with the transmitted data.

223. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the entered data are adapted to be normalized in accordance with a statistical criterion.

224. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the aggregate data comprise said teacher data, and wherein the statistical analysis is adapted to be utilized for determining whether the teacher will teach a subsequent session of the course.

225. The computer program product claim 224, wherein the teacher was scheduled prior to the statistical analysis to teach the subsequent session of the course.

226. The computer program product claim 224, wherein the device consists of a miniature device.

227. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the at least one item is presented to the plurality of participants or the single participant from within the device.

228. The computer program product claim 198, wherein the at least one item is presented to the plurality of participants or the single participant from a source that is external to the device.

229. The computer program product of claim 198, wherein the device consists of a digital device.

230. The computer program product of claim 198, wherein the device consists of an analog device.