Interactive learning and career management system

• US 20040219493A1
• Filed: 06/04/2004
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nigel Jude Patrick Phillips
• Original Assignee: Nigel Jude Patrick Phillips
• Inventors: Phillips, Nigel Jude Patrick
• Application Number:
  US10/475,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20040219493A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/118
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied
• 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 system and method for providing a user with information to enhance the user'"'"'s learning and development. It includes the server means (6) connected to a communications network (8) and the various processing terminals (3, 4, 5, 7) used by a user and connected to the communications network (8) either directly or through a mobile communications network (9). A computer program stored in a memory of the server (6) searches information sources for the information, wherein the information sources are linked to the communications network (8) and wherein the information is relevant to the user based on a personal profile of the user. The system also includes a user electronic storage means, such as a personalised website, to which the information is forwarded for presentation to and accessibility by the user.

Claims

1. A system for providing a user with information to enhance said user'"'"'s learning and development, said system comprising:

a server means connected to a communications network, said server means having memory means, processing means, and data storage means;

processing terminal means connected to said communication network for accessing said server means;

wherein computer program means stored in said memory means of said server means searches information sources for said information, said information sources being linked to said communications network and wherein said information is relevant to said user based on user personal profile data;

said user profile data including user psychometric profile data and user personal profile data; and

user electronic storage means for said user into which said information is forwarded for presentation to and accessible by said user.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said user profile data further includes user behaviour data.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said computer program means transmits one or more visual messages to said user at predetermined times to inform, remind or alert said user to information pertaining to said user'"'"'s learning and development or request input from said user, on said user accessing said user electronic storage means.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein said one or more visual messages may be transmitted to said user electronic storage means using an intelligent agent.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein said intelligent agent manages the relevant information to assist said user to utilise, learn and take action based upon set criteria.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the user personal profile data includes user information such as biographical information, academic information, personal interests, and demographics.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein said user profile data is maintained in a user profile database initiated through a personal profile module.

8. A system according to claim 7 wherein said user profile database is accessed via said user electronic storage means.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein, in constructing, said user profile database, said computer program means causes various screens to be displayed to said user to enable said user to provide responses to statements and questions.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein said server means stores a career manager module which is based on said user profile data and searches for suitable career options for said user using said communications network and said information sources.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein said career manager module comprises a career match module, a support module, an experience builder module and a job finder module.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein said career match module matches said user with occupational choices according to said user'"'"'s personal profile and enables said user to access, explore and prioritise occupations matched by said career match module.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein a message is sent to said user alerting said user to occupational choices found by said career match module.

14. A system according to claim 13 wherein said support module uses said user profile database to match appropriate support agencies, such as schools, community services and job agencies to said user.

15. A system according to claim 14 wherein said experience builder module allows said user to experience working in said occupation or a work program associated with said occupation.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein said job finder module undertakes a search of websites matching an occupation of interest to said user identified to said career match module and in said user profile database.

17. A system according to claim 14 wherein said user is alerted when a job opportunity is found for said user, whereupon said user views said job opportunity at said user electronic storage means.

18. A system according to claim 17 wherein said server means stores a performance manager module which is based on said user profile data and tracks said user'"'"'s development towards establishing learning and career goals.

19. A system according to claim 18 wherein said performance manager module includes a mission module to enable said user to establish a mission statement pertinent to said user'"'"'s educational life and/or work life.

20. A system according to claim 19 wherein said computer program means uses said mission statement to train users of the system in self-efficacy principles through said intelligent agent.

21. A system according to claim 20 wherein, said computer program means, through said processing means, arranges to transmit a message to said user reminding said user of a statement or principle established in said user'"'"'s mission statement.

22. A system according to claim 21 wherein said performance manager module includes an induction module to enable said user to become familiar with practice and procedures of an employer.

23. A system according to claim 22 wherein said performance manager module includes a position description module to enable an employer to design a position description and advertise said description via said communications network to fill a particular position.

24. A system according to claim 23 wherein said performance manager module further includes a performance appraisal module to enable said user to seek appraisal against established performance criteria of a position, and which lists role objectives and key performance indicators.

25. A system according to claim 24 wherein said performance manager module includes a training and development module to seek and identify on-line and off-line training opportunities for said user by searching said information sources based on said personal profile module and said careers manager module.

26. A system according to claim 25 wherein said performance manager module includes a skills bank module to record the development of competencies of said user both generically and occupation specific.

27. A system according to claim 26 wherein said performance manager module further includes a ré

sumé

builder module, linked to said skills bank module, used to educate said user to develop and maintain a ré

sumé

that is competency based and is targeted toward the occupation said user is interested in.

28. A system according to claim 27 wherein said server means stores a learning manager module which assists said user to plan and learn effectively.

29. A system according to claim 28 wherein said learning manager module includes a learning goals module for training said user, via said computer program means, to reach targets required for entry level for a particular occupation selected using said career match module.

30. A system according to claim 29 wherein said learning manager module further includes a calendar module for providing messages at predetermined times to said user, via said computer program means, to assist said user to plan and schedule said user'"'"'s learning.

31. A system according to claim 30 wherein said learning manager module further includes a learning skills module to provide a user with strategies and training to improve said user'"'"'s learning and study skills, said learning skills module being linked to a study program of said user.

32. A system according to claim 31 wherein said learning manager module further includes a study skills module for use by said user in an off-line environment, said study skills module including a number of steps for said user to undertake.

33. A system according to claim 32 further comprising a learning tool box module associated with said learning manager module, said learning tool box module providing said user with a range of tools to assist said user to learn how to digest information, absorb information, retain and apply said information.

34. A system according to claim 33 wherein said user electronic storage means is a website specific to said user and accessed only by said user.

35. A system according to claim 33 wherein said computer program means forms part of a desktop management interface and interacts with said website and each of said modules and databases to search, extract and process said information relevant to said user and arrange display to said user.

36. A system according to claim 35 wherein said computer program means interacts with said website and each of said modules and databases to install resource tools and said information on the desktop of said user'"'"'s processing means.

37. A system according to claim 2 wherein said computer program means integrates with the other modules to provide said user with said relevant information and said one or more visual messages.

38. A system according to claim 18 wherein said performance manager module assists the user to perform any one or more of the following:

undertake induction processes;

performance appraisals;

identify personal training and development opportunities; and

develop a competency based ré

sumé

aligned with suitable career pathways.

39. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a first database means storing said user profile data.

40. A system according to claim 39 further comprising a second database means for storing locally authored content.

41. A system according to claim 40 further comprising a third database means for storing user behaviour data defining individual user usage characteristics, said data being collected and stored during user interactions with said system.

42. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a CD-ROM production means providing off-line published content to said user, such that said user accesses said published content at said user'"'"'s discretion.

43. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a content syndicate engine means linked to said server means for processing and providing content to third party publishers, such as franchisees or agencies, for publication on a website of said third party publishers.

44. A system according to claim 43 wherein said content provided to said third party publishers is sent under the control of a system operator.

45. A system according to claim 41 further comprising a data mining engine means linked to said second database means and said third database means for applying analysis tools to data stored in each of said second database means and said third database means in order to determine trends and establish relationships about the stored data.

46. A system according to claim 1 wherein said communications network is the Internet.

47. A system according to claim 1 wherein said processing terminal means is a wired PC.

48. A system according to claim 1 wherein said processing terminal means includes any one of a note book computer, wireless PC, personal digital assistant or mobile telephone each linked to said communications network through a wireless communications network.

49. A method of providing information to a user to enhance their learning and development, said method using a communications network to which is linked a server means having memory means, processing means and data storage means, and a computer processing terminal means, said method comprising the steps of:

searching, via computer program means, information sources linked to said communications network for information relevant to said user which is based on a user profile data;

said user profile data including user psychometric profile data and user personal profile data;

providing said user with access to a user electronic storage means; and

storing said information in said user electronic storage means, such that on accessing said user electronic storage means, said user is presented with said information, being information that is relevant to said user'"'"'s learning and development.

50. A method according to claim 49, wherein the user profile data further includes user behaviour data.

51. A method according to claim 49, further comprising the step of transmitting to said user one or more visual messages at predetermined times to inform, remind and alert said user to information pertaining to said user'"'"'s learning and development or to request input from said user, when said user accesses said user electronic storage means.

52. A computer program element comprising computer program code means to control a server means to execute a procedure for providing information to a user to enhance their learning and development using a communications network by:

searching information sources linked to said communications network for information relevant to said user;

wherein said information is relevant to said user based on user profile data;

said user profile data including user psychometric profile data and user personal profile data;

providing said user with access to a user electronic storage means;

processing and storing said information in said user electronic storage means; and

presenting said information to said user, on accessing said user electronic storage means.

53. A computer readable memory, encoded with data representing a computer program for directing a server means to execute a procedure for providing information to a user to enhance their learning and development using a communications network by:

searching information sources linked to said communications network for information relevant to said user;

wherein said information is relevant to said user based on user profile data;

said user profile data including user psychometric profile data and user personal profile data;

providing said user with access to a user electronic storage means;

processing and storing said information in said user electronic storage means; and

presenting said information to said user on accessing said user electronic storage means.

54. A system for providing a user with information to enhance said user'"'"'s learning and development, said system comprising:

a server connected to a communications network, said server having a memory, a processor, and a data storage;

a processing terminal connected to said communication network for accessing said server;

wherein a computer program stored in said memory of said server searches information sources for said information, said information sources being linked to said communications network and wherein said information is relevant to said user based on user personal profile data;

said user profile data including user psychometric profile data and user personal profile data; and

user electronic storage means for said user into which said information is forwarded for presentation to and accessible by said user.

55. A method of providing information to a user to enhance their learning and development, said method using a communications network to which is linked a server having a memory, a processor and a data storage, and a computer processing terminal, said method comprising the steps of:

searching, via a computer programs, information sources linked to said communications network for information relevant to said user which is based on a user profile data;

said user profile data including user psychometric profile data and user personal profile data;

providing said user with access to a user electronic storage; and

storing said information in said user electronic storage, such that on accessing said user electronic storage, said user is presented with said information, being information that is relevant to said user'"'"'s learning and development.