System and method for improving reading skills of a student

• US 20060115800A1
• Filed: 11/02/2005
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Scholastic Incorporated (Scholastic Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scholastic Incorporated (Scholastic Corporation)
• Inventors: Daley, Patrick
• Application Number:
  US11/265,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20060115800A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/185
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/006 using audible presentation of the information

Abstract

A system and methods for improving the comprehension and oral presentation skills of a student are disclosed. Information and computer software stored and executed on a general purpose, multimedia computer provide a student with the ability to direct the operation of the computer to display and/or present audio recordings of instructional information, record the student'"'"'s audio recitation of information, and play back such audio recordings. The system also provides a means to assess the level of skill that the student has acquired. This computer provides the student with the ability to direct the operation of the computer to display and/or present audio recordings of said language instruction information, record the student'"'"'s audio recitation of information, and play back such audio recordings. The system also provides a means to assess the skill level of the student.

Claims

1. A method for improving oral presentation skills of a non-native speaking student of a target language, comprising:

identifying a native language of the student from a plurality of languages;

presenting a word in the target language;

querying for help on the word; and

providing a tip on the target language pronunciation of the word in response to said query.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said tip is an audio recording presented in said native language.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said tip is an audio recording presented in said target language.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said query comprises selecting a control feature on a computer screen.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said control feature comprises a button.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said control feature reflects the identified native language of the student.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said tip includes highlighting parts of the word.

8. A computer system that improves oral presentation skills of a non-native speaking student of a target language, comprising:

a database that stores a plurality of audio tips for a target language pronunciation of words, wherein each tip in said plurality is recorded in one or more languages;

a display that shows the text of a word in the target language;

a memory that stores information that identifies a native language of the student;

an input device enabling the student to query for help on the word; and

a processor that provides a tip from said plurality responsive to said query.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said processor fetches and provides a tip recorded in said identified native language from said database.

10. A method for improving comprehension skills of a student, comprising:

selecting a multiple choice question comprising a question header and plurality of possible answers;

presenting the question header;

determining whether performance of the student answering the multiple choice question is below a minimum level;

delaying presentation of possible answers if said performance is below the minimum level; and

presenting each possible answer in the plurality of possible answers.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

delaying between the presentation of each possible answer.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein an amount of the delay is zero if a student'"'"'s performance on prior questions meets an minimum criteria based on correct answers.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein an amount of delay depends upon a total number of words in the question and each answer.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the delay is increased in relation to an amount the student'"'"'s performance is below the minimum level.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein an amount of delay depends upon a student'"'"'s lexile level.

16. A computer system that improves comprehension skills of a student, comprising:

a database that stores multiple choice questions comprising a question header and plurality of possible answers;

a processor and software code which causes said processor to fetch a multiple choice question from the database,

determine whether performance of the student answering the multiple choice question is below a minimum level and

calculate a delay between presentation of the question and a first answer, and between each of the plurality of possible answers; and

a presentation device under control of said processor and software, that presents the question header to the student, the delay between the question header, each of the possible answers.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said software causes said processor to delay between the presentation of each of the possible answers.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein an amount of the delay is zero if a student'"'"'s performance on prior questions meets an minimum criteria based on correct answers.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said software causes said processor to vary an amount of the delay depending upon a number of words in the question and each answer.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein said software causes said processor to vary an amount of the delay depending upon a student'"'"'s lexile level.