Inexpensive computer-aided learning methods and apparatus for learners

• US 20070042333A1
• Filed: 10/26/2006
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chi Ho, John Del Favero, Peter P. Tong
• Original Assignee: Chi Ho, John Del Favero, Peter P. Tong
• Inventors: Tong, Peter, Ho, Chi, Del Favero, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,792,659 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24 Querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06313 Resource planning in a project environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/20 Education
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/12 different stations being capable of presenting different information simultaneously G09B5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F
• 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

A computer-aided learning method and apparatus for a learning user to learn materials inexpensively. Not only does the apparatus provide the user the freedom as to where and when to learn, and the guidance as to what to learn, the apparatus also reduces a significant hurdle to learning—Tuition. The apparatus retrieves a user identifier entered by the user, and determines whether the user is a learning user or an institute user. If the user is a learning user, the apparatus allows the user to access information regarding learning materials. If the user is an institute user, the apparatus permits the user to access information regarding at least one learning user. The institute user might be interested to use the apparatus to recruit employees to fill job openings. A learning user pays significantly less than an institute user to access information, so as to encourage the learning user to work on learning materials. The apparatus can also track and update information regarding the users.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for helping a user learn, the method comprising:

retrieving materials related to a user who works for a company;

determining a need of the user, with the need related to performing a task of the company, based on the retrieved materials; and

identifying a learning activity to help the user regarding the need,

wherein the company is charged,

wherein based on the charging, the user is allowed to be involved in the learning activity, and the company is allowed to access a report regarding the user,

wherein the method further comprises receiving a request from the company to access a report regarding the user, and transmitting at least a portion of the report to the company, if the company is allowed to access the report, and

wherein the method is implemented in a network environment.

2. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1 wherein the learning activity depends on materials generated by a person while working for the company.

3. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1 wherein the learning activity is associated with a course.

4. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1 wherein the learning activity is associated with a program, and the user receives a certificate upon finishing the program.

5. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1 wherein the learning activity is associated with a degree.

6. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1 wherein the user is allowed to access information regarding the need and the learning activity identified.

7. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1 wherein the report requested includes information regarding the need and the learning activity identified.

8. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1,

wherein there are a plurality of documents,

wherein at least one of the documents includes in its information, at least one feature, which is a piece of information regarding that document, and

wherein when the user is involved in a learning activity, the at least one of the documents is provided to the user, but the at least one feature is not provided to the user.

9. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 8 wherein the method further comprises organizing the plurality of documents based on the at least one feature.

10. A method as recited in claim 8 wherein the method further comprises electronically searching the plurality of documents with the search result depending on the at least one feature.

11. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1 further comprising identifying the user as a candidate to perform the task based on an attribute of the user.

12. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 11 wherein the attribute depends on a performance review of the user from a person the user reports to in the company.

13. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 11 wherein the attribute depends on a review of the user from a person who works for the company and who is not a superior of the user in the company.

14. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 11 wherein the attribute depends on a work experience of the user.

15. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 11 wherein the attribute depends on at least a prior learning activity the user was involved in.

16. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 11 wherein the attribute depends on a current job function or a current job position of the user.

17. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1 further comprising identifying a plurality of candidates to perform the task based on an attribute of each candidate, with one of the candidates being the user.

18. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 17 wherein at least two of the candidates are ranked to indicate one of them being better suited to perform the task than the other.

19. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1 wherein the method includes a goal related to preparing the user to perform the task.

20. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 19 further comprising tracking the user as the user is involved in the identified learning activity.

21. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 19 further comprising identifying a different learning activity in view of the task being changed.

22. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 19 further comprising guiding the user as the user is involved in the learning activity.

23. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 19 wherein the goal depends on a need of the company.

24. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 23 wherein the goal also depends on a preference of the user.

25. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 23 wherein the goal also depends on a work experience of the user.

26. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 23 wherein the goal also depends on at least a prior learning activity the user was involved in.

27. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 19 wherein the goal depends on a preference of the user.

28. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 19 wherein the task is being performed by another person working for the company, who was previously assigned to work on the task.

29. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 19 wherein there are a plurality of tasks for the user to work on, and the plurality of tasks are prioritized, with at least one task having a higher priority to be performed before another.

30. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 29 wherein there are a plurality of learning activities and each task is associated with at least one of the plurality of learning activities.