Multi-component learning kit

• US 20100248202A1
• Filed: 03/29/2010
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Mad Scientist Company
• Original Assignee: The Mad Scientist Company
• Inventors: Atkinson, Dale Lee, Thompson, Walter Bennett, JeanneFranklin-Thompson, Beverly, Austin, Betsy Buchanan
• Application Number:
  US12/798,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20100248202A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/276
• 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 learning kit having a literary component that includes at least one story, wherein the story has described therein a problem; an experimental component wherein the problem posed in the story is quantitatively and/or qualitatively analyzed using experimental hardware and procedures provided in the kit; and a means for verifying successful completion of the experiments wherein successful completion of the experiments is required in order to progress the story. In one embodiment, the means for verifying successful completion of the experiments is a written letter or document that that is opened after the experiments are completed to verify the results. The letter or other printed document includes printed matter to progress the story. In another embodiment the means for verifying successful completion of the experiments is digitally recorded media recorded on digital media such as a compact disk, DVD or a remotely accessible computer. Also disclosed is a method for improving an individual'"'"'s educational knowledge base in at least one science-based subject matter wherein the individual utilizes the above kit.

Claims

1. A learning kit comprising:

a) a literary component comprising at least one story, said story having described therein a problem;

b) an experimental component wherein said problem is quantitatively and/or qualitatively analyzed using experimental hardware and procedures provided in said kit; and

c) a means for verifying successful completion of the experiments wherein successful completion of the experiments is required in order to progress the story.

2. The learning kit of claim 1 wherein said literary component includes at least two copies of said story, and wherein one of said copies includes all the necessary instructions for assisting the learning and engaging the experimental component of said kit.

3. The learning kit of claim 1 wherein at least one of said components cumulatively progresses through the use of multiple kits.

4. The learning kit of claim 3 wherein at least one of said components that cumulatively progresses through the use of multiple kits is said literary component.

5. The learning kit of claim 4 wherein said literary component that cumulatively progresses through the use of multiple kits is focused on at least one literary skill selected from the group consisting of:

reading comprehension;

language development;

vocabulary enhancement;

phonics;

cultural literacy; and

combinations thereof.

6. The learning kit of claim 1 wherein said means for verifying successful completion of the experiments is a printed document that is revealed after the experiments are completed to verify the results and wherein the printed document further includes printed matter to progress the story.

7. The learning kit of claim 1 wherein said means for verifying successful completion of the experiments is a digital verifying means.

8. The learning kit of claim 7 wherein said digital verifying means includes digital media selected from the group consisting of a compact disk, DVD and a remotely accessible computer.

9. The learning kit of claim 7 wherein said digital media includes digitally recorded media.

10. The learning kit of claim 9 wherein said digitally recorded media includes constructive-dialogic means for verifying, correcting and/or redirecting user experimentation and analytical reasoning.

11. The learning kit of claim 10 wherein said constructive-dialogic means includes an interactive means for prompting the user to repeat one or more of the quantitatively and/or qualitatively experimental procedures provided in said kit.

12. The learning kit of claim 8 wherein said digital media includes an electronically addressable storage means having stored information related to a particular topic and a means for selecting said electronically addressable stored information.

13. The learning kit of claim 1 wherein said experimental component includes materials for performing said quantitatively and/or qualitatively analysis.

14. The learning kit of claim 1 wherein at least one item for quantitatively and/or qualitatively analysis is provided by the user.

15. A learning kit comprising:

a) a literary component comprising at least one story, said story having described therein a problem;

b) an experimental component wherein said problem is quantitatively and/or qualitatively analyzed using experimental hardware and procedures provided in said kit; and

c) a written means for verifying successful completion of the experiments comprising a printed document that is opened after the experiments are completed to verify the results and wherein the printed document further includes printed matter to progress the story.

16. The learning kit of claim 15 wherein said printed document is contained in the kit.

17. The learning kit of claim 15 wherein said printed document is sent to a user after notice the experiments are completed and results are verified, wherein successful completion of the experiments is required in order to progress the story.

18. A learning kit comprising:

a) a literary component comprising at least one story, said story having described therein a problem;

b) an experimental component wherein said problem is quantitatively and/or qualitatively analyzed using experimental hardware and procedures provided in said kit; and

c) a digital verifying means for verifying successful completion of the experiments wherein successful completion of the experiments is required in order to progress the story.

19. The learning kit of claim 18 wherein said digital verifying means comprises digital media selected from the group consisting of a compact disk, DVD and a remotely accessible computer.

20. The learning kit of claim 19 wherein said digital media includes digitally recorded media having a constructive-dialogic means for verifying, correcting and/or redirecting user experimentation and analytical reasoning.

21. The learning kit of claim 19 wherein said constructive-dialogic means includes an interactive means for prompting the user to repeat one or more of the quantitatively and/or qualitatively experimental procedures provided in said kit.

22. The learning kit of claim 19 wherein said digital media includes an electronically addressable storage means having stored information related to a particular topic and a means for selecting said electronically addressable stored information.

23. The learning kit of claim 19 wherein said remotely accessible computer includes a communication interface component selected from the group consisting of a wired and wireless interface wherein said communication can link real time communications between the user and an off-site computer.

24. A method for improving an individual'"'"'s educational knowledge base in at leak one science-based subject matter, said method including the steps of:

a) providing at least one multi-component learning kit wherein said kit includes;

i) a literary component comprising at least one story;

ii) an experimental component utilizing experimental hardware and procedures provided in said kit; and

iii) a means for verifying successful completion of the experiments to facilitate self-verifying, correcting and/or redirecting user experimentation and analytical reasoning;

b) reading the literary story wherein the story has at least one problem requiring analytical experimentation;

c) performing analytical experimentation and collecting data;

d) verifying successful completion of the experiments from the collected data; and

e) progressing the story after successfully completing the experiments.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said verifying successful completion of the experiments is a printed document that is revealed after the experiments are completed.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein said verifying successful completion of the experiments is a digital verifying means comprising digital media selected from the group consisting of a compact disk, DVD and a remotely accessible computer.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said digital media includes digitally recorded media, said digitally recorded media having a constructive-dialogic means for verifying, correcting and/or redirecting user experimentation and analytical reasoning.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein said digital media includes an electronically addressable storage means having stored information related to a particular topic and a means for selecting said electronically addressable stored information.

29. The method of claim 27 further comprising prompting the user to repeat one or more of the quantitatively and/or qualitatively experimental procedures provided in said kit when said dialogic means for verifying, correcting and/or redirecting user experimentation and analytical reasoning identifies parameters outside of an acceptable deviation.