METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF TEACHING THROUGH ANALYSIS USING A VIRTUAL TEACHING DEVICE

• US 20120251992A1
• Filed: 06/12/2012
• Published: 10/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: HUERTA, JUAN MANUEL
• Application Number:
  US13/494,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20120251992A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/350
• 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 support method and system for a classroom includes a monitoring device configured to capture real-time participant events and stimuli in a learning environment. The participant events include classroom and collaboration-oriented input. A database is configured to store and organize a-priori skills of a typical student and a-priori knowledge a participating student. A set of cognitive model profiles are stored in system memory representing typical student behaviors and participant student behaviors with access to the captured participant events, the stimuli and the a-priori knowledge and skills. An interaction manager is configured to be responsive to the participant events and stimuli to perform interactive tasks during a class session. The interactive tasks may include posing a question, supplementing a lecture, tracking progress and rating teacher performance.

Claims

1. A learning support system for a classroom, comprising:

a monitoring device configured to capture real-time participant events and stimuli in a learning environment, the participant events including classroom and collaboration-oriented input;

a database configured to store and organize a-priori skills of a typical student and a-priori knowledge a participating student;

a set of cognitive model profiles stored in system memory representing typical student behaviors and participant student behaviors with access to the captured participant events, the stimuli and the a-priori knowledge and skills; and

an interaction manager configured to be responsive to the participant events and stimuli to perform interactive tasks during a class session, the interactive tasks including at least one of posing a question, supplementing a lecture, tracking progress and rating teacher performance.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the system assimilates new information and translates the new information into a-priori knowledge and skills.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the system models and tracks participants based on the real-time participant events and stimuli.

4. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the system permits an instructor to evaluate a level of learning acquired by students using the a-priori skills and knowledge collected by the system.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a conversational interface wherein the system and participants interact on their own initiative.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the interaction manager selects a best action based on one of standards and policies to respond to the participant events and stimuli.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the set of cognitive model profiles are employed to infer an action of a participant to perform an interactive task based upon an inference.

8. A method for providing learning support for a classroom, comprising:

monitoring real-time participant events and stimuli in a learning environment using sensing devices, the participant events including classroom and collaboration-oriented input;

storing and organizing a-priori skills of a typical student and a-priori knowledge a participating student;

representing participant student behaviors as a set of cognitive model profiles stored in system memory using the captured participant events, the stimuli and the a-priori knowledge and skills; and

responding to the participant events and stimuli to perform interactive tasks during a class session, the interactive tasks including at least one of posing a question, supplementing a lecture, tracking progress and rating teacher performance.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising the step of assimilating new information into a-priori knowledge and skills.

10. A computer readable storage medium comprising a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform the steps of:

monitoring real-time participant events and stimuli in a learning environment using sensing devices, the participant events including classroom and collaboration-oriented input;

storing and organizing a-priori skills of a typical student and a-priori knowledge a participating student;

representing participant student behaviors as a set of cognitive model profiles stored in system memory using the captured participant events, the stimuli and the a-priori knowledge and skills; and

responding to the participant events and stimuli to perform interactive tasks during a class session, the interactive tasks including at least one of posing a question, supplementing a lecture, tracking progress and rating teacher performance.

11. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 10, further comprising the step of assimilating new information into a-priori knowledge and skills.