System, method and article of manufacture for a goal based educational system

• US 5,987,443 A
• Filed: 12/22/1998
• Issued: 11/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: AC Properties B.V. (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Walsh, Michael Joseph, Nichols, Mark Stewart, Poon, Alexander Han Leung, Bertrand, Benoit Patrick, Wills, Kerry Russell
• Primary Examiner(s): Downs, Robert W.
• Application Number:
  US09/218,977
• Time in Patent Office: 329 Days
• Field of Search: 434/118, 706/45, 706/47, 706/11, 706/927
• US Class Current: 706/11
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/04 characterised by modifying the teaching programme in response to a wrong answer, e.g. repeating the question, supplying a further explanation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 706/927 Education or instruction

Abstract

A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a business opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized video and graphics used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. Multiple "correct" answers are integrated into the learning system to allow individualized learning experiences in which navigation through the system is at a pace controlled by the learner. A robust business model provides support for realistic activities and allows a user to experience real world consequences for their actions and decisions and entails realtime decision-making and synthesis of the educational material.

Claims

1. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component that includes data, calculations required for the simulation and communication information to provide a dynamic, goal based educational learning experience, comprising the steps of:

(a) accessing the information in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system to determine presentation information indicative of a goal;

(b) utilizing the information in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system to integrate goal-based learning information in a structured, dynamic business simulation designed by a profiling component to motivate accomplishment of the goal; and

(c) monitoring answers to questions posed to evaluate progress toward the goal utilizing the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system and providing dynamic, goal-based, remediation learning information feedback from a remediation object component including a mathematical modeling tool which simulates business outcomes of collective actions over a period of time, a knowledge system which organizes and presents packaged knowledge much like an online text book and a software tutor comprising an artificial intelligence engine which generates individualized coaching messages based on decisions made by a user that further motivates accomplishment of the goal.

2. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational learning experience as recited in claim 1, including the step of linking information that motivates accomplishment of the goal to the simulation.

3. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational learning experience as recited in claim 1, including the step of monitoring user interactions to determine progress toward the goal.

4. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational learning experience as recited in claim 1, including the step of organizing objects according to relevancy to progress toward the goal.

5. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational learning experience as recited in claim 1, including the step of calculating a quantitative degree of correctness to determine the progress toward the goal.

6. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational learning experience as recited in claim 1, including the step of organizing feedback categorically.

7. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational learning experience as recited in claim 1, wherein the feedback is based on a dynamic orientation factor.

8. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational learning experience as recited in claim 1, wherein the feedback is based on past information presented.

9. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational learning experience as recited in claim 1, including the step of concluding the presentation when the goal is achieved.

10. An apparatus that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational environment, comprising;

(a) a processor;

(b) a keyboard under the control of the processor for inputting information into the system;

(c) a display under the control of the processor;

(d) a memory that stores information in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system under the control of the processor that includes data, calculations required for the simulation and communication information;

(e) logic that accesses the data in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system to determine presentation information indicative of a goal;

(f) logic that utilizes the information in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system to integrate goal-based learning information in a structured, dynamic business simulation designed by a profiling component to motivate accomplishment of the goal; and

(g) logic that monitors answers to questions posed to evaluate progress toward the goal utilizing the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system and provides goal-based, remediation learning information feedback from a remediation object component including a mathematical modeling tool which simulates business outcomes of collective actions over a period of time, a knowledge system which organizes and presents packaged knowledge much like an online text book and a software tutor comprising an artificial intelligence engine which generates individualized coaching messages based on decisions made by a user that further motivates accomplishment of the goal.

11. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component that includes data, calculations required for the simulation and communication information to provide a goal based educational environment, comprising:

(a) a code segment that accesses the information in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system to determine presentation information indicative of a goal;

(b) a code segment that utilizes the information in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system to integrate goal-based learning information in a structured, dynamic business simulation designed by a profiling component to motivate accomplishment of the goal;

(c) a code segment that monitors answers to questions posed to evaluate progress toward the goal utilizing the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system; and

(d) a code segment that further provides goal-based, remediation learning information feedback from a remediation object component including a mathematical modeling tool which simulates business outcomes of collective actions over a period of time, a knowledge system which organizes and presents packaged knowledge much like an online text book and a software tutor comprising an artificial intelligence engine which generates individualized coaching messages based on decisions made by a user that further motivates accomplishment of the goal.

12. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational environment as recited in claim 11, including logic that links information that motivates accomplishment of the goal to the simulation.

13. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational environment as recited in claim 11, including logic that monitors user interactions to determine progress toward the goal.

14. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational environment as recited in claim 11, including logic that organizes objects according to relevancy to progress toward the goal.

15. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational environment as recited in claim 11, including logic that calculates a quantitative degree of correctness to determine the progress toward the goal.

16. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational environment as recited in claim 11, including logic that organizes feedback categorically.

17. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational environment as recited in claim 11, wherein the feedback is based on a dynamic orientation factor.

18. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational environment as recited in claim 11, wherein the feedback is based on past information presented.

19. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational environment as recited in claim 11, including logic that completes the simulation when the goal is achieved.