System, method and article of manufacture for a simulation engine with a help website and processing engine

• US 6,018,730 A
• Filed: 12/22/1998
• Issued: 01/25/2000
• 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.
• Inventors: Nichols, Mark Stewart, Poon, Alexander Han Leung, Gilchrist, James Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafiz, Tariq R
• Assistant Examiner(s): PENDER JR, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US09/218,749
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 706/45, 706/47, 345/338
• US Class Current: 706/45
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems
• 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

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 website is linked to the presentation to provide context-sensitive information to assist the learner.

Claims

1. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component that includes data and calculations required for the business simulation and communication of 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 retrieve indicia representative of a goal;

(b) utilizing the information in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system to integrate examples into the business simulation to provide assistance with achieving the goal;

(c) monitoring answers to questions posed to evaluate progress of a student 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 knowledge system and a software tutor comprising an artificial intelligence engine which generates individualized coaching messages that further assists the student in accomplishing the goal;

(d) analyzing the answers from the student utilizing system tools to compare the answers with a standard for achieving the goal; and

(e) providing a linkage to a website of information to supplement the information stored in the spreadsheet object component to assist with achieving the goal.

2. A method for creating a business simulation as recited in claim 1, wherein the website comprises a plurality of HTML documents.

3. A method for creating a business simulation as recited in claim 1, wherein the website comprises a relational database of information.

4. A method for creating a business simulation as recited in claim 1, wherein the information content of the website is keyword indexed.

5. A method for creating a business simulation as recited in claim 1, wherein the website includes linkages to the business simulation.

6. A method for creating a business simulation as recited in claim 1, wherein the website includes navigation information for the business simulation.

7. A method for creating a business simulation as recited in claim 1, wherein the information content of the website is indexed in a hierarchical manner.

8. A method for creating a business simulation as recited in claim 1, wherein the website includes business simulations of related information.

9. A method for creating a business simulation as recited in claim 1, wherein the website information is based on the business simulation context.

15. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation as recited in claim 1, wherein the website includes linkages to the business simulation.

10. An apparatus that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component including data and calculations required for the business simulation and communication of information to provide a goal based educational environment, the apparatus 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 receives indicia representative of a goal and stores the indicia in the spreadsheet component of the rule-based expert system;

(e) logic that accesses the data in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system to integrate examples into the business simulation to provide assistance with achieving the goal;

(f) logic that monitors answers to questions posed to monitor progress of a student toward a 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 knowledge system and a software tutor comprising an artificial intelligence engine which generates individualized coaching messages that further provides the student with assistance in accomplishing the goal;

(g) logic that analyzes the answers from the student utilizing system tools to compare the answers with a standard for achieving the goal; and

(h) logic that provides a linkage to a website of information to supplement the information stored in the spreadsheet object component to assist with achieving 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 and calculations required for the business simulation and communication of information to provide a goal based educational environment, comprising:

(a) a code segment that receives indicia representative of a goal from the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system;

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

(c) a code segment that monitors answers to questions posed to evaluate progress of a student 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 knowledge system and a software tutor comprising an artificial intelligence engine which generates individualized coaching messages that further provides the student with assistance in accomplishing the goal;

(d) a code segment that analyzes the answers from the student utilizing system tools to compare the answers with a standard for achieving the goal; and

(e) a code segment that provides a linkage to a website of information to supplement the information stored in the spreadsheet object component to assist with achieving the goal.

12. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation as recited in claim 11, wherein the website comprises a plurality of HTML documents.

13. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation as recited in claim 11, wherein the website comprises a relational database of information.

14. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation as recited in claim 11, wherein the information content of the website is keyword indexed.

16. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation as recited in claim 11, wherein the website includes navigation information for the business simulation.

17. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation as recited in claim 11, wherein the information content of the website is indexed in a hierarchical manner.

18. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation as recited in claim 11, wherein the website includes presentations on related business simulation information.

19. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation as recited in claim 11, wherein the website information is based on the business simulation context.