Goal based stimulator utilizing a spreadsheet architecture

• US 6,023,691 A
• Filed: 12/22/1998
• Issued: 02/08/2000
• 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: Bertrand, Benoit Patrick, Wills, Kerry Russell
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafiz, Tariq R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): INGBERG, TODD D
• Application Number:
  US09/219,086
• Time in Patent Office: 413 Days
• Field of Search: 706/12
• US Class Current: 706/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/18 of spreadsheets form-filling G06F40/174
• 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 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. The system is architected around a spreadsheet input to manage and control the system.

Claims

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

(a) accessing the information in the component of the rule-based expert system to retrieve information indicative of a goal;

(b) utilizing the information in the 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 into the business simulation;

(c) monitoring answers to questions posed to evaluate progress toward the goal utilizing the component of the rule-based expert system and providing dynamic, goal-based, remediation learning information feedback from a remediation component which generates individualized coaching messages that further motivates accomplishment of the goal based on information contained in the spreadsheet data structure; and

(d) analyzing progress towards the goal and storing student progress in memory.

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 interpreting the spreadsheet data structure and presenting information utilizing visual basic engine.

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 the goal and analyzing intermediate results using analytical tools to alter the presentation.

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, simulating a specific business activity.

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 receiving an indicia from a user and altering the business simulation as a function of the indicia.

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 the presentation into states and utilizing the states to alter the simulation.

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, including the step of adjusting the feedback based on information stored in the spreadsheet.

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, including the step of passing information from the presentation to an expert system to analyze the information and formulate the appropriate feedback.

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 utilizing at least one application programming interface to exchange information from the business simulation with another application.

10. An apparatus that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a 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 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 component of the rule-based expert system to retrieve information indicative of a goal as organized in the spreadsheet data structure;

(f) logic that utilizes the information in the 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 into the business simulation;

(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 that 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 motivates accomplishment of the goal based on information contained in the spreadsheet data structure; and

(h) logic that analyzes progress towards the goal and stores student progress in memory.

11. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a 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 component of the rule-based expert system to retrieve presentation information indicative of a goal;

(b) a code segment that utilizes the information in the 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 component of the rule-based expert system and that 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 motivates accomplishment of the goal; and

(d) a code segment that analyzes progress towards the goal and stores student progress in memory.

12. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that interprets the spreadsheet data structure and presenting information utilizing a visual basic engine.

13. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that monitors the goal and analyzes intermediate results using analytical tools to alter the business simulation.

14. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that simulates a specific business activity.

15. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that receives an indicia from a user and alters the business simulation as a function of the indicia.

16. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that organizes the simulation into states and utilizes the states to alter the simulation.

17. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that adjusts the feedback based on information stored in the spreadsheet.

18. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that passes information from the business simulation to an expert system to analyze the information and formulate the appropriate feedback.

19. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that utilizes as least one application programming interface to exchange information from the business simulation with another application.