Goal based tutoring system with behavior to tailor to characteristics of a particular user

• US 6,029,156 A
• Filed: 12/22/1998
• Issued: 02/22/2000
• 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. (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Ciancaglini, Joseph Michael, Poon, Alexander Han Leung, Lannert, Eric Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafiz, Tariq R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): INGBERG, TODD D
• Application Number:
  US09/218,906
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• US Class Current: 706/11
• 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 characterizes a user to tailor the presentation.

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 retrieve information indicative of a goal;

(b) querying a user for information based on one or more learning objectives of the presentation;

(c) analyzing user responses to ascertain user characteristics;

(d) 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 for use in the business simulation based on the user characteristics; and

(e) 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 knowledge system and a software tutor comprising an artificial intelligence engine which generates individualized coaching messages to based on the user characteristics 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 instantiating a particular feedback model based on the characteristics of the user.

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 analyzing the user responses using an expert system to determine characteristics of the user.

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 creating a tailored presentation based on the characteristics of the user.

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 storing portions of the tailored presentation based on the characteristics of the user.

6. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a total based educational learning experience as recited in claim 1, including the step of selecting examples based on the characteristics of the user.

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 selecting a quantitative analysis model to perform what-if analysis based on characteristics of the user.

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 presenting a tailored simulation based on characteristics of the user.

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 presenting a tailored simulation based on characteristics of the user.

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 queries the user or information based on one or more learning objectives of the business simulation;

(f) logic that analyzes user responses to ascertain user characteristics;

(g) logic that utilizes the information in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system to integrate goal-based learning information that motivates accomplishment of the goal for use in the business simulation based on the user characteristics; and

(h) 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 knowledge system and a software tutor comprising an artificial intelligence engine which generates individualized coaching messages, based on the use characteristics, 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 analyzes user responses to ascertain user characteristics

(b) a code segment that analyzes user responses to ascertain user characteristics;

(c) 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 that motivates accomplishment of the goal for use in the business simulation; and

(d) 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 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, based on the user characteristics, 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 a code segment that instantiates a particular feedback model based on the characteristics of the user.

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 a code segment that analyzes user responses using an expert system to determine characteristics of the user.

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 a code segment that creates a tailored business simulation based on the characteristics of the user.

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 a code segment that stores portions of the tailored business simulation based on the characteristics of the user.

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 a code segment that selects examples based on the characteristics of the user.

17. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based exert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational environment as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that selects a quantitative analysis model to perform what-if analysis based on characteristics of the user.

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, including a code segment that tailors feedback based on a character profile based on user responses.

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 a code segment that presents a tailored simulation based on characteristics of the user.