System, method and article of manufacture for a goal based educational system with support for dynamic tailored feedback

• US 6,032,141 A
• Filed: 12/22/1998
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• 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: O'Connor, Martha Torrey, Rosenfeld, Eren Tolga
• Primary Examiner(s): Downs, Robert W.
• Application Number:
  US09/219,055
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 706/45, 706/11, 434/118, 434/107, 434/350, 705/1
• US Class Current: 706/45
• 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 706/925 Business
• 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 student to experience real world consequences for their actions and decisions and entails realtime decision-making and synthesis of the educational material optimized for the student'"'"'s unique personality.

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) determining a student'"'"'s personality;

(c) 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 tailored to the student'"'"'s personality; and

(d) 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 further motivate accomplishment of the goal tailored to the student'"'"'s personality.

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 determining a student'"'"'s personality based on a student'"'"'s answers.

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 providing praise for the student if the student'"'"'s personality is indicative of praise.

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 having the student repeat an exercise if the student'"'"'s personality is indicative of problems.

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 utilizing the selected personality to feed back the student'"'"'s own work to the student.

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 determining the student'"'"'s personality by comparing answers to prestored answers indicative of known personalities.

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 number of times the student has a particular personality.

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 personality is determined based on interaction with an agent.

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, wherein the personality is determined based on interaction with a simulated business scenario.

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 determines a student'"'"'s personality;

(f) logic that utilizes the information in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based exert system to integrate goal-based learning information that motivates accomplishment of the goal tailored to the student'"'"'s personality; 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 knowledge system and a software tutor comprising an artificial intelligence engine which generates individualized coaching messages that further motivates accomplishment of the goal tailored to the student'"'"'s personality.

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 appeal based educational environment, comprising:

(a) a code segment that determines a student'"'"'s personality;

(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 that motivates accomplishment of the goal tailored to the student'"'"'s personality; and

(c) a code segment that monitors answers to questions nosed to evaluate the 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 that further motivates accomplishment of the goal tailored to the student'"'"'s personality.

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 presentation.

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 provides praise if the student'"'"'s personality is indicative of praise.

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 requires a student repeat an exercise I the student'"'"'s personality is indicative of problems.

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 utilizes the selected personality to feed back the studcnt'"'"'s own work to the student.

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 determines the student'"'"'s personality by comparing answers to prestored answers indicative of known personalities.

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 number of times the student has a particular personality.

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 personality is determined based on interaction with an agent.

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, wherein the personality is determined based on interaction with a simulated business scenario.