System, method and article of manufacture for a goal based system with dynamic feedback information

• US 6,073,127 A
• Filed: 12/22/1998
• Issued: 06/06/2000
• 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: Lannert, Eric Jeffrey, Burgess, Olivia Ruth, Ciancaglini, Joseph Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafiz, Tariq R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PENDER JR, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US09/221,138
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 706/45, 706/47, 345/338
• 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

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. A dynamic feedback system is utilized that provides video, electronic mail, chatroom, Internet, simulation, multimedia and time-synchronized information to a user to assist in defining the educational goal.

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 information indicative of a goal and presenting the goal on a display;

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

(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 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) analyzing the answers from the student utilizing system tools to compare the answers with a standard for achieving 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, wherein the dynamic information includes video information.

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, wherein the dynamic information includes electronic mail information.

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, wherein the dynamic information includes simulation information.

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, wherein the dynamic information includes tie-synchronized multimedia information.

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, wherein the dynamic information includes video conference information.

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 dynamic information emanates from the Internet.

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 dynamic information includes telephony information.

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 dynamic information includes chat room information.

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 and calculations required for the business simulation and communication of information;

(e) logic that accesses the data in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system to retrieve 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;

(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.

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 accesses the information in the spreadsheet object 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 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 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 her 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, wherein the information includes video information.

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, wherein the information includes electronic mail information.

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, wherein the information includes business simulation information.

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, wherein the information includes time-synchronized multimedia information.

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, wherein the information includes video conference information.

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 information emanates from the Internet.

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 information includes telephony information.

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 information includes chat room information.