Learning system and method based on review

• US 6,212,358 B1
• Filed: 02/22/1999
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IpLearn LLC
• Original Assignee: Ho Chi Fai, Peter P. Tong
• Inventors: Tong, Peter P., Ho, Chi Fai
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Application Number:
  US09/255,398
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 434/118, 434/156, 434/169, 434/185, 434/219, 434/307 R, 434/308, 434/322, 434/373, 434/327, 434/335, 434/362, 434/350, 434/365, 704/3, 704/8-10, 704/207, 704/258, 704/260, 704/266, 704/267, 707/1-4, 707/102, 707/500, 707/532, 707/501, 706/827, 345/326, 345/334, 345/349, 345/440, 345/348, 345/961, 345/357, 709/219, 702/119
• US Class Current: 434/362
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/14 with provision for individual teacher-student communication
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F
• 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 and method to provide dynamic reviews for individual students. In one embodiment for a student, the system selects an un-learnt line-item, and generates detailed learning materials for the un-learnt line-item. Then the system selects a learnt line-item based on one or more learnt-line-item-selection rules, and generates summarized-learning materials on the selected learnt line-item for the student to review. The summarized-learning materials include study-plans. The detailed learning materials may include questions, in addition to study-plans. For an un-learnt line-item, after presenting the generated learning materials to the student, the present invention assesses the student'"'"'s understanding in the line-item. If the assessment is satisfactory, the un-learnt line-item is re-classified as a learnt line-item. In another embodiment, the present invention accesses a line-item probability value, which is used to select a line-item. If the line-item is an un-learnt line-item, the invention generates detailed learning materials for the student; and if the student is successful in learning the materials, the invention re-classifies the line-item to a learnt line-item. If the line-item is a learnt line-item, which is selected based on one or more learnt-line-item-selection rules, the invention generates summarized learning materials for the student. The invention then repeats and selects another line-item.

Claims

1. A computer-aided learning method to reinforce a student'"'"'s learning of a subject through reviews, the subject including a number of line-items, with at least one being a learnt line-item, which is a line-item that the student has achieved a preset level of learning, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a learnt line-item, by a first computing device that can access a network, based on one or more line-item-selection rules; and

generating summarized-learning materials on the learnt line-item for the student, wherein the student can learn the materials in a second computing device that can access the network;

such that although the student has achieved a preset level in learning a line-item, that learnt line-item still might be selected with its learning materials generated for the student so as to reinforce the student'"'"'s learning of the subject through reviews.

2. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on the level achieved by the student in learning that learnt line-item.

3. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on the time elapsed from the time when the student has achieved the preset level for that line-item.

4. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on whether that learnt line-item has been selected before so as to discourage selecting a learnt line-item that has been selected before.

8. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first computing device is a server computer, and the second computing device is a client computer.

9. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein the network includes a private network.

10. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 1 Wherein the network includes a public network.

5. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim wherein:

the subject includes at least one un-learnt line-item, which is a line-item that the student has not achieved the preset level in learning that line-item; and

the method further comprises the step of selecting an un-learnt line-item before the step of selecting a learnt line-item.

6. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 5 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on whether the learnt line-item is related to the selected un-learnt line-item so as to reinforce the student'"'"'s learning of the subject through association.

7. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 5 further comprising the step of generating detailed learning-materials for the selected un-learnt line-item.

11. A computer-aided learning apparatus to reinforce a student'"'"'s learning of a subject through reviews, the subject including a number of line-items, with at least one being a learnt line-item, which is a line-item that the student has achieved a preset level of learning, the apparatus comprising:

a selector configured to select a learnt line-item, by a first computing device that can access a network, based on one or more line-item-selection rules; and

a learning-material generator configured to generate summarized-learning materials on the learnt line-item for the student, wherein the student can learn the materials in a second computing device that can access the network;

such that although the student has achieved a preset level in learning a line-item, that learnt line-item still might be selected with its learning materials generated for the student so as to reinforce the student'"'"'s learning of the subject through reviews.

12. A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the selection of the learnt line-item depends on the level achieved by the student in learning that learnt line-item.

13. A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the selection of the learnt line-item depends on the time elapsed from the time when the student has achieved the preset level for that line-item.

14. A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the selection of the learnt line-item depends on whether that learnt line-item has been selected before so as to discourage selecting a learnt line-item that has been selected before.

18. A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the first computing device is a server computer, and the second computing device is a client computer.

19. A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the network includes a private network.

20. A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the network includes a public network.

15. A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim wherein:

the subject includes at least one un-learnt line-item, which is a line-item that the student has not achieved the preset level in learning that line-item; and

the selector is also configured to select an un-learnt line-item before selecting a learnt line-item.

16. A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein the selection of the learnt line-item depends on whether the learnt line-item is related to the selected un-learnt line-item so as to reinforce the student'"'"'s learning of the subject through association.

17. A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein the learning-materials generator is also configured to generate detailed learning-materials for the selected un-learnt line-item.

21. A computer-aided learning method to reinforce a student'"'"'s learning of a subject through reviews, the subject including a number of line-items, with at least one being a learnt line-item, which is a line-item that the student has achieved a preset level of learning, and with the line-items being stored in a line-item storage-medium, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a learnt line-item from the line-item storage-medium based on one or more line-item-selection rules; and

generating summarized-learning materials on the learnt line-item for the student;

such that although the student has achieved a preset level in learning a line-item, that learnt line-item still might be selected with its learning materials generated for the student so as to reinforce the student'"'"'s learning of the subject through reviews.

22. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein:

the subject includes at least one un-learnt line-item, which is a line-item that the student has not achieved the preset level in learning that line-item; and

the method further comprises the step of selecting an un-learnt line-item from the line-item storage-medium before the step of selecting a learnt line-item.

23. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 22 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on whether the learnt line-item is related to the selected un-learnt line-item so as to reinforce the student'"'"'s learning of the subject through association.

24. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 22 further comprising the step of generating detailed learning-materials for the selected un-learnt line-item before the step of selecting a learnt line-item.

25. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 22 further comprising the step of generating detailed learning-materials for the selected un-learnt line-item after the step of generating summarized-learning materials on the learnt line-item.

26. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 25 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on whether the learnt line-item is related to the selected un-learnt line-item so as to reinforce the student'"'"'s learning of the subject through association.

27. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 25 wherein the step of generating detailed-learning materials comprising the steps of:

generating a detailed study-plan for the line-item; and

presenting the detailed study-plan to the student.

28. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 25 wherein after the step of presenting the detailed-study-plan to the student, the method further comprises the steps of:

generating questions on the line-item for the student;

presenting the questions for the student; and

assessing the student'"'"'s answers to those questions to determine the level achieved by the student in learning that line-item.

29. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 22 further comprising the step of transmitting the generated summarized-learning materials through a network.

30. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on the time elapsed from the time when the student has achieved the preset level for that line-item.

31. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein

each line-item has a weight;

the weight of each learnt line-item is a function of the time elapsed from the time the student achieved the preset level for that line-item; and

the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on the weight, which de-emphasizes the line-item the student has just achieved a preset level of learning.

32. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein:

each line-item has a difficulty level;

each line-item has a weight;

the weight of each learnt line-item is a function of the time elapsed from the time the student achieved the preset level for that line-item; and

the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on the weight, which de-emphasizes a line-item the student achieved a preset level of learning more than a fixed period ago.

33. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on the level achieved by the student in learning that learnt line-item.

34. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein

each line-item has a weight;

the weight of each learnt line-item is a function of the level achieved by the student in learning that line-item; and

the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on its weight, which emphasizes on reinforcing a student'"'"'s learning of a learnt line-item whose weight is lower than other learnt line-items.

35. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein each line-item has a difficulty level;

and

the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on the difficulty level of the line-items.

36. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 35 wherein:

each line-item has a weight;

the weight of each learnt line-item is a function of its difficulty level; and

the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on the weight, which emphasizes on selecting more difficult line-items.

37. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on whether that learnt line-item has been selected before so as to discourage selecting a learnt line-item that has been selected before.

38. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein the step of generating a summarized-learning material comprising the steps of:

generating a summarized study-plan for the line-item; and

presenting the study-plan to the student.

39. A computer-aided learning method to reinforce a student'"'"'s learning of a subject through reviews, the subject being divided into un-learnt and learnt line-items, with a learnt line-item being an item the student has achieved a preset level in learning, and with the line-items being stored in a line-item storage-medium, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a line-item from the line-item storage-medium based on a probability value;

if a learnt line-item is selected, then generating summarized-learning materials of that learnt line-item for the student;

such that although the student has achieved a preset level in learning a line-item, learning materials of that learnt line-item might still be generated for the student so as to reinforce the student'"'"'s learning of the subject through reviews.

40. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 39 further comprising the steps of:

if an un-learnt line-item is selected, then

generating detailed learning-material for the un-learnt line-item, and

if the student has achieved a preset level in learning that line-item, then re-classifying the un-learnt line-item as a learnt line-item; and

repeating from the step of selecting a line-item.

41. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 40 wherein the step of selecting a line-item also depends on:

the time elapsed from the time when the student has achieved the preset level for that line-item if that line-item is a learnt line-item, and

whether the learnt line-item is related to the un-learnt line-item just selected if an un-learnt line-item has just been selected.

42. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 40 wherein:

the step of generating summarized learning-material for the learnt line-item comprises the steps of;

generating a summarized study-plan for the learnt line-item; and

presenting the summarized study-plan to the student; and

the step of generating detailed learning-material for the un-learnt line-item comprises the steps of;

generating a detailed-study plan for the un-learnt line-item;

presenting the detailed-study-plan to the student;

generating questions on the un-learnt line-item for the student; and

presenting the questions for the student; and

the method further comprises the step of assessing the student'"'"'s answers to those questions to determine the level achieved by the student in learning the un-learnt line-item.

43. A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 39 wherein:

each line-item has a difficulty level; and

the step of selecting a line-item also depends on;

the level achieved by the student in learning that line-item if the student has learnt that line-item before, and

the difficulty level of that line-item.

44. A computer-aided learning apparatus to reinforce a student'"'"'s learning of a subject through reviews, the subject including a plurality of line-items, with at least one being a learnt line-item, which is a line-item that the student has achieved a preset level of learning, the apparatus comprising:

a selector for selecting a line-item from the plurality of line-items based on at least one line-item-selection rule; and

a learning-material generator coupled to the selector for generating learning materials of the selected line-item for the student;

such that although the student has achieved a preset level in learning a line-item, that line-item might still be selected with its learning materials generated for the student so as to reinforce the student'"'"'s learning of the subject through reviews.

45. A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 44 wherein:

the subject includes at least one un-learnt line-item, which is a line-item that the student has not achieved the preset level in learning that line-item;

if the line-item selected is a learnt line-item, then the generator generates summarized learning-materials for that learnt line-item; and

if the line-item selected is an un-learnt line-item, then the generator generates detailed learning-materials for that un-learnt line-item.

46. A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 45 further comprising a network interface device configured to transmit the generated summarized-learning materials through a network.

47. A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 44 further comprising:

a storage-medium for storing the line-items; and

a rule-storage medium for storing the one or more line-item-selection rules.

48. A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 44 further comprising:

a study-plan generator for generating study-plans;

a presenter for presenting to the student;

a question generator for generating questions; and

an assessor for assessing the student'"'"'s answers to questions.