Instructional plan generating and monitoring system

• US 6,533,583 B1
• Filed: 06/18/2001
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Victoria C. Sportelli
• Original Assignee: Victoria C. Sportelli
• Inventors: Sportelli, Victoria C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Hieu T.
• Application Number:
  US09/884,827
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 434/118, 434/324, 434/322, 434/323, 434/350, 434/307.R, 434/362, 434/359, 707/102, 707/517, 707/530, 707/104, 707/100
• US Class Current: 434/118
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/00 Electrically-operated educational appliances working with questions and answers G09B7/00; simulators G09B9/00; advertising or displaying in general G09F
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

An instructional plan generating and monitoring system for assisting instructors in the formation of lesson plans incorporating teaching elements that meet the goals of the instructor and the instructor'"'"'s supervisors. The instructional plan generating and monitoring system includes creating an account file on a database according to setup information provided by a user, the account file including account information, creating a class file on the database for an instructional class covering a course or subject as initiated by an instructor user for the instructional class, the class file containing requirements for the course or subject, assembling an instructional lesson plan file for one of the instructional classes having a class file on the database, and generating a summary report counting and tallying the elements of the instructional lesson plans of the instructor user according to criteria based on reporting requirements of the group account or the individual account covering the instructor user.

Claims

1. A system for generating and monitoring instructional plans of instructors, comprising:

account creation means for creating an account file on a database according to setup information provided by a user, the account file including account information;

class file creation means for creating a class file on the database for an instructional class covering a course or subject as initiated by an instructor user for the instructional class, the class file containing requirements for the course or subject;

assembling means for assembling an instructional lesson plan file for one of the instructional classes having a class file on the database; and

report generating means for generating a summary report summarizing instructional lesson plans of the instructor user according to criteria based on reporting requirements of the group account covering the instructor user.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the setup information of the account file includes an account type selected from the group including an individual account and a group account, the account file for the individual account including account information directing actions taken with respect to an individual user, the account file for the group account including account information directing actions taken with regard to a group of users, the setup information including core requirements for class files and lesson plan files in the account information for the group account, a listing of approved teaching methods available for use in the class files and the lesson plan files in the core requirements, a total quantity of approved teaching methods to be included in all of the lesson plan files of each class file created by users in the group in the core requirements for class files, reporting requirements for reporting elements of class files and lesson plans created on the system by instructor users to administrator users supervising the instructor user in the account information for a group account.

3. The system of claim 2 additionally including comparing means for comparing a total of approved teaching methods selected by the instructor user for the instructional class to a total quantity of approved teaching methods required by core requirements in the account information for a group account covering the instructor user, the comparing means informing the instructor user if the total of approved teaching methods selected for the class is less than the quantity required by the core requirements of the group account.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the report generating means retrieves all lesson plans satisfying a selected basis of the summary report, accesses the account information for a group account covering the instructor user and determines elements of the retrieved lesson plans for inclusion in the summary report, counts elements of the retrieved lesson plans to be included in the summary report, and assembles counts of the elements into a summary report format.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of creating the class file includes indicating to the instructor user a time period from reporting requirements in the account information during which elements of an instructional lesson plan must be displayed on a network site, and prompting the instructor user to select a time relative to a date of the lesson plan for beginning display of the lesson plan on the network site.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of creating the class file includes providing a listing of lesson plan elements available for displaying on the network site, and prompting the instructor user to select lesson plan elements for displaying on the network site.

5. A method for generating and monitoring instructional plans of instructors, comprising:

creating an account file on a database according to setup information provided by a user, the account file including account information;

creating a class file on the database for an instructional class covering a course or subject as initiated by an instructor user for the instructional class, the class file containing requirements for the course or subject;

assembling an instructional lesson plan file for one of the instructional classes having a class file on the database; and

generating a summary report summarizing instructional lesson plans of the instructor user according to criteria based on reporting requirements of the group account covering the instructor user.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of creating the account file includes requesting the setup information from the user regarding the type of account to be created, wherein an account is of a type selected from the group including an individual account and a group account, the account file for the individual account including account information directing actions taken with respect to an individual user, the account file for the group account including account information directing actions taken with regard to a group of users.

7. The method of claim 6 additionally comprising including core requirements for class files and lesson plan files in the account information for the group account.

8. The method of claim 7 additionally comprising including a listing of approved teaching methods available for use in the class files and the lesson plan files in the core requirements.

9. The method of claim 7 additionally comprising including a total quantity of approved teaching methods to be included in all of the lesson plan files of each class file created by users in the group in the core requirements for class files.

10. The method of claim 6 additionally comprising including reporting requirements for reporting elements of class files and lesson plans created on the system by instructor users to administrator users supervising the instructor user in the account information for a group account.

11. The method of claim 10 additionally comprising identifying in the reporting requirements a network site on which lesson plans must be displayed.

12. The method of claim 11 additionally comprising indicating in the reporting requirements a time period for which lesson plans must be displayed on the network site.

13. The method of claim 6 additionally comprising including core requirements for class files and lesson plan files in the account information for the individual account, and including a total quantity of approved teaching methods to be included in all of the lesson plan files of each class file created by users in the group in the core requirements for class files.

14. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of creating the class file includes requiring identification of at least one class goal for the instructional class.

15. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of creating the class file includes providing to the instructor user a listing of approved teaching methods from the account information of the account file of the group account, and requiring selection from the listing of approved teaching methods of at least one teaching method to be used in the instructional class.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of creating the class file includes comparing a total of the approved teaching methods selected by the instructor user for the instructional class to a total quantity of approved teaching methods required by core requirements in the account information for a group account covering the instructor user, and informing the instructor user if the total of approved teaching methods selected for the class is less than the quantity required by the core requirements of the group account.

17. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of creating the class file includes preventing deletions of goals and teaching methods from the class file once the class file has been completed and saved to the database.

18. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of creating the class file includes providing a listing of activities to select from for starting and ending all lesson plans created for the instructional class.

19. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of creating the class file includes retrieving from the account information of a group account covering the instructor user reporting requirements for class files created by the instructor user, and identifying to the instructor user the reporting requirements applicable to class files created by the instructor user.

22. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of creating the class file includes showing a standardized format for displaying lesson plan elements, and permitting the instructor user to create a customized format for displaying the lesson plan elements.

23. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of generating a summary report includes selecting a basis for summarizing lesson plans, the basis for summarizing lesson plans being selected from the group including all lesson plans for the instructor user during a specified time period, all lesson plans for a selected instructional class, all lesson plans for a selected unit of a selected instructional class, and all lesson plans for the instructor user.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of generating a summary report includes retrieving all lesson plans satisfying the selected basis of the summary report.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of generating a summary report includes counting elements of the retrieved lesson plans to be included in the summary report.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of generating a summary report includes assembling counts of the elements into a summary report format.

27. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of generating a summary report includes determining if a user requesting the summary report is the instructor user or an administrator user supervising the instructor user.

28. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of generating a summary report includes accessing the account information for a group account covering the instructor user and determining elements of the retrieved lesson plans for inclusion in the summary report.

29. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of assembling an instructional lesson plan file including:

displaying names of instructional classes of the instructor user having class files saved on the database;

requiring the instructor user to select one of the instructional classes of the instructor user having class files saved on the database;

displaying names of any saved units for the instructional class selected by the instructor user;

requiring the instructor user to select one of the saved units for the instructional class or permitting the instructor user to enter a name of a new unit;

displaying a listing of the class goals from the class file for the instructional class and permitting the instructor user to select at least one class goal from the listing of class goals;

requiring identification of at least one unit objective and at least one lesson objective;

displaying a listing of procedures for the lesson plan and permitting the instructor user to select at least one of the procedures; and

displaying a listing of approved teaching methods and permitting the instructor user to select at least one of the teaching methods from the listing of approved teaching methods.

30. A method for generating and monitoring instructional plans of instructors, comprising:

creating an account file on a database according to setup information provided by a user, the account file including account information, the step of creating the account file including;

requesting the setup information from a user regarding the type of account to be created, wherein an account is of a type selected from the group including an individual account and a group account, the account file for the individual account including account information directing actions taken with respect to an individual user, the account file for the group account including account information directing actions taken with regard to a group of users;

wherein the account information for a group account includes core requirements for class files and lesson plan files;

wherein the core requirements for class files and lesson plan files includes a listing of approved teaching methods available for use in the class files and the lesson plan files;

wherein the core requirements for class files includes a total quantity of approved teaching methods to be included in all of the lesson plan files of each class file created by users in the group;

wherein the account information for a group account includes reporting requirements for reporting elements of class files and lesson plans created on the system by instructor users to administrator users supervising the instructor user, wherein the reporting requirements including identifying a network site on which lesson plans must be displayed, indicating a time period for which lesson plans must be displayed on the network site;

creating a class file on the database for an instructional class covering a course or subject as initiated by an instructor user for the instructional class, thee class file containing requirements for the course or subject, the step of creating the class file including;

requiring identification of at least one class goal for the instructional class;

providing to the instructor user the listing of approved teaching methods from the account information of the account file of the group account, wherein the providing step includes displaying the listing of approved teaching methods;

requiring selection from the listing of approved teaching methods of at least one teaching method to be used in the instructional class, permitting selection of additional teaching methods from the listing of approved teaching methods to be used in the instructional class;

comparing a total of the approved teaching methods selected by the instructor user for the instructional class to the total quantity of approved teaching methods required by the core requirements of the group account, informing the instructor user if the total of approved teaching methods selected for the class is less than the quantity required by the core requirements of the group account;

preventing deletions of goals and teaching methods from the class file once the class file has been completed and saved to the database;

providing a listing of activities to select from for starting and ending all lesson plans created for the instructional class, the listing of activities including recording attendance, collecting homework, and recording an assignment;

requesting a name of the school at which the instructional class is to be conducted;

retrieving from the account information of the group account of the instructor user the reporting requirements for class files created by the instructor user;

identifying to the instructor the reporting requirements applicable to class files created by the instructor user;

indicating to the instructor user a time period from the reporting requirements during which elements of an instructional lesson plan must be displayed on a network site;

providing a listing of lesson plan elements available for displaying on the network site, prompting the instructor user to select lesson plan elements for displaying on the network site, prompting the instructor user to select a time relative to a date of the lesson plan for beginning display of the lesson plan on the network site;

showing a standardized format for displaying lesson plan elements;

permitting the instructor user to create a customized format for displaying lesson plan elements;

assembling an instructional lesson plan file for one of the instructional classes having a class file on the database, the step of assembling an instructional lesson plan file including;

displaying names of instructional classes of the instructor user having class files saved on the database;

requiring the instructor user to select a school term for the instructional lesson plan to be created;

requiring the instructor user to select one of the instructional classes of the instructor user having class files saved on the database;

displaying names of any saved units for the instructional class selected by the instructor user;

requiring the instructor user to select one of the saved units for the instructional class or permitting the instructor user to enter a name of a new unit;

displaying a listing of the class goals from the class file for the instructional class and permitting the instructor user to select at least one class goal from the listing of class goals;

requiring identification of at least one unit objective and at least one lesson objective;

displaying the school term, the instructional class, and the unit name for the lesson plan to be created;

permitting the instructor user to enter in the lesson plan any reminders pertaining to the lesson plan;

displaying a listing of procedures for the lesson plan and permitting the instructor user to select at least one of the procedures;

wherein the listing of procedures includes discussions involving a quantity of students selected from the group including an entire class of students, a group of students, a triad of students, and a pair of students;

wherein the listing of procedures includes group work involving a quantity of students selected from the group including a large group of more than six students, an average group of four to six students, and a small group of one to three students;

wherein the listing of procedures includes a presentation by the instructor user or by a student, and wherein the presentation involves use of an activity selected from the group including a demonstration, a lecture, a reading, and a speech;

wherein the listing of procedures includes a quiz that is announced or unannounced and is closed notes or open notes;

wherein the listing of procedures includes a test over material taken from the group including a chapter, a unit, a quarter, a semester, and an entire class;

wherein the listing of procedures includes a writing activity selected from the group including journaling, prewriting, drafting, revising, self-editing, peer-editing, and polishing;

displaying a listing of approved teaching methods and permitting the instructor user to select at least one of the teaching methods from the listing of approved teaching methods;

requesting and recording identification of any desired steps of the instructor user for executing the lesson plan;

requesting and recording identification by the instructor user of any instructor user materials for executing the lesson plan;

requesting and recording identification by the instructor user of any student materials for executing the lesson plan;

requesting and recording identification by the instructor user of any teacher evaluation steps for the lesson plan;

requesting and recording identification by the instructor user of any student evaluation steps for the lesson plan;

requesting and recording identification by the instructor user of any student assignments;

requesting and recording identification by the instructor user of any instructor user notes on success of the lesson plan;

generating a summary report summarizing instructional lesson plans of the instructor user according to criteria based on reporting requirements of the group account covering the instructor user or criteria based on set by the individual instructor user, the step of generating a summary report including;

selecting a basis for summarizing lesson plans, the basis for summarizing lesson plans being selected from the group including all lesson plans for the instructor user during a specified time period, all lesson plans for a selected instructional class, all lesson plans for a selected unit of a selected instructional class, and all lesson plans for the instructor user;

retrieving all lesson plans satisfying the selected basis of the summary report;

determining if a user requesting summary report is the instructor user or an administrator user supervising the instructor user;

accessing the account file for the group account covering the instructor user and determining elements of the retrieved lesson plans for inclusion in the summary report;

counting the elements of the retrieved lesson plans to be included in the summary report;

assembling counts of the elements into a summary report format;

displaying the summary report, wherein the step of displaying the summary report includes printing the summary report.