Goal based educational system with support for dynamic characteristics tuning using a spread sheet object

• US 6,535,861 B1
• Filed: 12/22/1998
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture Holdings BV (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: OʼConnor, Martha Torrey, Rosenfeld, Eren Tolga
• Primary Examiner(s): INGBERG, TODD D
• Application Number:
  US09/218,995
• Time in Patent Office: 1,547 Days
• Field of Search: 706/11, 706/12, 706/45-47, 706/60, 706/61, 706/925, 434/107, 434/307.R, 434/308, 434/322, 434/323, 434/327, 434/350, 705/11, 705/35
• 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 student to experience real world consequences for their actions and decisions and entails realtime decision-making and synthesis of the educational material optimized to the characteristics of the student.

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 object component of the rule-based expert system to retrieve information indicative of a goal;

(b) querying a user for answers to one or more questions based on one or more learning objectives of the business simulation;

(c) analyzing answers to the one or more questions utilizing a concept tree to ascertain characteristics of the user; and

(d) building a user interface displaying feedback based on the characteristics of the user tailored to the one or more learning objectives of the business simulation.

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 user characteristics based on trends in the user'"'"'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 user if the characteristics are 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 characteristics are 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 determining characteristics of the user by comparing answers to prestored answers indicative of known characteristics.

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 feedback is based on a number of times the user'"'"'s answers express a particular characteristic.

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 characteristics of a user are determined based on the user'"'"'s interaction with an agent.

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 analyzing characteristics of a user utilizing an expert system.

9. 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 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 a user for answers to one or more questions based on one or more learning objectives of the business simulation.

(f) logic that analyzes answers to the one or more questions utilizing a concept tree to ascertain characteristics of the user; and

(g) logic that builds a user interface displaying feedback based on the characteristics of the user tailored to the one or more learning objectives of the business simulation.

10. 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 queries a user for answers of one or more questions based on one or more learning objectives of the business simulation;

(b) a code segment that analyzes answers to the one or more questions utilizing a concept tree to ascertain characteristics of the user; and

(c) a code segment that builds a user interface displaying feedback based on the characteristics of the user tailored to the one or more learning objectives of the business simulation.

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 to provide a goal based educational environment as recited in claim 10, including logic that determines user characteristics based on trends in the user'"'"'s answers.

12. 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 10, including logic that provides praise for the user if the characteristics are indicative of praise.

13. 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 10, including logic that forces a user to repeat an exercise if the characteristics are indicative of problems.

14. 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 10, including logic that determines characteristics of the user by comparing answers to prestored answers indicative of known characteristics.

15. 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 10, wherein the feedback is based on a number of times the user'"'"'s answers express a particular characteristic.

16. 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 10, wherein characteristics of a user are determined based on the user'"'"'s interaction with an agent.

17. 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 10, including logic that analyzes characteristics of a user utilizing an expert system.