Managed integrated teaching providing individualized instruction

• US 6,554,618 B1
• Filed: 04/20/2001
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cheryl B. Lockwood
• Original Assignee: Cheryl B. Lockwood
• Inventors: Lockwood, Cheryl B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Hieu T.
• Application Number:
  US09/838,899
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 434/322, 434/323, 434/118, 434/327, 434/350, 434/362, 434/365, 434/307.R, 434/119, 434/308
• US Class Current: 434/322
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F

Abstract

This invention provides various systems and methods for integrating individualized, objectively managed, computer-assisted learning and directed instruction. The systems and methods of this invention utilize management information to objectively prescribe an individualized integrated instruction plan, which includes individualized computer-based instruction. The individualized computer-based instruction serves as the core means of instruction for a particular subject, effectively replacing textbooks. Initially, each individual is given a gateway test to determine whether the individual has mastered all of the elementary, foundation skills necessary in the particular subject and identify the individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge in the subject. From the results of the initial test, each individual'"'"'s areas of understanding and weakness are revealed. As the results of the initial, and any subsequent assessment tests are analyzed, an individual instruction plan is developed, from which lessons are generated and assigned to each individual based on what the individual has not mastered. The systems and methods of this invention also ensure that each individual receives small group instruction with an instructor in addition to the computerized instruction. Each small group is formed, or reformed, of individuals who possess similar funds of knowledge in the particular subject. User-friendly management information is a cornerstone of the objective and/or subjective decisions made in the instructional process.

Claims

1. An interactive system for providing objectively managed, individually tailored learning, the system comprising:

a computer that allows a user to receive, view, and respond to testing and lesson materials;

a memory that stores accessible curriculum, user, and records information;

means for allowing the system to interactively assess a user'"'"'s fund of knowledge and deficiencies in a particular subject area;

means for allowing the system to interactively provide an individualized instruction plan to remediate deficiencies in the user'"'"'s fund of knowledge; and

means for allowing the system to interactively assess the user'"'"'s progress through a prescribed curriculum.

2. A method for providing objectively managed, individually tailored integrated teaching, comprising the steps of:

determining an individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge in a particular subject;

determining deficiencies in the individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge in the particular subject;

placing the individual in a group, wherein each member of the group possesses a similar fund of knowledge in the particular subject;

providing instruction for the group, wherein the instruction is provided, by an instructor, at a level of complexity that can be understood by the members of the group;

providing individualized, computer based instruction to the individual in the form of at least one lesson to remediate determined deficiencies in the individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining an individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge includes the steps of:

assessing the individual'"'"'s responses to an assessment test; and

determining, based on the assessed responses, the individuals level of comprehension of the material covered in the assessment test.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining deficiencies in the individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge includes assessing the individual'"'"'s incorrect responses to an assessment test to determine topics within the particular subject, wherein the individual shows entered incorrect responses.

5. A method for providing objectively managed, individually tailored learning, comprising the steps of:

determining an individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge in a particular subject;

determining deficiencies in the individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge in the particular subject;

placing the individual in a group, wherein each member of the group possesses a similar fund of knowledge in the particular subject;

providing direct instruction for the group, wherein the direct instruction is provided, by an instructor, at a level of complexity that can be understood by the members of the group.

6. The method of claim 5, including the step of providing individual direct instruction to at least one member of the group.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein determining an individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge includes the steps of:

assessing the individual'"'"'s responses to an assessment test; and

determining, based on the assessed responses, the individuals level of comprehension of the material covered in the assessment test.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the assessment test is a standardized test.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein:

determining deficiencies in the individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge includes assessing the individual'"'"'s incorrect responses to an assessment test to determine topics within the particular subject, wherein the individual shows entered incorrect responses.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of providing direct instruction for the group includes providing periodic direct instruction in a general topic area in which each member of the group demonstrated a deficient fund of knowledge.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of providing direct instruction for the group includes the step of periodically reassessing the fund of knowledge of at least one member of the group and moving the reassessed individual to a more appropriate group such that the reassessed individual is in a group wherein each member of the group possesses a similar fund of knowledge in the particular subject.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of providing individualized, computer based instruction to the individual to remediate determined deficiencies includes providing individualized, computer based instruction that provides at least one lesson that covers a topic within the particular subject wherein the individual has a determined deficiency.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of providing individualized, computer based instruction to the individual to remediate determined deficiencies includes creating an individual instruction plan to remediate the individual'"'"'s determined deficiencies.

14. The method of claim 13, further including the step of periodically determining the individual'"'"'s progress through the individual instruction plan to review the individual'"'"'s progress through the plan.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein step of periodically determining the individual'"'"'s progress includes testing the individual'"'"'s comprehension of the materials covered in the at least one lesson prior to allowing the individual to continue to another lesson.

16. The method of claim 15, further including the step of generating at least one report based on the individual'"'"'s periodically determined progress.

17. The method of claim 11, further including the step of generating at least one report based on the individual'"'"'s determined fund of knowledge in the particular subject.

18. The method of claim 11, further including the step of generating at least one report based on the individual'"'"'s determined deficiencies in the individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge in the particular subject.

19. The method of claim 11, further including the step of generating at least one report based on the group'"'"'s fund of knowledge in the particular subject.

20. The method of claim 11, further including the step of generating at least one report based on the group'"'"'s determined deficiencies in the particular subject.

21. A method for providing individually tailored, objectively managed, group teaching, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one individual with an initial assessment test in a subject area;

assessing the individual'"'"'s initial assessment test responses to determine the individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge in the subject area;

assessing the individual'"'"'s initial assessment test responses to identify any deficiencies in the individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge;

generating an individualized, specific computer-based individual instruction plan for the individual, wherein the individual instruction plan includes individual lessons, which cover determined areas in which the individual has a deficient fund of knowledge;

providing the individual with at least one individualized lesson, based on the individual'"'"'s determined individual instruction plan;

allowing the individual to progress through the provided individual lesson;

providing, upon completion of the provided individual lesson, a lesson mastery test to determine whether the individual mastered the provided individual lesson;

determining, based on responses to the lesson mastery test, whether the individual mastered the provided individual lesson;

providing, if it is determined that the individual has not mastered the provided individual lesson, at least one additional individual lesson;

providing, if it is determined that the individual has mastered the provided individual lesson a next individualized lesson, based on the individual'"'"'s determined individual instruction plan;

placing the individual in a group based on the individual'"'"'s determined fund of knowledge, wherein each member of the group possesses a similar fund of knowledge in the particular subject;

providing the group with periodic, generalized instruction that is commensurate with the group'"'"'s determined fund of knowledge within the subject area; and

periodically reassess each individual'"'"'s progress and redistribute the individuals within the various the groups as necessary to maximize group dynamics and effectiveness.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the steps of assessing the individual'"'"'s initial assessment test responses to determine the individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge in the subject area and to identify any deficiencies in the individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge include the step of evaluating the individual'"'"'s responses to individual initial assessment test questions.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of assessing the individual'"'"'s initial assessment test responses to determine the individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge in the subject area includes the step of assigning a numeric value to the individual'"'"'s determined fund of knowledge.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of assessing the individual'"'"'s initial assessment test responses to identify any deficiencies in the individual'"'"'s fund of knowledge include the step of assigning a numeric value to the individual'"'"'s determined deficiency.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the generalized instruction is provided to the instructor as part of a lesson plan.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the lesson plan includes a scripted text, an outline of a lesson, or a general topic outline for the instructor.