Automated system and method for creating an individualized learning program

• US 6,606,480 B1
• Filed: 11/02/2000
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Skillsoft Ireland Limited (SkillSoft Limited)
• Original Assignee: National Education Training Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Pezzuti, Albert, Henrie, Stephen P., LʼAllier, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hughes, S. Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): ADAMS, CHANDA L
• Application Number:
  US09/705,153
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 434/219, 434/362, 434/350, 434/322
• US Class Current: 434/362
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/02 of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student

Abstract

An interactive learning system and method are provided that identify a “gap” between the skill(s) possessed by the individual and those required by an organization and then creates a training regimen to fill that gap. The system and method precisely map the training to the defined required skills by identifying a skill desired to be possessed of a user and accessing a first electronic database that comprises a set of skills currently possessed by the user. Next the desired skill is compared with the possessed set of skills. If the possessed set of skills does not comprise the desired skill, the desired skill is mapped with a training regimen resident in a second electronic database. Then the user is automatically presented with the training regimen. A desired skill level may also be also specified and compared with the skill level currently possessed by the user. If the desired skill level has not yet been achieved, again a mapping is performed and a linked training regimen presented to the user.

Claims

1. A computer-based method of automatically determining and providing a recommendation for an individualized learning sequence to a user comprising the steps of:

identifying a skill desired to be possessed of a user;

accessing a first electronic database comprising data representative of a set of skills currently possessed by the user;

electronically comparing the desired skill with the possessed set of skills;

if the possessed set of skills does not comprise the desired skill, automatically mapping the desired skill with data on at least one training intervention resident in a second electronic database, wherein the mapping step comprises creating a match table of training interventions to skills, each match having associated therewith a probability of a valid relationship therebetween; and

automatically presenting the user with a recommendation for a training regimen comprising the at least one training intervention.

2. The method recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

identifying a skill level of the desired skill;

accessing the first electronic database, which further comprises data representative of a skill level for each of the skills in the set;

electronically comparing the desired skill level with the possessed skill level;

if the possessed skill level is not at least as great as the desired skill level, automatically mapping the desired skill level with data on at least one training intervention resident in the second electronic database; and

automatically resenting the user with the training regimen.

3. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the data in the second electronic database comprise metadata elements comprising linkage information between skills and training interventions.

4. The method recited in claim 1, wherein a higher probability is assigned to a match comprising a plurality of common words therebetween.

5. The method recited in claim 4, wherein the mapping is created if the probability exceeds a predetermined level.

6. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the presenting step comprises displaying the training regimen to the user on a screen.

7. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the training regimen comprises at least one of a computer-based learning experience or a plan for direct functional training in the desired skill.

8. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the presenting step comprises presenting the user with an option to obtain information on the training regimen, including data selected from a description thereof, a set of instructions therefor, a duration thereof, and an objective thereof.

9. A computer-based method of automatically determining and providing an individualized learning sequence to a user comprising the steps of:

identifying a skill desired to be possessed of a user;

accessing a first electronic database comprising means for preassessing a current level of skill currently possessed by the user;

comparing the desired skill with a result of the preassessment step;

if the preassessment result indicates that the user does not possess the desired skill to a predetermined level, mapping the desired skill with a training regimen resident in a second electronic database, wherein the mapping step comprises creating a match table of training interventions to skills, each match having associated therewith a probability of a valid relationship therebetween; and

automatically presenting the user with the training regimen.

10. A method for developing a customizable learning system comprising the steps of:

constructing a first electronic table comprising a plurality of skills;

constructing a second electronic table comprising a list of training regimen identifiers;

mapping each skill to at least one training regimen identifier, including creating a match table of training interventions to skills, each match having associated therewith a probability of a valid relationship therebetween;

constructing a first database adapted to contain a list of users and a set of skills possessed by each user;

constructing a second database adapted to contain a training regimen associated with each training regimen identifier;

creating a user interface adapted to receive a selection of a skill desired to be learned by a user, the skill an element of the first table;

creating a means for accessing from the second database a training regimen that corresponds to the skill/training regimen identifier mapping; and

creating a means for presenting the user with the accessed training regimen.

11. The method recited in claim 10, wherein the first database is further adapted to contain a skill level attained for each skill and for each user.

12. The method recited in claim 10, wherein the user interface comprises a display screen containing a list of selectable skills.

13. The method recited in claim 10, further comprising the steps of constructing a manager interface adapted to receive a new skill for the first table from a system manager and mapping the new skill to at least one training regimen identifier.

14. A method for developing a customizable learning system comprising the steps of:

constructing a first electronic table comprising a plurality of skills;

constructing a second electronic table comprising a list of training regimen identifiers;

mapping each skill to at least one training regimen identifier;

constructing a first database adapted to contain a list of users and a set of skills possessed by each user;

constructing a second database adapted to contain a training regimen associated with each training regimen identifier;

creating a user interface adapted to receive a selection of a skill desired to be learned by a user, the skill an element of the first table;

creating a means for accessing from the second database a training regimen that corresponds to the skill/training regimen identifier mapping;

creating a means for presenting the user with the accessed training regimen, a skill level range for the new skill;

constructing a manager interface adapted to receive a new skill and a skill level range for the new skill for the first table from a system manager; and

mapping the new skill to at least one training regimen identifier.

15. The method recited in claim 14, wherein the manager interface is further adapted to receive a prerequisite skill level for the new skill.

16. The method recited in claim 14, further comprising the steps of entering a new training regimen into the second database and constructing a second manager interface adapted to receive a new training regimen identifier for the second table from the system manager and for linking the new identifier with the new training regimen.

17. A system for automatically determining and providing an individualized learning sequence to a user comprising:

a processor;

input means and output means, each in electronic communication with the processor;

storage means accessible by the processor having resident thereon a first electronic database comprising a set of skills currently possessed by a user;

means resident in the processor for comparing a skill desired to be possessed by the user with the possessed set of skills;

means resident in the processor for mapping the desired skill with a training regimen resident in a second electronic database if the possessed set of skills does not comprise the desired skill, the mapping means comprising means for creating a match table of training interventions to skills, each match having associated therewith a probability of valid relationship therebetween; and

means resident in the processor for automatically presenting via the output means the training regimen to the user.