Goal based educational system utilizing a remediation object

• US 6,658,398 B1
• Filed: 02/10/2000
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Indeliq, Inc. (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Zorba, Alexander, Bertrand, Benoit Patrick, Conant, Jonathan Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, George B.
• Application Number:
  US09/502,142
• Time in Patent Office: 1,391 Days
• Field of Search: 706/45, 706/46, 706/47
• US Class Current: 706/47
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems
• 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 user to experience real world consequences for their actions and decisions and a tutorial system analyzes student inputs to determine appropriate feedback to teach new skills.

Claims

1. A method for creating a business simulation that provides remediation during a dynamic, goal based educational learning experience, comprising the steps of:

(a) presenting information that motivates accomplishment of a goal for use in the business simulation;

(b) monitoring, by a rule based expert system, answers to questions posed to evaluate progress of a student toward the goal; and

(c) providing dynamic, goal-based remediation learning information feedback using a remediation object component, the remediation object component being a component of the rule based expert system, the remediation object component including a knowledge base that generates individualized coaching messages based on the answers that further motivate accomplishment of the goal.

2. A method for creating a business simulation as recited in claim 1, wherein the remediation object component further includes a knowledge system and a software tutor.

3. A method for creating a business simulation as recited in claim 1, and further comprising the step of determining a profile of the student, wherein the artificial intelligence engine generates the individualized coaching messages based on the profile.

4. A method for creating a business simulation as recited in claim 1, where the individualized coaching messages include links to sites on the network.

5. A method for creating a business simulation as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of providing the student with reference material in order to facilitate remediation.

6. A method for creating a business simulation as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting between a plurality of topics based on the answers, wherein the topics are selected if the answers are incorrect and the selected topics are presented in the individualized coaching messages to facilitate remediation.

7. A method for creating a business simulation as recited in claim 6, wherein the selected topics each have an associated segment including at least one of text, audio and video clips, wherein the segments of the selected topics are combined for being presented.

8. A method for creating a business simulation as recited in claim 7, wherein the segments include variables that are replaced with errors in the answers.

9. A method for creating a business simulation as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of highlighting error in the answers.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the step of:

(i) performing rule-based pattern matching.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the steps of:

(i) asking at least one question about a current domain state; and

(ii) determining a domain profile in response to at least one answer that corresponds to the at least one question, wherein the dynamic, goal-based remediation learning information feedback is in accordance with the domain profile.

12. An apparatus that creates a business simulation providing a goal based educational environment, comprising:

(a) logic for presenting information that motivates accomplishment of a goal for use in the business simulation;

(b) logic for monitoring, by a rule based expert system, answers to questions posed to evaluate progress of a student toward the goal; and

(c) logic for providing dynamic, goal-based remediation learning information feedback using a remediation object component, the remediation object component being a component of the rule based expert system, the remediation object component including a knowledge base which generates individualized coaching messages based on the answers that further motivate accomplishment of the goal.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the logic for monitoring comprises:

(i) a logic component that performs rule-based pattern matching.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the logic for monitoring comprises:

(i) a first logic component that asks at least one question about a current domain state; and

(ii) a second logic component that determines a domain profile in response to at least one answer that corresponds to the at least one question, wherein the dynamic, goal-based remediation learning information feedback is in accordance with the domain profile.

15. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium that creates a business stimulation providing a goal based educational environment, comprising:

(a) a code segment presenting information that motivates accomplishment of a goal for use in the business simulation;

(b) a code segment monitoring, by a rule based expert system, answers to questions posed to evaluate progress of a student toward the goal; and

(c) a code segment providing dynamic, goal-based remediation information using a remediation object component, the remediation object component being a component of the rule based expert system, the remediation object component including a knowledge base which generates individualized coaching messages based on the answers that further motivate accomplishment of the goal.

16. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation as recited in claim 15, wherein the remediation object component further includes a knowledge system and a software tutor.

17. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation as recited in claim 15, and further comprising a code segment for determining a profile of the student, wherein the artificial intelligence engine generates the individualized coaching messages based on the profile.

18. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation as recited in claim 15, wherein the individualized coaching messages include links to sites on the network.

19. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation as recited in claim 15, and further comprising a code segment for providing the student with reference material in order to facilitate remediation.

20. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation as recited in claim 15, and further comprising a code segment for selecting between a plurality of topics based on the answers, wherein the topics are selected if the answers are incorrect and the selected topics are presented in the individualized coaching messages to facilitate remediation.

21. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation as recited in claim 20, wherein the selected topics each having an associated segment including at least one of text, audio and video clips, wherein the segments of the selected topics are combined for being presented.

22. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation as recited in claim 21, wherein the segments include variables that are replaced with errors in the answers.

23. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation as recited in claim 15, further comprising a code segment for highlighting errors in the answers.

24. The computer program of claim 15, wherein the code segment that monitors comprises:

(i) a set of computer instructions that performs rule-based pattern matching.

25. The computer program of claim 15, wherein the code segment that monitors comprises:

(i) a set of computer instructions that asks at least one question about a current domain state; and

(ii) a set of computer instructions that determines a domain profile in response to at least one answer that corresponds to the at least one question, wherein the dynamic, goal-based remediation learning information feedback is in accordance with the domain profile.