Task-oriented book with functional features for facilitating experiential learning

• US 7,422,435 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2004
• Issued: 09/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christopher L. Holt, Christopher R. Christensen
• Original Assignee: Christopher L. Holt, Christopher R. Christensen
• Inventors: Holt, Christopher L., Christenson, Christopher R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fernstrom; Kurt
• Application Number:
  US11/002,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20060121431A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,377 Days
• Field of Search: 434/155, 434/178, 434/322, 434/327, 434/353, 434/247, 281/15.1, 281/18, 281/16, 283/63.1, 283/72, 283 98-100, 283103-105, 283/902
• US Class Current: 434/322
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/062 Combinations of audio and printed presentations, e.g. magnetically striped cards, talking books, magnetic tapes with printed texts thereon

Abstract

A book is disclosed for facilitating experiential learning. The book includes a first task packet that includes a collection of preview material that introduces a task without revealing what the task is. The first task packet also includes a collection of description material that identifies what the task is. Finally, the first task packet includes a commitment mechanism configured to discourage a reader from proceeding from the collection of preview material to the collection of description material until the reader is committed to performing the task.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating experiential learning, comprising:

providing a book that contains a commitment mechanism that is configured to be manipulated by a reader of the book;

instructing the reader not to manipulate the commitment mechanism until the reader is committed to performing a certain task provided within the book; and

instructing the reader to perform the task and, by doing so, instructing the reader to leave the location they are in when they manipulate the commitment mechanism.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the task requires the reader to take a photo.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the task requires the reader to purchase something.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the task requires the reader to visit a website.

5. A method of facilitating experiential learning, comprising:

providing a book that includes a front cover, a back cover, and a plurality of pages between the front cover and the back cover;

dividing the plurality of pages into a plurality of task packets, each task packet being associated with a task;

providing within the book a commitment mechanism for each task packet; and

for a given one of the task packets, instructing a reader of the book that they should not manipulate the commitment mechanisms until the reader is committed to performing the associated task.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the method further comprises, for the given one of the task packets, the task requires the reader to leave the location they are in when they manipulate the commitment mechanism.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the method further comprises, for the given one of the task packets, the task requires the reader to purchase something that they have not yet purchased when they manipulate the commitment mechanism.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the method further comprises, for the given one of the task packets, the task requires the reader to visit a web site.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the method further comprises, for the given one of the task packets, providing to the reader an explanation of what resources they will need to complete the task.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the explanation includes an estimation as to how much of the reader'"'"'s time is likely to be required to complete the task.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the estimation is something other than a limited amount of time within which the task must be completed.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein the explanation includes an estimation as to how much of the reader'"'"'s money is likely to be required to complete the task.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the explanation is an estimation as to how much of the reader'"'"'s money will be required to, as part of completing the task, purchase something after the commitment mechanism has been manipulated.

14. The method of claim 5, wherein, for the given one of the task packets, the commitment mechanism includes a physical mechanism that is manipulated by the reader, wherein the physical mechanism is configured to become irreparably damaged as a result of the manipulation by the reader.

15. The method of claim 5, wherein the physical mechanism includes a wax seal.

16. The method of claim 5, wherein the physical mechanism includes a portion applied with an adhesive.

17. The method of claim 5, wherein the physical mechanism includes a sticker.

18. The method of claim 5, wherein the physical mechanism includes a hook and loop attachment.

19. The method of claim 5, wherein the commitment mechanisms include an explicit instruction to the reader not to proceed with reading, and wherein manipulating the commitment mechanisms includes reading past the explicit instruction.

20. A book for facilitating experiential learning, wherein the book comprises:

a front cover;

a back cover;

a plurality of task packets between the front cover and the back cover, wherein each task packet is associated with a task;

a commitment mechanism for each task packet, wherein each commitment mechanism is a physical mechanism configured to be manipulated by a reader of the book; and

an instruction that the reader can manipulate the commitment mechanisms at his or her discretion.