Simulation Enabled Accounting Tutorial System

• US 20090042175A1
• Filed: 08/14/2008
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture Global Services GmbH (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Zorba, Alexander, Rosenfeld, Eren Tolga, Lannert, Eric Jeffrey, Bertrand, Benoit Patrick, Wills, Kerry Russell
• Granted Patent: US 8,360,787 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/323
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• 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. A robust business model provides support for realistic activities and allows a user to experience real world consequences for their actions and decisions and entails realtime decision-making and synthesis of the educational material. Techniques for process sensitive help are also integrated into the system to provide contextual examples to guide a user in performing a task.

Claims

1-18. -18. (canceled)

19. A method for creating a presentation, comprising:

receiving a training goal;

partitioning feedback into a plurality of feedback levels, each feedback level corresponding to a severity level of a response error, the feedback being associated with the training goal;

querying a student to determine characteristics of the student;

integrating information based on the characteristics of the student that motivates accomplishment of the training goal;

evaluating progress toward the training goal and providing a determined feedback having a feedback category based on an appropriate level of feedback and an appropriate training component that further motivates accomplishment of the training goal, the appropriate level of feedback being selected from the plurality of feedback levels based on an error severity of an associated response from the student, the appropriate training component being selected from a plurality of training components and based on an amount of work contained in the associated response, and further comprising;

determining the type of the feedback category for the associated response;

when the feedback category corresponds to an administrative category and when an actual amount of work completed by the student is less than an expected amount of work, instructing the student to provide a sufficient amount of work to assess a subsequent response, wherein the administrative category includes at least two of;

detection of the student cheating through a task;

detection of the student submitting no work and avoiding notice; and

detection of the student submitting minor changes to obtain a hint; and

when the feedback category corresponds to an educational category, assessing the associated response in accordance with the educational category; and

dynamically adjusting a selected level of feedback based on the progress of the student toward the training goal, the determined feedback providing at least one recommendation to the student for submitting a subsequent response.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, containing further computer-executable instructions for:

monitoring answers to questions posed to evaluate the progress toward the training goal; and

generating individualized coaching messages that further motivate accomplishment of the training goal.

21. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising:

adjusting an example based on student progress.

22. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein insurance claim information is integrated into the presentation.

23. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein marketing information is integrated into the presentation.

24. An apparatus that creates a presentation, comprising:

a processor;

a memory that stores information under the control of the processor;

logic that receives a training goal;

logic that partitions feedback into a plurality of feedback levels, each feedback level corresponding to a severity level of a response error, the feedback being associated with the training goal;

logic that queries a student to determine characteristics of the student;

logic that integrates information based on the characteristics of the student that motivates accomplishment of the training goal;

logic that evaluates progress toward the training goal and provides a determined feedback having a feedback category based on an appropriate level of feedback and an appropriate training component that further motivates accomplishment of the training goal, the appropriate level of feedback being selected from the plurality of feedback levels based on an error severity of an associated response from the student, the appropriate training component being selected from a plurality of training components and based on an amount of work contained in the associated response, and further comprising;

determining the type of the feedback category for the associated response;

when the feedback category corresponds to an administrative category and when an actual amount of work completed by the student is less than an expected amount of work, instructing the student to provide a sufficient amount of work to assess a subsequent response, wherein the administrative category includes at least two of;

detection of the student cheating through a task;

detection of the student submitting no work and avoiding notice; and

detection of the student submitting minor changes to obtain a hint; and

when the feedback category corresponds to an educational category, assessing the associated response in accordance with the educational category; and

logic that dynamically adjusts a selected level of feedback based on the progress of the student toward the training goal, the determined feedback providing at least one recommendation to the student for submitting a subsequent response.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

logic that monitors answers to questions posed to evaluate the progress toward the training goal; and

logic that generates individualized coaching messages that further motivate accomplishment of the training goal.

26. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, further comprising:

logic to adjust an example based on student progress.

27. A computer-readable medium for creating a presentation and having computer-executable instructions to perform:

receiving a training goal;

partitioning feedback into a plurality of feedback levels, each feedback level corresponding to a severity level of a response error, the feedback being associated with the training goal;

querying a student to determine characteristics of the student;

integrating information based on the characteristics of the student that motivates accomplishment of the training goal;

evaluating progress toward the training goal and providing a determined feedback having a feedback category based on an appropriate level of feedback and an appropriate training component that further motivates accomplishment of the training goal, the appropriate level of feedback being selected from the plurality of feedback levels based on an error severity of an associated response from the student, the appropriate training component being selected from a plurality of training components and based on an amount of work contained in the associated response, and further comprising;

determining the type of the feedback category for the associated response;

when the feedback category corresponds to an administrative category and when an actual amount of work completed by the student is less than an expected amount of work, instructing the student to provide a sufficient amount of work to assess a subsequent response, wherein the administrative category includes at least two of;

detection of the student cheating through a task;

detection of the student submitting no work and avoiding notice; and

detection of the student submitting minor changes to obtain a hint; and

when the feedback category corresponds to an educational category, assessing the associated response in accordance with the educational category; and

dynamically adjusting a selected level of feedback based on the progress of the student toward the training goal, the determined feedback providing at least one recommendation to the student for submitting a subsequent response.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, containing further computer-executable instructions for:

monitoring answers to questions posed to evaluate the progress toward the training goal; and

generating individualized coaching messages that further motivate accomplishment of the training goal.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, containing further computer-executable instructions for:

including adjusting an example based on student progress.