System, method and article of manufacture for a goal based system utilizing a spreadsheet and table based architecture

• US 6,018,731 A
• Filed: 12/22/1998
• Issued: 01/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: AC Properties B.V.
• Inventors: Poon, Alexander Han Leung, Bertrand, Benoit Patrick, Wills, Kerry Russell
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafiz, Tariq R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STARKS, WILBERT L
• Application Number:
  US09/218,726
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 705/40, 706/47, 706/11, 434/118
• US Class Current: 706/47
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/18 of spreadsheets form-filling G06F40/174
• 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. 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 entails realtime decision-making and synthesis of the educational material. The system is architected around a spreadsheet and table of components to manage and control the system.

Claims

1. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component that includes data, calculations required for the simulation and communication information to provide a dynamic, goal based educational learning experience, comprising the steps of:

(a) accessing the information in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system to retrieve information indicative of a goal;

(b) analyzing the information accessed from the spreadsheet object component and translating the information into a simulation model;

(c) utilizing the information in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system to integrate goal-based learning information in a structured, dynamic business simulation designed by a profiling component to motivate accomplishment of the goal into the simulation model;

(d) managing information flow utilizing a table f components; and

(e) monitoring answers to questions posed to evaluate progress toward the goal utilizing the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system and providing dynamic, goal-based, remediation learning information feedback from a remediation object component including a knowledge system and a software tutor comprising an artificial intelligence engine which generates individualized coaching messages to further motivate accomplishment of the goal.

2. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational learning experience as recited in claim 1, including the step of instantiating a component from the table of components to measure progress toward the goal based on the simulation model.

3. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational learning experience as recited in claim 1, including the step of instantiating a component from the table of components to interrupt and interview a student to obtain information to measure progress toward the goal and determine appropriate feedback based on the simulation model.

4. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational learning experience as recited in claim 1, including the step of instantiating a component from the table of components to analyze progress and determine appropriate feedback based on the simulation model.

5. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational learning experience as recited in claim 1, including the step of instantiating a component from the table of components to evaluate options and present appropriate feedback to assist a student to achieve the goal based on the simulation model.

6. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational learning experience as recited in claim 1, including the step of instantiating a component from the table of components to simulate a business application based on the simulation model.

7. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based exert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational learning experience as recited in claim 1, including the step of instantiating a component from the table of components to interact with a quantitative analysis model to perform what-if analysis based on the simulation model.

8. A method for creating a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational learning experience as recited in claim 1, including the step of instantiating a component from the table of components to interact with a student utilizing rule-based logic based on the simulation model.

9. A method for creating a presentation as recited in claim 1, including the step of instantiating a component from the table of components to present a time based simulation based on the presentation model including the step of instantiating a component from the table of components to present a time based simulation based on the simulation model.

13. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational environment as recited in claim 1 1, including a code segment that instantiates a component from the table of components to interrupt and interview a student to obtain information to measure progress toward the goal and determine appropriate feedback based on the simulation model.

10. An apparatus that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational environment, comprising:

(a) a processor;

(b) a keyboard under the control of the processor for inputting information into the system;

(c) a display under the control of the processor;

(d) a memory that stores information in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system under the control of the processor that includes data, calculations required for the simulation and communication information;

(e) logic that accesses the data in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system to determine presentation information indicative of a goal;

(f) logic that analyzes the information accessed from the spreadsheet object component and translates the information into a simulation model;

(g) logic that utilizes the information in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system to integrate goal-based learning information that motivates accomplishment of the goal into the simulation model;

(h) logic that manages information flow utilizing a table of components; and

(i) logic that monitors answers to questions posed to evaluate progress toward the goal utilizing the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system and provides goal-based remediation learning information feedback from a remediation object component including a knowledge system and a software tutor comprising an artificial intelligence engine which generates individualized coaching messages that further motivates accomplishment of the goal.

11. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component that includes data, calculations required for the simulation and communication information to provide a goal based educational environment, comprising;

(a) a code segment that accesses the information in the spreadsheet object-component of the rule-based system to determine information indicative of a goal;

(b) a code segment that analyzes the information accessed from the spreadsheet object component and translates the information into a simulation model;

(c) a code segment that utilizes the information in the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system to integrate goal-based learning information in a structured dynamic business simulation designed by a profiling component that motivates accomplishment of the goal into the simulation model;

(d) a code segment that manages information flow utilizing a table of components; and

(e) a code segment that monitors answers to questions posed to evaluate progress toward the goal utilizing the spreadsheet object component of the rule-based expert system and provides goal-based, remediation learning information feedback from a remediation object component including a knowledge system and a software tutor comprising an artificial intelligence engine which generates individualized coaching messages that further motivates accomplishment of the goal.

12. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a coal based educational environment as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that instantiates a component from the table of components to measure progress toward the goal based on the simulation model.

14. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational environment as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that instantiates a component from the table of components to analyze progress and determine appropriate feedback based on the simulation model.

15. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a coal based educational environment as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that instantiates a component from the table of components to evaluate options and present appropriate feedback to assist a student to achieve the goal based on the simulation model.

16. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational environment as recited in claim 11, including a segment that instantiates a component from the table of components to simulate a business application based on the simulation model.

17. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational environment as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that instantiates a component from the table of components to interact with a quantitative analysis model to perform what-I analysis based on the simulation model.

18. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that instantiates a component from the table of components to interact with a student utilizing rule-based logic based on the presentation model including a code segment that instantiates a component from the table of components to interact with a student utilizing rule-based logic based on the simulation model.

19. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium that creates a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component to provide a goal based educational environment as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that instantiates a component from the table of components to present a time based simulation based on the simulation model.