System, method and article of manufacturing for a runtime program analysis tool for a simulation engine

• US 6,782,374 B2
• Filed: 12/22/1998
• Issued: 08/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture Global Services GmbH (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Nichols, Mark Stewart
• Primary Examiner(s): INGBERG, TODD D
• Application Number:
  US09/219,478
• Publication Number:
  US 20010016839A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,072 Days
• Field of Search: 706/15, 706/45
• US Class Current: 706/45
• 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 includes tools for analysis and display of a presentation as it is presented.

Claims

1. A method for executing a business simulation utilizing a rule-based expert system with a spreadsheet object component that includes data and 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 determine presentation information indicative of a goal;

(b) 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;

(c) 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 that further motivates accomplishment of the goal; and

(d) retrieving from the spreadsheet object component simulation status parameters and displaying status information as the business simulation executes.

2. A method for executing 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 particular feedback model based on characteristics of a target user.

3. A method for executing 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 receiving and analyzing user responses using an expert system to determine status information of the business simulation to display.

4. A method for executing 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 browsing status information of an object as the business simulation executes.

5. A method for executing 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 displaying source code of the business simulation as the business simulation executes.

6. A method for executing 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 modifying the business simulation based on a user indicia as the business simulation executes.

7. A method for executing 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 capturing portions of the business simulation in response to a user indicia as the business simulation executes.

8. A method for executing 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 tailoring feedback based on a user indicia as the business simulation executes.

9. A method for executing 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 presenting a tailored simulation based on a user indicia as the business simulation executes.

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 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 to motivate accomplishment of the goal; and

(g) 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; and

(h) logic that displays status information, retrieved from the spreadsheet object component as the business simulation exectues.

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 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 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;

(b) 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 to motivate accomplishment of the goal;

(c) 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;

(d) a code segment that displays program status information accessed from the spreadsheet object component as the business simulation executes.

12. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that instantiates a particular feedback model based on characteristics of a target user.

13. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that receives and analyzes user responses using an expert system to determine details of the computer program to display.

14. A computer program on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that browses program status data of an object as the business simulation executes.

15. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, a code segment that displays source code of the program as the business simulation executes.

16. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that modifies the business simulation in response to a user indicia as the presentation executes.

17. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that captures portions of the business simulation in response to a user indicia as the business simulation executes.

18. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that tailors feedback based on a user indicia as the business simulation executes.

19. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium as recited in claim 11, including a code segment that presents a tailored simulation based on a user indicia as the business simulation executes.