Simulation enabled focused feedback tutorial system

• US 7,386,524 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2001
• Issued: 06/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture Global Services GmbH (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Zorba, Alexander, Hubbell, John Reader, O'Connor, Martha Torrey, Nichols, Mark Stewart, Poon, Alexander Han Leung, Rosenfeld, Eren Tolga, Zadik, Beth Elyse
• Primary Examiner(s): STARKS, WILBERT L
• Application Number:
  US09/887,824
• Publication Number:
  US 20020090595A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,545 Days
• Field of Search: 706/11, 706/14, 706/47, 706/45
• US Class Current: 706/47
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/18 Book-keeping or economics
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/02 of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student

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. A dynamic feedback system is utilized that narrowly tailors feedback and focuses it based on the performance and characteristics of the student to assist the student in reaching a predefined goal.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for creating a presentation, comprising:

(a) receiving a goal, the goal in a specific task being within a context of a training objective of a student in a business simulation application, the goal being specified by a business deliverable and selected from the group consisting of joumalizing invoice transactions, structuring of a financial loan, and underwriting an insurance policy;

(b) integrating information that guides the student through the business simulation application to accomplish the goal by the student;

(c) evaluating the progress toward the goal and providing feedback that further guides the student to accomplish the goal for use in the presentation, comprising;

(c)(i) obtaining student responses as the student completes the business deliverable; and

(c)(ii) comparing the student responses with desired responses; and

(d) adjusting the feedback based on progress of the student toward the goal to help the student complete the business deliverable, comprising;

(d)(i) activating at least one rule from a plurality of rules based on a difference between the student responses and the desired responses;

(d)(ii) obtaining at least one piece of feedback responsive to (d)(i);

(d)(iii) composing the at least one piece of feedback into a coherent paragraph for display to the student; and

(d)(iv) replacing at least one variable in the feedback with specifics from the student responses.

2. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 1, including evaluating the progress based on a number of help sessions the student accesses.

3. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 2, including evaluating the progress based on work completed by the student.

4. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 1, including evaluating the progress based on a number of changes.

5. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 1, including evaluating the progress based on an amount of rework.

6. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 1, including evaluating the progress based on an aggregate condition of work.

7. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 1, wherein user applications comprise:

calendar, electronic mail, spreadsheet, contact list, word processing, task list, stocks and news.

8. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 1, wherein a tone of the feedback is adjusted based on characteristics of the student.

9. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 1, including adjusting an example based on student progress.

10. A computer-implemented method for creating a presentation, comprising:

(a) presenting information indicative of a goal, the goal in a specific task being within a context of a training objective of a student in a business simulation application, the goal being specified by a business deliverable and selected from the group consisting of journalizing invoice transactions, structuring of a financial loan, and underwriting an insurance policy;

(b) integrating information that guides the student through the business simulation application to accomplish of the goal by the user in a simulated environment goal for use in the presentation; and

(c) monitoring progress toward the goal and providing feedback that further guides the student to accomplish of the goal in the simulated environment to help the student complete the business deliverable, comprising;

(c)(i) obtaining student responses as the student completes the business deliverable;

(c)(ii) comparing the student responses with desired responses;

(c)(iii) activating at least one rule from a plurality of rules based on a difference between the student responses and the desired responses;

(c)(iv) obtaining at least one piece of feedback responsive to (c)(iii); and

(c)(v) composing the at least one piece of feedback into a coherent paragraph for display to the student.

11. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 10, including simulating management of one or more resources in the simulated environment.

12. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 10, including setting a context for a problem in the simulated environment.

13. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 10, including stimulating management of preventative maintenance in the simulated environment.

14. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 10, including simulating recovery management in the simulated environment.

15. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 10, including simulating evaluative decision making in the simulated environment.

16. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 10, including simulating a conversation in the simulated environment.

17. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 10, including simulating a negotiation in the simulated environment.

18. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 10, including invoking a concept parser in the simulated environment.

19. A computer-implemented method for creating a presentation, comprising:

(a) receiving indicia representative of a goal into a model, the goal in a specific task being within a context of a training objective of a plurality of students in a business simulation application, the goal being specified by a business deliverable and selected from the group consisting of journalizing invoice transactions, structuring of a financial loan, and underwriting an insurance policy;

(b) integrating information that provides assistance with achieving the goal, by the plurality of students, into a tutor for use in the presentation;

(c) monitoring progress of the plurality of students toward the goal, comprising;

(c)(i) obtaining student responses as the plurality of students complete the business deliverable; and

(c)(ii) comparing the student responses with desired responses; and

(d) providing feedback that further assists the plurality of students in accomplishing the goal to help the plurality of students complete the business deliverable, comprising;

(d)(i) activating at least one rule from a plurality of rules based on a difference between the student responses and the desired responses;

(d)(ii) obtaining at least one piece of feedback responsive to (d)(i); and

(d)(iii) composing the at least one piece of feedback into a coherent paragraph for display to the student.

20. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 19, including:

(a) receiving an indicia representative of a plurality of goals into a model;

(b) integrating information that provides assistance with achieving the plurality of goals into a tutor; and

(c) monitoring progress of a student toward the goal and providing feedback that assists the student in accomplishing the plurality of goals.

21. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 19, including setting a context for a problem in a simulated environment.

22. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 19, including simulating management of preventative maintenance in a simulated environment.

23. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 19, including simulating recovery management in a simulated environment.

24. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 19, including simulating evaluative decision making in a simulated environment.

25. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 19, including simulating a conversation in a simulated environment.

26. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 19, including simulating a takeover in a simulated environment.

27. The computer-implemented method for creating the presentation as recited in claim 19, including simulating a negotiation in a simulated environment.