Runtime program analysis tool for a simulation engine

• US 7,660,778 B1
• Filed: 02/08/1999
• Issued: 02/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture Global Services GmbH (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Nichols, Mark Stewart
• Primary Examiner(s): Vincent; David R
• Assistant Examiner(s): COUGHLAN, PETER D
• Application Number:
  US09/868,664
• Time in Patent Office: 4,019 Days
• Field of Search: 706 59- 60, 706/50, 706/11, 706 45- 47, 706/1, 706/15, 706/25, 706/19, 434/219, 434/118, 434/322, 434/362, 434/156, 715503-504, 715903-904, 705/7, 705/1, 705/26, 700/1, 700/90, 703/23, 703/26, 348/553, 348/555
• US Class Current: 706/47
• 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 computer-implemented method for creating a tutorial presentation, comprising:

(a) matching a profile against a simulation domain, wherein the profile comprises a set of criteria and identifies a desired aspect for a current simulation task;

(b) presenting information indicative of a goal;

(c) integrating information that motivates accomplishment of the goal;

(d) monitoring progress toward the goal, determining at least one profile that is true for the current simulation task from a set of profiles, and providing feedback to a student, based on the at least one profile the at least one profile comprising at least one collective characteristic, the at least one collective characteristic being a conditional using a plurality of characteristics as operands at a particular instance of time, each characteristic identifying a subset of the simulation domain, at least one of the plurality of characteristics being time-dependent; and

(e) displaying details of the computer-implemented method and displaying the tutorial presentation as the tutorial presentation executes and further comprises;

firing the at least one profile to identify mistakes and correct answers provided by the student; and

triggering a topic in a concept tree when the at least one profile fires, wherein the concept tree contains a plurality of concepts associated with the current simulation task and, wherein the tutorial presentation provides a cognitive educational experience.

2. The computer-implemented method for creating a tutorial presentation as recited in claim 1, including instantiating a particular feedback model based on characteristics of the student.

3. The computer-implemented method for creating a tutorial presentation as recited in claim 1, including receiving and analyzing user responses using rule based expert training system to determine details of the computer-implemented method to display.

4. The computer-implemented method for creating a tutorial presentation as recited in claim 1, including browsing details of an object as the tutorial presentation executes.

5. The computer-implemented method for creating a tutorial presentation as recited in claim 1, including displaying source code of the tutorial presentation as the tutorial presentation executes.

6. The computer-implemented method for creating a tutorial presentation as recited in claim 1, including modifying the tutorial presentation based on a user input as the tutorial presentation executes.

7. The computer-implemented method for creating a tutorial presentation as recited in claim 1, including capturing portions of the tutorial presentation in response to user input as the tutorial presentation executes.

8. The computer-implemented method for creating a tutorial presentation as recited in claim 1, including tailoring feedback based on user indicia as the tutorial presentation executes.

9. The computer-implemented method for creating a tutorial presentation as recited in claim 1, including presenting a tailored simulation based on user indicia as the tutorial presentation executes.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

(f) creating another profile that reuses at least one of the plurality of characteristics; and

(g) providing subsequent feedback to the student, based on the other profile.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

activating topics based on the at least one profile;

determining a best set of topics to deliver from the concept tree, wherein the best set of topics is a proper subset of the activated topics; and

invoking the best set of topics in the tutorial presentation.

12. An apparatus that creates a tutorial presentation, comprising:

(a) a processor that runs a computer program to create the tutorial presentation, the computer program comprising of logic;

(b) a memory that stores information under control of the processor;

(c) logic that matches a profile against a simulation domain, wherein the profile comprises a set of criteria and identifies a desired aspect for a current simulation task;

(d) logic that presents information indicative of a goal;

(e) logic that integrates information that motivates accomplishment of the goal;

(f) logic that monitors progress toward the goal, determines at least one profile that is true for the current simulation task from a set of profiles, and provides feedback to a student, based on the at least one profile, the at least one profile comprising at least one collective characteristic, the at least one collective characteristic being a conditional using a plurality of characteristics as operands at a particular instance of time, each characteristic identifying a subset of the simulation domain, at least one of the plurality of characteristics being time-dependent; and

(g) logic that displays details of the computer program and that displays the tutorial presentation as the tutorial presentation executes and further comprises;

firing the at least one profile to identify mistakes and correct answers provided by the student, and

triggering a topic in a concept tree when the at least one profile fires, wherein the concept tree contains a plurality of concepts associated with the current simulation task and, wherein the tutorial presentation provides a cognitive educational experience.

13. The apparatus that creates a tutorial presentation as recited in claim 12, including logic that instantiates a particular feedback model based on characteristics of the student.

14. The apparatus that creates a tutorial presentation as recited in claim 12, including logic that receives and analyzes user responses using a rule based expert training system to determine details of the computer program to display.

15. The apparatus that creates a tutorial presentation as recited in claim 12, including logic that browses details of an object as the tutorial presentation executes.

16. The apparatus that creates a tutorial presentation as recited in claim 12, including logic that displays source code of the tutorial presentation as the tutorial presentation executes.

17. The apparatus that creates a tutorial presentation as recited in claim 12, including logic that modifies the tutorial presentation based on user input as the tutorial presentation executes.

18. The apparatus that creates a tutorial presentation as recited in claim 12, including logic that captures portions of the tutorial presentation in response to user input as the tutorial presentation executes.

19. The apparatus that creates a tutorial presentation as recited in claim 12, including logic that tailors feedback based on user indicia as the tutorial presentation executes.

20. The apparatus that creates a tutorial presentation as recited in claim 12, including logic that presents a tailored simulation based on user indicia as the tutorial presentation executes.

21. A computer-readable medium encoded with computer-executable instructions that when executed perform:

(a) matching a profile against a simulation domain, wherein the profile comprises a set of criteria and identifies a desired aspect for a current simulation task;

(b) presenting information indicative of a goal;

(c) integrating information that motivates accomplishment of the goal;

(d) monitoring progress toward the goal, determining at least one profile from that is true for the current simulation task a set of profiles, and providing feedback to a student, based on the at least one profile, the at least one profile comprising at least one collective characteristic, the at least one collective characteristic being a conditional using a plurality of characteristics as operands at a particular instance of time, each characteristic identifying a subset of the simulation domain, at least one of the plurality of characteristics being time-dependent; and

(e) displaying details of the computer-implemented method and displaying a tutorial presentation as the tutorial presentation executes and further comprises;

firing the at least one profile to identify mistakes and correct answers provided by the student; and

triggering a topic in a concept tree when the at least one profile fires, wherein the concept tree contains a plurality of concepts associated with the current simulation task and, wherein the tutorial presentation provides a cognitive educational experience.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the instructions further perform:

(d)(i) identifying a subset of the simulation domain from at least one characteristic of the profile; and

(d)(ii) determining the feedback in accordance with the subset of the simulation domain.