Automatic determination of E-learning obsolescence

• US 7,976,311 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2003
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Bantz, David F., Pickover, Clifford A., Chaar, Jarir K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thai; Xuan M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Musselman; Timothy
• Application Number:
  US10/732,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20050130114A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,771 Days
• Field of Search: 434/219, 434322-362, 434156-185, 705/7, 705/5, 705 10- 11, 706/1, 706/8, 706/26, 707/10, 707/104.1, 707/100, 709/200
• US Class Current: 434/219
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/00 Electrically-operated educational appliances working with questions and answers G09B7/00; simulators G09B9/00; advertising or displaying in general G09F
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F

Abstract

A method, system, and computer program for managing proficiency information about a degree holder. An active degree in a degree field is issued to a degree holder. The active degree includes a certification that the degree holder has completed at least one degree process, a strength value associated with the certification indicating a proficiency in the degree field, and a strength evaluator configured to adjust the strength value such that the strength value reflects the degree holder'"'"'s proficiency in the degree field over time.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for managing proficiency information about a degree holder, the method comprising:

receiving a certification from a certifying entity that the degree holder has completed at least one degree process;

recording a strength value associated with the certification in computer storage medium;

processing the strength value by adjusting the strength value to reflect the degree holder'"'"'s proficiency in the degree field over time using a computer processor;

expiring the certification if the strength value falls below an expiration level; and

wherein adjusting the strength value includes analyzing ambient conditions.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the strength value to third parties.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising assembling a virtual team of a plurality of degree holders based on a team request.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising evaluating a team strength value for the virtual team, wherein the team strength value is based on a combination of team member strength values.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein if any individual member of the team has current knowledge of a relevant topic, the virtual team is considered to be current with respect to that topic.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising billing a third party based on access by the third party to the proficiency information.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the strength value to reflect the degree holder'"'"'s proficiency in the degree field over time further comprises using a decay function configured to decrease the strength value over time.

8. A computer implemented method for managing proficiency information about a degree holder, the method comprising:

receiving a certification from a certifying entity that the degree holder has completed at least one degree process;

recording a strength value associated with the certification in computer storage medium;

processing the strength value to reflect the degree holder'"'"'s proficiency in the degree field over time using a computer processor; and

expiring the certification if the strength value falls below an expiration level.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing the strength value to third parties.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising assembling a virtual team of a plurality of degree holders based on a team request.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising evaluating a team strength value for the virtual team, wherein the team strength value is based on a combination of team member strength values.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein if any individual member of the team has current knowledge of a relevant topic, the virtual team is considered to be current with respect to that topic.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising billing a third party based on access by the third party to the proficiency information.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein adjusting the strength value to reflect the degree holder'"'"'s proficiency in the degree field over time further comprises using a decay function configured to decrease the strength value over time.