Method and apparatus for educational testing

• US 8,086,167 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2009
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Inventor Holdings LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Schneier, Bruce, Jorasch, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROBINSON, GRETA LEE
• Application Number:
  US12/359,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20090170058A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 434/322, 434/332, 434/353, 434/354, 715/700, 707/764, 707/765, 707/767, 707/770, 707/771, 707/790, 707/805, 707/999.01, 707/999.107, 717/100, 717/106, 717/115
• US Class Current: 434/354
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for computer-based evaluation of a test-taker'"'"'s performance with respect to a reward threshold. A performance assessment of the test taker can be standardized or customized, as well as relative or absolute. The system allows a parentally-controlled reward system such that children who reach specified objectives can claim an award that parents are confident was fairly and honestly earned without the parent being required to proctor the testing.

Claims

1. A system for administering a test, the system comprising:

a central computer configured to;

receive an indication of a reward threshold;

administer a test to an individual via a testing computer;

determine a test result based on the test;

determine a proximity to the reward threshold based on the test result; and

output a message to the individual indicating the proximity to the reward threshold; and

at least one testing computer in communication with the central computer, each testing computer being configured to administer the test to the individual and to transmit an indication of a reward threshold to the central computer.

2. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to:

receive an indication of a reward threshold;

administer a test to an individual via a testing computer;

determine a test result based on the test;

determine a proximity to the reward threshold based on the test result; and

output a message to the individual indicating the proximity to the reward threshold.

3. The computer readable medium of claim 2, in which the instructions for outputting the message comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to output the message via a telephone.

4. The computer readable medium of claim 2, in which the instructions for outputting the message comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to output the message via a game machine.

5. The computer readable medium of claim 2, in which the instructions for outputting the message comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to output the message via a toy.

6. The computer readable medium of claim 2, in which the reward threshold is associated with a reward.

7. The computer readable medium of claim 2, in which the reward threshold comprises a condition to be satisfied in order for the individual to earn a reward.

8. The computer readable medium of claim 2, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to determine at least one reward.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, in which the instructions for determining the at least one reward comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to allow a user to select the at least one reward via a website.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 8, in which the at least one reward comprises a product.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 8, in which the at least one reward comprises a code.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 8, in which the at least one reward comprises a code that activates functionality of software.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 8, in which the at least one reward comprises a code that permits access to content.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 2, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to prompt a user to indicate a reward.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 14, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to display a plurality of products.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 2, in which the reward threshold comprises a score.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 2, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to determine that the individual has earned a reward based on the test result and the reward threshold.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 17, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to transmit a message indicating that the individual has earned the reward.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 2, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to receive an indication of a reward and output a message to the individual indicating the reward.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 2, in which the reward threshold is associated with an improvement in at least one measure of performance.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 2, in which the reward threshold is associated with a minimum increase in a measure of performance.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 2, in which the reward threshold is associated with an average performance of a plurality of test-takers.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 2, in which the reward threshold is associated with a percentile of a plurality of test-takers.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 2, in which the reward threshold is associated with a number of correct answers.

25. The computer readable medium of claim 2, in which the reward threshold is associated with a predetermined score increase.

26. The computer readable medium of claim 2, in which the instructions for administering the test comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to provide at least one question to the individual via a toy.

27. The computer readable medium of claim 2, in which the instructions for determining the proximity comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to compare the reward threshold to the test result.

28. The computer readable medium of claim 2, further comprising instructions configured to direct the processor to determine a second test result that is associated with a second individual in which the instructions configured to direct the processor to determine the proximity to the reward threshold based on the test result comprise instructions configured to direct the processor to compare the test result to the second test result.

29. A method comprising:

receiving, by a central computer, an indication of a reward threshold;

administering a test to an individual via a testing computer;

determining, by the central computer, a test result based on the test;

determining, by the central computer, a proximity to the reward threshold based on the test result; and

outputting, by the central computer, a message to the individual indicating the proximity to the reward threshold.