Simulation enabled accounting tutorial system

• US 8,360,787 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2008
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Rosenfeld, Eren Tolga, Bertrand, Benoit Patrick, Lannert, Eric Jeffrey, Wills, Kerry Russell, Zorba, Alexander Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOSSER, KATHLEEN MICHELE
• Application Number:
  US12/191,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20090042175A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,629 Days
• Field of Search: 434/118, 434/323, 434/236, 434/365
• US Class Current: 434/365
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• 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. 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. Techniques for process sensitive help are also integrated into the system to provide contextual examples to guide a user in performing a task.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a training goal;

partitioning feedback into a plurality of feedback levels, each feedback level corresponding to a severity level of a response error, the feedback being associated with the training goal, the feedback in part driven by an artificial intelligence engine;

querying a student to determine characteristics of the student;

integrating information based on the characteristics of the student that motivates accomplishment of the training goal;

evaluating progress toward the training goal and the artificial intelligence engine then providing a determined feedback having a feedback category based on an appropriate level of feedback and an appropriate training component that further motivates accomplishment of the training goal, the appropriate level of feedback being selected from the plurality of feedback levels based on an error severity of an associated response from the student, the appropriate training component being selected from a plurality of training components and based on an amount of work contained in the associated response, and further comprising;

determining, by the artificial intelligence engine, the type of the feedback category for the associated response;

when the feedback category corresponds to an administrative category and when an actual amount of work completed by the student is less than an expected amount of work, instructing the student to provide a sufficient amount of work to assess a subsequent response, wherein the administrative category includes at least two of;

detection of the student cheating through a task;

detection of the student submitting no work and avoiding notice; and

detection of the student submitting minor changes to obtain a hint; and

when the feedback category corresponds to an educational category, assessing the associated response in accordance with the educational category; and

dynamically adjusting, by the artificial intelligence engine, a selected level of feedback based on the progress of the student toward the training goal, the determined feedback providing at least one recommendation to the student for submitting a subsequent response.

2. The method of claim 1, containing further computer-executable instructions for:

monitoring answers to questions posed to evaluate the progress toward the training goal; and

generating individualized coaching messages that further motivate accomplishment of the training goal.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting an example based on student progress.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein insurance claim information is integrated into a presentation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein marketing information is integrated into a presentation.

6. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor;

a memory that stores programming information that is executable by the processor, the programming information comprising a plurality of computer-executable objects, the computer-executable objects comprising a tutorial system that is configured to;

receive a training goal;

partition feedback into a plurality of feedback levels, each feedback level corresponding to a severity level of a response error, the feedback being associated with the training goal;

query a student to determine characteristics of the student;

integrate information based on the characteristics of the student that motivates accomplishment of the training goal;

evaluate progress toward the training goal and provides a determined feedback having a feedback category based on an appropriate level of feedback and an appropriate training component that further motivates accomplishment of the training goal, the appropriate level of feedback being selected from the plurality of feedback levels based on an error severity of an associated response from the student, the appropriate training component being selected from a plurality of training components and based on an amount of work contained in the associated response;

determine the type of the feedback category for the associated response;

instruct the student to provide a sufficient amount of work to assess a subsequent response when the feedback category corresponds to an administrative category and when an actual amount of work completed by the student is less than an expected amount of work, wherein the administrative category includes at least two of;

detection of the student cheating through a task;

detection of the student submitting no work and avoiding notice; and

detection of the student submitting minor changes to obtain a hint;

assess the associated response in accordance with the educational category when the feedback category corresponds to an educational category; and

adjust a selected level of feedback based on the progress of the student toward the training goal, the determined feedback providing at least one recommendation to the student for submitting a subsequent response.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the tutorial system is further configured to:

monitor answers to questions posed to evaluate the progress toward the training goal; and

generate individualized coaching messages that further motivate accomplishment of the training goal.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the tutorial system is further configured to:

adjust an example based on student progress.

9. A computer-readable device having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed, perform a method comprising:

receiving a training goal;

partitioning feedback into a plurality of feedback levels, each feedback level corresponding to a severity level of a response error, the feedback being associated with the training goal;

querying a student to determine characteristics of the student;

integrating information based on the characteristics of the student that motivates accomplishment of the training goal;

evaluating progress toward the training goal and providing a determined feedback having a feedback category based on an appropriate level of feedback and an appropriate training component that further motivates accomplishment of the training goal, the appropriate level of feedback being selected from the plurality of feedback levels based on an error severity of an associated response from the student, the appropriate training component being selected from a plurality of training components and based on an amount of work contained in the associated response, and further comprising;

determining the type of the feedback category for the associated response;

when the feedback category corresponds to an administrative category and when an actual amount of work completed by the student is less than an expected amount of work, instructing the student to provide a sufficient amount of work to assess a subsequent response, wherein the administrative category includes at least two of;

detection of the student cheating through a task;

detection of the student submitting no work and avoiding notice; and

detection of the student submitting minor changes to obtain a hint; and

when the feedback category corresponds to an educational category, assessing the associated response in accordance with the educational category; and

dynamically adjusting a selected level of feedback based on the progress of the student toward the training goal, the determined feedback providing at least one recommendation to the student for submitting a subsequent response.

10. The computer-readable device of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises:

monitoring answers to questions posed to evaluate the progress toward the training goal; and

generating individualized coaching messages that further motivate accomplishment of the training goal.

11. The computer-readable device of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises:

adjusting an example based on student progress.