Computer-based educational learning

Abstract

Computer programs and method are disclosed for a computer-based teaching method for various subjects, including grammar. The program includes one or more lessons to test a student's skills relative to a particular subject. A database with coded information allows a computer to search the information, such as sentences and word functions provided therein. A guide for identifying the appropriate code for each respective lesson is provided such that as a student progresses through the lessons, the computer searches the database to provide the appropriate information to the student based upon the code of the information and the guide for the respective lesson. Further, the method of coding answers to a test given with the use of a computer program is discussed. Answers given by a student are compared to the correct answers located in a computer database. The program visually indicates correct answers in a first color and incorrect answers in a second color, whereby the color-coding of the answers provides an easily detectable and effective means for the student and an instructor to recognize any problem's the user may be having in determining the correct answers. Also, a method of coding sentences for use in an educational computer program to teach grammar is disclosed. A numeric code is created for each word function that can be used in a sentence. A respective sentence is reviewed to determine how each word functions in the structure of the sentence. Once reviewed, an appropriate numeric code is assigned to each respective word function used in the sentence, with the numeric code being entered into a database. The numeric code can be read and searched by the computer to allow the computer to recall appropriate sentences for each lesson in the education computer program.

1 . A computer program product embodied on a computer readable medium and executable by a computer for educational testing, the computer program product comprising computer instructions for executing the steps of: 
 storing non-numeric information in a database, wherein the non-numeric information is selected from the group consisting of words and sentences;    assigning numeric coding to the non-numeric information, the numeric coding configured to permit a computer to search the database for non-numeric information;    presenting one or more lessons to test a user's skills relative to the particular subject of grammar;    utilizing a guide having parameters for identifying the appropriate numeric coding for each lesson, whereby as the user progresses through each lesson, the computer searches the database to select and display appropriate non-numeric information to the user based upon the numeric coding and the guide parameters for the respective lesson.    
     
     
         2 . A computer program as recited in  claim 1  wherein each word is assigned a numeric code based on the grammatical use of the word in a sentence.  
     
     
         3 . A computer program as recited in  claim 2  wherein the guide provides the computer program with the appropriate values of the appropriate numeric codes to be used for each lesson, whereby the computer program will read the numeric codes of a sentence and determine, based on the guide, if each respective sentence is appropriate for use in the respective lesson.  
     
     
         4 . A computer program as recited in  claim 3  wherein the computer program further comprises a testing section in which sentences are generated randomly within the limits established by the guide.  
     
     
         5 . A computer program as recited in  claim 4  wherein the sentences generated are within certain parameters established by the user of the program.  
     
     
         6 . A computer program as recited in  claim 2  wherein each word in each sentence is assigned a letter code based on the use of the word in the sentence.  
     
     
         7 . A computer program as recited in  claim 6  wherein the letter codes available for a user to use are displayed in a selection menu, the selection menu having explanations associated with the letter codes, whereby the user can access the explanations if the user so desires.  
     
     
         8 . A computer program as recited in  claim 7  wherein one sentence at a time is displayed, whereby the user must properly identify the grammatical function of the words in response to displayed questions.  
     
     
         9 . A computer program as recited in  claim 8  wherein after the user has attempted to identify all of the word functions in response to displayed questions, the user will click a button and the computer program will determine if all of the word functions were properly identified, whereby if all of the word functions are properly identified by the user, the computer will display the next sentence.  
     
     
         10 . A computer program as recited in  claim 9  wherein after the user has attempted to identify all of the word functions in response to displayed questions, the user will click a button and the computer will determine if all of the word functions were properly identified, whereby if not all of the word functions are properly identified by the user, the computer color codes the answer to distinguish the right answers from the wrong answers, allowing the user and an instructor to easily recognize any problems the user may be having.  
     
     
         11 . A computer program as recited in  claim 10 , wherein a score is generated, the score comprising the number of correct user attempts as a percentage of the number of total user attempts.  
     
     
         12 . A computer program as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the program further comprises a pre-course assessment test to be completed by a user to determine the user's aptitude and knowledge of grammar.  
     
     
         13 . A computer program as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the program further enables an instructor to input data and retrieve data to perform an administrative task, the task selected from the group consisting of creating a syllabus, monitoring user progress, interacting with users, generating reports, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The computer program of  claim 13 , wherein the input data are selected from the group consisting of the length of a designated academic term, number of classes, dates of all scheduled class periods, school closing dates, days of week on which classes meet, total minutes in a class period, number of student users, user name, user class year, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The computer program of  claim 14 , wherein the syllabus is comprised of data selected from the group consisting of the amount of time allocated to complete each lesson, date when each lesson is to be completed, description of the daily lecture and tutorial activities that the instructor plans to provide, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The computer program of  claim 15 , wherein the retrieved data is selected from the group consisting of the time it takes user to complete each lesson, user progress versus the syllabus, total user time for all lessons completed, average user time per lesson completed, scores, grades, lessons completed, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The computer program of  claim 16 , wherein the program utilizes retrieved data to generate reports.  
     
     
         18 . A method of teaching grammar using a computer program, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a computer program product embodied on a computer readable medium and executable by a computer, the computer program product comprising computer instructions and a database comprising words and sentences;    providing a computer for reading and operating the computer program product, the computer comprising a microprocessor, input means and display means;    inputting data into the computer to generate at least an academic term calendar and syllabus;    generating and displaying on the display means a sentence and asking a user to provide answers by identifying the word function of respective words provided in the sentence;    comparing the answers given by the user to the correct answers in the computer database to yield results;    displaying the results and indicating correct answers in a first manner and incorrect answers in a second manner; whereby the user will review the results and modify the incorrect answers, the modified answers will be compared to the correct answers and the correct modified answers will be indicated in a third manner; and    generating and storing user data for retrieval and review.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the data for inputting is selected from the group consisting of the length of a designated academic term, number of classes, dates of all scheduled class periods, school closing dates, days of weeks on which classes meet, total minutes in a class period, number of user, user name, user class years, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the user data for retrieval and review is selected from the group consisting of the time it takes user to complete each lesson, user progress versus the syllabus, total user time for all lessons completed, average user time per lesson completed, scores, grades, lessons completed, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of generating reports based on the user data.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprised of the step of providing a computerized pre-course assessment test to be completed by the user to determine the user's aptitude and knowledge of grammar.