Method and system for collection, aggregation and distribution of free-text information

Abstract

An interactive computer system and method collects, aggregates and distributes information derived from free-text responses to questions. The system and method collect free-text responses from a subject user and aggregates them with free-text responses from other users. The system and method then uses these free-text responses in learning methodologies (such as temporal spacing) and styles to facilitate long-term learning and knowledge retention.

1 . A method of collecting information from users and aggregating it into a useful format, the method comprising:
 through a computer device and a server computer in communication with each other:   a. presenting a question to a subject user at the computer device;   b. electronically recording, by the server computer, the subject user's free text response to the question;   c. calculating a list of one or more prior free text responses from other subject users, which may be equivalent to the response of the subject user;   d. presenting the calculated list of potentially-equivalent free text responses from other subject users to the subject user at the computer device;   e. the subject user selecting if one or more prior responses on the list are equivalent to the subject user's response or if none on the list is equivalent; and   f. electronically recording, by the server computer, the subject user's selection of an equivalent response;   such that responses from the subject user are collected and aggregated into the responses from other users in a manner resulting in useful aggregate information.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the question is electronically delivered to the subject user through electronic mail, text message, or other method of electronic delivery. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the electronic mail or text message or other method of electronic delivery comprises hyperlink to a web-page where the subject user can submit the subject user's answer to the question. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the calculating step is performed at a central server. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of presenting the question is accomplished by delivering the question to a computer, portable media device, personal digital assistant, or mobile email receiver as the computer device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the calculating step is performed on the subject user's computer, portable media device, personal digital assistant, or mobile email receiver. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the calculating in step c includes identification of equivalent responses, said identification being performed by a computer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the calculating in step c includes identification of equivalent responses, said identification being is performed by a person different from the subject user. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the calculating a list of one or more prior free text responses from other subject users (step c) is performed electronically by matching key words of the subject user's response to those in prior responses. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the question comprises a target curriculum; and
 the method further comprising:   g. creating a set of curricular objectives;   h. developing a set of questions and answers that teach the set of curricular objectives.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing the subject user with the correct answer(s) to the question and/or educational material to foster learning about the topic covered by the question. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the correctness of the answer and its components is determined by one or more computers. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the correctness of the answer and its components is determined by one or more persons. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the responses to the questions and their metadata (including but not limited to popularity and equivalent answers) are entered into a searchable electronic database. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step a further comprises presenting a set of pre-determined answer choices and a free text response box to the subject user at the computer device,
 wherein step b further comprises electronically recording, by the server computer, the subject user's answer,   wherein, in step c, the response of the subject user is a free text response of the subject user,   wherein, in step e, the one or more prior responses on the list are one or more free text responses on the list,   wherein, in step e, the subject user's response is the subject user's free text response, and   wherein, in step f, the equivalent response is an equivalent free text response.   
     
     
         16 . A computer system for collecting information from users and aggregating it into a useful format, comprising:
 a server computer;   a computer device coupled to the server computer by a communication network, the server computer and the computer device being operatively configured to:   a. present a question to a subject user;   b. electronically record the subject user's free text response to the question;   c. calculate a list of one or more prior free text responses from other subject users which may be equivalent to response of the subject user;   d. present the calculated list of potentially-equivalent free text responses from other subject users to the subject user;   e. the subject user selecting if one or more prior responses on the list is equivalent to the subject user's response or if none on the list is equivalent; and   f. electronically record the subject user's selection of an equivalent response;   such that responses from the subject user are collected and aggregated into the responses from other users in a manner resulting in useful aggregate information.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the question is electronically delivered to the subject user through electronic mail, text message, or other method of electronic delivery. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the electronic mail or text message or other system of electronic delivery comprises hyperlink to a web-page where the subject user can submit the subject user's answer to the question. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the calculating step is performed at a central server. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the step of presenting the question is accomplished by delivering the question to a computer, portable media device, personal digital assistant, or mobile email receiver as the computer device. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the calculating step is performed on the subject user's computer, portable media device, personal digital assistant, or mobile email receiver. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the calculating in step c includes identification of equivalent responses, said identification being performed by a computer. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the calculating in step c includes identification of equivalent responses, said identification being is performed by a person different from the subject user. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the calculating a list of one or more prior free text responses from other subject users (step c) is performed electronically by matching key words of the subject user's response to those in prior responses. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the question comprises a target curriculum; and
 the system further comprising:   g. creating a set of curricular objectives;   h. developing a set of questions and answers that teach the set of curricular objectives.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of providing the subject user with the correct answer(s) to the question and/or educational material to foster learning about the topic covered by the question. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the correctness of the answer and its components is determined by one or more computers. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the correctness of the answer and its components is determined by one or more persons. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the responses to the questions and their metadata (including but not limited to popularity and equivalent answers) are entered into a searchable electronic database. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein step a further comprises presenting a set of pre-determined answer choices and a free text response box to the subject user at the computer device,
 wherein step b further comprises electronically recording, by the server computer, the subject user's answer,   wherein, in step c, the response of the subject user is a free text response of the subject user,   wherein, in step e, the one or more prior responses on the list are one or more free text responses on the list,   wherein, in step e, the subject user's response is the subject user's free text response, and   wherein, in step f, the equivalent response is an equivalent free text response.   
     
     
         31 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs for collecting information from users and aggregating it into a useful format, the one or more programs for execution by one or more processors of a computer system, the computer system comprising a server computer and a computer device coupled to the server computer by a communication network, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:
 a. presenting a question to a subject user at the computer device;   b. electronically recording, by the server computer, the subject user's free text response to the question;   c. calculating a list of one or more prior free text responses from other subject users which may be equivalent to response of the subject user;   d. presenting the calculated list of potentially-equivalent free text responses from other subject users to the subject user at the computer device;   e. prompting the subject user to select if one or more prior responses on the list are equivalent to the subject user's response or if none on the list is equivalent; and   f. electronically recording, by the server computer, the subject user's selection of an equivalent response;   such that responses from the subject user are collected and aggregated into the responses from other users in a manner resulting in useful aggregate information.