Systems and methods for online learning in a combined game and forum setting

Abstract

The field of the invention relates to systems and methods that enable online learning in a game setting combined with community forum support and real world practice. In an embodiment, the system includes an online learning server system coupled to a public network and accessible to one or more users. The online learning server system is configured to retrieve a user's data in association with an educational game, determine at least one lesson, challenge, or mini-game, and provide the at least one lesson, challenge, or mini-game for playing. When the user unlocks a lesson or level in the game, the system unlocks the associated lesson or level in a forum associated with the game, and promotes the user to participate in the forum. At the completion of the learning game, the online learning server system calculates progress and level of the user, updates, and stores the user's data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-based system for providing online learning in a game, comprising:
 an online learning server system, operatively coupled to a public network, having game application program interface, a forum application program interface, a database that stores data associated with a plurality of users, wherein the online learning server system is configured to:   retrieve a user's data in association with an educational game;   determine at least one electronic episode object, lesson object, challenge object, mini-game object, help object, or tutorial object;   provide the at least one electronic lesson object, challenge object, or mini-game object for playing;   provide the at least one help object or tutorial object;   electronically unlock at least one lesson object or level object in a forum associated with the educational game;   calculate progress and level;   update the user's data; and   store the user's data.   
     
     
         2 . A computer-based system for providing online learning in a game, comprising:
 an online learning server system, operatively coupled to a public network, having game application program interface, a forum application program interface, a database that stores data associated with a plurality of users, wherein the online learning server system is configured to:   retrieve a user's data in association with an electronic game forum;   determine at least one level of forum participation;   provide the least one level of forum participation for user participation; and   calculate, update, and store the user's data.