Collaborative and interactive learning

Abstract

The present invention helps generate connected communities of students and educators through access to an increased pool of granular learning resources that benefit from standardization of formats for creating and utilizing individual discussions on individual topics. The present invention also circumvents the complexity of existing repository systems by creating a standard platform format. Because this format is de facto implemented for any educator using the platform, standardized question types (e.g., discussion types or topic types) become functionally interchangeable notwithstanding any particular individuals utilizing the invention. The interchangeability of individual topics allows for creation of a global “topic library,” which may be made available to any educator using the system. This global topic library contains the standardized questions or discussion topics thereby allowing for quick review, selection, and incorporation into the individual teaching environment of any teacher utilizing the invention.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for sharing topics in an online learning environment, the method comprising:
 creating at least one topic based on input from at least one contributor, wherein the at least one topic is a self-contained learning unit including an interface for user interaction, and wherein the at least one topic is associated with an interaction type;   generating a topic library that includes a plurality of topics, each topic shared in the topic library and associated with a respective contributor of a plurality of contributors; and   executing an application that allows access to an online learning environment, the application executed at a computing device associated with a user, wherein a user accessing the online learning environment is allowed access to the topic library.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one topic is shared in the topic library based on permission granted by the associated contributor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the topic library is searchable. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of topics is associated with a dynamic rating. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising generating a contributor rating for each contributor of the plurality of contributors. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein generating a contributor rating is based on the ratings of the topics associated with the respective contributor of the plurality of contributors.