Inexpensive computer-aided learning methods and apparatus

Abstract

A computer-aided learning method and apparatus to learn materials. In one embodiment, the apparatus retrieves a user identifier entered by the user, and determines whether the user is a learning user or an institute user. If the user is a learning user, the apparatus allows the user to access information regarding learning materials, which could be a project for the user. Not only does the apparatus provide the user the freedom as to where and when to learn, and the guidance as to what to learn, the user does not have to pay. If the user is an institute user, the apparatus permits the user to learn materials regarding at least one learning user. The institute user might be interested to use the apparatus to recruit employees to fill job openings. The apparatus can also track and update information regarding the users.

1 . A computing apparatus comprising:
 a first computing device; and   a networked storage device accessible at least via a network,
 the networked storage device coupled to the first computing device, and 
 the networked storage device to have stored thereon instructions that, when executed, cause the apparatus to:
 receive, via a web server, a web request from a user using a second computing device to access a first set of materials via a network that includes the Internet, the web request including a user identifier identifying the user, and a service identifier at least indicating to access the first set of materials, wherein the first set of materials includes materials on a first project for the user; 
 track at least some of the user's usage of the first set of materials, including accessing the first set of materials; and 
 receive, via a web server, a web request from a first entity using a third computing device to access information regarding the tracked user's usage of the first set of materials, via a network that includes the Internet, the web request including a user identifier identifying the first entity, and a service identifier at least indicating to access the information regarding the tracked user's usage of the first set of materials; 
 
 wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to:
 search for materials related to the first project to extract materials for the user; 
 send the extracted materials related to the first project via a network that includes the Internet, to the second computing device to be presented; and 
 cause the generating of an accounting record to charge the first entity so as to allow the first entity to access at least some of the information regarding the tracked user's usage of the first set of materials. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . A computing apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first project is a project the user is working on. 
     
     
         3 . A computing apparatus as recited in  claim 1   wherein at least some of the materials to be searched include documents that are categorized, and   wherein to search for materials includes to search the categorized documents to extract more than one of the categorized documents, and   wherein at least some of the extracted categorized documents are organized based on one or more rules to prioritize them to be presented to the user.   
     
     
         4 . A computing apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the extracted materials include materials generated by a person on a second project, which is different from but related to the first project. 
     
     
         5 . A computing apparatus as recited in  claim 4  wherein the first project has a first identifier, and the second project has a second identifier, which is different from the first identifier. 
     
     
         6 . A computing apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the apparatus to search for the second project depends on using at least a rule relating the first identifier and the second identifier. 
     
     
         7 . A computing apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein to search for materials includes to search for the second identifier. 
     
     
         8 . A computing apparatus as recited in  claim 5 ,
 wherein the second project includes a description in addition to the second identifier, and   wherein to search for materials includes to search the description.   
     
     
         9 . A computing apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein to search for materials includes to search based on time. 
     
     
         10 . A computing apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein to search for materials includes to search based on a location of the user. 
     
     
         11 . A computing apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the user is an employee of the entity, and the entity is a company. 
     
     
         12 . A computing apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the user is a student, not an employee of the entity, and the entity is a school.