System and method for preparing and delivering informational content

Abstract

At least one content publishing server having a memory storing a map data structure configured by a content author which defines relationships among plural resources and thereby define an informational item of higher granularity content. Each of the plural resources are associated with a first electronic file linked to said map data structure and configured to store information about the usage of the associated resource. Higher granularity content is associated with a second electronic file linked to said map data structure configured to store information about the usage of the higher granularity content. The server which delivers the informational item to a computer gathers feedback usage information reflecting how the higher granularity content and individual ones of the plural resources are used by users. The server updates the electronic files in accordance with the feedback usage information.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A computer-implemented system for delivering and augmenting informational content, comprising:
 at least one content publishing server having a memory storing a map data structure configured by a content author to define relationships among plural resources and thereby define an informational item of higher granularity content;   each of said plural resources being associated with a first electronic file linked to said map data structure and configured to store information about the usage of the associated resource;   the higher granularity content being associated with a second electronic file linked to said map data structure configured to store information about the usage of the higher granularity content;   the content publishing server having networked connection to deliver the informational item to a computer and to receive feedback usage information from the computer reflecting how the higher granularity content and individual ones of the plural resources are used on said computer;   the content publishing server being programmed to update said first and second electronic files in accordance with the feedback usage information.   
     
     
         22 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 21  further comprising resource assembly tool configured to assembly said higher granularity content by defining and storing said map data structure in the memory of said publishing computer. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the content publishing server uses information stored in at least one of said first and second electronic files to conditionally recommend resources to a learner. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21  further comprising at least one resource server computer storing at least one of said plural resources, the resource server computer being in networked communication with said content publishing server to make said at least one of said plural resources available to the publishing server for reference by said map data structure. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22  wherein said content publishing server stores a copy of said first electronic file in association with said at least one of said plural resources. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the map data structure forms a directed graph that defines branches that link individual resources with one another. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the content publishing server has memory configured to store files using a map data structure defining lower granularity content nested within higher granularity content. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the content publishing server has memory configured to store files using a map data defining storing lower granularity content nested within higher granularity content and defining conditional branch points whereby the lower granularity content are only conditionally presented based on user interaction. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the content publishing server has memory configured to store files using a map data structure that causes storing of resources in association with different resource priority levels, including but not limited to the following levels: (a) regular priority, (b) mandatory priority and (c) optional priority. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the content publishing server has memory configured to store files using a map data structure that organizes informational content according to one of at least three predefined types, namely:
 (a) resource type; 
 (b) condition type; and 
 (c) link type. 
 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 21  further configured to initialize and deliver a course to a learner, wherein the content publishing server is programmed to evaluate the higher granularity content and to compile the higher granularity content, including any embedded lower granularity content, into at least one binary structure at the time a course is initialized for said learner. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the content publishing server is programmed to evaluate said informational content according to at least one of three predefined information types, namely:
 (a) resource type; 
 (b) condition type; and 
 (c) link type. 
 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the content publishing server is programmed to test for the resource type and upon detection to recursively load additional informational content if the informational content comprises a nested map data structure. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the content publishing server is programmed to test for the condition type and upon detection storing the informational content as a condition associated with a link.