USRE38432EExpiredUtility
Computer-aided group-learning methods and systems
Est. expiryJan 29, 2018(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
G09B 7/04G09B 5/065G09B 5/14
92
PatentIndex Score
108
Cited by
133
References
81
Claims
Abstract
Providing methods and systems for a computer-aided group-learning environment, where a number of users can interact and work on a subject together. The system and method can monitor and analyze users' inputs. The analysis process can identify a user's performance on the subject, and can understand some of the user's traits, such as confidence level and learning attitude. The system can include an interaction controller, which sets a duration of time for the users to communicate in a dialogue environment. Working on the subject in a group and working alone can be intertwined. For example, the users first work on the materials generated individually, and then solve the problem together in a dialogue environment. During the dialogue session, the interaction controller can provide hints to the users. The system can also include a user registry, which restricts the users who can use the embodiment to work on the subject. The registry can receive potential user's characteristics to determine whether such user may be allowed to join the existing users to work on the subject. The registry can also access a summarized profile of the existing users to help the potential user make joining decisions. The system can also include a notepad for a user to take notes. The interaction controller can also guide the user to take notes.
Claims
exact text as granted — not AI-modifiedWe claim:
1. A computer-aided group-learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising the steps of:
setting a duration of time for users to communicate in a dialogue session so as to allow the users to work on materials on the subject; and
monitoring at least one user's inputs during the dialogue session so as to have the monitored inputs available for analysis to guide at least one user back to the subject in the dialogue session when one or more users have been distracted from the subject;
such that the dialogue session provides an interactive environment to help the users learn.
2. A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein the materials for at least one user to work on are tailored to that user based on monitored inputs.
3. A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of responding to a user's natural-language question.
4. A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of restricting one user from communicating with at least one other user.
5. A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein the analysis includes analyzing the relevancy of the user's inputs.
6. A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein the analysis is also for generating a profile of one or more users.
7. A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of restricting one or more users who can work on the subject.
8. A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 7 wherein the restriction is on limiting a user to observing but not interacting in the dialogue session.
9. A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of restricting a potential user from learning the subject with the more than one users based on information related to the potential user.
10. A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of retrieving information related to one or more users for a potential user to decide on learning the subject with the one or more users.
11. A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of guiding the user to take notes on the subject so as to help the user learn the subject;
wherein the guidance is related to the subject.
12. A computer-aided group-learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein:
the users communicate in a mode of communication; and
the mode of communication can be selected from a unicast, multicast and broadcast mode.
13. A computer-aided group-learning system for more than one user to work on a subject, the system comprising:
a controller configured to set a duration of time for users to communicate in a dialogue session so as to allow the users to work on materials on the subject; and
a monitoring apparatus configured to monitor at least one user's inputs to the system during the dialogue session so as to have the monitored inputs available for analysis to guide at least one user back to the subject in the dialogue session when one or more users have been distracted from the subject;
such that the dialogue session provides an interactive environment to help the users learn.
14. A computer-aided group-learning system for more than one user to work on a subject the system comprising:
a plurality of notepads, with at least two of said notepads coupled together to allow information to communicate between each other;
at least one of the notepads being configured for a user to take notes while working on the subject through the system; and
a notepad controller configured to monitor the user's inputs to guide the user to take notes on the subject so as to help the user learn that subject;
wherein the guidance is related to the subject, and the system allows more than one user to work on the subject in a dialogue session to help the users learn.
15. A computer-aided learning system as recited in claim 14 wherein the guidance is presented in the notepad.
16. A computer-aided learning system as recited in claim 14 wherein the guidance depends on the user's strength in the subject.
17. A computer-aided learning system as recited in claim 14 wherein the system is configured to allow the user to cut materials on the subject the user has received, and paste the materials in the notepad.
18. A computer-aided learning system as recited in claim 14 wherein the system is configured to allow the user to link the notes taken to the subject's materials that the user is working on.
19. A computer-aided group-learning system as recited in claim 18 wherein the link is from an area in the notes to a point in the materials.
20. A computer-aided group-learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of notepads, with at least two of said notepads coupled together to allow information to communicate between each other;
allocating an area in a notepad for a user to take notes while working on the subject; and
monitoring the user's inputs to guide the user to take notes on the subject so as to help the user learn the subject;
wherein the guidance is related to the subject, and the method allows more than one user to work on the subject in a dialogue session to help the users learn.
21. A computer- aided group - learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising:
allowing users to communicate in a dialogue session to work on materials on the subject; and
monitoring at least one user's inputs during the dialogue session so as to have the monitored inputs available for analysis to guide at least one user back to the subject in the dialogue session when one or more users have been distracted from the subject;
such that the dialogue session provides an interactive environment to help the users learn.
22. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 21 further comprising having at least a portion of the dialogue session recorded so that the recorded dialogue materials can be retrieved at a later time.
23. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 21 further comprising:
retrieving materials for a users with at least a portion of the retrieved materials being tailored to the user; and
allowing the user to individually work on the subject using the retrieved materials.
24. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein the users are working together to solve a problem related to the subject.
25. A computer- aided group - learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising:
allowing, by a system, users to communicate in a dialogue session to work on materials related to the subject, with the session providing an interactive environment to help the users learn;
monitoring at least one user's inputs during the dialogue session;
retrieving materials for a user, with at least a portion of the retrieved materials being tailored to the user;
allowing the user to individually work on the retrieved materials;
wherein the monitored inputs can be available for analysis; and
wherein during the dialogue session, an instructor, using the system, can observe at least a user's dialogue.
26. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 25 wherein the users are required to register before the users can participate in the dialogue session.
27. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 25 further comprising having at least a portion of the dialogue session recorded so that the recorded dialogue materials can be retrieved at a later time.
28. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 25 wherein the users are working together to solve a problem related to the subject during the dialogue session.
29. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 25 further comprising retrieving materials for the users to individually work on.
30. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 29 wherein the users are allowed to individually work on the retrieved materials before the dialogue session.
31. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 29 wherein the users are allowed to individually work on the retrieved materials after the dialogue session.
32. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 25 further comprising allowing the user to mark a certain part of the retrieved materials, such that the user can go directly to that part through the mark.
33. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 25 wherein the users are allowed to communicate orally in the dialogue session.
34. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 25 wherein during the dialogue session, a user can select to communicate with only one other user, or to more than one other users at the same time.
35. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 25 further comprising providing a response to a question from a user.
36. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 25 further comprising asking the users a question.
37. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 25 further comprising allocating an area for a user to take notes while working on the subject.
38. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 37 further comprising allowing a user to cut a piece of materials on the subject to be pasted into the note - taking area.
39. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 37 further comprising allowing a user to link a piece of notes taken to an area of the materials on the subject.
40. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 25 further comprising testing the users on the subject.
41. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 40 wherein the performances of the users are tracked.
42. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 25 further comprising providing feedback to the users.
43. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 25 further comprising providing reports regarding the users.
44. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 25 further comprising providing a profile of each user.
45. A computer- aided group - learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising:
allowing, by a system, users to communicate in a dialogue session to work on materials on the subject, with the session providing an interactive environment to help the users learn;
having at least a portion of the dialogue session recorded so that the recorded dialogue materials can be retrieved at a later time;
retrieving materials for a user to individually work on the subject;
allocating an area for the user to take notes while working on the subject; and
allowing the user to link a piece of notes taken to an area of the materials retrieved.
46. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 45 further comprising allowing the user to cut a piece of the retrieved materials to be pasted into the notes - taking area.
47. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 45 further comprising allowing the user to mark a certain part of the retrieved materials, such that the user can go directly to that part through the mark.
48. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 45 wherein during the dialogue session, an instructor, using the system, can observe at least a user's dialogue.
49. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 45 further comprising retrieving materials for the users to individually work on, before the dialogue session.
50. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 45 further comprising retrieving materials for the users to individually work on, after the dialogue session.
51. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 45 wherein at least a portion of the retrieved materials is tailored to the user.
52. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 45 further comprising requiring the users to register before the users can work on the subject.
53. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 45 wherein the retrieved materials include at least a portion of the recorded dialogue.
54. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 45 further comprising providing a response to a question from the user.
55. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 45 further comprising asking the users a question.
56. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 45 further comprising testing the users on the subject, with the performances of the users tracked.
57. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 45 wherein the users are working together to solve a problem related to the subject.
58. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 45 further comprising providing feedback to the users.
59. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 45 further comprising providing reports regarding the users.
60. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 45 further comprising providing a profile of each user.
61. A computer- aided group - learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising:
allowing, by a system, a group of users to communicate in a dialogue session to work on the subject, with the session providing an interactive environment to help the users learn;
during a certain period of time in the dialogue session, allowing some of the users in the group to be in a separate dialogue, with at least one of the users in the group restricted from joining the separate dialogue;
retrieving materials related to the subject for a user; and
allowing the user to individually work on the retrieved materials not during the dialogue session;
wherein there can be three or more users in the separate dialogue.
62. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 61 wherein at least a portion of the dialogue session can be recorded, and the recorded dialogue can be retrieved at a later time.
63. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 61 wherein at least one user can see a video image of another user during the dialogue session.
64. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 61 wherein
there can be another group of users communicating in another dialogue session to work on the subject; and
a user is in which group depending on the user's competency or whether the user has learnt a pre - requisite of the subject.
65. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 61 wherein
there can be another group of users communicating in another dialogue session to work on the subject; and
a user is in which group depending on an interest of the user.
66. A computer- aided group - learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising:
allowing, by a system, users to communicate in a dialogue session to work on the subject, with the session providing an interactive environment to help the users learn;
allowing at least one user to receive another user's drawing during the dialogue session;
retrieving materials related to the subject for a user; and
allowing the user to individually work on the retrieved materials not during the dialogue session.
67. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 66 wherein said at least one user is receiving the another user's drawing as the another use is making the drawing.
68. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 66 wherein at least a portion of the dialogue session can be recorded, and the recorded dialogue can be retrieved at a later time.
69. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 66 wherein at least one user can see a video image of another user during the dialogue session.
70. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 66 wherein
there can be another group of users communicating in another dialogue session to work on the subject; and
a user is in which group depending on the user's competency or whether the user has learnt a pre - requisite of the subject.
71. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 66 wherein
there can be another group of users communicating in another dialogue session to work on the subject; and
a user is in which group depending on an interest of the user.
72. A computer- aided group - learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising:
allowing, by a system, users to communicate in a dialogue session to work on the subject, with the session providing an interactive environment to help the users learn;
retrieving materials related to the subject, during the dialogue session, for at least one of the users to work on; and
retrieving materials related to the subject for a user, and allowing the user to individually work on the retrieved materials not during the dialogue session.
73. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 72 wherein at least a portion of the dialogue session can be recorded, and the recorded dialogue can be retrieved at a later time.
74. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 72 wherein at least one user can see a video image of another user during the dialogue session.
75. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 72 wherein
there can be another group of users communicating in another dialogue session to work on the subject; and
a user is in which group depending on the user's competency or whether the user has learnt a pre - requisite of the subject.
76. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 72 wherein
there can be another group of users communicating in another dialogue session to work on the subject; and
a user is in which group depending on an interest of the user.
77. A computer- aided group - learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising:
allowing, by a system, users to communicate in a dialogue session to work on the subject, with the session providing an interactive environment to help the users learn;
retrieving materials related to the subject for a user;
allowing the user to individually work on the retrieved materials not during the dialogue session;
allocating an area for the user to take notes while working on the materials; and
allowing the user to link a piece of notes taken to the materials.
78. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 77 wherein at least a portion of the dialogue session can be recorded, and the recorded dialogue can be retrieved at a later time.
79. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 77 wherein at least one user can see a video image of another user during the dialogue session.
80. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 77 wherein
there can be another group of users communicating in another dialogue session to work on the subject; and
a user is in which group depending on the user's competency or whether the user has learnt a pre - requisite of the subject.
81. A computer- aided group - learning method as recited in claim 77 wherein
there can be another group of users communicating in another dialogue session to work on the subject; and
a user is in which group depending on an interest of the user.Join the waitlist — get patent alerts
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