Computer-aided group-learning methods and systems

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.

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 user 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 communication 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-leading 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 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 communiaoin 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- implemented group - learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising:      setting a time for a group of users to start a dialogue session to work on materials related to the subject so as to provide an interactive environment to help the users learn;        allowing a user to share materials generated by the user with other users, with the user's changes in the materials available to be seen by the other users in real time during the session;        retrieving materials related to the subject during the dialog session for the group of users;        assessing, during the session, the understanding of at least one user in an area of the subject;        allowing some of the users to interact among themselves privately, separate from at least one other user, and among the some of the users, allowing one user to transmit materials to the other users, with the materials available to be received by the other users during the session; and        generating a report that includes information regarding the understanding of the at least one user in at least the area of the subject, wherein the report also can include information regarding the understanding of a number of users as a group in at least one area of the subject.     
     
     
       22. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 21    further comprising customizing the training of a user on the subject based on assessing that user's understanding.   
     
     
       23. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 21    wherein regarding the some of the users, the method allows at least one of them selected to be in this smaller group by others in the some of the users.   
     
     
       24. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 21    further comprising allowing the users to register for the session.   
     
     
       25. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 21    wherein, at least for some of the users, each is represented by a symbol on a screen that can be seen by the other users during the session.   
     
     
       26. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 21    wherein the face of at least one user can be seen on a screen by other users during the session.   
     
     
       27. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 21    further comprising allowing an instructor to observe a user during the session.   
     
     
       28. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 21    further comprising, during the session, allowing materials related to the subject to be provided to just one user, to allow the user to learn.   
     
     
       29. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 21    further comprising:      allowing a user to create notes while working on the subject; and        allowing the user to extract a portion of the retrieving materials and add the portion to the user's notes.     
     
     
       30. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 29    wherein the user's notes can be saved to allow for later review.   
     
     
       31. A computer- implemented group - learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising:      setting a time for a group of users to start a dialogue session to work on materials related to the subject so as to provide an interactive environment to help the users learn;        allowing a user to share materials generated by the user with other users, with the user's changes in the materials available to be seen by the other users in real time during the session;        retrieving materials related to the subject during the dialog session for the group of users;        representing, at least for some of the users, each by a symbol on a screen that can be seen by other users during the session;        allowing the face of at least one user to be seen on the screen by other users during the session,        wherein the face of another user can be seen on the screen by other users during the session,        wherein the another user and the at least one user are connected by a network, through which they can communicate during the session,        wherein the method further comprises assessing and tracking the understanding of a user in an area of the subject, and        wherein a report can be generated that includes information regarding the understanding of a user in at least an area of the subject.     
     
     
       32. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 31    wherein the method further comprises retrieving materials related to the subject for a user, with the materials tailored to the user, such that the materials retrieved can be different for a different user.   
     
     
       33. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 32    further comprising allowing some of the users to interact among themselves privately, separate from at least one other user.   
     
     
       34. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 32    further comprising recording the session to allow for later playback.   
     
     
       35. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 32    further comprising:      allowing a user to create notes on the subject; and        allowing the user to link a piece of notes created to an area of the materials retrieved.     
     
     
       36. A computer- implemented group - learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising:      allowing a group of users to engage in a dialogue session while working on the subject, with the session providing an interactive environment for the users to learn;        having at least a portion of the dialogue session recorded with the recorded dialogue materials being able to be retrieved at a later time;        retrieving materials related to the subject for a user;        allowing the user to mark the beginning and the end of a certain section of the retrieved materials so that the certain section can be brought to the user based on the mark;        allowing the user to create notes while working on the subject; and        allowing the user to link a piece of notes created to an area of the materials retrieved.     
     
     
       37. A computer- implemented group - learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising:      allowing a group of users to engage in a dialogue session while working on the subject, with the session providing an interactive environment for the users to learn;        having at least a portion of the dialogue session recorded with the recorded dialogue materials being able to be retrieved at a later time;        retrieving materials related to the subject for a user, but not for at least one other user, during the session;        allowing the user to create notes while working on the subject; and        allowing the user to extract a portion of the retrieved materials and add the portion to the user's notes.     
     
     
       38. A computer- implemented group - learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising:      allowing a group of users to engage in a dialogue session while working on the subject, with the session providing an interactive environment for the users to learn, such that during such dialogue, one user can share a drawing with the other users, and changes made in the drawing can be seen by other users as the changes are made;        retrieving materials related to the subject for a user during the session; and        allowing the user to individually work on the retrieved materials not during the dialogue session,        wherein the method further comprises retrieving materials related to the subject for another user, with the materials tailored to the another user, such that the materials retrieved can be different for a different user.     
     
     
       39. A computer- implemented group - learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising:      allowing a group of users to engage in a dialogue session while working on the subject, with the session providing an interactive environment for the users to learn;        allowing some of the users, which can be more than two, to engage in a separate dialogue privately among themselves, apart from at least one other user, such that during such dialogue,      among the some of the users, allows one user to transmit materials to the other users, with the materials available to be received by the other users,        among the some of the users, allows one user to transmit materials to another user, with the materials available to be received by the another user, in private, and        materials on a problem regarding the subject can be sent to the users to allow them to work on the problem;          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.     
     
     
       40. A computer- implemented group - learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising:      allowing a group of users to engage in a dialogue session while working on the subject, with the session providing an interactive environment for the users to learn;        retrieving materials related to the subject, during the dialogue session, for at least one of the users to work on;        asking at least one user a question during the dialogue session, with the question not provided to at least one other user;        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.     
     
     
       41. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 40    wherein the materials retrieved related to the subject for at least one of the users is not provided to at least one other user.   
     
     
       42. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 21    wherein the assessment allows the at least one user to select a response from a plurality of responses.   
     
     
       43. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 24    further comprising creating a profile for the at least one user to keep track of the understanding of the user in the subject.   
     
     
       44. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 25    wherein the symbol of at least one user can be selected by the user.   
     
     
       45. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 21    further comprising allowing the instructor to transmit materials to just the user the instructor observed, with the materials available to be received by that user, during the session.   
     
     
       46. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 39    further comprising ascertaining materials regarding the subject based on an attribute of a user, for the user to work on.   
     
     
       47. A computer- implemented group - learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising:      allowing a group of users to engage in a dialogue session while working on the subject, with the session providing an interactive environment for the users to learn;        allowing a user to transmit materials to the other users, with the materials available to be received by the other users, during the session;        allowing a user to transmit materials to one other user, with the materials available to be received by the one other user, in private, during the session;        allowing materials on a problem regarding the subject to be sent to the users during the session so that they can work on the problem; and        retrieving materials related to the subject for a user, and not for at least one other user, during the dialogue session, to allow the user to individually work on the retrieved materials not during the dialogue session.     
     
     
       48. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 47    further comprising allowing a user to decide whether materials are to be received by the user in an audio manner or in an audio-visual manner.   
     
     
       49. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 36    wherein a report can be generated that includes information regarding the understanding of a user in at least an area of the subject.   
     
     
       50. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 37    wherein a report can be generated that includes information regarding the understanding of a user in at least an area of the subject.   
     
     
       51. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 46    wherein among the some of the users, one user can transmit a drawing to the other users, with the drawing available to be received by the other users, during the separate dialogue.   
     
     
       52. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 47    further comprising ascertaining materials regarding the subject based on an attribute of a user, for the user to work on.   
     
     
       53. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 22    further comprising assessing the user during the session to customize the training of the user.   
     
     
       54. A computer- implemented group - learning method as recited in    claim 38    wherein the materials for the another user are retrieved during the session.   
     
     
       55. A computer- implemented group - learning method for more than one user to work on a subject, the method comprising:      setting, by a computing device, a time for a group of users to start a dialogue session to work on materials related to the subject so as to provide an interactive environment to help the users learn;        monitoring, by a computing device, at least one user's inputs during the dialogue session so as to have the monitored inputs for analysis to determine if the user has been distracted from the subject; and        helping, by a computing device, the at least one user in view of the user being distracted from the subject for a duration of time, as indicated by the analysis.