A system for learning and examination training is disclosed. A student can log on the system through a website to review training history, to access a menu of levels of practice examinations of interest to him, and to select training exams on the website. During the examination, the student is able to indicate whether or not help is required at any given point or question. Without regard to whether or not the student believes help is required, all students are subject to a dynamic/interactive evaluation of responses in which a teacher who is on-line with the same website at the time of the student is able to intervene during an examination to invoke help options for the student. In the first instance, the teacher can intervene to change the exam level to either a lower or to a higher one. Among the help options available to a student during an examination within a given level are "auto coach" in which the student is provided with hints and examples; an adaptive question selection in which variations of the same questions are drawn from a database; real time talk support in which the on-line teacher can communicate with the student at the time that this option is invoked; and a multi-solution select option in which a database presents multiple means of problem to accommodate or discover the learning style of the student. The student can be scored, timed and graded in a variety of modes both during and after the examination.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application corresponds in subject matter to Provisional Application serial No. 60/205,633, filed May 18, 2000, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
A system and method for interactive communications skill training is provided. The system includes a user computer system having a memory, a display device, an input device, a video recording device and an audio device. The system also includes an e-learning web site with skill training software for interactively teaching a skill, that is in communication with the user's computer system via a communications network. The system further includes an expert's computer system. The method for interactive communications skill training includes the steps of accessing the e-learning web site by the user, selecting a learning module for a communication skill by the user, interacting with the learning module and recording the user interaction using the video recording device. The method also includes the steps of analyzing the user interaction by an expert and providing the expert analysis to the user via the communication network for review by the user to interactively learn the communication skill.
Methods and apparatus embodying techniques useful in testing students for mastery of educational topics. A plurality of fact elements are accessed and a first fact element is presented in a first semantic format, a first response is received to the fact element in the first semantic format, the first fact element is presented in a second semantic format, and a second response is received to the fact element in the second semantic format. In another aspect, the techniques iteratively present a plurality of fact elements in a plurality of different question formats, and also presents a memory aid. A memory aid may be presented with the fact element.
A method, program and system aligns students and teachers according to dominant learning and teaching styles. The invention creates a menu of learning styles, and a second menu of teaching styles. Students are then tested using each learning style contained in the first menu, and the test scores are entered into a student database. Teachers are also tested using each teaching style contained in the second menu, and a database is then created for the teacher test scores. Using the student and teacher test scores, the system calculates a best-fit match between students and teachers according to corresponding learning and teaching styles.
This invention provides various systems and methods for integrating individualized, objectively managed, computer-assisted learning and directed instruction. The systems and methods of this invention utilize management information to objectively prescribe an individualized integrated instruction plan, which includes individualized computer-based instruction. The individualized computer-based instruction serves as the core means of instruction for a particular subject, effectively replacing textbooks. Initially, each individual is given a gateway test to determine whether the individual has mastered all of the elementary, foundation skills necessary in the particular subject and identify the individual's fund of knowledge in the subject. From the results of the initial test, each individual's areas of understanding and weakness are revealed. As the results of the initial, and any subsequent assessment tests are analyzed, an individual instruction plan is developed, from which lessons are generated and assigned to each individual based on what the individual has not mastered. The systems and methods of this invention also ensure that each individual receives small group instruction with an instructor in addition to the computerized instruction. Each small group is formed, or reformed, of individuals who possess similar funds of knowledge in the particular subject. User-friendly management information is a cornerstone of the objective and/or subjective decisions made in the instructional process.
Systems and methods for integrating collaborative services with content. Collaboration services are provided to a user in the context of content such that the user may collaborate with other contacts or users within the context of the content. The collaborative services are accessed through a pane or window that initially displays a list of experts and peers as well as frequently asked questions links, availability data and configuration data. When a contact is selected, more details about the selected contact are provided to the user including a contact block that indicates how the user may collaborate with the selected contact. The contact block identifies modes of communication such as e-mail, instant messaging, video conferencing, threads, telephone, and the like. When a mode of communication is selected, the user may collaborate with the selected contact. The context of the content is often supplied to the selected contact to improve the collaboration.
