Computer-Based Tutoring Method and System

Abstract

Disclosed are a computer-based tutoring method and system in which an animated tutor, an animated avatar, and at least one animated group member selected by a user are displayed on a screen. A tutorial is presented by the animated tutor. During the tutorial, an interactive question is presented. An answer is received from the user. If the answer is correct, the tutorial continues. If the answer is incorrect, a second tutorial is presented. The second tutorial is based on the incorrect answer received from the user. Dialogue between the animated tutor, the animated avatar, and the animated group members may be held. Dialogue among animated group members may be held.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 12 / 472,790, filed on May 27, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 130,243 filed on May 29, 2008, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to education systems, and more particularly to computer-based tutoring methods and systems.[0003]In a traditional education system, an instructor and a group of students meet in a classroom. The instructor gives a lecture, and the students listen. How well a student learns the subject is gauged periodically by grades on homework and tests. Although the traditional education system has been entrenched for centuries, it inherently suffers from a number of deleterious constraints.[0004]One constraint is access. Access to the traditional education system is limited to students who can travel to the classroom and whose schedule may accommodate a speci...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although the traditional education system has been entrenched for centuries, it inherently suffers from a number of deleterious constraints.

Access to the traditional education system is limited to students who can travel to the classroom and whose schedule may accommodate a specific class.

For part-time students, including employees receiving professional training, however, travel, schedule, and attendant expenses restrict the opportunities for classroom instruction.

Another constraint is limited opportunity for instructor-student interaction.

Often there is limited opportunity for questions and answers.

Since individual students learn at different paces and may have questions on different portions of the subject, classroom instruction often does not meet the needs of individual students (in contrast to students in aggregate).

A related issue is timeliness of feedback.

Deficiencies in students' understanding of the subject matter are uncovered after they have received poor grades.

Depending on the frequency of the homework and tests, students may struggle with new material because they have not yet mastered the previous material.

Computer-based instruction, however, often shares some of the same limitations as traditional classroom instruction.

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