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.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. Reissue patent application Ser. No. 10 / 264,552, filed on Oct. 6, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. RE38,432 E, and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 474,278, filed on Dec. 29, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,160,987, which is the continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 015,653 filed on Jan. 29, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,043 <?delete-start id="DEL-S-00001" date="20071218" ?>and is<?delete-end id="DEL-S-00001" ?> <?insert-start id="INS-S-00002" date="20071218" ?>, all <?insert-end id="INS-S-00002" ?>incorporated by reference into this application.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to learning, and more particularly to computer-aided methods and systems for a group of users to work on a subject.[0003]The most common group-learning environment is a classroom. For thousands of years, knowledge has been conveyed in a classroom, with an instructor teaching...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]Not only can the invention include benefits of a personalized computer-aided learning system, such as learning materials tailored to users and large databases of information, the invention can also allow users to interact. A user working in such a group-learning environment is usually much more alert than working individually with a machine. Also, typically, it is more effective to solve a problem by a group than by a single person. Not only do different users bring into the group their different background, experience, knowledge and perspective, a group environment can help users concentrate.

[0020]In one embodiment, the invented system can monitor and analyze users' inputs, such as when they are interacting. This embodiment reduces the potential pitfall of users wasting too much time gossiping or distracted from the subject of interest because the system can be aware of such distractions. Also a weak user can be identified early on so that he can be separately taught to bring him up to speed with the other users. Such a weak user might be more motivated to learning in a group environment than in an individual learning environment because he might be ridiculed or ignored by other users due to his ignorance.

[0023]To be aware of an end in a dialogue session helps the group focus, because if there is no end in sight, there is a higher tendency for users to wander aimlessly. In one embodiment, the interaction controller initiates and stops a dialogue session for users to communicate among themselves for the duration of time.

[0024]In one embodiment, materials generated for the users can be individually tailored to each user, who can access the materials separately from the other users. The interaction controller can also generate questions and tests to determine users' performance in working on the subject, and provide hints to help users solve problems.

[0029]Another embodiment of the invention further includes 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 determination may be by an instructor, the embodiment itself, or the existing users. The registry can also access a summarized profile of the existing users to help the potential user decide if she wants to join. To further enhance the decison process, the registry can also provide the potential user temporary access to a dialogue session to communicate with the existing users. Moreover, the registry can forbid an existing user from using the system to work on the subject, based on recommendations, such as from an instructor or other users, or due to the user's consistently poor performance in working on the subject.

Problems solved by technology

Such a weak user might be more motivated to learning in a group environment than in an individual learning environment because he might be ridiculed or ignored by other users due to his ignorance.

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