Intelligent educational platform

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method for distance education of fields of knowledge to learners with different levels of knowledge and educational needs. The method includes receiving one or more subjects intended to be learned from a first user, determining a set of requirements / prerequisites for learning each subject of the one or more subjects using a database, receiving a first unknown subset of requirements / prerequisites among the set of requirements / prerequisites from the first user by dividing the set of requirements / prerequisites into the first unknown subset of requirements / prerequisites and a known subset of requirements / prerequisites, determining a second unknown subset of requirements / prerequisites among the known subset of requirements / prerequisites by performing a set of tests respective to the known subset of requirements / prerequisites using the database, and generating a learning package respective to each subject of the one or more subjects based on the first unknown subset and the second unknown subset using the database.

Description

INTELLIGENT EDUCATIONAL PLATFORMTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to methods and systems for distance learning, and particularly, to a method and system for providing individualized and customized learning packages.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In general, conventional education is based on a face-to-face training scheme. Such a conventional education scheme requires additional time and cost because the students must move to the studying place. Recently, distance learning has arose and developed to save time and also for the use of students who are not able to attend the class. Specially, COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted education in over 150 countries and affected about 1.6 billion students. In response, many countries implemented some form of remote learning. However, in both cases of conventional education and distance learning, professors, trainers, or teachers present the same educational packages to all students according to a predetermined curriculum mostly based on age of students regardless of various characteristics, skills, level of knowledge, educational needs of each student, etc. Moreover, an important step of learning is finding appropriate and exactly relevant resources and documents for studying which requires spending a lot of time.

[0003] Hence, there is a need in the art to overcome the problems and drawbacks of conventional education and current distance learning systems and methods. There is a need in the art for an intelligent educational / training system and / or method that can be accessible anywhere and anytime and capable of being individualized and customized depending on age, educational needs, previous studies, and level of knowledge of each learner.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of this patent, and is not intended to identify essential elements or key elements of the subject matter, nor is intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed implementations. The proper scope of this patent may be ascertained from the claims set forth below in view of the detailed description below and the drawings.

[0005] In one general aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method for distance education of different fields of knowledge to learners with different levels of knowledge and educational needs. In an exemplary embodiment, the method may include receiving one or more subjects intended to be learned from a first user, determining a set of requirements and prerequisites for learning each subject of the one or more subjects using a database, receiving a first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites among the set of requirements and prerequisites from the first user by dividing the set of requirements and prerequisites into the first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites and a known subset of requirements and prerequisites, determining a second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites among the known subset of requirements and prerequisites by performing a set of tests respective to the known subset of requirements and prerequisites using the database, and generating a learning package respective to each subject of the one or more subjects based on the first unknown subset and the second unknown subset using the database. In an exemplary embodiment, the learning package may include a plurality of educational resources. In an exemplary embodiment, steps of the method may be performed utilizing one or more processors.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include adding an educational resource to the database. In an exemplary embodiment, adding the educational resource to the database may include receiving the educational resource from a second user, receiving associated data with the educational resource including a reference set of subjects, a reference set of requirements and prerequisites to be learned for learning the educational resource, and a reference set of questions and a respective reference set of answers from the second user, assigning a reference set of codes respective to the reference set of subjects to the educational resource, and storing the educational resource, the reference set of subjects, the reference set of requirements and prerequisites, the reference set of questions with the respective reference set of answers, and the reference set of codes in the database. In an exemplary embodiment, receiving the associated data with the educational resource may include receiving a reference set of subjects related to the educational resource, receiving a reference set of requirements and prerequisites to be learned for learning the educational resource, and receiving a reference set of questions and a respective reference set of answers, the first user being able to answer correctly to the reference set of questions after learning the educational resource.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, receiving the one or more subjects intended to be learned may include receiving one or more fields of knowledge, extracting a list of subjects associated with each field of knowledge of the received one or more fields of knowledge from the database, representing the extracted list of subjects to the first user, and receiving the one or more subjects selected by the first user among the represented list of subjects.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, determining the set of requirements and prerequisites for learning each subject of the one or more subjects may include finding a respective code assigned to the subject in the database, finding a plurality of subjects having the same code with the code of the subject in the database, and representing a list of the found plurality of subjects to the first user.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, receiving the first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites may include asking the first user to distinct known requirements and prerequisites of the set of requirements and prerequisites determined for learning each subject of the one or more subjects from unknown requirements and prerequisites of the set of requirements and prerequisites, receiving the distinctive known requirements and prerequisites of the set of requirements and prerequisites and unknown requirements and prerequisites of the set of requirements and prerequisites, and assigning the known requirements and prerequisites as the known subset of requirements and prerequisites and the unknown requirements and prerequisites as the first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, determining the second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites may include extracting a test respective to each requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites from the database, asking the first user to answer the test, comparing the answer of the first user with a respective correct answer to the test in the database, assigning a score to the answer of the first user, and transferring the respective requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites to the second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites if the score to the answer is lower than a reference score. In an exemplary embodiment, the test may include one or more questions related to the respective requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, determining the second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites may include extracting a test respective to each requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites from the database, asking the first userto determine that she knows answer of the test or not, and transferring the respective requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites to the second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites if the first user determined that she does not know the answer of the test. In an exemplary embodiment, the test may include one or more questions related to the respective requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, generating the learning package may include finding a plurality of educational resources from the database associated with the first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites and the second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites respective to each subject of the one or more subjects, sorting the plurality of educational resources in an order to be learned by the first user, and representing the sorted plurality of educational resources to the first user.

[0013] Other exemplary systems, methods, features and advantages of the implementations will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the implementations, and be protected by the claims herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method for distance education, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary operating environment for distance education, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method for receiving exemplary one or more subjects intended to be learned from an exemplary first user, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 4A shows a window of an exemplary computer application for receiving one or more fields of knowledge from an exemplary first user, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 4B shows a window of an exemplary computer application representing an exemplary extracted list of subjects related to each selected field of knowledge, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 4C shows a window of an exemplary computer application representing an exemplary extracted list of subjects related to each selected field of knowledge, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 4D shows a window of an exemplary computer application representing an exemplary learning package generated for a subject of “life cycle of stars”, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method for determining an exemplary set of requirements and prerequisites, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method for determining an exemplary second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method for generating an exemplary learning package, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method for adding an exemplary educational resource to an exemplary database, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 9 shows a high-level functional block diagram of a computer system, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0027] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and / or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

[0028] The following detailed description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the methods and devices disclosed in exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure . For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments are provided only as representative examples. Various modifications to the exemplary implementations will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations and applications without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0029] Herein, an exemplary method and system for distant education / leaming is disclosed. An exemplary method may receive one or more subjects of one or more fields of knowledge from a first user to be educated utilizing an exemplary method and system (such as a subject of astronomy) and generating a learning package associated with each subject of exemplary received one or more subjects for an exemplary first user. An exemplary learning package may be generated based on known and unknown requirements and prerequisites should be learned for learning an exemplary subject by an exemplary first user. An exemplary learning package may include a plurality of educational resources (such as a plurality of texts, audios, videos, etc.) stored in a database. An exemplary database may include several educational resources, each of them have been assigned to one or more related subjects of knowledge.

[0030] An exemplary method may then include search in an exemplary database to find a set of requirements and prerequisites for learning each subject of an exemplary one or more subjects received from an exemplary first user. In an exemplary method, an exemplary found set of requirements and prerequisites for learning each subject may be divided into a first unknown subset and a known subset by receiving known requirements and prerequisites among an exemplary found set of requirements and prerequisites from an exemplary first user. Moreover, a second unknown subset may be extracted from an exemplary received known subset by evaluating an exemplary first user about each requirement or prerequisite of an exemplary received known subset through performing associated tests. An exemplary first unknown subset and second unknown subset may be integrated together as an unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites that have to be learned by an exemplary first user to learn an exemplary subject. So, an exemplary plurality of educational resources associated with an exemplary unknown subset may be selected and extracted from an exemplary database. Anexemplary plurality of educational resources may be assigned as an exemplary learning package provided for an exemplary first user.

[0031] An exemplary method may further include generating and updating an exemplary database by adding new educational resources and corresponding information to an exemplary database. To do so, a new educational resource may be received from a second user or may be found by search in an available database. Associated data with an exemplary new educational resource may be also received or found. An exemplary associated data may include a set of fields of knowledge related to an exemplary new educational resource, a set of subjects related to an exemplary new educational resource, a set of requirements and prerequisites to be learned for learning an exemplary new educational resource, a set of questions that an exemplary first user may be able to answer correctly after learning an exemplary educational resource, and a corresponding set of answers to an exemplary set of questions.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of a method for distance education, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. An exemplary method 100 may include receiving one or more subjects intended to be learned from a first user (step 102), determining a set of requirements and prerequisites for learning each subject of exemplary one or more subjects using a database (step 104), receiving a first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites of an exemplary set of requirements and prerequisites from the first user by dividing an exemplary set of requirements and prerequisites into an exemplary first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites and a known subset of requirements and prerequisites (step 106), determining a second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites among an exemplary known subset of requirements and prerequisites by performing a set of tests respective to an exemplary known subset of requirements and prerequisites using an exemplary database (step 108), and generating a learning package respective to each subject of exemplary one or more subjects based on an exemplary first unknown subset and an exemplary second unknown subset (step 110).

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, method 100 may be implemented utilizing one or more processors. In an exemplary embodiment, method 100 may be implemented in an operating environment illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of operating environment 200 for distance education, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, different steps of method 100 may be implemented in operating environment 200. In an exemplary embodiment, system 200 may include a server202, a first user device 204, a second user device 206, and a network 208. In an exemplary embodiment, server 202, first user device 204, and second user device 206 may be coupled together over network 208. In an exemplary embodiment, server 202, first user device 204, and second user device 206 may be in communication with each other over network 208. Hence, method 100 may be described herein below in connection with operating environment 200.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, each of server 202, first user device 204, and second user device 206 may include a respective memory and processor. For example, server 202 may include a memory 202a and a processor 202b. In addition, first user device 204 may include a memory 204a and a processor 204b. Moreover, second user device 206 may include a memory 206a and a processor 206b. In an exemplary embodiment, each of memories 202a, 204a, and 206a may have processor-readable instructions stored therein. In an exemplary embodiment, each of processors 202b, 204b, and 206b may be capable of accessing their respective memories 202a, 204a, and 206a and execute the processor-readable instructions stored therein. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary database used through implementation of method 100 may be stored in memory 202a.

[0035] In further detail with respect to step 102, step 102 may include receiving one or more subjects intended to be learned from first user 210. In an exemplary embodiment, receiving exemplary one or more subjects intended to be learned from first user 210 may include determining exemplary one or more subjects that first user 210 may decide to learn utilizing method 100. In an exemplary embodiment, receiving exemplary one or more subjects intended to be learned from first user 210 may be done through a method 300 shown in FIG. 3. In an exemplary embodiment, method 300 may include receiving one or more fields of knowledge from first user 210 (step 302), extracting a list of subjects associated with each received field of knowledge of exemplary received one or more fields of knowledge from an exemplary database (step 304), representing an exemplary extracted list of subjects to first user 210 (step 306), and receiving exemplary one or more subjects selected by first user 210 among an exemplary represented list of subjects.

[0036] In further detail with respect to step 302, step 302 may include displaying a list of fields of knowledge to first user 210 in first user device 204. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary list of fields of knowledge may include any fields of knowledge and science, such as astronomy, physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, first user device 204 may be utilized by first user 210 for distance learning through exemplarymethod 100. As used herein, a “first user”, such as schematically illustrated first user 210 may refer to a user who intend to learn an exemplary one or more subjects utilizing exemplary method 100. FIG. 4A shows a window 400 of a computer application for receiving one or more fields of knowledge from first user 210, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary list of fields of knowledge may include, for example but not limited to, field of astronomy 402, field of physics 404, and field of mathematics 406. In an exemplary embodiment, first user 210 may select one or more fields of astronomy 402, physics 404, and mathematics 406.

[0037] In further detail with respect to step 304, step 304 may include extracting a list of subjects associated with each received field of knowledge of exemplary received one or more fields of knowledge from first user 210. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary list of subjects may be extracted from an exemplary database stored in memory 202a. Moving to step 306, step 306 may include representing an exemplary extracted list of subjects to first user 210.

[0038] FIG. 4B shows a window 410 of a computer application representing an exemplary extracted list of subjects related to each selected field of knowledge, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, first user 210 selected two fields of astronomy 402 and mathematics 406 in step 302, so corresponding lists 412 and 416 may be displayed to first user 210 using first user device 204. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary list of subjects 412 of field of astronomy 402 may include, for example but not limited to, the Big Bang theory, constellations, black holes, history of astronomy and astrophysics, life cycle of stars, solar systems, Nebulae, telescopes, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary list of subjects 416 of field of mathematics 416 may include, for example but not limited to, proportionality, fraction, integral, Ln, power and square root, trigonometry and trigonometric functions, and derivative. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary list of subjects of field of physics 404 may include, for example but not limited to, force, motion, unit and unit conversion, etc.

[0039] In further detail with respect to step 308, step 308 may include receiving exemplary one or more subjects selected by first user 210 among an exemplary represented list of subjects. In an exemplary embodiment, first user 210 may select one or more subjects of each exemplary list of subjects 412 and 416 displayed through window 410.

[0040] Referring again to FIG. 1, step 104 may include determining a set of requirements and prerequisites for learning each subject of exemplary one or more subjects using an exemplarydatabase. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a method 500 for determining an exemplary set of requirements and prerequisites, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, determining an exemplary set of requirements and prerequisites in step 104 may include finding a respective code assigned to a subject of exemplary one or more subjects in an exemplary database (step 502), finding a plurality of subjects having the same code with an exemplary code of an exemplary subject in an exemplary database (step 504), and representing a list of an exemplary found plurality of subjects to first user 210 (step 506). In an exemplary embodiment, one or more requirements and prerequisites may be determined for learning each subject. In an exemplary embodiment, exemplary one or more requirements and prerequisites may be directly or indirectly related to an exemplary subject to be learned. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the directly related requirements and prerequisites may have several requirements and prerequisites to be learned which may be referred to indirectly related requirements and prerequisites. In an exemplary embodiment, each subject stored in an exemplary database may be a prerequisite for another subject, and each prerequisite may be an independent subject. In an exemplary embodiment, a list of all subjects (directly or indirectly related) that may be recognized as requirements and prerequisites for an exemplary subject to be learned may be extracted from an exemplary database in step 104.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary database may be designed and generated in a cascade form. So, in an exemplary embodiment, determining an exemplary set of requirements and prerequisites in step 104 may include searching one or more codes assigned to each exemplary subject of exemplary one or more subjects selected to be learned in an exemplary database by searching exemplary one or more codes in one or more lower level tables within an exemplary database and extracting all subjects having at least one code same as exemplary one or more codes from an exemplary database. Then, all exemplary extracted subjects may be represented to first user 210.

[0042] FIG. 4C shows a window 420 of a computer application representing an exemplary extracted list of subjects related to each selected field of knowledge, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, if first user 210 selected a subject of “life cycle of stars” of field of astronomy 402 in step 306 described herein above, so corresponding lists of subjects 422 and 424 as an exemplary set of requirements and prerequisites for learning “life cycle of stars” may be displayed to first user 210 using first userdevice 204. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary set of requirements and prerequisites may include an exemplary plurality of subjects that may be in the same field with an exemplary subject (for example, “life cycle of stars”) or not. For example and not limited to, for learning “life cycle of stars”, a first list of subjects 422 in field of physics 404 and a second list of subjects 424 in field of mathematics 406 may be required to firstly learned. For example and not limited to, first list of subjects 422 may include subjects of force, mass and volume and density, and nuclear fusion. For example and not limited to, second list of subjects 424 may include subjects of power and square root and proportionality.

[0043] Referring back to FIG. 1, steps 106 and 108 may include separating unknown requirements and prerequisites for first user 210 from an exemplary set of requirements and prerequisites determined in step 104. In an exemplary embodiment, exemplary separated unknown requirements and prerequisites should be learned by first user 210; thereby, resulting in learning an exemplary subject of exemplary one or more subjects selected for learning by first user 210. In an exemplary embodiment, step 106 may include receiving a first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites of an exemplary set of requirements and prerequisites from first user 210. In an exemplary embodiment, receiving an exemplary first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites of an exemplary set of requirements and prerequisites may include dividing an exemplary set of requirements and prerequisites into an exemplary first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites and a known subset of requirements and prerequisites.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, step 106 may include asking first user 210 to distinct known requirements and prerequisites of an exemplary set of requirements and prerequisites determined for learning each subject of an exemplary one or more subjects from unknown requirements and prerequisites of an exemplary set of requirements and prerequisites. Furthermore, step 106 may further include receiving exemplary distinctive known requirements and prerequisites of an exemplary set of requirements and prerequisites and unknown requirements and prerequisites of an exemplary set of requirements and prerequisites. Moreover, step 106 may further include assigning exemplary known requirements and prerequisites as an exemplary known subset of requirements and prerequisites and exemplary unknown requirements and prerequisites as an exemplary first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites. As shown in FIG. 4C, first user 210 may be asked to distinguish between known subjects and unknown subject by unchecking known subjects from lists of subjects 422and 424. As may be seen, first user 210 may distinct known subjects by unchecking name of an exemplary subject. For example, first user 210 specified subjects of mass, volume, and density and power and square roots as known subjects. Additionally, subjects of force, nuclear fusion, and proportionality were specified as unknown subjects by first user 210.

[0045] In further detail with respect to step 108, step 108 may include determining a second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites among an exemplary known subset of requirements and prerequisites by performing a set of tests respective to an exemplary known subset of requirements and prerequisites using an exemplary database. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a method 600 for determining an exemplary second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites (step 108), consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, determining an exemplary second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites may include extracting a test respective to each requirement or prerequisite of an exemplary known subset of requirements and prerequisites from an exemplary database (step 602), asking first user 210 to answer the test (step 604), comparing an exemplary answer of first user 210 with a respective correct answer to an exemplary test in an exemplary database (step 606), assigning a score to an exemplary answer of first user 210 (step 608), and transferring respective requirement or prerequisite of an exemplary known subset of requirements and prerequisites to an exemplary second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites if an exemplary score to an exemplary answer is lower than a reference score (step 610).

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary test may include one or more questions related to exemplary respective requirement or prerequisite of an exemplary known subset of requirements and prerequisites. In an exemplary embodiment, exemplary one or more questions and corresponding correct answers may be stored in an exemplary database. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary reference score may include a percentage of exemplary one or more questions that may be answered by first user 210 correctly. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary reference score may include 80% or more of exemplary one or more questions that may be answered by first user 210 correctly.

[0047] In further detail with respect to step 110, step 110 may include generating a learning package respective to each subject of exemplary one or more subjects based on an exemplary first unknown subset and an exemplary second unknown subset using an exemplary database. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary learning package may include a plurality ofeducational resources stored in an exemplary database. FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a method 700 for generating an exemplary learning package (step 110), consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, generating an exemplary learning package may include finding a plurality of educational resources from an exemplary database associated with an exemplary first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites and an exemplary second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites corresponding to each subject of exemplary one or more subjects (step 702), sorting an exemplary plurality of educational resources in an order to be learned by first user 210 (step 704), and representing an exemplary sorted plurality of educational resources to first user 210 (step 706) FIG. 4D shows a window 440 of a computer application representing an exemplary learning package for subject of “life cycle of stars”, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, method 100 may further include generating and / or updating an exemplary database. In an exemplary embodiment, generating and / or updating an exemplary database may include adding an educational resource to an exemplary database. FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a method 800 for adding an exemplary educational resource to an exemplary database, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, adding an exemplary educational resource to an exemplary database may include receiving an exemplary educational resource from a second user (step 802), receiving associated data with an exemplary educational resource from an exemplary second user (step 804), assigning a reference set of codes corresponding to a reference set of subjects related to an exemplary educational resource (step 806), and storing an exemplary educational resource along with an exemplary associated data and an exemplary reference set of codes in an exemplary database (step 808).

[0049] In further detail with respect to step 802, step 802 may include receiving an exemplary educational resource from exemplary second user 212. In an exemplary embodiment, a “second user” may refer to a user that inputs data of exemplary educational resources to a computer application in step 802 using second user device 206; thereby, creating, expanding, and / or updating an exemplary database. In an exemplary embodiment, second user 212 may be the same as or different from first user 210. In an exemplary embodiment, second user 212 may be each of a teacher, a scientist, a student, an expert in a field of knowledge, etc.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, receiving an exemplary educational resource from exemplary second user 212 (step 802) may include receiving a reference set of subjects related to an exemplary educational resource, receiving a reference set of requirements and prerequisites to be learned for learning an exemplary educational resource, and receiving a reference set of questions along with a respective reference set of answers. In an exemplary embodiment, first user 210 may be able to answer correctly to an exemplary reference set of questions after learning an exemplary educational resource.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary educational resource, an exemplary reference set of subjects, an exemplary reference set of requirements and prerequisites, an exemplary reference set of questions with an exemplary respective reference set of answers, and an exemplary reference set of codes may be stored in an exemplary database in step 808. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary educational resource may include at least one of a book, a scientific paper, a text, a video, an audio, a picture, a scientific document or a portion thereof, and combinations thereof.

[0052] FIG. 9 shows an example computer system 900 in which an embodiment of the present invention, or portions thereof, may be implemented as computer-readable code, consistent with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, computer system 900 may include an example of each of server 202, first user device 204, and second user device 206. For example, different steps of each of methods 100, 300, 500, 600, 700, and 800 may be implemented in computer system 900 using hardware, software, firmware, tangible computer readable media having instructions stored thereon, or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems. Hardware, software, or any combination of such may embody any of the modules and components in FIGs. 1-8

[0053] If programmable logic is used, such logic may execute on a commercially available processing platform or a special purpose device. One ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter can be practiced with various computer system configurations, including multi-core multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, computers linked or clustered with distributed functions, as well as pervasive or miniature computers that may be embedded into virtually any device.

[0054] For instance, a computing device having at least one processor device and a memory may be used to implement the above-described embodiments. A processor device may be asingle processor, a plurality of processors, or combinations thereof. Processor devices may have one or more processor “cores”.

[0055] An embodiment of the present disclosure is described in terms of this example computer system 900. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how to implement the invention using other computer systems and / or computer architectures. Although operations may be described as a sequential process, some of the operations may in fact be performed in parallel, concurrently, and / or in a distributed environment, and with program code stored locally or remotely for access by single or multiprocessor machines. In addition, in some embodiments the order of operations may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the disclosed subject matter.

[0056] Processor device 904 may be a special purpose or a general -purpose processor device. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art, processor device 904 may also be a single processor in a multi-core / multiprocessor system, such system operating alone, or in a cluster of computing devices operating in a cluster or server farm. Processor device 904 may be connected to a communication infrastructure 906, for example, a bus, message queue, network, or multi-core message-passing scheme.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, computer system 900 may include a display interface 902, for example a video connector, to transfer data to a display unit 930, for example, a monitor. Computer system 900 may also include a main memory 908, for example, random access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 910. Secondary memory 910 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 912, and a removable storage drive 914. Removable storage drive 914 may include a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flash memory, or the like. Removable storage drive 914 may read from and / or write to a removable storage unit 918 in a well-known manner. Removable storage unit 918 may include a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, etc., which may be read by and written to by removable storage drive 914. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art, removable storage unit 918 may include a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and / or data.

[0058] In alternative embodiments, secondary memory 910 may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system 900. Such means may include, for example, a removable storage unit 922 and an interface 920. Examples of such means may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as thatfound in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units 922 and interfaces 920 which allow software and data to be transferred from removable storage unit 922 to computer system 900.

[0059] Computer system 900 may also include a communications interface 924. Communications interface 924 allows software and data to be transferred between computer system 900 and external devices. Communications interface 924 may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, or the like. Software and data transferred via communications interface 924 may be in the form of signals, which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being received by communications interface 924. These signals may be provided to communications interface 924 via a communications path 926. Communications path 926 carries signals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link or other communications channels.

[0060] In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer usable medium” are used to generally refer to media such as removable storage unit 918, removable storage unit 922, and a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 912. Computer program medium and computer usable medium may also refer to memories, such as main memory 908 and secondary memory 910, which may be memory semiconductors (e.g. DRAMs, etc.).

[0061] Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored in main memory 908 and / or secondary memory 910. Computer programs may also be received via communications interface 924. Such computer programs, when executed, enable computer system 900 to implement different embodiments of the present disclosure as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable processor device 904 to implement the processes of the present disclosure, such as the operations in methods 100, 300, and 500-800 illustrated by FIGs. 1, 3, and 5-8 discussed above. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of computer system 900. Where an exemplary embodiment of methods 100, 300, and 500-800 is implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system 900 using removable storage drive 914, interface 920, and hard disk drive 912, or communications interface 924.

[0062] Embodiments of the present disclosure also may be directed to computer program products including software stored on any computer useable medium. Such software, when executed in one or more data processing device, causes a data processing device to operate asdescribed herein. An embodiment of the present disclosure may employ any computer useable or readable medium. Examples of computer useable mediums include, but are not limited to, primary storage devices (e.g., any type of random access memory), secondary storage devices (e.g., hard drives, floppy disks, CD ROMS, ZIP disks, tapes, magnetic storage devices, and optical storage devices, MEMS, nanotechnological storage device, etc.).

[0063] The embodiments have been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.Industrial Applicability

[0064] An exemplary method and system disclosed herein may be capable of generating an individualized learning package for a person who intend to learn a subject based on her needs, previous knowledge, age, and other parameters. An exemplary generated package may include several types of resources enabling the person to learn the subject completely. An exemplary generated package may be available in a user interface of the person which may be accessible anywhere and anytime by the person using a personal or public device, such as a cell phone, a computer, a tablet, a laptop, etc.

[0065] While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and / or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.

[0066] Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

[0067] The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow. That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in the claims when interpreted in light of this specification and theprosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural and functional equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of Sections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed.

[0068] Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.

[0069] It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “a” or “an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0070] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various implementations. This is for purposes of streamlining the disclosure, and is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed implementations require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed implementation. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

[0071] While various implementations have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art thatmany more implementations and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the implementations. Although many possible combinations of features are shown in the accompanying figures and discussed in this detailed description, many other combinations of the disclosed features are possible. Any feature of any implementation may be used in combination with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other implementation unless specifically restricted. Therefore, it will be understood that any of the features shown and / or discussed in the present disclosure may be implemented together in any suitable combination. Accordingly, the implementations are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for distance education of different fields of knowledge to learners with different levels of knowledge and educational needs, the method comprising: receiving, utilizing one or more processors, one or more subjects intended to be learned from a first user; determining, utilizing the one or more processors, a set of requirements and prerequisites for learning each subject of the one or more subjects using a database; receiving, utilizing the one or more processors, a first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites among the set of requirements and prerequisites from the first user, receiving the first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites among the set of requirements and prerequisites from the first user comprising dividing the set of requirements and prerequisites into the first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites and a known subset of requirements and prerequisites; determining, utilizing the one or more processors, a second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites among the known subset of requirements and prerequisites by performing a set of tests respective to the known subset of requirements and prerequisites using the database; and generating, utilizing the one or more processors, a learning package respective to each subject of the one or more subjects based on the first unknown subset and the second unknown subset, the learning package comprising a plurality of educational resources using the database.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding, utilizing the one or more processors, an educational resource to the database, comprising: receiving the educational resource from a second user; receiving associated data with the educational resource from the second user, comprising: receiving a reference set of subjects related to the educational resource; receiving a reference set of requirements and prerequisites to be learned for learning the educational resource; and receiving a reference set of questions and a respective reference set of answers, the first user being able to answer correctly to the reference set of questions after learning the educational resource;assigning a reference set of codes respective to the reference set of subjects to the educational resource; and storing the educational resource, the reference set of subjects, the reference set of requirements and prerequisites, the reference set of questions with the respective reference set of answers, and the reference set of codes in the database.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the one or more subjects intended to be learned comprises: receiving one or more fields of knowledge; extracting a list of subjects associated with each field of knowledge of the received one or more fields of knowledge from the database; representing the extracted list of subjects to the first user; and receiving the one or more subjects selected by the first user among the represented list of subjects.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the set of requirements and prerequisites for learning each subject of the one or more subjects comprises: finding a respective code assigned to the subject in the database; finding a plurality of subjects having the same code with the code of the subject in the database; and representing a list of the found plurality of subjects to the first user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites comprises: asking the first user to distinct known requirements and prerequisites of the set of requirements and prerequisites determined for learning each subject of the one or more subjects from unknown requirements and prerequisites of the set of requirements and prerequisites; receiving the distinctive known requirements and prerequisites of the set of requirements and prerequisites and unknown requirements and prerequisites of the set of requirements and prerequisites; and assigning the known requirements and prerequisites as the known subset of requirements and prerequisites and the unknown requirements and prerequisites as the first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites comprises: extracting a test respective to each requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites from the database, the test comprising one or more questions related to the respective requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites; asking the first user to answer the test; comparing the answer of the first user with a respective correct answer to the test in the database; assigning a score to the answer of the first user; and transferring the respective requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites to the second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites if the score to the answer is lower than a reference score.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites comprises: extracting a test respective to each requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites from the database, the test comprising one or more questions related to the respective requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites; asking the first user to determine that she knows answer of the test or not; and transferring the respective requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites to the second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites if the first user determined that she does not know the answer of the test.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the learning package comprises: finding a plurality of educational resources from the database associated with the first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites and the second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites respective to each subject of the one or more subjects; sorting the plurality of educational resources in an order to be learned by the first user; and representing the sorted plurality of educational resources to the first user.

9. An educational system for distance education of different fields of knowledge to learners with different levels of knowledge and educational needs, the educational system comprising: a memory having processor-readable instructions stored therein; and a processor configured to access the memory and execute the processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor configures the processor to perform a method, the method comprising: receiving one or more subjects intended to be learned from a first user; determining a set of requirements and prerequisites for learning each subject of the one or more subjects using a database; receiving a first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites among the set of requirements and prerequisites from the first user, receiving the first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites among the set of requirements and prerequisites from the first user comprising dividing the set of requirements and prerequisites into the first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites and a known subset of requirements and prerequisites; determining a second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites among the known subset of requirements and prerequisites by performing a set of tests respective to the known subset of requirements and prerequisites using the database; and generating a learning package respective to each subject of the one or more subjects based on the first unknown subset and the second unknown subset, the learning package comprising a plurality of educational resources using the database.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises adding an educational resource to the database, comprising: receiving the educational resource from a second user; receiving associated data with the educational resource from the second user, comprising: receiving a reference set of subjects related to the educational resource; receiving a reference set of requirements and prerequisites to be learned for learning the educational resource; andreceiving a reference set of questions and a respective reference set of answers, the first user being able to answer correctly to the reference set of questions after learning the educational resource; assigning a reference set of codes respective to the reference set of subjects to the educational resource; and storing the educational resource, the reference set of subjects, the reference set of requirements and prerequisites, the reference set of questions with the respective reference set of answers, and the reference set of codes in the database.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein receiving the one or more subjects intended to be learned comprises: receiving one or more fields of knowledge; extracting a list of subjects associated with each field of knowledge of the received one or more fields of knowledge from the database; representing the extracted list of subjects to the first user; and receiving the one or more subjects selected by the first user among the represented list of subjects.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein determining the set of requirements and prerequisites for learning each subject of the one or more subjects comprises: finding a respective code assigned to the subject in the database; finding a plurality of subjects having the same code with the code of the subject in the database; and representing a list of the found plurality of subjects to the first user.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein receiving the first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites comprises: asking the first user to distinct known requirements and prerequisites of the set of requirements and prerequisites determined for learning each subject of the one or more subjects from unknown requirements and prerequisites of the set of requirements and prerequisites; receiving the distinctive known requirements and prerequisites of the set of requirements and prerequisites and unknown requirements and prerequisites of the set of requirements and prerequisites; andassigning the known requirements and prerequisites as the known subset of requirements and prerequisites and the unknown requirements and prerequisites as the first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein determining the second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites comprises: extracting a test respective to each requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites from the database, the test comprising one or more questions related to the respective requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites; asking the first user to answer the test; comparing the answer of the first user with a respective correct answer to the test in the database; assigning a score to the answer of the first user; and transferring the respective requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites to the second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites if the score to the answer is lower than a reference score.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein determining the second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites comprises: extracting a test respective to each requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites from the database, the test comprising one or more questions related to the respective requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites; asking the first user to determine that she knows answer of the test or not; and transferring the respective requirement or prerequisite of the known subset of requirements and prerequisites to the second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites if the first user determined that she does not know the answer of the test.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein generating the learning package comprises: finding a plurality of educational resources from the database associated with the first unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites and the second unknown subset of requirements and prerequisites respective to each subject of the one or more subjects;sorting the plurality of educational resources in an order to be learned by the first user; and representing the sorted plurality of educational resources to the first user.

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