Learning support system, learning support method and program

Abstract

To provide a technology for supporting learning based on a transition of an achievement in learning sequences.SOLUTION: A method of learning support executed by a server device includes: a step (S200) for extracting learning information, in learning information for an object learner, related to object learning items in a plurality of learning items, as well as learning information pertaining to one or more learning items assigned to a stage prior to a stage to which the object learning items are assigned; steps (S310 to S340) for acquiring a transition of an achievement in learning sequences, for each of the one or more learning items related to the object learning items, on the basis of the extracted learning information; and a step for providing information related to at least one learning item to be learned by the object learner in the one or more learning items on the basis of the transition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for supporting learning, and more particularly to a technology for supporting learning in a learning curriculum in which learning is progressed in a step-by-step order. [Background technology]

[0002] Through academic achievement tests and the like, it is possible to identify areas in which a student is weak, and students can then focus on studying those areas. Regarding the identification of such areas, for example, JP 2020-166190 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a learning support device that includes "means for determining a user's proficiency level according to the attendance status of the educational content, and the content providing means determines at least one learning range and / or educational content to be recommended to the user based on the proficiency level and / or the attendance status" (Claim 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-166190 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the case of a curriculum in which a series of learning items (subjects, units) are studied in order (for example, a curriculum in which learning items for each grade are studied in order as stipulated in the Course of Study), academic ability may not improve even if students focus on areas they are currently weak in. This is the case when a student is struggling with learning items at an earlier stage in the series of learning items (for example, if a student is currently in the sixth grade, learning items to be studied at the fourth grade level).

[0005] In addition, even if a student had difficulty with a learning item in a previous stage, the student may have overcome the weakness in the learning of the subsequent stage and improved his / her grades. Therefore, simply focusing on learning the learning item in the previous stage because the student had difficulty in the previous stage without considering the progress of grades in such a learning order will result in inefficient learning. Patent Document 1 also does not disclose a mechanism for supporting learning that considers the progress of grades in such a learning order.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object according to a certain aspect is to provide a technology for supporting learning based on a progress of grades in a learning order. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The learning support system according to the present disclosure is a learning support system for a learning curriculum in which multiple learning items are assigned to multiple stages and learning is progressed in the order of the stages. The learning support system includes an extraction means for extracting, based on related information indicating the relationship between the multiple learning items, learning information related to one or more learning items related to a target learning item among the multiple learning items and assigned to a stage earlier than the stage to which the target learning item is assigned, from the learning information of a target learner, an acquisition means for acquiring, based on the extracted learning information, progress information indicating the progress of grades in the learning order of the target learner for each of the one or more learning items related to the target learning item, and a provision means for providing, based on the acquired progress information, information related to at least one learning item to be studied by the target learner among the one or more learning items.

[0008] In the above disclosure, the providing means includes means for providing information related to a learning item that precedes the learning order of the target learner among one or more learning items based on the acquired transition information, in priority to information related to other learning items.

[0009] In the above disclosure, the present invention further includes a prediction means for predicting the grades of a target learning item for a target learner by inputting learning information related to one or more learning items assigned in a previous stage into the learning model.

[0010] In the above disclosure, the learning information relating to one or more learning items assigned to the previous stage consists of information corresponding to each of the one or more learning items, and the learning support system detects influence information indicating the degree of influence of the information corresponding to each learning item on the results of the predicted grades.

[0011] In the above disclosure, the providing means includes a means for determining, for each learning item, whether to give priority to the learning item over other learning items and to make the learning item a learning item that the target learner should study based on the degree of impact indicated by the impact information detected for the learning item.

[0012] In the above disclosure, the providing means includes a means for determining information related to at least one learning item that the target learner should study based on both or either of a determination of whether the predicted grade exceeds a predetermined standard or a determination of whether the degree of impact indicated by the impact information exceeds a threshold.

[0013] In the above disclosure, the information related to at least one learning item to be studied by the target learner includes information about the teaching material.

[0014] In the above disclosure, the learning information is information for each unit. In the above disclosure, the learning items are defined in the curriculum guidelines code.

[0015] In the above disclosure, the providing means includes means for providing information related to at least one learning item that the target learner should learn via a GUI.

[0016] A computer-implemented method according to the present disclosure is a method of learning support in a learning curriculum in which a number of learning items are assigned to a number of stages, and learning is progressed in the order of the stages.

[0017] The method includes the steps of: extracting, from the learning information of the target learner, learning information relating to one or more learning items that are related to a target learning item among the multiple learning items and that are assigned to a stage earlier than the stage to which the target learning item is assigned, based on associated information indicating the association between the multiple learning items; acquiring, based on the extracted learning information, progress information indicating the progress of grades of the target learner in the learning order for each of the one or more learning items related to the target learning item; and providing, based on the acquired progress information, information related to at least one learning item that the target learner should study among the one or more learning items.

[0018] The program according to this disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute the above-described learning support method.

[0019] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide learning support based on the progress of grades in the order of learning. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system 10. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a computer device 200 that functions as an information processing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a server device 100. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an overview of grade prediction using grade prediction model 331. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between learning items. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure showing the associations of the learning items in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart showing a part of a process executed by a CPU 1 of a server device 100. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a difficulty level table 600. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a teaching material DB 700. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI screen for providing information on recommended teaching materials. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI screen for providing information on recommended teaching materials. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0022] [System Overview] With reference to FIG. 1, a system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the system 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 includes a server device 100, a teaching material providing device 110, an academic ability test DB (Data Base) 160, a school affairs DB 150, an administrator terminal 120, a teacher terminal 130, and a learner terminal 140. In a certain aspect, the server device 100 can cause the administrator terminal 120, the teacher terminal 130, and the learner terminal 140 to display grades and other information in response to a request. In the present embodiment, the system 10 or the server device 100 serves as an academic ability support system. Alternatively, the server device 100 serves as an academic ability support system in cooperation with another device (or terminal).

[0023] The server device 100, the teaching material providing device 110, the academic achievement test DB 160, the school affairs DB 150, the administrator terminal 120, the teacher terminal 130, and the learner terminal 140 can communicate with each other via a network 190. In a certain aspect, the server device 100 can cause the administrator terminal 120, the teacher terminal 130, and the learner terminal 140 to display grades and other information in response to a request via the network 190. The network 190 may be, for example, a public network such as the Internet, a public line, or a public wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or may be a private network such as a LAN or a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

[0024] The administrator terminal 120 is used, for example, by an administrator who manages school operations. The administrator who operates the administrator terminal 120 may include a teacher. The teacher terminal 130 is used by a teacher. The learner terminal 140 is used by a learner. In this embodiment, a learner refers to a student or child who studies according to a learning curriculum. Each of the administrator terminal 120, the teacher terminal 130, and the learner terminal 140 is configured by a computer device such as a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a smartphone, or a tablet. The administrator terminal 120 is provided, for example, for each school. The system 10 includes a plurality of teacher terminals 130 corresponding to the number of teachers, and a plurality of learner terminals 140 corresponding to the number of learners.

[0025] The teaching material providing device 110 is an information providing device that provides cloud services. More specifically, the teaching material providing device 110 receives an instruction from the learner terminal 140 and provides designated teaching material to the learner terminal 140. The teaching material includes, for example, calculation drills, kanji drills, and the like.

[0026] When the teaching material providing device 110 receives an access request from the learner terminal 140, it provides a login screen to the learner terminal 140. The learner inputs a learner ID (Identification) and a password for identifying the learner into the login screen. When the teaching material providing device 110 confirms that the learner ID and password input into the login screen match pre-registered information, it provides a teaching material selection screen to the learner terminal 140. The teaching material providing device 110 provides the learner terminal 140 with teaching materials according to the input into the selection screen.

[0027] For example, if the teaching material is a calculation drill, the learner inputs an answer to the learner terminal 140. The teaching material providing device 110 scores the answer by comparing it with a correct answer stored in advance and transmits the result to the learner terminal 140.

[0028] Each time the teaching material providing device 110 provides teaching material, it accumulates teaching material providing data indicating the following items: Note that the teaching material providing device 110 accumulates the time from the start time of the provision of the teaching material to the end time of the provision of the teaching material as the study time.

[0029] A learner ID that identifies the learner who provided the learning material; Date and time when the teaching materials were provided, -Type of teaching materials, - The curriculum code corresponding to the teaching materials, -Study time using the provided teaching materials, etc.

[0030] The Course of Study is a set of educational curriculum standards established by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Course of Study guidelines are established for each type of school, and stipulate the matters to be studied in each subject for each grade. Specifically, the Course of Study defines the "goals," "content," and "handling of content" for each subject. "Content" includes one or more "areas." The Course of Study also defines which of several "perspectives" that should be emphasized in school education each matter falls into. The multiple "perspectives" include "knowledge and skills" and "thinking, judgment, and expression."

[0031] A curriculum code is assigned to every item in the curriculum guidelines for every school type. Therefore, the curriculum code can be used to identify the school type, grade, subject, content, area, handling of content, perspective, etc. At each school, the curriculum guidelines are used as a learning curriculum in which multiple learning items (units, subjects) are assigned to multiple stages, and learning progresses in the order of the stages. A "stage" in a learning curriculum indicates a division such as a grade or semester, and students can learn systematically by studying certain learning items in the order of the stages. The learning content is simple in the early stages (basic learning), but becomes more complex (advanced learning) as the stages progress.

[0032] 2, a description will be given of the specific configuration of information processing devices that realize the server device 100, learning material providing device 110, administrator terminal 120, teacher terminal 130, and learner terminal 140. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a computer device 200 that functions as an information processing device.

[0033] The main components of the computer device 200 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1 that executes a program, a mouse 2 and a keyboard 3 that accept input of instructions from a user of the computer device 200, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 4 that volatilely stores data generated by execution of the program by the CPU 1 or data input via the mouse 2 or keyboard 3, a storage device 5 that non-volatilely stores data, a communication interface (I / F) 7, and a monitor 8. The components are mutually connected by a data bus. The storage device 5 is realized by a hard disk device, a solid state drive (SSD) device, or the like.

[0034] The processing in the computer device 200 is realized by the cooperation of each piece of hardware and software executed by the CPU 1. Such software may be pre-stored in the storage device 5. The software may also be stored in a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) or other recording medium and distributed as a computer program. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a downloadable application program by an information provider connected to the Internet. Such software is read from the recording medium by an optical disk drive (not shown) or other reading device, or downloaded via the communication interface 7, and then temporarily stored in the storage device 5. The software is read from the storage device 5 by the CPU 1 and stored in the RAM 4 in the form of an executable program. The CPU 1 executes the program.

[0035] Each of the components constituting the computer device 200 shown in Fig. 2 is a general one. Therefore, one of the essential parts of the technical idea according to the present disclosure can be said to be software stored in the RAM 4, the storage device 5, a CD-ROM or other recording medium, or software that can be downloaded via a network. The recording medium may include a non-transitory (non-volatile) computer-readable data recording medium. Note that the operation of each piece of hardware of the computer device 200 is well known, and therefore detailed description will not be repeated.

[0036] The recording medium is not limited to a CD-ROM, a FD (Flexible Disk), or a hard disk, but may also be a medium that carries a program in a fixed manner, such as a magnetic tape, a cassette tape, an optical disk (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), an IC (Integrated Circuit) card (including a memory card), an optical card, a mask ROM, an EPROM (Electronically Programmable Read-Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a flash ROM, or other semiconductor memory.

[0037] The program referred to here includes not only a program that can be directly executed by a CPU, but also a source program format program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

[0038] [Function configuration] The configuration of server device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of server device 100.

[0039] The server device 100 includes an acquisition unit 310, a calculation unit 320, a storage unit 330, and an output unit 340. The calculation unit 320 includes a grade prediction unit 321, an influence degree derivation unit 322, a grade trend acquisition unit 324, a learning material selection unit 325, and a Web module 326. The storage unit 330 includes a grade prediction model 331 corresponding to the machine learning model, a difficulty level table 600, a learning material DB 700, and a screen DB 333. The output unit 340 includes a communication module that connects the server device 100 to the network 190.

[0040] The acquisition unit 310 acquires from the academic ability test DB 160 the learning status (test result (date and time, score), grade (score), statistical value (statistical value including deviation value or equalized score (correct answer rate) described later, etc.), progress status of engagement with learning materials, etc.) of the previous stage (previous school year) learning item associated with the learning item (subject, unit) targeted for the grade prediction of each learner. In a certain aspect, the acquisition unit 310 extracts, based on the related information indicating the relationship between a plurality of learning items, from the academic ability test DB 160, learning information of the learner who is the target of learning support (hereinafter also referred to as the target learner), which is associated with the learning item to be predicted among the plurality of learning items and is assigned to a stage prior to the stage to which the learning item to be predicted is assigned. The learning information of the learner includes the above-mentioned information on the learning status of the learner.

[0041] Based on data acquired from outside and data stored in memory unit 330, calculation unit 320 performs processes such as recording grades, generating a grade prediction model 331, predicting grades, selecting recommended teaching materials, and generating web screens.

[0042] More specifically, the calculation unit 320 generates a model (grade prediction model 331) that learns the learning situations of the previous learning items related to the target learning items of each of the multiple learners and the grades of the target learning items. The grade prediction model 331 is stored in the storage unit 330.

[0043] The grade prediction unit 321 predicts the current grade of the target learning item by inputting the learning information of the previous learning item of the target learner (target learner) using the grade prediction model 331. As an example, the grade prediction unit 321 extracts the learning information of the previous learning item of the target learner from the academic ability test DB 160, and predicts the current grade of the target learning item by inputting the extracted learning information from the grade prediction model 331, and outputs the prediction result or stores it in the storage device 5.

[0044] The influence derivation unit 322 calculates the influence of each piece of information on the predicted result of the grade. For example, the influence derivation unit 322 calculates the influence of each of one or more learning items of the previous stage (previous school year) on the predicted result by using a prepared algorithm. For each learning item, the calculated influence information of the learning information of the learning item is stored in the storage device 5. The information indicating the influence may be indicated by a rank of + or - as described later, or may be indicated by a numerical value.

[0045] Based on related information indicating the relationship between multiple learning items, the learning information extraction unit 323 extracts learning information from the learning information of the target learner that is related to a target learning item among the multiple learning items and is assigned to a stage earlier than the stage to which the target learning item is assigned.

[0046] Based on the learning information extracted by the learning information extraction unit 323, the grade trend acquisition unit 324 acquires trend information indicating the progress of grades in the order of learning according to the stage of the target learner for each of one or more learning items of a previous stage related to the target learning item.

[0047] The teaching material selection unit 325 selects teaching materials to be recommended to the target learner. More specifically, the teaching material selection unit 325 selects, as recommended teaching materials, from the teaching material DB 700, teaching materials related to the target learning item and related to at least one learning item to be studied by the target learner from among one or more learning items in the previous stage, based on the grade predicted for the target learning item at the current stage, the influence derived when predicting the grade, and the above-mentioned transition information. When selecting this teaching material, the selection of teaching materials may be performed according to the difficulty level specified using the difficulty level table 600. Details of the teaching material selection unit 325 will be described later.

[0048] The Web module 326 searches the screen DB 333 for a Web screen showing information on the selected learning material, and provides it via the Web browser of the client terminal. For example, the Web browser installed in the learner terminal 140 receives the Web screen from the Web module 326, and displays the Web screen on the display (monitor 8). This provides information on the recommended learning material to the target learner.

[0049] The teaching material DB 700 holds data of teaching materials that have been prepared in advance. The details of the teaching material DB 700 will be described later.

[0050] The configuration of elements of the arithmetic unit 320 in Fig. 3 is an example, and two or more elements may be configured by one element. Also, the arithmetic unit 320 in Fig. 3 is configured by at least one integrated circuit such as a CPU 1. The integrated circuit is configured by, for example, at least one CPU, at least one ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), at least one FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or a combination thereof.

[0051] [Grade prediction using models] With reference to FIG. 4, the prediction of grades using the grade prediction model 331 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of grade prediction using the grade prediction model 331. The grade prediction model 331 outputs a prediction result 420 based on an input 410. The input 410 is learning information of the previous stage of a target learning item (unit). The target learning item is defined for each unit prescribed in the curriculum guidelines, such as arithmetic and Japanese. The prediction result 420 is a prediction result of the grade of the target learning item. This target learning item is specified as a parent unit 810 in FIG. 11 described later, and the input 410 is specified as one or more unit details 820 that become children corresponding (related) to the parent unit in FIG. 11.

[0052] In one aspect, when learning information (grades, test results, engagement with learning materials, etc.) of a certain learning item of mathematics in the previous stage for a target learner is input as input 410 to grade prediction model 331, grade prediction model 331 outputs prediction result 420 of future grades. In another aspect, when grade prediction model 331 is learning learning information of one subject (e.g., mathematics) from learning information of multiple subjects (e.g., mathematics and Japanese), grade prediction model 331 may output prediction result 420 of future grades of one subject (e.g., mathematics) based on input 410 of multiple subjects (e.g., mathematics and Japanese).

[0053] [Related learning items] FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining the relationships between learning items. In a learning curriculum, multiple learning items (units) are assigned to multiple stages. Learners progress through the learning in the order of the multiple stages. For example, FIG. 5 shows each learning item for "arithmetic" in each grade from third to sixth grade of elementary school and the relationships between them.

[0054] Block 710 shows "Multiplying Fractions" which is part of a 6th grade math unit. Block 720 shows "Fractions" and "Adding and Subtracting Fractions" which are part of a 5th grade math unit.

[0055] Block 730 illustrates parts of a fourth grade math unit including "Big Numbers," "Compound Numbers," "Dividing Whole Numbers," "Decimals," "Multiplying Decimals," and "Fractions."

[0056] Block 740 shows one of the third grade math units: "Big Numbers," "Addition and Subtraction," "Multiplication," "Division," "Decimals," and "Fractions."

[0057] Furthermore, grades in multiple subjects (e.g., math and Japanese) in a previous stage (e.g., the grade before promotion) may affect grades in one subject (e.g., math) in a target stage (the grade after promotion). Therefore, in another aspect, block 750 may also be associated with the target subject (math). As an example, block 750 shows "text comprehension," which is part of a unit of another subject (Japanese) among multiple subjects in the previous stage (=5th grade) of 6th grade. The information shown in FIG. 5 may be stored in the server device 100.

[0058] [Data Structure] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure showing the relevance of the study items in Fig. 5. Fig. 6 shows one mode (data structure) of data storage in the storage device 5 included in the computer device 200 functioning as the server device 100.

[0059] The storage device 5 holds the table 800 of FIG. 6. The table 800 includes a parent unit 810 and a child unit detail 820. The unit 810 and the unit detail 820 each include a grade code, an area code, a unit code, an area name, and a unit name. The grade code indicates a grade. The area code identifies an area that includes the contents of one or more units. The unit code identifies a unit. The area name is the name of the area. The unit name is the name of the unit. In this embodiment, the parent unit 810 indicates a target learning item, and the child unit detail 820 of this parent indicates one or more learning items assigned to a stage (3rd, 4th, 5th grade in FIG. 6) prior to the stage (6th grade in FIG. 6) to which the target learning item (parent unit 810) is assigned.

[0060] The calculation unit 320 can identify (specify) each of the learning items associated with each other in FIG. 5 by the unit code corresponding to the unit name of the learning item in question shown in the table 800 in FIG.

[0061] [Server device control structure] The control structure of the server device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a part of the process executed by the CPU 1 of the server device 100. In the flowchart, the CPU 1, as the learning material selection unit 325, selectively provides, for a target learning item of a target learner, information related to at least one learning item that the target learner should learn (hereinafter, also referred to as related information). Here, the related information includes information on the learning material of the learning item (unit).

[0062] In step S100, the CPU 1 receives as input 410 learning information on a previous learning item related to a target learning item of a target learner, and obtains a grade prediction result 420 output from the grade prediction model 331.

[0063] In step S200, the CPU 1 acquires an input 410 corresponding to the predicted result 420 of the grade, and extracts learning information for one or more learning items related to the target learning item based on the acquired input 410. For example, when the predicted result 420 for the target learning item for the sixth year is acquired in step S100, the input 410 includes learning information for one or more learning items related to the target learning item and one or more learning items in the previous stage (third to fifth years).

[0064] For example, if the target learner is a sixth grader and the target learning item indicates the sixth grade math unit "multiplication of fractions" in block 710 of Fig. 5, the input 410 indicates learning information of one or more units related to the unit "multiplication of fractions" in the previous stage of the sixth grade. More specifically, the input 410 indicates fifth grade math units "fractions" and "addition and subtraction of fractions" in block 720, fourth grade math units "big numbers", "common numbers", "division of integers", "decimals", "multiplication of decimals" and "fractions" in block 730, and third grade math units "big numbers", "addition and subtraction", "multiplication", "division", "decimals" and "fractions" in block 740.

[0065] The CPU 1 retrieves the data stored in the storage device 5 to obtain the predicted results 420 of the target learner's grade and the corresponding inputs 410 .

[0066] In step S200, CPU1 extracts learning information for one or more learning items (units) at each stage (5th, 4th, and 3rd grades) from learning information related to one or more learning items related to the target learning item. For example, CPU1 searches academic achievement test DB160 for deviation values ​​or equalized scores (correct answer rate) for each of one or more learning items (units) at the stage, and calculates the average of the deviation values ​​or equalized scores (correct answer rate). CPU1 treats the average of the deviation values ​​or equalized scores (correct answer rate) as learning information.

[0067] In steps S310, S320, S330 and S340, the CPU 1 obtains progression information indicating the progression of grades in the order of study for each of one or more learning items related to the target learning item, based on the learning information (deviation value or average of equalized scores (correct answer rate)) extracted for each stage (5th, 4th and 3rd grade).

[0068] More specifically, CPU1 compares the extracted learning information (average of standard deviation or equated score (correct answer rate)) for each stage (5th, 4th, and 3rd grade) with each other. Based on the comparison result, CPU1 judges whether the average of standard deviation or equated score (correct answer rate) has increased or decreased from 3rd grade to 4th grade, and whether the average of standard deviation or equated score (correct answer rate) has increased or decreased from 4th grade to 5th grade.

[0069] The transition information is acquired as one of the transition patterns in steps S310 to S340. In step S310, a pattern is acquired in which the average of the standard deviation or the equalized score (correct answer rate) rises from the third to fourth grade and rises from the fourth to fifth grade. In step S320, a pattern is acquired in which the average of the standard deviation or the equalized score (correct answer rate) rises from the third to fourth grade and falls from the fourth to fifth grade. In step S330, a pattern is acquired in which the average of the standard deviation or the equalized score (correct answer rate) falls from the third to fourth grade and rises from the fourth to fifth grade. In step S340, a pattern is acquired in which the average of the standard deviation or the equalized score (correct answer rate) falls from the third to fourth grade and falls from the fourth to fifth grade.

[0070] Based on the acquired transition information, the CPU 1 determines the stage (grade) of the learning items that the target learner should study. More specifically, if the acquired transition information indicates the pattern of step S310, the learning items (units) for the fifth grade are determined in step T1. If the acquired transition information indicates the pattern of step S320 or step S330, the learning items (units) for the fourth and fifth grades are determined in step T2. If the acquired transition information indicates the pattern of step S340, the learning items (units) for the third, fourth, and fifth grades are determined in step T3.

[0071] In this way, CPU1 judges the progress of grades (academic ability trends) for related learning items in the stages (3rd, 4th, 5th grade) preceding the stage (6th grade) of the target learning item. If the judgment shows an upward trend, it will go back to the most recent school year, if it shows a downward trend, it will go back to the previous school year, and if it shows fluctuation, it will go back to the previous school year. By such a decision, the stage (grade) of the learning item (unit) to be studied is narrowed down.

[0072] If in step T2 or step T3 it is determined that there are multiple previous stages (grades), in step S400, CPU 1 determines based on the progression information to provide information related to a learning item that precedes the learning order of the target learner among one or more learning items.

[0073] More specifically, in the case of step T2, it is determined that the learning items of the preceding 4th year should be studied with priority over the learning items of the 5th year, and in the case of step T3, it is determined that the learning items of the preceding 3rd year should be studied with priority over the learning items of the 4th and 5th years. This makes it possible to provide information related to the learning items of the preceding stage with a relative priority.

[0074] In step S500, CPU 1 determines at least one learning item to be studied by the target learner from among one or more learning items (units) of the previous stage (grade) determined in step T1 or step S400, based on the influence derived for the learning information of each learning item. More specifically, CPU 1 determines learning items that have a large influence on lowering prediction result 420 as learning items to be studied with relative priority. The influence of each learning item is obtained by searching storage device 5 for information stored in association with grade prediction result 420 obtained in step S100.

[0075] In this way, the CPU 1 determines whether to set each learning item as the learning item that the target learner should study, prioritizing it over other learning items, based on the detected influence of the learning item. Here, the learning item with the highest priority, i.e., the learning item with the largest influence on lowering the prediction result 420, is set.

[0076] In step S600, CPU 1 determines the difficulty level of the learning material for learning, in accordance with difficulty level table 600, from among the multiple types of learning material indicated by the related information of the learning item set (determined) in step S500.

[0077] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the difficulty level table 600. The CPU 1 judges whether the predicted value of the grade indicated by the prediction result 420 is equal to or higher than the standard, and also judges whether the influence of the learning item determined in step S500 is equal to or higher than the threshold value or is smaller than the threshold value, and searches the difficulty level of the learning material from the difficulty level table 600 based on these judgment results. According to the difficulty level table 600, for example, the threshold value of the predicted value of the grade indicates 0.5, the magnitude of the influence is classified as + or -, and the difficulty level is classified as challenge or basic.

[0078] If the CPU 1 determines that the predicted value of the grade indicated by the prediction result 420 is equal to or greater than a threshold value and that the negative impact on the predicted result of the grade 420 is small, it determines the difficulty level of the teaching material to be “challenge” from the difficulty level table 600 in FIG. 8, and otherwise determines it to be “basic.”

[0079] In this way, the CPU 1 determines the difficulty level of the learning material based on both the results of judging whether the predicted grade exceeds a predetermined standard (judging whether it is equal to or higher than the standard) and whether the influence level exceeds a threshold (judging whether it is equal to or higher than the threshold) for information (learning material) related to at least one learning item that the target learner should study. Note that the difficulty level may be determined based on either the judgment of whether the predicted grade exceeds a predetermined standard or the judgment of whether the influence level exceeds a threshold.

[0080] In step S700, the CPU 1 searches the teaching material DB 700 for information on the teaching material, and determines it as a recommended teaching material for the target learner. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the teaching material DB 700. The teaching material DB 700 includes information on the teaching material for each of a plurality of types of teaching materials. The information on the teaching material includes a teaching material description including items 701, 702, and 704 for explaining the teaching material, a difficulty rank 705 of the teaching material, an identifier 706 of a learning item corresponding to the teaching material, a curriculum code 707 corresponding to the teaching material, a target grade 708 that is the target of the teaching material, and a teaching material link 709 indicating a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the teaching material. The identifier 706 includes a code 7A of a subject corresponding to the teaching material, an area code 7B, and a unit code 7C.

[0081] CPU 101 searches teaching material DB 700 for information on teaching materials corresponding to unit code 7C and rank 705 that match the unit code of the learning item determined in step S500 and the difficulty level determined in step S600. In this way, recommended teaching materials are determined.

[0082] In step S800, the CPU 1 outputs information on the recommended teaching materials. The manner of this output includes displaying on the display, storing in the storage device 5, and transferring via the network 190.

[0083] In the above-mentioned step S500, one learning item with the highest priority is set, but multiple learning items may be set in order of priority. In step S600, for each of the multiple learning items, the difficulty level of the learning material for learning the learning item is determined. Therefore, in step S700, multiple recommended learning materials can be determined.

[0084] [Example of output for recommended teaching materials] 10 and 11 are diagrams showing examples of GUI (Graphical User Interface) screens for providing information on recommended teaching materials. The Web module 326 transfers screen data to the Web browser of the learner's terminal 140 in accordance with a request (including user operation) from the Web browser. The Web browser displays a screen based on the screen data from the Web module 326 on the monitor 8. The screen transition (switching) process on the monitor 8 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is performed by the learner's terminal 140 (CPU 1) as a Web browser. The screens in FIGS. 10 and 11 show drill teaching materials as an example of recommended teaching materials.

[0085] 10, when the learner terminal 140 receives an operation of an icon on a screen 81 from a logged-in learner (a target learner), it displays a screen 82 corresponding to the operation on the monitor 8. When the learner terminal 140 receives an operation of a button 821 on the screen 82 from the learner, it displays a screen 83 on the monitor 8. The screen 83 shows the top screen of the recommended drills.

[0086] A list of recommended learning materials is displayed to the learner on screen 83, with an icon for each learning material. The icon includes a summary of information about the corresponding learning material. When the learner clicks on an icon 831 from the list and operates button 832, the learner terminal 140 accepts the operation and displays screen 84 of FIG. 11 on the monitor 8. Note that if the list of icons summarizing the recommended learning materials consists of multiple screens, the learner can switch between list screens by operating button 832 on screen 83.

[0087] 11 displays a list of icons showing the covers of one or more drills corresponding to the summary of the clicked icon 831 on the screen 83. When the learner clicks on an icon 841 in the list of icons on the screen 84, the learner terminal 140 accepts the operation and displays a screen 85 on the monitor 8. The screen 85 includes an object for displaying to the learner details of the recommended drill corresponding to the icon 841. When the learner operates a button 851 to study using the recommended drill, the learner terminal 140 displays, in accordance with the operation, a screen 86 displaying questions for the drill, or a screen of an external site related to the drill, or a video related to the questions, on the monitor 8.

[0088] In this embodiment, the related information of learning items at a stage earlier than the stage of the target learning item is presented as the related information of the learning item to be studied, but the related information of the target learning item may also be displayed.

[0089] 10 and 11 may be provided by the server device 100 in cooperation with the teaching material providing device 110. In the example shown in FIG.

[0090] In this manner, according to the system 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to present to a target learner relevant information (teaching materials, advice, etc.) about learning items that are related to a target learning item at a certain stage and that should be studied at that certain stage, based on the progress of grades in the study order of the learning items at the previous stage.

[0091] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 2 Mouse, 3 Keyboard, 4 RAM, 5 Storage device, 7 Communication interface, 7A Subject code, 7B Area code, 7C Unit code, 8 Monitor, 10 System, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 Screen, 100 Server device, 110 Teaching material providing device, 120 Administrator terminal, 130 Teacher terminal, 140 Student terminal, 150 School affairs DB, 160 Academic ability test DB, 190 Network, 200 Computer device, 310 Acquisition unit, 320 Calculation unit, 321 Grade prediction unit, 322 Impact degree derivation unit, 323 Learning information extraction unit, 324 Grade trend acquisition unit, 325 Teaching material selection unit, 326 Web module, 330 Memory unit, 331 Grade prediction model, 333 Screen DB, 340 Output unit, 410 Input, 420 Prediction result, 600 Difficulty table, 700 teaching material DB, 701 item, 705 rank, 706 identifier, 707 curriculum code, 708 target grade, 709 teaching material link, 710,720,730,740,750 block, 800 table, 810 unit, 820 unit details, 821,832,851 button, 831,841 icon, S100,S200,S310,S320,S330,S340,S400,S500,S600,S700,S800,T1,T2,T3 steps.

Claims

1. A learning support system for a learning curriculum in which a plurality of learning items are assigned to a plurality of stages and learning is progressed in the order of the stages, an extraction means for extracting, from the learning information of a target learner, learning information related to one or more learning items that are related to a target learning item among the plurality of learning items and that are assigned to a stage prior to the stage to which the target learning item is assigned, based on related information indicating a relationship between the plurality of learning items; an acquisition means for acquiring transition information showing a transition of grades of the target learner in the order of learning for each of the one or more learning items related to the target learning item based on the extracted learning information; A learning support system comprising: a provision means for providing information related to at least one learning item that the target learner should study among the one or more learning items based on the acquired transition information.

2. The providing means includes: The learning support system of claim 1, further comprising a means for providing information related to a learning item among the one or more learning items that is preceding in the order of learning of the target learner based on the acquired transition information in priority to information related to other learning items.

3. The learning support system of claim 2, further comprising a prediction means for predicting the target learner's grades for the target learning item by inputting learning information relating to one or more of the learning items assigned to the previous stage into a learning model.

4. The learning information related to the one or more learning items assigned to the previous stage includes information corresponding to each of the one or more learning items, The learning support system according to claim 3 , wherein the learning support system detects influence information indicating a degree of influence of information corresponding to each of the learning items on a result of the prediction of the grade.

5. The providing means includes: The learning support system of claim 4, further comprising a means for determining whether each learning item should be given priority over other learning items and be studied by the target learner based on the degree of influence indicated by the influence information detected for that learning item.

6. The learning support system of claim 4, wherein the providing means includes means for determining information related to at least one learning item that the target learner should study based on both or one of a determination of whether the predicted grade exceeds a predetermined standard and a determination of whether the impact level indicated by the impact information exceeds a threshold value.

7. The learning support system according to claim 1 , wherein the information related to at least one learning item to be studied by the target learner includes information related to a learning material.

8. The learning support system according to claim 1 , wherein the learning information is information for each unit.

9. 3. The learning support system according to claim 1, wherein the learning items are defined in a curriculum code.

10. The providing means includes:

3. The learning support system according to claim 1, further comprising: means for providing information related to at least one learning item to be studied by the target learner via a GUI.

11. 1. A computer-implemented method of aiding learning, comprising: The learning support is a learning support in a learning curriculum in which a plurality of learning items are assigned to a plurality of stages, and learning is progressed in the order of the stages, extracting, from the learning information of the target learner, learning information related to one or more learning items that are related to a target learning item among the plurality of learning items and that are assigned to a stage prior to the stage to which the target learning item is assigned, based on related information indicating a relationship between the plurality of learning items; acquiring, based on the extracted learning information, transition information indicating a transition of grades of the target learner in the order of learning for each of the one or more learning items related to the target learning item; A method of learning support comprising a step of providing information related to at least one learning item that the target learner should learn among the one or more learning items based on the acquired transition information.

12. A program for causing a computer to execute the learning support method according to claim 11.

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