Learning support system

Abstract

This learning support system allows learners to identify areas where they lack understanding without having them solve every problem, and to determine a starting point for learning, indicating which learning content they should begin with within an appropriate learning sequence. [Solution] The information processing device 100 includes a storage unit 1322 that stores information of multiple units systematized according to the learning order, a questionnaire unit 1332 that outputs a questionnaire to confirm with the learner whether or not they know how to solve a problem belonging to a certain unit among the multiple units, and receives answer information to the questionnaire, a question unit that presents a problem belonging to the unit for which answer information indicating that the learner knows how to solve the problem has been received, and provides answer information to the question, and a determination unit 1334 that determines the starting point of learning based on the answer information to the questionnaire and the answer information to the question.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a learning support system.

Background Art

[0002] In order to understand specific learning content, it is necessary to acquire the knowledge that is the premise of the learning. Therefore, there is an appropriate learning order for learning. Among learners who are not good at studying, there may be a lack of understanding of the learning content that needs to be understood before starting to learn the learning content. For example, among learners who are not good at learning English or mathematics in high school, there may be a lack of understanding of the learning content of elementary and junior high schools required for high school learning. In such a case, in order to grasp which learning content is lacking in understanding, a method of comprehensively solving problems about the learning content of elementary and junior high schools to confirm the understanding level of the learner can be considered.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, a learning support device that is connected to a user's terminal device via a communication network, used for academic ability investigation and / or learning, and outputs educational content including at least one of problems and lecture data to the terminal device, includes means for outputting educational content belonging to a certain learning range to the terminal device, means for determining the proficiency of the user according to the reception status of the educational content, and means for determining at least one learning range and / or educational content recommended to the user according to the proficiency.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the learning support device described in Patent Document 1 required learners to solve all the problems for the academic ability test. Furthermore, the learning support device described in Patent Document 1 did not anticipate identifying which learning content the learner lacked understanding of before starting the current learning.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a learning support system that can identify areas where a learner's understanding is lacking, without requiring them to solve all the problems to assess their level of comprehension, and can determine a starting point for learning, indicating which learning content should be studied first within an appropriate learning sequence. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a storage unit that stores information of a plurality of units organized according to a learning order; a questionnaire unit that outputs a questionnaire to confirm with the learner whether or not they know how to solve a problem belonging to a particular unit among the plurality of units, and receives answer information to the questionnaire; a question unit that presents a problem belonging to the unit for which answer information indicating that the learner knows how to solve the problem has been received, and receives answer information to the question; and a determination unit that determines the starting point of learning based on the answer information to the questionnaire and the answer information to the question.

[0008] According to this embodiment, the information processing device can identify areas where the learner's understanding is lacking and determine the starting point for learning, without requiring the learner to solve all the problems for which their understanding is to be assessed.

[0009] In the above-described information processing device, the interview unit may repeat the interview process by working backward from the learning sequence, with the questions becoming more basic as the interview progresses. According to this embodiment, the information processing device can proceed with the interview without causing learners to drop out midway due to the difficulty of the questions.

[0010] In the above-described information processing device, the interview unit may repeat the interview process in accordance with the learning sequence, with the questions becoming more applied as the interview progresses. In this configuration, the information processing device can proceed with the interview while allowing the learner to confirm how much of the learning sequence they have understood.

[0011] In the above-described information processing device, the questioning unit may conduct a medical interview and the questioning unit may issue questions that the learner can actually solve and that are the last questions in the learning sequence. According to this embodiment, the information processing device can efficiently determine the starting point by identifying the question immediately preceding the learning content in which the learner lacks understanding.

[0012] In the above-described information processing device, the questions include key questions belonging to a unit and representative questions belonging to subdivisions of the unit. The questionnaire unit outputs questionnaires regarding the key questions, and the question-presenting unit may present either the key questions or the representative questions. According to this embodiment, the information processing device first conducts a questionnaire regarding the key questions, and then presents questions regarding those key questions and representative questions belonging to the unit following the unit to which the key questions belong. This allows for a detailed assessment of the learner's level of understanding while keeping the number of questions required to determine the starting point of learning to a minimum.

[0013] In the above-described information processing device, if the answer information to the medical interview indicates that the user does not know how to solve a problem, the question-generating unit does not need to present a question regarding that problem. According to this embodiment, the information processing device allows the learner to determine the starting point of their learning while respecting the learner's decision-making.

[0014] The above-described information processing device may further include an output unit that outputs the determined learning start point and a receiving unit that receives the learner's selection of the learning start point. According to this embodiment, the information processing device can determine the learning start point while respecting the learner's selection of the learning start point.

[0015] A method relating to another aspect of this disclosure includes a computer having a memory unit that stores information of a plurality of units organized according to a learning order, outputting a questionnaire to confirm with the learner whether or not they know how to solve a problem belonging to a particular unit among the plurality of units, receiving answer information to the questionnaire, presenting a problem belonging to the unit for which answer information indicating that the learner knows how to solve the problem was received, receiving answer information to the question, and determining a starting point for learning based on the answer information to the questionnaire and the answer information to the question.

[0016] A program relating to another aspect of this disclosure causes one or more computers having a memory unit that stores information of multiple units organized according to a learning order to execute the following processes: outputting a questionnaire to confirm with the learner whether or not they know how to solve a problem belonging to a particular unit among the multiple units; receiving answer information to the questionnaire; presenting a problem belonging to the unit for which answer information indicating that the learner knows how to solve the problem has been received; receiving answer information to the presented question; and determining a starting point for learning based on the answer information to the questionnaire and the answer information to the presented question. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a learning support system that can identify areas where a learner's understanding is lacking, without requiring them to solve all the problems to assess their comprehension level, and determine a starting point for learning, indicating which learning content should be studied first within an appropriate learning sequence. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a learning support system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of a server device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]It is a schematic configuration diagram showing a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention from a functional perspective. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of a learner DB stored in a server storage unit. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of a learning area DB stored in a server storage unit. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of a problem DB stored in a server storage unit. [Figure 8] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a method for determining a start point. [Figure 9] It is a schematic configuration diagram showing a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention from a functional perspective. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of a screen flow displayed on a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of a screen flow displayed on a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing an example of processing between a server device and a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] It is a flowchart showing an example of a start point determination process of a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] It is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a learning area having a plurality of systematized units according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Further, the following embodiments are examples for explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited only to the embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

[0020] <Schematic Configuration of Learning Support System Figure 1 is a schematic diagram (system configuration diagram) of a learning support system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the learning support system 1 is configured by connecting a server device 100 and multiple learner terminal devices 200 to each other via a network N so that they can communicate with one another.

[0021] The server device 100 is a server computer connected to the network N, and is configured to realize server functions by running a predetermined server program on that server computer. In this embodiment, the server device 100 can conduct interviews with learners on each terminal device 200 to determine the starting point of learning in a learning area having a series of systematically organized units.

[0022] Here, a unit refers to a learning category to which a problem belongs. For example, units in junior high school mathematics include "Variables and Expressions," "Solving Linear Equations," "Plane Geometry," "Word Problems with Linear Equations," and "Triangles and Quadrilaterals." In the present invention, a learning area is a grouping of units by closely related themes. For example, as shown on the right side of Figure 14, a learning area in junior high school mathematics includes "Numbers and Expressions," "Functions," "Geometry," and "Data Analysis." Multiple units included in a learning area can be arranged according to the learning order.

[0023] In this embodiment, the problem includes key problems and representative problems. Key problems are problems that check the level of understanding of the entire unit, and if the key problems can be solved, the learner can be considered to have understood the entire unit. Representative problems are problems that check the level of understanding of a subdivision of the unit, and if the representative problems can be solved, the learner can be considered to have understood the subdivision to which the representative problems belong.

[0024] The terminal device 200 is a computer connected to the network N and capable of accessing the server device 100. It is configured to perform its functions by running a predetermined learner terminal program on that computer. The terminal device 200 can receive questionnaire data from the server device 100 via the network N, reconstruct the questionnaire data by running the terminal program, and transmit the answer information.

[0025] Here, the questionnaire data includes a key question and answer choices, and the answer choices contain information indicating whether or not the user understands how to solve the problem, rather than providing a specific answer to the problem. When terminal device 200 sends answer information indicating that it does not understand how to solve the problem, server device 100 sends questionnaire data to terminal device 200, including the key question and answer choices from the previous unit, tracing back through the structured learning domain. By repeatedly exchanging questionnaires between server device 100 and terminal device 200, learners can find units in which they understand how to solve the problems.

[0026] When terminal device 200 transmits answer information indicating that it knows how to solve a problem, server device 100 transmits first problem data to terminal device 200 in order to obtain a specific answer to the problem for which it knows how to solve. Upon receiving the problem data, terminal device 200 can replay the problem data and transmit specific answer information to the problem. If the answer to the first problem from terminal device 200 is correct, server device 100 transmits second problem data to terminal device 200 in order to obtain a specific answer to the first representative problem of the next unit in the structured learning area. Subsequently, when terminal device 200 transmits a correct answer to the second problem data, server device 100 transmits third problem data to terminal device 200 in order to obtain a specific answer to the next representative problem within the same unit. By repeating the exchange of problems between server device 100 and terminal device 200, the learner can find the last problem that they can actually solve.

[0027] If the specific answer from terminal device 200 is incorrect, or if the server device 100 receives answer information from terminal device 200 indicating that it does not know the answer, the server device 100 can decide that the previous question in which the specific answer was correct will be the starting point for learning.

[0028] In this embodiment, the terminal device 200 is assumed to be owned by the user through loan or purchase, and to be used by the user for problem-solving exercises. In this embodiment, the user is a high school student, but is not limited to this, and may be any other student, working adult, etc. In this embodiment, the learner, who is a high school student, uses the terminal device 200 to determine the starting point of their learning.

[0029] In this embodiment, the terminal device 200 is preferably assumed to be a tablet computer (hereinafter also referred to as "tablet terminal"). Therefore, in order to facilitate understanding, the following description will take an embodiment in which the terminal device 200 is a tablet terminal as an example.

[0030] However, in the present invention, the terminal device 200 is not limited to a tablet terminal, but may also be a PC (personal computer, including a notebook computer), a home game console (including a portable game console), a mobile phone (so-called feature phone), a smartphone (multifunctional mobile phone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable music player, an e-book reader, or other computer equipment.

[0031] Network N is a communication line or network related to information processing, including, for example, the internet or a LAN (local area network) built within a home. Its specific configuration is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to enable the transmission and reception of data between the server device 100 and the terminal device 200, and it does not matter whether it is wired or wireless.

[0032] Furthermore, network N may be composed of multiple types of communication lines and networks and various network devices. For example, network N may include base stations and wireless LAN access points (such as WiFi routers) wirelessly connected to terminal devices 200, a mobile communication network connected to base stations, telephone lines, cable television lines or optical communication lines or other public lines connected from access points via routers and modems, the Internet connected to server devices 100, and gateway devices connecting the mobile communication network and public lines to the Internet.

[0033] <Hardware configuration of server device 100> Figure 2 is a diagram (system block diagram) showing an example of the hardware configuration of a server device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the server device 100 includes an arithmetic processing unit (processor) 101 such as a CPU or MPU, a ROM 102 and RAM 103 as storage devices, an external interface 104 to which an input unit 105 and an external memory 106 are connected, an image processing unit 107 to which a display monitor 111 is connected, a slot drive 108 to which a disk or memory device is housed or connected, an audio processing unit 109 to which a speaker device 112 is connected, and a network interface 110.

[0034] Each component is connected to one another via a transmission line 120, such as an internal bus, an external bus, and a system bus including an expansion bus. Input / output devices such as the input unit 105, external memory 106, display monitor 111, and speaker device 112 may be omitted as needed, and even if they are included, they do not need to be constantly connected to the transmission line 120.

[0035] The arithmetic processing unit 101 controls the operation of the entire server device 100, transmits and receives control signals and information signals (data) with the other components mentioned above, and performs various arithmetic operations necessary for the execution of learning support. For this reason, the arithmetic processing unit 101 is configured to perform arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using numerical arithmetic units, logical operations such as logical OR, logical AND, and logical negation, bitwise operations such as bitwise OR, bitwise AND, bitwise inversion, bitwise shift, and bitwise rotation on high-speed accessible memory areas such as registers, and further, as necessary, saturation operations, trigonometric function operations, vector operations, etc.

[0036] Generally, ROM 102 stores the Initial Program Loader (IPL), which is executed first after power-on. When this IPL is executed, the server program and learning support program stored on the disk or memory device housed in or connected to the slot drive 108 are read into RAM 103 by the arithmetic processing unit 101, and then executed by the arithmetic processing unit 101. Furthermore, ROM 102 stores the operating system program and other various data necessary for controlling the operation of the entire server device 100.

[0037] RAM103 is for temporarily storing server programs, learning support programs, and various data. As described above, the read server programs, learning support programs, and other data necessary for communication between problems and multiple terminal devices 200 are stored in RAM103. The learning support programs may be recorded on an external recording medium and installed from the external recording medium into RAM103.

[0038] Furthermore, the arithmetic processing unit 101 sets a variable area in RAM 103 and performs direct calculations on the values ​​stored in that variable area using the numerical calculation unit, or it copies or moves the values ​​stored in RAM 103 to a register and performs direct calculations on that register, or it writes the results of those calculations back to RAM 103.

[0039] The input unit 105, connected via the external interface 104, accepts various operation inputs from users on the service provider side who provide problems using the server device 100. The input unit 105 can be a keyboard, touchpad, touch panel, or, for example, a voice input device. The type of device is not particularly limited as long as it can perform various operation inputs, confirmation operations, cancellation operations, menu display, and other instruction inputs.

[0040] The RAM 103 and the external memory 106, which is detachably connected via the external interface 104, store rewritable data such as the operating status of the server device 100, the access status of each terminal device 200, and the status of medical interviews and problem solving at each terminal device 200.

[0041] The image processing unit 107 processes various data read from the slot drive 108 using either the arithmetic processing unit 101 or the image processing unit 107 itself, and then records the processed image information in a frame memory or the like. The image information recorded in this frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronization timing and output to the display monitor 111 connected to the image processing unit 107. This enables the display of various images. In addition, image information related to learning support is sent from the image processing unit 107 and / or the arithmetic processing unit 101 to each terminal device 200 through collaborative processing with the arithmetic processing unit 101, etc.

[0042] Furthermore, the audio processing unit 109 converts various data read from the slot drive 108 into audio signals and outputs them from the speaker device 112 connected to the audio processing unit 109. In addition, audio information related to learning support is sent from the audio processing unit 109 and / or the arithmetic processing unit 101 to each terminal device 200 through collaborative processing with the arithmetic processing unit 101, etc.

[0043] Furthermore, the network interface 110 is for connecting the server device 100 to the network N, and consists of, for example, devices compliant with various standards used for building LANs, analog modems, ISDN modems, ADSL modems, cable modems for connecting to the Internet using cable television lines, and communication interface circuits for connecting these to the processing unit 101 via the transmission line 120.

[0044] The server device 100 may consist of a single computer, or it may consist of multiple computers distributed across a network, in the form of so-called cloud computing. Alternatively, a single computer may have multiple server functions.

[0045] <Hardware configuration of terminal device 200> Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal device 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The terminal device 200 shown in Figure 3 includes a touch panel 14, a speaker 16, a microphone 18, hard buttons 20, hard keys 22, a mobile communication antenna 30, a mobile communication unit 32, a wireless LAN communication antenna 34, a wireless LAN communication unit 36, a storage unit 38, a main control unit 40, a camera 26, and an external interface 42 including an audio output terminal 24.

[0046] The touch panel 14 has both display and input device functions and consists of a display (display screen) 14A that handles the display function and a touch sensor 14B that handles the input function. The display 14A is made up of a common display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The touch sensor 14B is made up of an element for detecting contact operations placed on the upper surface of the display 14A and a transparent operating surface laminated on top of it. Any known method can be used as the contact detection method for the touch sensor 14B, such as capacitive, resistive (pressure-sensitive), or electromagnetic induction.

[0047] The touch panel 14 displays an image generated by the execution of a program 50 stored in the storage unit 38 by the main control unit 40. As an input device, the touch panel 14 accepts operation input by detecting the movement of a contacting object (including the user's finger or a stylus; hereinafter, the case of a finger will be described as a representative example) that comes into contact with the operating surface, and provides the main control unit 40 with information on the contact position. The movement of the finger is detected as coordinate information indicating the position or area of ​​the contact point, and the coordinate information is represented, for example, as coordinate values ​​on two axes, the short side direction and the long side direction of the touch panel 14.

[0048] The terminal device 200 is connected to the network N via a mobile communication antenna 30 and a wireless LAN communication antenna 34, and is capable of data communication with the server device 100.

[0049] The program 50 according to this embodiment may be installed on the terminal device 200, or learning support functions, etc., may be provided online from a server (not limited to the server device 100). When program 50 is executed, an application capable of playing back the medical questionnaire data and problem data transmitted from the server device 100 is activated.

[0050] <Functional configuration of server device 100> Figure 4 is a schematic configuration diagram (functional configuration diagram) showing a server device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention from a functional standpoint. The server device 100 is for supporting the learning of learners on the terminal device 200 in response to requests from the terminal device 200, and for this purpose it includes at least a server communication unit 131, a server storage unit 132, and a server processing unit 133.

[0051] The server communication unit 131 communicates between the server device 100 and the network N, and has the function of supplying data received from terminal devices 200 etc. to the server processing unit 133, and transmitting data supplied from the server processing unit 133 to the terminal devices 200. Specifically, the server communication unit 131 consists of at least the network interface 110 shown in Figure 2 above.

[0052] The server memory unit 132 is for storing various programs and data, and specifically, it may consist of at least one of the ROM 102, RAM 103, external memory 106, and slot drive 108 shown in Figure 2. Here, the program stored in the server memory unit 132 is a program for a learning support application that executes the processing procedure described later. The server memory unit 132 also records data related to such learning support, display data, and data of various calculation results.

[0053] For example, the server storage unit 132 stores the learner DB 1321, the learning area DB 1322, the problem DB 1323, and the learning content DB 1324.

[0054] Figure 5 shows an example of a learner database stored in the server storage unit 132. The learner database 1321 shown in Figure 5 includes at least the grade level, learner ID, learner name, units that the learner does not understand, and start point. The grade level stores information indicating the grade level to which the learner belongs. The learner ID is information for uniquely identifying the learner. The units that the learner does not understand store a key code corresponding to the last unit in which the learner indicated in the questionnaire that they did not understand how to solve the problem. The key code will be described later. The start point stores a problem ID corresponding to the problem that the server device 100 has determined as the starting point of learning, or a key code corresponding to the unit that has been determined as the starting point by the terminal device 200.

[0055] Figure 6 shows an example of a learning area database stored in the server storage unit 132. The learning area database 1322 shown in Figure 6 includes at least the grade level, unit ID, unit name, key code, sub-unit code, sub-unit name, and problem ID. The grade level stores information indicating the grade level in which the unit's learning is planned. The key code is information indicating the learning order of multiple units included within the learning area. A sub-unit is a sub-unit of learning to which a problem belongs, and one unit may contain multiple sub-units. The sub-unit code is information indicating the learning order of multiple sub-units included within a unit. The problem ID contains information indicating the problem belonging to the unit and / or sub-unit.

[0056] In this embodiment, the target learners are first-year high school students, and the learning area DB1322 stores information on the units planned for learning in junior high and elementary school necessary to start learning in the first year of high school. Figure 6 shows an example of the learning area for "Geometry" in mathematics. In this embodiment, mathematics is assumed to include four learning areas within the subject, but it is not limited to this, and any other number of learning areas may be included. Alternatively, the subject may include only one learning area.

[0057] As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, the key codes are set to decrease as the learning becomes more basic, working backward from the target learning level for first-year high school students. Similarly, the sub-category codes are also set to decrease as the learning becomes more basic.

[0058] Figure 7 shows an example of a problem database stored in the server storage unit 132. The problem database 1323 shown in Figure 7 includes at least a problem ID, the problem, hints, the answer, and answer choices. The problem ID is information for uniquely identifying the problem. Hints are information that can serve as hints for solving the problem. Multiple answer choices are stored in the answer choices.

[0059] The learning content DB1324 includes at least the content ID, content name, unit ID, sub-category code, and content. The content ID is information used to uniquely identify the learning content. The unit ID and sub-category code store the corresponding unit ID and sub-category code from the learning area DB1322.

[0060] Returning to Figure 4, the server processing unit 133 is composed of the arithmetic processing unit 101 shown in Figure 2, and processing by each of the functional modules described later is executed based on control commands from the arithmetic processing unit 101. In other words, the arithmetic processing unit 101 functions as the server processing unit 133 in this embodiment. To further explain using learning support in this embodiment as an example, the functional modules include a screen transmission unit 1331, a medical interview unit 1332, a question generation unit 1333, a decision unit 1334, and a content provision unit 1335. The functional modules are realized by the various programs described above executed by the processor of the arithmetic processing unit 101, or they may be implemented in the arithmetic processing unit 101 as firmware.

[0061] The screen transmission unit 1331 responds to user input from the terminal device 200, etc., by creating corresponding screen information and transmitting it to the terminal device 200. Specifically, for example, the screen transmission unit 1331 transmits to the terminal device 200 screen information such as a start point presentation screen to show the determined learning start point, and a start point confirmation screen to confirm the start point based on the learner's input.

[0062] The questionnaire unit 1332 transmits questionnaire data to the terminal device 200 to confirm whether the learner understands how to solve the problem. In this embodiment, the questionnaire unit 1332 conducts the questionnaire by working backward from the grade level to which the learner belongs, with the questions becoming more basic as the questionnaire progresses. In this embodiment, the questionnaire data includes a key question, a key code, and answer choices, and the answer choices include information indicating whether the learner understands how to solve the problem, rather than providing a specific answer to the problem.

[0063] For example, when the terminal device 200 receives response information including a key code and information indicating that the user does not know how to solve the problem, the questioning unit 1332 traces back through the systematized learning domains to the previous unit and sends questioning data, including the key problem and answer choices, to the terminal device 200. In this implementation configuration, the questioning unit 1332 refers to the learning domain DB 1322 to obtain a problem ID for a key code that matches the value obtained by decrementing the received key code, retrieves the problem corresponding to the problem ID from the problem DB 1323, and sends the questioning data to the terminal device 200. By repeatedly exchanging questions with the terminal device 200, the questioning unit 1332 finds a unit in which the learner understands how to solve the problems.

[0064] In one embodiment, the questioning unit 1332 may transmit questioning data containing hints corresponding to the problem to the terminal device 200. By including hints in the questioning data, a hint screen can be displayed on the terminal device 200. For example, by including supplementary explanations about the problem statement or key points for solving the problem as hints, it is possible to help learners who are unsure whether or not they know how to solve the problem to answer more accurately whether or not they know how to solve it.

[0065] The question-generating unit 1333 transmits problem data to the terminal device 200 to confirm whether the learner can actually solve the problem. In this embodiment, the question-generating unit 1333 retrieves the next problem in order according to the systematized learning domain, starting with the key problem that the learner has shown they know how to solve, and repeats the question-generating process. By repeatedly exchanging problems with the terminal device 200, the question-generating unit 1333 can find the last problem that the learner can actually solve among the problems systematized according to the learning order in that learning domain.

[0066] The decision unit 1334 determines the starting point of learning based on the results of the interview conducted by the interview unit 1332 and the questions asked by the question unit 1333. The specific method for determining the starting point of learning will be explained in detail with reference to Figure 8.

[0067] For example, in the upper example of Figure 8, the interview unit 1332 has identified a key problem 801 for a unit in which the learner understands how to solve the problem. The question unit 1333 sends question data to the terminal device 200 to verify whether the learner can actually solve the key problem 801. If the answer to the key problem 801 from the terminal device 200 is correct, the question unit 1333 obtains the first representative problem 811 of the next unit, according to the systematized learning area, and sends question data to the terminal device 200 to verify whether the learner can actually solve the representative problem 811.

[0068] If the answer to representative problem 811 from the terminal device 200 is correct, the question generation unit 1333 obtains the next representative problem 812 within the same unit according to the systematized learning area and transmits problem data to the terminal device 200 to confirm whether the learner can actually solve representative problem 812. If the answer to representative problem 812 from the terminal device 200 is incorrect, or if the terminal device 200 receives answer information indicating that it does not know, the decision unit 1334 can decide that the previous representative problem 811, for which the specific answer was correct, will be the starting point for learning.

[0069] In the lower example of Figure 8, the interview unit 1332 finds a key problem 802 for a unit in which the learner understands how to solve the problem. The question unit 1333 sends problem data to the terminal device 200 to confirm whether the learner can actually solve the key problem 802. If the answer to the key problem 802 from the terminal device 200 is correct, the question unit 1333 attempts to obtain the first representative problem of the next unit according to the systematized learning domain. However, if there is no representative problem of that type, the decision unit 1334 can determine the key problem 802 for which the specific answer was correct as the starting point for learning. Thus, in this embodiment, the question unit 1333 proceeds to present questions up to the key problem in which the learner answered that they do not know how to solve the problem.

[0070] In this embodiment, the interview unit 1332 describes an example in which it proceeds with the interview by working backward through the systematized learning areas. However, in another embodiment, as shown in the middle of Figure 8, the interview unit 1332 may proceed with the interview according to the systematized learning areas, moving from basic problems to applied problems. In the example in the middle of Figure 8, the interview by the interview unit 1332 proceeds in the order of interviews regarding key problem 803, key problem 804, and key problem 805, and it is assumed that a key problem 804 of a unit in which the learner understands how to solve the problem has been found. In yet another embodiment, the interview unit 1332 may proceed with the interview in any other arbitrary order to find a unit in which the learner understands how to solve the problem.

[0071] The question-setting unit 1333, as in the example above, sends question data to the terminal device 200 to verify whether the learner can actually solve the key problem 804. If the answer to the key problem 804 from the terminal device 200 is correct, the question-setting unit 1333 obtains the first representative problem 813 of the next unit, according to the structured learning area, and sends question data to the terminal device 200 to verify whether the learner can actually solve the representative problem 813.

[0072] If the answer to representative problem 813 from the terminal device 200 is correct, the question generation unit 1333 obtains the next representative problem 814 within the same unit according to the systematized learning area and transmits problem data to the terminal device 200 to confirm whether the learner can actually solve representative problem 814. If the answer to representative problem 814 from the terminal device 200 is incorrect, or if the terminal device 200 receives answer information indicating that it does not know, the decision unit 1334 can decide that the previous representative problem 813, for which the specific answer was correct, will be the starting point for learning.

[0073] The content provision unit 1335 provides learning content to the terminal device 200 based on the determined start point. In this embodiment, the content provision unit 1335 retrieves learning content from the content DB 1325 based on the determined start point and the learning area DB 1322, and transmits it to the terminal device 200.

[0074] <Functional configuration of terminal device 200> Figure 9 is a schematic configuration diagram (functional configuration diagram) showing a terminal device 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention from a functional standpoint. In this embodiment, the terminal device 200 is, for example, a tablet terminal and, as shown in Figure 9, comprises at least a terminal communication unit 202, a display unit 204, an operation unit 206, an audio output unit 208, a terminal storage unit 210, and a learner application control unit 212.

[0075] The terminal communication unit 202 can be implemented, for example, by a mobile communication unit 32 or a wireless LAN communication unit 36. The terminal communication unit 202 transmits data supplied from the learner application control unit 212 to the server device 100 and supplies data received from the server device 100 to the learner application control unit 212.

[0076] The display unit 204 is implemented by, for example, a touch panel 14 or a main control unit 40, and displays screens related to questions, answers, and other learning support applications.

[0077] The operation unit 206 is implemented, for example, by a touch panel 14, hard buttons 20, hard keys 22, etc., and receives user input.

[0078] The audio output unit 208 is implemented, for example, by a speaker 16 and a main control unit 40, and outputs audio related to the medical interview data or problem data.

[0079] The terminal storage unit 210 is for storing various programs and data, and specifically, it may consist of the storage unit 38 shown in Figure 3, as described above. The programs stored in the terminal storage unit 210 are programs for learning support applications that execute processing procedures described later. The terminal storage unit 210 also records data related to such learning support, display data, and data of various calculation results.

[0080] For example, the terminal storage unit 210 stores learner identification data 2101 and content storage unit 2102. The identification data 2101 includes at least a learner ID, login ID, and password.

[0081] The content storage unit 2102 includes at least a content ID, a unit ID, a sub-category code, and the content.

[0082] The learner application control unit 212 can be implemented by, for example, the main control unit 40. The learner application control unit 212 implements various functions for running the learning support application when the program 50 is executed. The learner application control unit 212 includes a reception unit 2121, an authentication unit 2122, a display control unit 2123, a start request unit 2124, a playback unit 2125, a transmission unit 2126, and a receiving unit 2127.

[0083] The reception unit 2121 receives information corresponding to user operations entered via the touch panel 14 or the like. The reception unit 2121 outputs the information corresponding to the received user operations to the appropriate units. For example, as will be described later, the reception unit 2121 receives learner login information and the like entered using the operation unit 206, and outputs the received information to the appropriate units.

[0084] The authentication unit 2122 authenticates the learner using the login information obtained from the reception unit 2121. For example, the login information includes a login ID and password, and the authentication unit 2122 performs authentication processing using the identification data 2101. Note that the authentication processing may be performed by the server device 100 or an authentication server separate from the server device 100. Furthermore, any authentication method may be used, such as authentication using an entered password, fingerprint authentication, iris authentication, or voiceprint authentication. In this case, the information used for authentication is input, for example, from the operation unit 206.

[0085] The display control unit 2123 generates a screen based on various information stored in the terminal storage unit 210, in response to learner input obtained from the reception unit 2121 and screen information received from the server device 100, and displays it on the display unit 204. For example, in this embodiment, the display control unit 2123 receives start point presentation screen information from the server device 100 to present the determined learning start point, generates a start point presentation screen, and displays it on the display unit 304.

[0086] The start request unit 2124 sends a start request to the server device 100 in response to the learner's input to initiate the flow that determines the start point of learning. In this embodiment, the start request unit 2124 sends a start request to the server device 100 that includes the learner's learner ID.

[0087] The playback unit 2125 plays back the medical interview data or problem data received from the server device 100. In this embodiment, the playback unit 2125 receives medical interview data or problem data including audio data and plays back the medical interview data or problem data via the display unit 204 and the audio output unit 208.

[0088] The transmission unit 2126 transmits various data to the server device 100 in accordance with the learner's input obtained from the reception unit 2121. In this embodiment, the transmission unit 2126 transmits information such as answers to the medical questionnaire, solutions to problems, and information confirming the starting point to the server device 100. In this embodiment, the information on answers to the medical questionnaire includes the learner ID, key code, and information indicating whether or not the learner knows how to solve the problem; the information on solutions to problems includes the learner ID, problem ID, and solution; and the information confirming the starting point includes the learner ID and key code.

[0089] The receiving unit 2127 receives learning content from the server device 100 and stores it in the content storage unit 2102 of the terminal storage unit 210.

[0090] <Screen flow of terminal device 200> Next, the screen flow of the learning support service in the embodiment will be described. Figures 10 and 11 show an example of the screen flow of the terminal device 200. Figure 10(A) shows the medical interview screen. The medical interview screen includes a problem area 1001 that shows a key question, a choice area 1002 that allows the user to select whether or not they know how to solve the problem, and a teacher area 1003. The teacher area 1003 displays a teacher character that conducts the medical interview. In this embodiment, when the selection control 1004 that indicates that the user knows how to solve the problem is selected, the medical interview confirmation screen shown in Figure 10(B) is displayed. On the other hand, when the selection control 1005 that indicates that the user does not know how to solve the problem is selected, a medical interview screen containing another key question is displayed.

[0091] Figure 10(B) shows a questionnaire confirmation screen to determine whether or not to actually solve the key problem. The questionnaire confirmation screen includes a problem area 1001 showing the key problem, a choice area 1006 for selecting whether or not to actually solve the key problem, and a teacher area 1003. In this embodiment, the choice area 1006 includes a selection control 1007 indicating to answer, a selection control 1008 indicating not knowing, and a selection control 1009 indicating to see a hint.

[0092] In this embodiment, when the selection control 1007 indicating to answer is selected, the question screen shown in Figure 10(D) is displayed. When the selection control 1008 indicating "I don't know" is selected, a questionnaire screen containing another key question is displayed. When the selection control 1008 indicating "See hint" is selected, the hint screen shown in Figure 10(C) is displayed.

[0093] The hint screen shown in Figure 10(C) includes a problem area 1001 showing the key problem, a hint area 1010 showing hint information, a choice area 1011 for selecting whether or not to actually solve the key problem, and a teacher area 1003. In this embodiment, the choice area 1011 includes a selection control 1012 indicating to answer and a selection control 1013 indicating not to know. In this embodiment, when the selection control 1012 indicating to answer is selected, the problem screen shown in Figure 10(D) is displayed. When the selection control 1013 indicating not to know is selected, a medical interview screen including another key problem is displayed.

[0094] Figure 10(D) shows the problem screen where the key problem is actually solved. The problem screen includes a problem area 1014 that displays the key problem, an answer choice area 1015, and an answer submission control 1016. After the learner's answer is obtained, the server device 100 determines the learning start point, and the start point presentation screen shown in Figure 10(E) is displayed.

[0095] The start point presentation screen shown in Figure 10(E) includes a presentation area 1017 indicating the determined start point, a confirmation control 1018 to proceed to confirming the start point, and a re-determination control 1019 to redo the determination of the start point. In this embodiment, when the confirmation control 1018 is selected, the start point confirmation screen shown in Figure 11(A) is displayed. When the re-determination control 1019 is selected, the medical interview screen is displayed.

[0096] The start point confirmation screen shown in Figure 11(A) includes a start point selection area 1101 that accepts the learner's selection of a start point, and a registration control 1102 that registers the selected start point. In this embodiment, by providing the start point selection area 1101, the learner can adopt a start point they themselves selected based on the start point determined by the server device 100. When the registration control 1102 is selected, the learning home screen shown in Figure 11(B) is displayed.

[0097] In the learning home screen shown in Figure 11(B), learners can sequentially work through their studies from the unit containing their determined starting point to the target unit.

[0098] <Operation> Next, the operation of the learning support system 1 will be described. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of processing between a server device 100 and a terminal device 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] When a learner, who is a user of the learning support system 1, enters login information using the operation unit 206 of the terminal device 200, the reception unit 2121 of the terminal device 200 receives the login information (S1201). Here, it is assumed that learner 2 with learner ID "user2" entered the login information using the operation unit 206. When the reception unit 2121 receives the login information, the authentication unit 2122 of the terminal device 200 authenticates the learner using the login information obtained from the reception unit 2121 (S1202). In this embodiment, the login information includes a login ID and a password, and the authentication unit 2122 performs authentication processing using identification data 2101.

[0100] Upon successful authentication, a learning support screen dedicated to the logged-in learner is displayed on the display unit 204. Subsequently, in response to the learner's input to initiate the flow that determines the starting point of learning, the start request unit 2124 of the terminal device 200 sends a start request to the server device 100 (S1203). In this embodiment, the start request includes the learner's learner ID, and here, the start request unit 2124 sends a start request to the server device 100 that includes the learner ID "user2".

[0101] When a start request is sent from the terminal device 200 (S1204), the questionnaire unit 1332 of the server device 100 sends questionnaire data to the terminal device 200 to confirm whether the learner knows how to solve the problem (S1205). In this embodiment, the questionnaire data includes a key question, a key code, a hint, and answer choices, and the answer choices include information indicating whether the learner knows how to solve the problem, rather than a specific answer to the problem. In this embodiment, the questionnaire unit 1332 conducts the questionnaire by working backward from the grade level to which the learner belongs, with the questions becoming more basic as the questionnaire progresses, and it is assumed that questionnaire data including the key code "13" has been sent.

[0102] When medical interview data is transmitted from the server device 100 (S1206), the playback unit 2125 of the terminal device 200 plays back the received medical interview data (S1207). In this embodiment, the playback unit 2125 receives medical interview data including audio data and plays back the medical interview data via the display unit 204 and the audio output unit 208.

[0103] When a learner inputs an answer using the operation unit 206, the transmission unit 2126 of the terminal device 200 transmits the answer information to the questionnaire to the server device 100 (S1208). In this embodiment, the answer information to the questionnaire includes the learner ID, key code, and information indicating whether or not the learner knows how to solve the problem. Here, it is assumed that the transmission unit 2126 transmits answer information including the learner ID "user2", key code "13", and information indicating whether or not the learner knows how to solve the problem, "I don't know".

[0104] When the terminal device 200 transmits answer information that includes information indicating that the user does not know how to solve a problem (S1209), the questionnaire unit 1332 of the server device 100 stores the key code included in the answer information in the learner DB 1321 in the unit the learner does not know, and sends questionnaire data related to the key problem of the previous unit, tracing back through the systematized learning areas, to the terminal device 200 (S1210). Here, the questionnaire unit 1332 stores the key code "13" in the unit the learner ID "user2" does not know, and based on the key code "13" included in the received answer information, it transmits questionnaire data including the key code "12".

[0105] When questionnaire data is transmitted from the server device 100 (S1211), the playback unit 2125 of the terminal device 200 plays back the received questionnaire data (S1212). Then, in response to the learner's input, the transmission unit 2126 of the terminal device 200 transmits the answer information to the questionnaire to the server device 100 (S1213). Here, it is assumed that the transmission unit 2126 transmits answer information including the learner ID "user2", the key code "12", and information indicating whether or not the user knows how to solve the problem, "I know".

[0106] When the terminal device 200 transmits answer information including information indicating that the user understands how to solve the problem (S1214), the question unit 1333 of the server device 100 transmits problem data to the terminal device 200 to confirm whether the learner can actually solve the problem (S1215). In this embodiment, the problem data includes a problem ID, the problem, and answer choices. The question unit 1333 obtains the problem ID "D02000K" with the key code "12" included in the answer information from the learning area DB 1322, obtains the corresponding problem and answer choices from the problem DB 1323, and transmits the problem data to the terminal device 200.

[0107] When problem data is transmitted from the server device 100 (S1216), the playback unit 2125 of the terminal device 200 plays back the received problem data (S1217). Subsequently, in response to the learner's input, the transmission unit 2126 of the terminal device 200 transmits answer information to the problem to the server device 100 (S1218). In this embodiment, the answer information to the problem includes the learner ID, the problem ID, and the answer. Here, it is assumed that the transmission unit 2126 transmits answer information to the server device 100 that includes the learner ID "user2", the problem ID "D02000K", and the correct answer to the key problem.

[0108] When answer information is transmitted from terminal device 200 (S1219), the question-issuing unit 1333 of server device 100 determines whether the answer is correct or not. In this case, the answer is correct, so the question-issuing unit 1333 retrieves the next question according to the systematized learning domain and transmits the question data to terminal device 200 (S1220). Specifically, based on the question ID "D02000K" of the answer information, the question-issuing unit 1333 retrieves the question ID "D0300S1" corresponding to the first representative question of the next unit from the learning domain DB 1322 and transmits the question data related to that representative question to terminal device 200.

[0109] When problem data is transmitted from the server device 100 (S1221), the playback unit 2125 of the terminal device 200 plays back the received problem data (S1222). Subsequently, in response to the learner's input, the transmission unit 2126 of the terminal device 200 transmits answer information to the problem to the server device 100 (S1223). In this embodiment, the answer information to the problem includes the learner ID, the problem ID, and the answer. Here, it is assumed that the transmission unit 2126 transmits answer information to the server device 100 that includes the learner ID "user2", the problem ID "D0300S1", and an incorrect answer to a representative problem.

[0110] When answer information is transmitted from terminal device 200 (S1224), the question-issuing unit 1333 of server device 100 determines whether the answer is correct or not. In this case, the answer is incorrect, so the question-issuing unit 1333 terminates the question-issuing process, and the decision-making unit 1334 of server device 100 determines the learning start point based on the results of the question-examination by question-examination unit 1332 and the question-issuing by question-issuing unit 1333 (S1225). In this case, the decision-making unit 1334 determines the previous question for which the answer was correct as the learning start point, and saves the corresponding question ID "D02000K" in the learner DB 1321's start point.

[0111] Once the start point is determined, the screen transmission unit 1331 of the server device 100 transmits start point presentation screen information to the terminal device 200 to present the determined learning start point (S1226).

[0112] When the server device 100 transmits start point display screen information (S1227), the display control unit 2123 of the terminal device 200 generates a start point display screen based on the start point display screen information and displays it on the display unit 204 (S1228). Here, it is assumed that the display control unit 2123 generates a start point display screen as shown in Figure 10(E) and displays it on the display unit 204.

[0113] Subsequently, when the learner selects the confirmation control 1018 to proceed to confirming the start point using the operation unit 206, the display control unit 2123 generates a start point confirmation screen and displays it on the display unit 204 (S1229). Here, it is assumed that the display control unit 2123 generates a start point confirmation screen as shown in Figure 11(A) and displays it on the display unit 204.

[0114] When the learner uses the operation unit 206 to select a start point in the start point selection area 1101 and selects the registration control 1102, the transmission unit 2126 transmits start point confirmation information to the server device 100 (S1230). In this embodiment, the start point confirmation information includes the learner ID and key code.

[0115] When the terminal device 200 transmits information confirming the start point (S1231), the content provision unit 1335 of the server device 100 stores a key code in the start point of the learner DB 1321 based on the confirmation information, and provides learning content to the terminal device 200 based on the confirmed start point. In this embodiment, the content provision unit 1335 retrieves learning content from the content DB 1325 based on the confirmed start point and the learning area DB 1322, and transmits it to the terminal device 200.

[0116] <Server device processing> Next, the process for determining the start point of the server device will be explained in detail. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the process for determining the start point of a server device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0117] For example, when the terminal device 200 receives a start request including the learner ID "user2" (S1301), the interview unit 1332 identifies key questions to be included in the interview data based on the learning area DB 1322 (S1302). In this embodiment, the interview unit 1332 conducts the interview by working backward from the grade level to which the learner belongs, with the questions becoming more basic as the interview progresses, and identifies the question with key code "13" as a question to be included in the interview data. Subsequently, the interview unit 1332 obtains information on the identified question from the question DB 1323 and transmits the interview data to the terminal device 200 (S1303).

[0118] Upon receiving response information from the terminal device 200 (S1304), the questioning unit 1332 determines whether the information contained in the response information indicates that the learner knows how to solve the problem (S1305). If it indicates that the learner does not know how to solve the problem (S1305: No), the questioning unit 1332 saves the key code contained in the response information to the unit the learner does not know in the learner DB 1321 (S1306), and returns to S1302 to identify the key problem to be included in the questioning data. Here, it is assumed that the questioning unit 1332 traced back through the systematized learning domains and identified the problem with key code "12" from the previous unit as the problem to be included in the questioning data.

[0119] On the other hand, if the information contained in the response information indicates that the user knows how to solve the problem (S1305: Yes), the question unit 1333 determines whether or not there is a question to present next (S1307). After the transmission of the questionnaire data containing the question with key code "12", the questionnaire unit 1332 receives the response information containing the learner ID "user2", the key code "12", and the information "yes" indicating whether or not the user knows how to solve the problem, and determines that there is a question to present next. Subsequently, the question unit 1333 obtains the information of the question corresponding to the key code "12" contained in the response information from the question DB 1323 and transmits the question data to the terminal device 200 (S1308).

[0120] Upon receiving answer information from the terminal device 200 (S1309), the question unit 1333 determines whether the answer is correct or not (S1310). If the answer is correct (S1310: Yes), the question unit 1333 returns to S1307 to determine whether there is another question to present. Here, it receives answer information including learner ID "user2", question ID "D02000K", and the correct answer. Since the systematized learning domain has a representative question in the unit following the unit to which the question in the answer information belongs, the question unit 1333 determines that there is a question to include in the question data. Subsequently, the question unit 1333 obtains information on the first representative question of the unit following the unit to which the question in the answer information belongs from the question DB 1323 and transmits the question data to the terminal device 200 (S1308). Here, the question-setting unit 1333 retrieves information from the question DB 1323 for the first representative problem (problem ID "D0300S1") of the unit following the unit (unit name "Circles", key code "12") to which the problem with the answer information belongs (unit name "Circle", key code "12"), and transmits the problem data to the terminal device 200.

[0121] On the other hand, if the answer is incorrect (S1310: No), the questioning unit 1333 determines whether the received answer information is the answer information for a key question (S1311). If the received answer information is the answer information for a key question (S1311: Yes), the learner has not found a unit in which they can understand how to solve the problem, so the system returns to S1302 via S1306 and resumes the interview. If the received answer information is the answer information for a representative question (S1311: No), the decision unit 1334 determines that the last question answered correctly is the starting point for learning. Here, the learner ID "user2", question ID "D0300S1", and answer information including an incorrect answer are received, the questioning unit 1333 determines that the received answer information is not the answer information for a key question, and the decision unit 1334 determines that the last question answered correctly (question ID "D02000K") is the starting point for learning.

[0122] Furthermore, if the answer to a given problem data is correct, and upon returning from S1310 in S1307, for example, if the problem in the correctly answered problem data is the last representative problem in the same unit, or if the problem in the correctly answered problem data is a key problem and there is no representative problem in the next unit, the question-setting unit 1333 determines that there are no further questions to ask and proceeds to S1312 to determine the starting point.

[0123] Although not explained in Figures 12 and 13, as mentioned in the explanation of the screen flow in Figure 10, the interview unit 1332 may also display a hint screen during the interview.

[0124] In the above embodiment, an example of high school students learning was described, but the invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to learning by any user, such as other students or working adults. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example of learning mathematics was described, but the invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to learning any subject, such as programming or financial management.

[0125] As described above, according to this embodiment, the server device 100, by including the interview unit 1332, can identify areas where the learner's understanding is lacking and determine the starting point for learning, without requiring the learner to solve all the problems for which their understanding is to be assessed.

[0126] Furthermore, the server device 100 allows the interview unit 1332 to go back in the learning sequence and repeat the interview so that the questions become more basic as the interview progresses, so that learners can proceed with the interview without dropping out if they encounter too many difficult questions along the way.

[0127] Furthermore, the server device 100 allows learners to progress through the interview process while checking how well they understand the material in the learning sequence, as the interview unit 1332 repeats the interview in accordance with the learning sequence, with the questions becoming more applied as the interview progresses.

[0128] Furthermore, the server device 100 first conducts an interview regarding the key problem, and then presents questions related to that key problem, as well as representative questions from the unit following the unit to which that key problem belongs. This allows for a detailed assessment of the learner's level of understanding while keeping the number of questions required to determine the starting point of learning to a minimum.

[0129] Furthermore, the server device 100 can determine the starting point of learning while respecting the learner's decision-making by not presenting problems that the learner indicates they do not know how to solve.

[0130] Furthermore, the server device 100 can determine the learning start point by outputting a start point confirmation screen after outputting a start point presentation screen, thereby respecting the learner's selection of the learning start point. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0131] 1...Learning support system, 100...Server device, 101...Arithmetic processing unit, 102...ROM, 103...RAM, 104...External interface, 105...Input unit, 106...External memory, 107...Image processing unit, 108...Slot drive, 109...Audio processing unit, 110...Network interface, 111...Display monitor, 112...Speaker device, 120...Transmission path, 131...Server communication unit, 132...Server storage unit, 1321...Learner DB, 1322...Learning area DB, 1323...Problem DB, 1324...Learning content DB, 133...Server processing unit, 1331...Screen transmission unit (output unit), 1332...Medical interview unit, 1333...Question generation unit, 1334...Decision unit, 1335...Content provision unit, 200...Terminal device, 14...Touch panel, 14A...Display, 14B...Touch sensor, 16...Speaker, 18...Microphone, 20...Hard button, 22...Hard key, 24...Audio output terminal, 26...Camera, 30...Antenna for mobile communication, 32...Mobile communication unit, 34...Antenna for wireless LAN communication, 3 6...Wireless LAN communication unit, 38...Storage unit, 40...Main control unit, 42...External interface, 50...Program, 202...Terminal communication unit, 204...Display unit, 206...Operation unit, 208...Audio output unit, 210...Terminal storage unit, 2101...Identification data, 2102...Content storage unit, 212...Learner application control unit, 2121...Reception unit, 2122...Authentication unit, 2123...Display control unit, 2124...Start request unit, 2125...Playback unit, 2126...Transmission unit, 2127...Receiver unit, 1001...Problem area, 1002...Choice area 1003…Teacher domain, 1004-1005…Selection control, 1006…Option domain, 1007-1009…Selection control, 1010…Hint domain, 1011…Option domain, 1012-1013…Selection control, 1014…Problem domain, 1015…Answer option domain, 1016…Answer submission control, 1017…Presentation domain, 1018…Confirmation control, 1019…Re-decision control, 1101…Start point selection domain, 1102…Registration control, N…Network

Claims

1. A memory unit that stores information from multiple units organized according to the learning order, A questionnaire unit that outputs a questionnaire to confirm whether the learner understands how to solve a problem belonging to one of the aforementioned multiple units, and receives the answer information to the questionnaire, wherein the questionnaire unit repeats the questionnaire by going backward in the learning order so that the questions become more basic as the questionnaire progresses, or repeats the questionnaire according to the learning order so that the questions become more applied as the questionnaire progresses, A question-issuing unit that, in response to receiving answer information indicating that the method of solving a problem is known, issues a question belonging to the unit of said answer information, and receives answer information for said question, Based on the response information to the medical interview and the answer information to the question, a determination unit identifies a problem that the learner can actually solve, which is the last problem in the learning sequence, thereby determining the starting point of the learning process. An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. A storage unit that stores information of multiple units organized according to a learning order, A questionnaire unit outputs a questionnaire to confirm whether the learner understands how to solve a problem belonging to one of the aforementioned multiple units, and receives the answer information to the questionnaire. A question-setting unit that issues questions belonging to a unit for which it has received answer information indicating that the method of solving the problem is known, and receives answer information for the said questions, Based on the information provided in response to the medical interview and the information provided in response to the questions, a determination unit determines the starting point of the learning process. Equipped with, The aforementioned problems include key problems belonging to a unit and representative problems belonging to sub-units that subdivide the unit. The aforementioned medical interview unit outputs a medical interview regarding the key question, The question-setting section shall present the key questions or the representative questions. Information processing device.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the question-issuing unit does not issue a question if the answer information to the medical interview indicates that the person does not know how to solve the problem.

4. An output unit that outputs the determined learning start point, A receiving unit that receives the selection of the learning start point by the learner. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

5. A computer having a memory unit that stores information from multiple units organized according to a learning order, Outputting a questionnaire to confirm whether the learner understands how to solve a problem belonging to one of the aforementioned multiple units, wherein the outputting of the questionnaire is done by either repeating the questionnaire in reverse order of the learning sequence, with the questions becoming more basic as the questionnaire progresses, or by repeating the questionnaire in accordance with the learning sequence, with the questions becoming more applied as the questionnaire progresses. Receiving the response information to the aforementioned medical questionnaire, In response to receiving answer information indicating that the solution method to a problem is known, the system will present a question belonging to the unit of that answer information. Receiving answer information for the aforementioned question, Based on the information provided in the questionnaire and the information provided in response to the questions, the starting point of the learning process is determined by identifying the last question that the learner can actually solve and that is the final question in the learning sequence. A method that includes this.

6. A computer having a storage unit that stores information of multiple units organized according to a learning order, Outputting a questionnaire to confirm whether the learner understands how to solve problems belonging to a particular unit among the aforementioned multiple units, Receiving the response information to the aforementioned medical questionnaire, The questions will be from the unit for which answer information indicating the solution method has been received, and Receiving answer information for the aforementioned question, Based on the information provided in the aforementioned medical questionnaire and the information provided in the aforementioned questions, the starting point for learning will be determined. Includes, The aforementioned problems include key problems belonging to a unit and representative problems belonging to sub-units that subdivide the unit. Outputting the aforementioned questionnaire means outputting the questionnaire regarding the key question, Presenting the aforementioned questions means presenting the aforementioned key questions or the aforementioned representative questions. method.

7. One or more computers having a storage unit that stores information from multiple units organized according to a learning order, A process that outputs a questionnaire to confirm whether the learner understands how to solve a problem belonging to one of the aforementioned multiple units, wherein the process of outputting the questionnaire repeats the questionnaire by going backward in the learning order so that the questions become more basic as the questionnaire progresses, or repeats the questionnaire according to the learning order so that the questions become more applied as the questionnaire progresses. A process for receiving response information to the aforementioned medical questionnaire, In response to receiving answer information indicating that the solution method to a problem is known, the process involves presenting a problem belonging to the unit of that answer information. A process for receiving answer information to the aforementioned question, Based on the information provided in the questionnaire and the information provided in response to the questions, a process is performed to determine the starting point of learning by identifying the last question that the learner can actually solve and that is the learning order. A program that executes the command.

8. One or more computers having a storage unit for storing information of multiple units organized according to a learning order, A process to output a questionnaire to confirm whether the learner understands how to solve a problem belonging to one of the aforementioned multiple units, The process involves presenting a problem belonging to the unit for which answer information indicating the solution method has been received has been received, and A process for receiving answer information to the aforementioned question, Based on the information provided in response to the aforementioned medical questionnaire and the information provided in response to the aforementioned questions, a process is performed to determine the starting point of the learning process. Make it run, The aforementioned problems include key problems belonging to a unit and representative problems belonging to sub-units that subdivide the unit. The process for outputting the aforementioned medical questionnaire outputs the medical questionnaire related to the aforementioned key question, The process of presenting the aforementioned questions involves presenting the key questions or the representative questions. program.

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