Abstract: A method of determining a mastery level for an examinee from an assessment is disclosed. The method includes receiving one or more of an overall skill level for an examinee, a weight for the overall skill level, a covariate vector for an examinee, and a weight for the covariate vector. An examinee attribute value is computed using one or more of the received values for each examinee and each attribute. The computation of the examinee attribute values can include estimating the value using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo estimation technique. Examinee mastery levels are then assigned based on each examinee attribute level. Dichotomous or polytomous levels can be assigned based on requirements for the assessment.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an endurance test apparatus whereby the behaviors of a vessel caused by a biomechanical burden can be simulated using a relatively simple constitution so that the endurance of a medical instrument (for example, a stent or an artificial vessel after anastomosis) can be tested in a similar state to an actual vessel, and an endurance test method therefor. Namely, an endurance test apparatus (10) comprises a simulated vessel (31) made of an elastic body, first and second holding members (32, 33) respectively supporting the both ends in the axial direction of the simulated vessel (31) and making the both ends relatively rotatable and interval-adjustable, and first and second motors (14, 15) operating these holding members (32, 33). The simulated vessel (31) is supported by the first and second holding members (32, 33) in a state stretched from its inherent length under a tensile force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for learning and training dental treatment techniques, according to which a force is applied to a tooth (2) preferably by means of tools (4) in order to examine or treat this tooth. A mandible (1) or the tooth (2) is coupled to a force measuring device (3) in a manner that enables the forces applied to the tooth (2) to be represented in the form of electric measurement signals (5) that are fed to a data processing device (6). Said data processing device has a data memory (7) in which a multitude of reference force/time courses of different force/time-determined tooth treatment steps can be stored in a manner that enables them to be retrieved, whereby the forces applied to the tooth (2) and their temporal course are compared with a reference force/time course.

Abstract: A method of teaching pronunciation is provided which includes communicating by a voice portal server to a user a model word and detecting a response by the user to the voice portal server. The method also includes comparing the response word to the model word and determining a confidence level based on the comparison of the response word to the model word. The method further includes comparing an acceptance limit to the confidence level and confirming a correct pronunciation of the model word if the confidence level one of equals and exceeds the acceptance limit.

Abstract: The present invention includes method and system for intelligent knowledge diagnosis and tutoring in any knowledge domain. It differs from prior arts with new knowledge model for knowledge presentation and heuristic algorithms. The knowledge model allows the present invention to be applied to curricula in different knowledge domains quickly and cost effectively. The knowledge model and related computational algorithms provide effective and intelligent knowledge diagnosis and tutoring with minimum requirement on assessment content and learning content. It also allows easy curriculum customization and learner initiated learning assistance to meet needs of different teaching and learning styles. The present invention gains better understanding of learner's knowledge status and hence provides more accurate assistance as learner progresses in the curriculum. The present invention can be an add-engine to existing learning management systems working with existing assessment and learning content in any format.

Abstract: A method for the computer-assisted learning of orthography, the method includes executing the following steps by a data processing system: retrieving (11) a main set of words from a data storage; retrieving (12) an error data set associated with said main set of words from the data storage; repeatedly executing the following steps: selecting (13) a word to prompt the user with, by computing, for each word from the error data set, a statistic measure related to the probability of an error occurring in the word, and selecting the word which has the maximum value of the statistic measure; prompting (14) the user with the word; accepting (15) a user input specifying a sequence of symbols; comparing (16) the user input with the word; updating (17, 18) and storing the error data set.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may be used to both train and test instructor proficiency with a group exercise training routine. In a training mode, the graphical user interface may display visual cues indicating upcoming transitions from one activity to another. In response, the user may perform an action (e.g., clicking a button with a mouse cursor) to select the transition at the appropriate time. In a testing mode, the graphical user interface may display an indication of whether the correct selections are made, as well as made at the right time. This approach allows the user to rapidly develop substantial proficiency with the exercise routine.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable carrier for using a discrimination index to select test items from an item bank for a test are disclosed. At least one parameter may be identified for each of a plurality of test items in an item bank. A first test item may be selected from the item bank based on at least the parameter for the test item. Each unselected test item may be evaluated to determine whether one or more constraints would be satisfied if the test item were selected. A next test item may be selected from the unselected test items that satisfy the one or more first constraints based on at least the parameter for each test item. The Evaluation and test item selection processes may be repeated until one or more second constraints are satisfied.

Abstract: A method, comprising the steps of (a) representing users within a virtual environment, the virtual environment residing on one or more computers, comprising the steps of (b) collecting data pertaining to one or more of the users' activities not associated with the virtual environment relating to each of the users' performance on business-related tasks, (c) awarding incentives including points, badges, levels, prizes, etc. to a plurality of users in the virtual environment based on the collected data pertaining to the users, (d) providing information regarding a first user's incentives to at least a second user involved in activities related to the business-related tasks performed by the first user, and (e) updating the collected data in the virtual environment as the data pertaining to the performance of users changes.

Abstract: A Braille writing device capable of processing information, comprises a motherboard (10) including a plurality of Braille cells (11) arranged in rows and columns, each cell consists of six dot-shaped recesses or pinholes, a sub-board (20) is configured to be inserted into a flute (12) being provided at each of left and right margins of the motherboard and moveable along the flute, a plurality of marks (13) are provided on an outer surface of the flutes (12), and a detent member (30) is formed between each two of the marks (13) in the inner side of the flute (12) and configured to prevent the moveable sub-board from being moved during writing. A Braille information processor (40) is fixed on a concave formed on the backside of the motherboard (10), comprising a circuit board (41), a central processing unit (42), a plurality of Braille trigger switch groups (44) each of which consists of six trigger switches (43), and an infrared transmitter (45).

Abstract: A toothbrushing monitoring device for a user includes a sensor coupled with the toothbrush for measuring toothbrushing patterns, a recording device coupled with the sensor, and a comparator. The recording device records data relating to the user's preferred toothbrushing patterns in a first mode, which is used to establish toothbrushing pattern reference data. The comparator compares toothbrushing patterns measured by the sensor and the toothbrushing pattern reference data, which may be output to an output device. In one example, the sensor consists of only an accelerometer.

Abstract: A device for simulating fire effects in military or civilian combat training. The device includes a light source configured to produce light beams and a light source control adapted to control a light lobe formed by the light beams from the light source. The light source control includes a two-dimensional array of elements electronically controllable to assume a selected state among at least a first state of letting through light incident thereupon in a main direction of the light lobe or a second state of not letting through the light incident thereupon in the main direction, and a unit adapted to control the elements for designing the spatial propagation of the light lobe.

Abstract: A computerized learning method is provided. The method may include receiving a write request from a first learning application program to write a learning level for a skill in a user profile. The user profile is configured to store data indicative of a plurality of skills and a learning level for each skill. The skills and learning levels are defined according to a profile schema. The method may further include writing the learning level for the skill in the user profile. The method may also include receiving a read request from a second learning application program to read the learning level for the skill in the user profile. The method may finally include retrieving the learning level from the user profile, and sending the learning level to the second learning application program.

Abstract: A real-time observation assessment system includes an assessment application that enables an assessor to administer a probe to a student, and to capture responses of the student, and to automatically score the captured responses. The assessment system includes a user interface of the assessment application. The user interface includes a first area of the user interface that displays a character sequence that is divided into multiple segments, where at least two of the multiple segments of the character sequence are separately selectable and a second area of the user interface that is divided into multiple segments corresponding to each segment of the character sequence in the first area, where each segment in the second area is separately selectable to enable capturing of different combinations of student responses reflecting selection of one or more of the segments in the second area. A scoring module enables a score to be calculated based on the selected segments according to scoring rules for the probe.

Abstract: The present invention provides a will-expression modeling device simulating human will-expression responding to an direction input given from the outside, which includes an interest interpretation section, an emotion creating section and a will-expression section. The interest interpretation section collates the direction input with a predetermined hedonic interest relationship table and outputs a mood factor representing pleasure, displeasure or the like. The emotion creating section prepares a plurality of emotional states obtained by modeling human emotions as data and causes state transitions to occur in the emotional states according to the mood factor to simulate a change in human emotion responding to the direction input. The will-expression section prepares in advance a plurality of mental-will states obtained by modeling human will as data and selects a new mental-will state from the emotional states or a “combination of a mental-will state and an emotional state”.

Abstract: A method of teaching pronunciation is provided which includes communicating by a voice portal server to a user a model word and detecting a response by the user to the voice portal server. The method also includes comparing the response word to the model word and determining a confidence level based on the comparison of the response word to the model word. The method further includes comparing an acceptance limit to the confidence level and confirming a correct pronunciation of the model word if the confidence level one of equals and exceeds the acceptance limit.

Abstract: A tinted mirror which has been treated to reflect a modified image of skin is used to allow a subject to consider a potential change of the appearance of his/her skin, which would follow from the application of a cosmetic product such as self-tanning product. The mirror may be tinted with a brown hue so as to reflect an image that corresponds to the change of coloration of skin after the application of a self-tanning product. The invention may be used in beauty parlor or supermarket aisle to help a subject visualize the potential effect of a self-tanning product on his/her skin.

Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate field assessment of static structure sites to provide data in a predetermined format acceptable to a taxing authority, including a personal computing device having a graphic display screen, a user interface, and application software. The user interface is arranged to accept alphanumeric data provided by a user of the apparatus and also accept graphic input from the user representative of structural features of the static structure. The application software is arranged to provide a real-time display on the graphic display screen of dimensional data associated with the graphic inputs as they are entered by the user. The application software is also arranged to compute dimensional attributes of enclosed polygons resulting from the graphic input by the user.

Abstract: Communicating in an educational environment includes placing a chalkboard in a private mode that allows a user of the chalkboard to view information exclusive of others in the educational environment. Information is displayed on the chalkboard according to the private mode. The chalkboard is placed in a public mode that allows the chalkboard to control a common display, and information is controlled on the common display using the chalkboard. The common display is viewable by others in the educational environment according to the public mode.

Abstract: A system for managing critical student information is disclosed generally comprising storing information associated with individual students, such as important medical information or contact information for the student's parent or guardian, and providing different authorized users, such as school administrators, teachers, or coaches, permission to access the information and/or send messages for particular students. The stored information for each student is associated with one or more group identifiers, which identify particular groups of which the student is a member, such as a school or team, and each authorized user is likewise associated with one or more group identifiers, which identify the particular groups for which the user has access and can send messages.