Abstract: An education management system designed primarily for preschool and beginning elementary grade levels employs learning capabilities which have assigned difficulty and discrimination factors. The learning capabilities for each developmental or grade level are classified into developmental areas which are further broken down into knowledge areas. Those learning capabilities which are indicated as learned for each child are used to assess child educational development, child developmental scores and to indicate readiness level for learning higher difficulty learning capabilities. In the absence of direct observation, work sample, or parent information regarding achievement of individual learning capabilities, an estimation of general overall capability can be used to compute indications of learned capabilities in each developmental area.

Abstract: A learning system is disclosed which allows student interaction and student creation of a composition. The system has a series of multi-media interactive booths which are grouped in stations with different themes related to a general subject. Each booth has a number of multi-media based lessons relating to the theme of the station. Students are supplied with a control box which may be carried by the student as they move from booth to booth. The control box allows a student to play a musical composition. The musical composition is stored by a central computer and uniquely assigned to a database record associated with the specific control box. The central computer also keeps track of the number of booths and lessons which have been completed by the specific control box. Each booth has a number of specific programs which teach students by interactive input.

Abstract: A training shoe is disclosed. The shoe, preferably a soft shoe such as a slipper is designed to emit audio and/or physical stimuli which assists the user in learning dance or other steps. The shoe comprises electromechanical members which are responsive to electrical output signals to control movement to guide a user to perform the appropriate dance steps. In preferred embodiments, the shoe also comprises a loudspeaker through which music is played. In alternate embodiments, the electromechanical members are responsive to audio stimuli such as the music from the loudspeaker on the shoe or from other musical sources.

Abstract: A scoring system and method include a distribution application for delivering an answer image to a qualified reader. The distributor prefetches a batch of answer images from long-term storage and caches them for retrieval and scoring. The scoring process includes displaying an answer based upon an answer image form along with a scoring protocol. Geometric tools are also available for assisting in scoring geometry tests. A routing system permits a reader to electronically pose a query to a supervisor and to continue working on another answer while the query is being addressed. A reader's effectiveness and efficiency can be monitored by distributing a calibration answer to the reader in transparent fashion and comparing the resulting score with a target score.

Abstract: A networked teaching and learning system (1, 9, 29) having a plurality of student computers (9), a network server (29, 6) and at least one teacher's computer (1) includes comparison and evaluation logic (200-232) in communication with the student computers (9) for comparing and evaluating each student keystroke with the characters of an answer, if any, immediately after every student keystroke. The system (1, 9, 29) provides character-by-character evaluation for quick learning feedback for students, as well as simultaneous observation at the teacher's computer (1) of multiple student responses identified as correct or incorrect. The system operates (1, 9, 29) in a Hybrid Mode, which combines the Social Mode and the Self-paced Mode. The system (1, 9, 29) enables quick construction of various exercise types, the scoring of unanticipated responses, and the introduction of an explanation component in addition to a direct response to a question.

Abstract: A method for language fluency training on a computer system having an audio output device includes invoking a web browser program, receiving a pre-recorded file including a message in a spoken language from a conversation partner, playing the message to a user seeking fluency training in the spoken language from within the web browser program on the audio output device, asynchronously with playing the message, recording a user file including a message in the spoken language from the user in response to the message from within the web browser program, outputting the user file to the conversation partner and to a language instructor, receiving an instruction file including an instruction message in the spoken language from the language instructor in response to the user message and playing the instruction message to the user from within the web browser program on the audio output device.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method for evaluating one or more phonological awareness, phonological processing and reading skills of an individual to detect phonological awareness, phonological processing and reading skill deficiencies in the individual so that the risk of developing a reading deficiency is reduced and existing reading deficiencies are remediated. The system may use graphical games to test the individual's ability in a plurality of different phonological awareness, phonological processing and reading skills. The system may use speech recognition technology to interact with the tests.

Abstract: A collaborative learning system and method for implementing innovative criteria fashioned into an electronic learning experience that can be utilized at great distances. Learners can participate in the learning experience asynchronously thereby taking advantage of diverse schedules. A system is provided for offering network based education including software running on a computer or a plurality of computers for delivering educational services online. The network can include an internet protocol network wherein the servers can be accessed via a WEB interface. Software operative with a processor can cause an adaptive assessment tracking the learning style and progress of an individual learner. The system can also be responsive to an online assessment with remediation and guidance.

Abstract: A Computer Managed Learning System (CMLS) and process are provided by which an information database is produced by formatting the information to be learned into units; inputting the units of information into a computer system; storing the units of information in discrete locations on a storage media; and, assigning to each unit an Importance Rank, a provisional Individualized Difficulty Rank (IDR), a provisional Individualized Urgency Rank (IUR), a provisional Population Difficulty Rank (PDR) and a provisional Population Urgency Rank (PUR), which are also stored in discrete locations on storage media. When a student accesses the database, the student may elect to filter the units by specifying subject matter and/or ranges for IDR, Importance-rank and IUR, or combinations or permutations thereof. The system selects the appropriate units from the database according to the filtering criteria input by the student.

Abstract: A system architecture, and associated methods of operation, are disclosed to support the interactive presentation, examination, and discussion of problem and discussion statements. The system includes a presenter computer operated by a presenter or an instructor, and a plurality of audience computers that are operated by audience members, such as students. The presenter computer and audience computers are linked by a suitable communication network to support the exchange of information between the computers, as required to support the interactive presentation. A large screen display unit is additionally included to enable information to be presented to the entire audience, when necessary. The system further provides for the translation of the information exchanged between the presenter and audience computers into as many languages as is required by composition of the audience.

Abstract: Compliance with a standard is demonstrated by displaying a floor plan on a first computer. The displayed floor plan includes designated areas. Each designated area includes a corresponding communication link, and the designated areas are regulated by the standard. A message is transmitted to a second computer in response to selection of one of the designated areas by a user on the first computer. The message is dependent upon the communication link corresponding to the selected designated area and causes compliance information to be downloaded by the second computer to the first computer. The compliance information is displayed on the first computer and demonstrates that the selected designated area is in compliance with the standard.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer implemented method for remotely administering and monitoring cognitive tests on a person using a computer network having a remote computer and a remote administering computer. The computer-implemented method includes administering a set of baseline cognitive tests to the person. The method further includes repeatedly administering a set of cognitive tests, obtaining a performance response of the person to the tests and uploading the testing information via the computer network. The method may also include monitoring the performance of the person. A database may be built from the performance response of multiple persons. The computer-implemented method includes administration using at least two computers where at least one is local and the other is remote.

Abstract: A method and system for managing the teaching, evaluating, verifying, and reporting of an instructional segment to a given user accessing the instructional segment via a computer system are disclosed. The system for managing the instructional segment and providing the verification, evaluation, teaching, and reporting of the user's activity with the instructional segment is implemented within a computer system, typically a network connected system that has access to the Internet. The managing system includes means for streaming or broadcasting the instructional segment to the user for review by the user, means for evaluating the user's comprehension of the instructional segment, means for verifying whether the user has completed or accessed the instructional segment, and means for reporting the user's evaluation results of the instructional segment to an administrator or administrators.

Abstract: A method for maintaining input device identity in a speech application, comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of enrollments, each of the enrollments representing a speech file of training data associated with at least one of a specific audio input device and a specific audio environment for a specific user; generating a graphical user interface (GUI) display screen for prompting and enabling user selection of at least one of an audio input device and an audio environment; and, retrieving one of the enrollments responsive to the user selection, for use in a dictation or transcription session.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a category from a plurality of categories, where each category comprises a number of elements, and corresponds to a category performance determinant that represents a measurement associated with a given category, and where a category performance determinant biases the selection of a given category.

Abstract: An individual education program tracking system provides an automated means for creating and administering an entire individual education plan. Embodied in a computer software program and network, the individual education program tracking system enables teachers, school administrators, counselors and parents to enter a student profile, create an individual education plan for the student based on the student's profile, track the student's progress, and perform periodic evaluations and assessments. The individual education program tracking system also automates the completion and submission of various forms as required by a school district or state department of education. The individual education program tracking system integrates and automates procedures that meet a state's or district's legal requirements for administering an individual education plan, such as entry qualification evaluations and parental authorization.

Abstract: A tutorial method for teaching the scoring of open-ended questions holistically includes displaying a student response to a scorer and permitting the scorer to access a rubric containing the rules for scoring that response. The scorer can choose a display form from a handwritten form and a typed text form that retains and originally present errors. Following the scorer's having entered a score, a model score is displayed so that a scoring efficacy may be determined. Annotations prepared by expert scorers may be accessed to enhance the learning process. In addition, a running correlation between the model and entered scores is calculated and displayed for the scorer over a tutorial session that includes attempts at scoring different responses. The system includes a processor, a workstation, and software for performing the above-described method.

Abstract: A computer-based test creation system and method for generating test items. The test creation process includes creating items in electronic form and allowing access by a plurality of reviewers via a network. The reviewers may review the item for content, fairness and format, and collaborate with each other before indicating that the item is acceptable for inclusion in a test. After the administration of the items to test takers, item performance may be evaluated on-line by reviewing electronic feedback from the administrations and creating electronic evaluation reports. Since the items are created in an electronic form, the items may further include new forms of stimuli such as graphics and multimedia.

Abstract: A method for improving the effectiveness of a child's toilet training regime utilizes a progress scale to evaluate the child's current level or stage of toilet training. Recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the child's training regime are divided into a plurality of unique groups corresponding to a plurality of stages of toilet training. The child's toilet training progress value, determined using the progress scale, is matched to a particular stage of training and the unique group of recommendations corresponding to the child's stage of training are selected. Methods for comparing the effectiveness of various toilet training regimes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting opinion surveys using electronic mail (e-mail) as the transport mechanism is disclosed. A multimedia-enhanced e-mail message is created using an authoring tool in conjunction with a web command launcher. The enhanced e-mail message is distributed to a select set of recipients using a communication engine. The recipients individually review and respond to the questions and issues posed in the enhanced e-mail message. The responses from the various recipients are collected automatically, filtered and stored in one or more databases using a proprietary aggregation engine. The stored responses are then analyzed using an analysis engine to generate one or more reports for distribution under the direction of a user.