Abstract: A teaching material auto expanding method for expending an input teaching material data having at least one sentence unit into a database in a learning material expanding system is disclosed. The database has multiple subjects and structure information corresponding thereto, each subject having a corresponding subject category and each subject category having at least one corresponding sentence unit. First, subject similarity values corresponding to each subject in the database for each of the sentence units in the input teaching material data are separately calculated wherein each subject similarity value comprises a content similarity value and a structure similarity value. A confidence measurement operation is then performed to obtain confidence measurement values of each of the subjects by using the subject similarity value for each sentence unit. Thereafter, an expanding manner for each sentence unit is determined based on the obtained confidence measurement value corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A student using a teaching system, for example, to learn a language, selects a concept, for example a word or phrase, which he does not recall. On a display, he is immediately presented with an array of images or graphics related to the selected concept. For example, the graphics or images may be from previous lessons which involve the concept. If the student then selects one of the images or graphics he is presented with a list of all the concepts, for example, words and phrases, associated with that image or graphic. The student is thereby able to recollect the selected concept in the context of all of his previous experiences with it. If that does not restore the selected concept to his recollection, he is able to select additional images and graphics, in each case being presented with an additional list of related concepts, making it likely that the originally selected concept will be recalled.

Abstract: An instructional aid includes viewable alphanumeric text embodying content to be conveyed to a student, and identifiers dispersed within the instructional aid adjacent to at least selected items of said viewable alphanumeric text, with different identifiers corresponding to specific educational standards of at least one region. The content of the instructional aid may consist primarily of fiction, and/or encompass multiple academic disciplines, including at least two of (i) science, (ii) mathematics, (iii) social studies, and (iv) English, language arts, reading, and/or writing. A viewable index correlating the identifiers to educational standards of the at least one region may be provided.

Abstract: Playing cards with an added function of teaching and learning English phonics are provided. In addition to the index labels of A to K and the corresponding symbols of clubs, diamonds, spades, and hearts printed on conventional playing cards to enable conventional functions thereof, the disclosed playing cards are provided with single letters or letter strings from the English alphabet, exemplary English words, image patterns, and serial numbers to facilitate teaching, self-learning, and guided learning of pronunciation and numbers.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents a useful metric for assessing the relative difficulty which non-native speakers face in pronouncing a given utterance and a method and systems for using such a metric in the evaluation and assessment of the utterances of non-native speakers. In an embodiment, the metric may be based on both known sources of difficulty for language learners and a corpus-based measure of cross-language sound differences. The method may be applied to speakers who primarily speak a first language speaking utterances in any non-native second language.

Abstract: An educational tool for teaching a user, the tool including at least one first member having a plurality of different visual cues, at least one second member associated with the at least one first member, the at least one second member having a plurality of indicia, each indicia corresponding to at least one visual cue on the at least one first member, wherein indicia of the at least one second member are used in increasing levels of difficulty, to trigger the user to associate and identify indicia on the at least one second member with a corresponding visual cue on the at least one first member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of teaching a foreign language by applying emotional intelligence tools. The method comprises the following steps: selecting a subject, selecting one or more elements of the language to be learned as linguistic objectives, selecting one or more emotional intelligence objectives to be reached through the subject, and using the elements of the language to be learned by carrying out educational activity which includes identifying a positive gate, classifying words and phrases representing different attitudes, emotions, moods and approaches, and conducting one or more exercises for enhancing the selected emotional intelligence objectives, whereby attainment and assimilation of the foreign language objectives and emotional intelligence objectives are simultaneously and mutually facilitated.

Abstract: An article including a series of different cereal box sleeves dimensioned to fit over a cereal box, each of the sleeves including content printed or otherwise formed thereon, wherein the content is a subject unrelated to cereal contained in the cereal box, wherein a common theme connects the content of the sleeves in the series of the sleeves.

Abstract: Methods for assessing cognitive and linguistic abilities by tracking and recording the eye movements of a patient in response to predetermined verbal and visual stimuli. The methods incorporate conventional eye-tracking technology to acquire eye-fixation location and duration measures for testing linguistic comprehension, working memory, attention allocation, and the effect of semantic associative priming. Visual stimuli presented in the methods are carefully designed to reduce visually distracting features. Verbal stimuli are carefully designed to control for numerous linguistic features.

Abstract: A system and method of teaching proper letter and word writing is utilized by presenting a plurality of colored, measured rods, and clay with which letters are formed according to a prescribed plan.

Abstract: A multi-player solitaire or multi-player video game that generates tags for digital images. A tabletop or computer screen video game provides an enjoyable way for collocated players to view, share, talk about and, in the process tag photos. The video games can generate valuable text labels for photos with multiple levels of specificity and named entities. These labels can be used to help manage and index collections of photos for browsing and retrieval.

Abstract: The present invention consists of simple phonetic marks combined with alphabet letters to form Phonetic Words for the reader to read words and learn the pronunciation at the same time. The phonetic marks are placed on appropriate letters to form phonetic words. Unique, simple marking rules are created to minimize the use of phonetic marks so the marks do not clutter letters and still retain their function.

Abstract: A method of educating includes providing a collectible trading card game with a plurality of trading cards. Each card may contain educational information including a consonant, vowel, number or mathematical operator and the cards are used to form a properly spelled word or to form a mathematically correct equation. In some forms, the method includes providing a game with a playing field and a set of game components with game component types having a predetermined power for affecting play of the game by affecting a power, effect, or value of the game component. The level of skill necessary to play the game may be varied by selectively implementing or disregarding the predetermined power of the game components. An educational game includes first and second game components with different expressions, powers, point values, and identifiers for distinguishing game components and facilitating game play.

Abstract: Educational systems and methods for learning how to spell are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes: a working surface including a representation of a hand having five fingers; five sets of vowels “a”, “e”, “i”, “o” and “u” depicted at the working surface, each of the sets being associated with a corresponding one of the fingers; and five spelling locations depicted at the working surface, each of the locations being associated with a corresponding one of the fingers.

Abstract: A combination teaching and learning kit is provided. Such combination teaching and learning kit includes a chart member for at least one of free standing and attachment to a wall, a table, and an item of furniture. A plurality of card members having predetermined indicia disposed on at least first predetermined side thereof and a securing mechanism disposed on at least an opposite second predetermined side thereof for releasably attaching the card members to such chart member.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the invention may be found in a method and apparatus for aiding language pronunciation. In an aspect of the invention, based on at least one triggering event, an audio enabled toy such as a babble bear may be adapted to play back phonemes and/or lingos comprising sounds, including words, phrases and sentences. The phonemes and/or lingos may cover a wide range of phonemes from a variety of languages, thereby exercising the hearing ability of infants and toddlers and enhancing their ability to learn new languages. Phoneme sequences and lingo sequences, or a combination thereof, may be retrieved from one or more removable storages within the toy and selectively played back within the audio enabled toy. Libraries of phonemes and lingo can be downloaded from servers, personal computers and remote storage.

Abstract: A system for playing a game comprises a game unit and a number of mobile terminals which can communicate with the game unit. The game unit is arranged for sending a game code to one or more mobile terminals, and the mobile terminals are arranged for sending at least one game code-related reply message to the game unit. Each reply message comprises an identification code of the mobile terminal. The game code is a number consisting of two or more digits, and each digit identifies a key of each mobile terminal. Each reply message is a word composed of letters which have been selected by means of the keys identified by the digits of the game code. The game unit is arranged for verifying the letters of the reply message.

Abstract: Methods and computer programs for assisting a user to record at least one phoneme, quickly and accurately, including: showing the user an animation illustrating the movements in the vocal tract required to pronounce the phoneme; and recording the user.

Abstract: Methods and devices for stimulating the development of phonetic categories by playing auditory pieces including isolated phonemes, including the steps of selecting the auditory pieces according to the infant's estimated development, and altering the selection when registering that the infant is ill. Other embodiments include receiving a measurement of the quantity of speech in the infant's vicinity and accordingly determining the auditory pieces to be played to the infant.

Abstract: Methods and devices for stimulating an infant to develop additional phonetic categories, including: estimating the infant's development; and selecting an auditory piece appropriate to the estimated development. Wherein the auditory piece comprises isolated phonemes in the infant's parent's voice.

Abstract: A method and device for correcting mispronunciations of a user, the method comprising the following steps: providing a database comprising a plurality of records each of which comprising at least a textual and a vocal representation of a specific word; training a speech recognition module to recognize spoken utterances of said user comprising the words represented by said records; generating word models for each recognized spoken word; associating each word model with a respective database record; after training said speech recognition module with sufficient words receiving spoken utterance from said user; extracting a sequence of words from said spoken utterance and generating a word model for each extracted word; comparing said word models to the word models associated with said database records; constructing an audible output comprising vocal representations obtained from records which their word models matched word models generated for said extracted word, wherein said word models comprises features extra

Abstract: A learning aid includes a tangible medium of expression, an image fixed on the medium, the image being at least partially formed of letters making up a spelling word, and at least one sentence illustrated by the image and associated with the medium, the sentence including at least one use of the spelling word. A teaching method includes reading a sentence containing a use of a spelling word to a student, showing the student an image that is at least partially formed of letters making up the spelling word, the image illustrating the sentence, and having the student spell the spelling word while viewing the image.

Abstract: Techniques for real-time observation assessment are provided. The techniques, which are designed for educators, take advantage of handheld computers, desktop/laptop computers and Internet access in order to reduce the paperwork associated with conventional educational assessments. An array of instructional assessment applications are designed to run on handheld computers. The instructional assessment applications may be based on existing and widely used paper methodologies. A common Web-based platform for assessment application distribution, selection, download, data management and reporting is also provided. Users can then periodically synchronize instructional data (assessments, diagnostic results, notes and/or schedules) to the Web site. At the Web site, browser-based reports and analysis can be viewed, administered and shared via electronic mail.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for teaching early receptive language, especially to infants, young children, the learning disabled, and hearing impaired, comprises a multi-media medium for displaying a set of visual images and their corresponding audio in the language of choice. The multi-media apparatus includes the requisite controls to stop, play, reverse, forward and pause the images being displayed. The method consists of displaying a series of visual images of an object containing comparable but not identical objects on a screen and providing an accompanying audio to describe the objects. This method of repetition and categorization is reinforced by concluding a set of series with a faster paced flow of some objects in the series. Further reinforcement of the concepts is accomplished by the use of textual material. With this method and apparatus parents and teachers can enhance the receptive language and categorization skills of infants, young children, the learning disabled and hearing impaired.

Abstract: A system and method for developing reading skills, the system comprising a processor and a reader interface in communication with one another. The processor is structured to run at least one computer program for facilitating interactive multimedia learning relating to the development of reading skills. The reader interface is structured to present multimedia content including a text-based passage to a reader, and to receive input from the reader. The reader interface is further structured to display animated text, and to permit placement of the animated text in a location that facilitates viewing thereof. The reader interface also comprises audio and graphic aids which correspond to the text-based passage. Additionally, the processor is structured to measure and track at least one reading performance indicator.

Abstract: To help young children and other individuals learn a language while playing and having fun a novel card or device is presented that includes, on one side, a word in a first (e.g., non-English) language on its surface along with a pronunciation guide associated with the word and an image of the word, and on an opposite side a translation (e.g., into English) of the word along with a pronunciation guide associated with the word. The device may also include means to secure it to a physical object similar to that shown in the image.

Abstract: Interactive grammar teaching methods and apparatus are presented. Grammar lessons, grammar sentences, grammar exercises, and grammar tests are stored in respective repositories. Based on queries, grammar lessons are produced, and grammar exercises and tests are generated. A feedback generator receives completed grammar exercises and tests, tabulates expected answer and received answer pairs for each question. Grammar lessons may be recalled during an exercise. Test results may further be sorted by grammar lesson. Grammar lessons or lesson specific grammar exercises or tests are produced in respect of questions answered incorrectly or in respect of lessons in respect of which the level of proficiency demonstrated in a received completed grammar test is found below a desired level of proficiency. A combination of all grammar lessons and a list of grammar lessons produced, and a list of received completed grammar exercises and tests are compiled into a grammar manual and workbook.

Abstract: This invention is an integrated alphabetic language teaching system that facilitates teaching multiple levels of the arts of writing and reading to individuals aged one year and older. This invention reverses traditional methods of written language development by enabling writing prior and preliminary to reading. This invention initially teaches a set of orthographic graphemic segmental strokes by drawing geometric constructs called instructional entities composed entirely of the same orthographic graphemic segmental strokes that will subsequently be individually taught and practiced, thereby providing a student with a fundamental enabling skill with which the entire sets of 26 majuscule, 26 miniscule, 10 numerals, 14 punctuation marks and the entire lexicon of the English and other alphabetic languages may be constructed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a game for stimulating imagination and creativity in a plurality of players by story telling. The game involves each player which can be an individual or team of players selecting a given number of photo cards depicting a discrete scene place or object and using one or more of the selected cards to tell a story. A score is developed based on pre-determined characteristics including composition of the story; having a beginning, middle and end; as well as time to tell the story. The winner of the game is determined by the player with the highest score.

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: An assessment of literacy and linguistic abilities targets a combination of these abilities by asking the subject to spell projected words. The invention achieves a standardized method of scoring developmental responses and achieves facilitated replication that is applicable to any child's responses. The quantitative scoring system and method have proven to be reliable and replicable. The method includes audibly projecting a word to a student. The word consists os a plurality of phonemes, each phoneme corresponding to a sound and to at least one letter. The student is asked to provide an attempt to spell the word based upon the sounds in the word, the attempt comprising at least one letter. The student attempt is scored, and at least partial credit is given for a student attempt that is incorrect but that includes at least one acceptable letter-phoneme correspondence.

Abstract: A set of word cards for teaching students specific words in preparing for the SAT. These word cards provide a method of learning SAT words by utilizing a word's part of speech, definition, spelling, and usage in a sentence. The cards assist a student in self-learning as well as self-checking when learning words. The matching letters on either side of the word cards provides a way of self-checking. The answer is found by matching the letters on one side of the word card with the letters on the reverse side of that same word card.

Abstract: A computerized system and method of teaching spelling interfaces with an application that captures a user's misspelled words and adds them to a word database. A teacher or instructor may also add words to the word database based on a user's curriculum, cross-curriculum or words of interest. The words in the word database are utilized to automatically create an individualized spelling teaching assignment and spelling Journal for a user. The user corrects any spelling mistakes that he or she has made and performs assignments with new words including hearing the words pronounced, spelling the words and writing sentences using the words. Spelling tests are also assigned. The teacher or instructor monitors the completion of the various assignments by the students and also monitors how well the assignments are performed.

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: Disclosed herein is a method and system for leading composition capable of being performed by the leading of an instructor with respect to the composition prepared and submitted by a learner, in which errors are extracted from the composition, so that teaching and learning composition are performed through correction, error remediation, and index study based on the errors. The method for teaching and learning composition comprises constructing a learning composition database including an index database wherein index information associated with the composition is stored, providing a learning topic to a learner with reference to the leading composition database and receiving correction information associated with the composition prepared by the learner from an instructor, extracting the index information from the index database included in the leading composition database; and providing instruction information including the correction information and the index information to the learner.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing educational structures and tools to enhance the effectiveness of teaching multiple academic disciplines. Both age-level and subject-focused instructors may be provided; technical tools facilitate student-focused, individualized learning experiences wherein integrated electronic records are maintained to track student progress and guide future efforts. A spiral curriculum provides flexibility to instructors and students. Read-aloud e-books may be provided that permit a student to control the rate of reading and identify areas where increased understanding is needed. Reading progress may be enhanced by use of an electronically implemented autophonics structure to identify areas of weak understanding. Many other technical tools may also be provided.

Abstract: An electronic learning device configured to receive in a predetermined orientation a book having an arrangement of selectable mode icons, selectable content and a page identifier. Non-volatile memory in the electronic learning device has instructions associated with each mode icon, and data associated with the selectable content. A controller is in electrical communication with a page identification sensor and a position sensor for detecting the presence of a selector. The controller is configured a) to operate in accordance with instructions associated with each mode icon, b) to determine the position of the selector when the selector is within the active range of the position sensor, c) to recognize the page identifier, and a selection by the selector of one of the selectable mode icons, the selectable indicia or the selectable content and d) to send to the electronic user interface a signal associated with the selection.

Abstract: In Words is an enunciation game recognizing the pronunciation of letters as alphabet letters and the enunciation of additional words during the enunciation of any one word.

Abstract: In Words is an enunciation game recognizing the pronunciation of letters as alphabet letters and the enunciation of additional words during the enunciation of any one word.

Abstract: Techniques for dynamic personalized reading instruction at word and sentence level are provided by determining word recognition level and learning gradient information for a user. Comprehension aids are associated with words classified by word recognition level and stored. Word recognition errors are determined, comprehension aids presented and word recognition level adjusted based on determined word recognition errors, learning gradient and current word recognition level. For sentence level dynamic personalized reading instruction personalization information, reading level and learning gradient are determined and a personalized grammatical tunable text summary generated. Based on the personalized grammatical tunable text summary, comprehension questions are generated and displayed. Based on comprehension responses, learning gradient and personalization information, the reading level is adjusted.

Abstract: A computer system provides a series of visual flash stimuli to a user and then requires that the user process the visual stimuli to produce a verbalization that corresponds to the visual stimuli and/or a fine motor activity that corresponds to the visual stimuli. The visual flash stimuli are presented to a user via a display device and include letters, words and phrases. The fine motor activity includes inputting letters or words via an input device, such as typing on a keyboard. The system includes eye movement activities, letter flash activities and word flash activities. The content or visual stimuli provided during these activities, as well as the progression through these activities can be determined in part by the diagnosis of the individual user. The system can be used to treat a variety of mental disabilities.

Abstract: Educational devices, educational systems, and methods of teaching and learning reading are provided. The devices, systems, and methods can include an indicium reader, such as an optical character recognition device, for reading indicium from objects. Such objects can be three-dimensional blocks and the indicium can be a letter, word, sentence, number, or some other type of readable character(s). The devices, systems, and methods can include a display for displaying the read indicium and an audio producing device for producing audio corresponding to the read indicium. The educational devices can be a self-contained, portable unit with the indicium reader, the display, and the audio producing device supported by a housing of the educational devices.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for inputting a pronunciation symbol corresponding to an English notation includes pronunciation symbol information holding means for holding pronunciation symbol information indicating a relationship between a predetermined alphabet and a pronunciation symbol that starts from the predetermined alphabet, pronunciation symbol statistical information holding means for holding statistical information associated with the probability of occurrence of each pronunciation symbol immediately after a predetermined pronunciation symbol, display means for extracting pronunciation symbols corresponding to an input alphabet from the pronunciation symbol information, and displaying the extracted pronunciation symbols while sorting them on the basis of the statistical information, and determination means for determining a pronunciation symbol corresponding to the English notation from the displayed pronunciation symbols.

Abstract: A language learning computer system is proposed which allows students to learn a foreign language as naturally as a baby learns its mother tongue. The computer system has a CPU which is programmed to show a first character as an instructor and a second character as a student on the display, produce a voice sound from the speaker, and move the first character corresponding to the voice sound produced from the speaker. If a student operates the input device corresponding to the movement of the first character, the CPU moves the second character exactly as the first character moves. In stage 2, if the student operates the input device corresponding to the voice sound produced from the speaker, the CPU moves the second character corresponding to the voice sound produced by the speaker. In stage 3, if a voice sound picked up by a microphone coincides with the voice sound produced by the speaker, the CPU moves the second character corresponding to the voice sound produced by the speaker.

Abstract: A phonetic system having vowel phonetic symbols separated into full sound symbols and half sound symbols, and consonant phonetic symbols. The full sounds symbols are represented by letters in the English alphabet. The half sound symbols are represented by letters in the English alphabet with a predetermined symbol. Most consonant phonetic symbols are taken from consonant letters of English vocabularies. A phonetic diagram where the vowel phonetic symbols and the consonant phonetic symbols are systematically arranged therein is provided to allow user to easily visualize the vowel and consonant phonetic symbols. The phonetics utilizes direct phonetic spelling method, so as to enable easier obtaining of correct pronunciation. It also helps avoiding the possibility of misreading by utilizing combination of letters that do not appear in the English language.

Abstract: An interactive educational apparatus is described. The educational toy apparatus includes an indicium containing structure and a base unit capable of being vertically attached to a vertical surface such as a refrigerator door. The indicium containing structure is capable of being attached to the base unit so that the indicium containing structure and the base unit are vertically oriented.

Abstract: Games for at least one player may include at least one game card, each game card including a plurality of letter indicators each indicating a letter and arranged to spell a word, a plurality of letter tokens, each letter token including a letter indicator, a selection device operable to randomly indicate one of a plurality of groups of two or more letter indicators, and a set of rules to play the game. Methods of playing the game may include spelling a word on a selected game card by matching letter tokens to the letter indicators on the game card. Each game card may include a first side and a second side, each side including a word, such that the word on the first side is more difficult to spell than the word on the second side.

Abstract: An electronic educational toy designed to teach letters, words and numbers and stimulate the development of a child's mind using audio feedback, the educational toy including an enclosure enclosing a processor, a data storage medium and a speaker and having a substantially planar surface, at least a portion of which comprises a contact-sensitive display screen for being contacted by a child.

Abstract: Computer software and portable memory for an electronic educational toy designed to stimulate the development of a child's mind using audio feedback, the educational toy including an enclosure enclosing a processor, data storage medium and a speaker and having a substantially planar surface, at least a portion of which comprises a contact-sensitive display screen for being contacted by the child.

Abstract: A method of interpreting keypad input includes identifying a first letter of a target word from activation of an initial key, identifying a set of possible intermediate letters of the target word in response to non-activating traversal of associated keys of the keypad following activation of the initial key, identifying a last letter of the target word from activation of a final key following the non-activating traversal, and then determining the target word based upon the identified first, intermediate and last letters. The method is particularly useful in key input devices sensitive to non-activating finger position above the keys.