Abstract: A method and system for tracking the progress of one or more students in a distance learning environment. The system includes a school computer and one or more student computers. A course site, including course graphics representative of course activities and progress graphics representative of individual students' progress in performing the course activities, allows school officials and/or students to track and compare their progress to those of other students in the class.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for providing online language instruction to a student. A student client computer logs into a host system to commence an instruction session. The host assigns an instructor to the instruction session. A scene is simultaneously displayed on a student client computer and a client computer operated by the assigned instructor. A voice communication link is also provided. A predetermined lesson plan can be executed during the instruction session. The lesson plan can be selected according to a student profile stored on the host system. Study goals can also be listed on the computer operated by the instructor. Completion of a study goal can also be stored in the student profile. The student profile can be used to determine a next study goal for a particular student. The scene can be an interactive scene manipulated via the student client computer or via the client computer operated by the instructor.

Abstract: A Virtual Campus including interactive work plans and administrative resources presented online through a WEB interface. Through the Virtual Campus a learner can communicate with others, create and update an individual work plan, access required resources, store work, and be apprised of Virtual University announcements. While online, learners may create work groups with other learners, use a suite of business tools, interact with a registrar, or open a library data base. In addition, an online Virtual Campus can assess those skills a student has successfully mastered by analyzing progress through the aggregate of course modules completed. Academic and career guidance can be formulated referencing the accumulated detail of the students learning experience. Each software module and element can have a list of skills associated with it. The database of skills can reflect a students capabilities in greater detail than is possible using only a final course grade or grade point average.

Abstract: A Virtual Campus including interactive work plans and administrative resources presented online through a WEB interface. Through the Virtual Campus a learner can communicate with others, create and update an individual work plan, access required resources, store work, and be apprised of Virtual University announcements. While online, learners may create work groups with other learners, use a suite of business tools, interact with a registrar, or open a library data base. In addition, an online Virtual Campus can assess those skills a student has successfully mastered by analyzing progress through the aggregate of course modules completed. Academic and career guidance can be formulated referencing the accumulated detail of the students learning experience. Each software module and element can have a list of skills associated with it. The database of skills can reflect a students capabilities in greater detail than is possible using only a final course grade or grade point average.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling an established learning institution, such as a first tier college or university, to leverage intellectual capital through licensing and co-developing course content with a Virtual University. The Virtual University develops and markets educational modules presented via a computer communication system. This invention can increase exposure of a professor, course content, and other intellectual capital, to a larger student population separated by time and distance. It can permit multiple learning institutions to participate, with governance and control afforded to each university according to agreed upon guidelines. A Virtual University according to this invention can provide for flexibility in compensation and permit unlimited business arrangements between a university and an institution proffering the educational modules.

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 method and apparatus for providing dynamic classification of objects. The system provides for dynamic classification of objects within a simulator environment and also contains a graphical user interface related to the simulator environment. The apparatus includes a display, a processor, and an input device. A processor generates a simulation environment on a display screen and a user interfaces to the system with a user input device. Objects within a simulation take on user specified rules and properties that define their behavior. A graphical representation is provided for categorizing classes of objects. A graphical representation of a jar provides a label for defining the identity of the jar and a first region into which items (e.g., icons representing instances or classes of objects) can be dragged and dropped. These items become members of the dynamic class defined by the jar.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and executing interactive interpersonal computer simulations comprises an authoring editor. The authoring editor presents an authoring user interface with a comic book metaphor form for the creation of simulations. The authoring editor also provides constructs that represent chapter objects, cell objects, character objects, message objects, and thought objects to create a simulation. The authoring editor interprets the constructs and their arrangement and creates an executable simulation stored in an active simulation memory. The system also includes an engine that reads the active simulation memory, recognizes the data objects, and executes subroutines corresponding to the data objects. The engine outputs the results of the execution of the objects to the user through a simulation user interface.