Abstract: A system and method for automated assessment of constrained constructed responses provides for automatic, e.g., programmatic, assessing of a test subject response to a constrained constructed response item or question. In one embodiment, paper test materials with test subject markings thereon are converted to electronic form. Test subject markings are further isolated, for example, by registration, sizing and removal of markings other than a graphic response. The subject markings are further compared with a baseline response, correctness deviation criteria and incorrectness deviation criteria (e.g., correctness, incorrectness, substantial correctness, substantial incorrectness, and so on) from which one or more of a score, further learning or other assessment results may be determined. Cluster analysis or other post-evaluation or post-assessment processing may also be conducted, or re-evaluation or re-assessment may also be conducted.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a system that supports (1) the development and administration of instructional materials and/or programs, (2) the development, administration, scoring, and reporting of assessment materials and/or programs, and/or (3) the integration of instruction with assessment materials and/or programs. The system achieves this by organizing the content in these materials and programs into learning targets and ordering the learning targets to reflect the pre-cursor/post-cursor relationships among the learning targets.

Abstract: The methodology of the present invention is implemented by a system which defines concepts about which a respondent is required to demonstrate knowledge of a relationship. The concepts are represented by respondent-manipulable devices that are uniquely associated with the concepts, and the respondent is able to manipulate attributes of the devices to create an arrangement of the devices representative of the respondent's understanding of the relationship of the concepts with which the devices are associated. The attributes of the manipulated devices are recorded and converted into a response pattern based on the cognitive relationships of the devices as manipulated by the respondent. One or more predefined rubric patterns are associated with the constructed response item and define possible cognitive patterns of the concepts as represented by the devices. The response pattern is compared to the rubric pattern to identify matches between the response pattern and the rubric pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to, among other things, the interactive reporting of student progress using learning maps.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting responses to assessment or survey items utilizes an input device to store individual responses to items of an assessment or a survey. The input device transmits the individual responses to a receiving unit for storage and analysis. The responses can be transmitted immediately upon completion of an assessment or survey item, at predetermined times during the collection of responses, after a predetermined period of user inactivity or upon completion of a predetermined group of assessment or survey items. The input device can also store a collection file containing all the responses and transmit the collection file after completion of the assessment or survey. The system and method can also utilize a locating device to determine an initial location of an input device and to monitor the current location of the input device during completion of the assessment or survey to detect and deter cheating.

Abstract: A patterned response system and method provide for automatically, e.g., programmatically, generating learning items that are useable in conjunction with an assessment. In one embodiment, the learning items may be generated as an aggregation of patterns corresponding to a targeted skill and related skills. The relatedness of skills may, for example, be determined according to a precursor/postcursor based learning relationship that may be represented by a learning map.

Abstract: A system and method for improved cumulative assessment provide for automatically, e.g., programmatically, determining an evaluation of two or more assessments including two or more related items in a cumulative manner. In one embodiment, an initial assessment including initial assessment items is administered at time T1 and scored to produce an ability estimate. At least one successive assessment is also administered and scored to produce an ability estimate. Selected ones of the administered assessments or included items are determined (“included assessments”), and the included assessments are scored to produce a simultaneous maximum likelihood ability estimate for the included assessments, for example, in view of all of the included assessments.

Abstract: A system and method for automated assessment of constrained constructed responses provides for automatic, e.g., programmatic, assessing of a test subject response to a constrained constructed response item or question. In one embodiment, paper test materials with test subject markings thereon are converted to electronic form. Test subject markings are further isolated, for example, by registration, sizing and removal of markings other than a graphic response. The subject markings are further compared with a baseline response, correctness deviation criteria and incorrectness deviation criteria (e.g., correctness, incorrectness, substantial correctness, substantial incorrectness, and so on) from which one or more of a score, further learning or other assessment results may be determined. Cluster analysis or other post-evaluation or post-assessment processing may also be conducted, or re-evaluation or re-assessment may also be conducted.

Abstract: The methodology of the present invention is implemented by a system which defines concepts about which a respondent is required to demonstrate knowledge of a relationship. The concepts are represented by respondent- manipulable devices that are uniquely associated with the concepts, and the respondent is able to manipulate attributes of the devices to create an arrangement of the devices representative of the respondent's understanding of the relationship of the concepts with which the devices are associated. The attributes of the manipulated devices are recorded and converted into a response pattern based on the cognitive relationships of the devices as manipulated by the respondent. One or more predefined rubric patterns are associated with the constructed response item and define possible cognitive patterns of the concepts as represented by the devices. The response pattern is compared to the rubric pattern to identify matches between the response pattern and the rubric pattern.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a system and method for creating a learning map, which is a device for expressing hypothesized learning target dependencies within any domain of knowledge of skill acquisition. The system and method are also able to utilize multiple data types and sources to assess whether the learning target dependencies expressed by a learning map are accurate and are configured to modify the learning map as necessary so that the learning map conforms to the reality of how students learn.

Abstract: A matching system includes consumer and product/vendor portrayer engines capable of determining, monitoring and modifying consumer and product/vendor cognitive and factual information, and a matching engine capable of determining corresponding consumer information of one or more consumers and product and/or vendor information of one or more products and/or vendors. In an exemplary embodiment, the cognitive information comprises consumer and product and/or vendor profiles including a weighted personality aspect set. The cognitive information also includes consumer and product and/or vendor intent and long-term interests, and the product information includes parameters linked to consumer fact information. The information can further be gathered from devices and/or processes of an interconnected network and the results of matching can be presented to or for a consumer via one or more devices accessible to the matching system, in accordance with one or more applications.

Abstract: A calendaring system communicatively coupled to a network comprises: a calendar engine capable to store and display event data from a calendar database; a portrait database capable to store portraits of users; the portraits including relationship settings for users; and an event engine, communicatively coupled to the calendar engine and portrait database, capable of scheduling events (including implicit events), sending events invitations and responding to an event invitation received, and offering appropriate services related to those events, via the network, as a function of time availability as indicated in the calendar database, relationship settings, and lifestyle wishes, monitors and gauges of the participants in the event as indicated in the portrait database.