Download Interactive learning system

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_
USO05395243A
United States Patent [19]
[11] Patent Number:
Lubin et al.
[45]
[54]
INTERACTIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
_
[75]
5,002,491
3/1991
Abrahamson et al. ....... .. 434/323 X
5,109,482 4/1992 Bohrman ................... .. 395/154
C. Mowatt, North Andover; Andrew
5,120,230
6/1992
5,179,658
1/1993 Izawa et a1. ....................... .. 395/164
Clark et a1. . , . .
. . . .. 434/307
National Education Training Group,
Primary Examiner-Richard J. Apley
Reno, Nev.
Assistant Examiner-Joe H. Cheng
_
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dressler, Goldsmith, Shore &
Milnamow, Ltd
Jun. 20, 1994
[57]
Related U_s_ Application Data
[63]
Mar. 7, 1995
Breuneman, Arlington, all of Mass.
[21] App1.No.. 263,016
[22] Filed:
Date of Patent:
4,965,741 10/1990 Winchell et a1. ............. .. 364/488 X
'
Inventors: Band A- Lubln, Watertown; Tyrone
[73] Assignee:
5,395,243
ABSTRACT
An interactive learning system used for learning an
Continuation of Ser. NO. 765,563, Sep. 25, 1991, aban-
domed
apphcanonpmgmm’ Su°.h as a Wold proc‘issmig Pro‘
gram, provides three basic types of lnstructlon includ
ing interactive audiovisual lessons, reference informa
[5
[52]
Int. 01.6 ............................................ ..
00
US. Cl. .............................. .. 434/118; 434/307 R;
434/323; 395/154; 395/927; 345/119
include relatively detailed reference information, rela
[58]
Fleld 0f Search ................. .. 434/118, 169, 307 R,
tively brief reference information, and customized ref:
434/308, 318, 322, 323, 350, 365; 395/10, 100’
154, 155, 160, 927; 364/419.01, 419.20;
erence information generated via an electronic clip
board. The subject matter of the application program is
345/118’ 119’ 120
References Cited
subdivided into different subject matter areas or units,
and the user of the system may select to receive lessons
Us PATENT DOCUMENTS
relating to any of the units._The interactive learning
_
[56]
1?;
,
,
system provides three learmng paths, one of which
comprises completing all of the lessons in a unit and
213mg?“ -------------------------- re
0
tion, and practice
using the actual application pro
gram being 1eamed_ The 1-¢f¢1-ence information may
...................... ..
-
-
-
M
4,671,772
6/1987
Slade et a1. .... ..
434/350 X
4,772,206 9/1988 Ken at al
434/118
4,798,543
l/ 1989 Spiece ........... ..
434/323
4,945,476
7/1990 Bodick et a1. ................ .. 364/413.02
g .
g.
.
.
J
P
relnforce the instruction received by the user.
1 Claim, 18 Drawing Sheets
m
_
US. Patent
Mar. 7, 1995
Sheet 1 of 18
5,395,243
Fig. 1
: \12 [-18
If”
20
CRT
DISPLAY
RAM
ROM
MICROPHOCESOR
SPEAKER
‘K14
IDISKr24
DRIVE
M28
CD-FIOM
DRIVE
USEFI INPUT
DEVICE
( 42
/
LESSONS
DISPLAY
APPLICATION
RESUME
OPTIONS
HELP
47
EXIT
US. Patent
Mar. 7, 1995
Sheet 2 of 18
5,395,243
SKILL BUILDERTM
COURSE: 10391 LOTUS 1-2-3 RELEASE 2.2
UNIT 2: BUILDING FLEXIBLE WORKSHEEI'S
UNIT 3: IMPROVING WORKSHEET APPEARANCE
UNIT 4: PRINTING WORKSHEETS
UNIT 5: BUILDING DATABASE
UNIT 6: CREATING GRAPHICS WITH VER. 2.2
UNIT 7: SPECIAL FEATURES OF VER. 2.2
SELECT A UNIT. HIGHLIGHT THE DESIRED UNIT WITH THE UP OR
DOWN ARROW KEYS, THEN PRESS ENTER, OR DOUBLE-CLICK WITH
THE MOUSE. CHOOSE HELP FOR MORE INFORMATION.
UNIT SELECTION
CHANGE COURSE
OPTIONS
54/\‘
HELP
EXIT
56\ Fig. 3b
SKILL BUILDERTM
COURSE: 10391 LOTUS 1-2-3 RELEASE 2.2
UNIT 1: WORKSHEET BASICS
[_LE_SE>OI~ 1: OVERVIEW
lF- :
2:
LESSON 3:
LESSON 4:
LESSON 5:
LESSON 6:
LESSON 7:
GETTING STARTED
ENTERING DATE
ENTERING FORMULAS
SAVING/RETRIEVING FILES & HELP
MOVING AROUND THE WORKSHEET
RANGES & RELATIVE ADDRESSING
SELECT A LESSON. HIGHUGHT THE DESIRED LESSON WITH THE UP OR
DOWN ARROW KEYS, THEN PRESS ENTER, OR DOUBLE-CLICK WITH
THE MOUSE. CHOOSE HELP FOR MORE INFORMATION.
LESSON SELECTION
UNIT MENU
OPTIONS
HELP
EXIT
US. Patent
5a
X
Mar. 7, 1995
5,395,243
Sheet 3 of 18
-
6°’\
FIg. 4a
\
LESSONS
[m
TOPIC INDEX
m
IWORKSHEET
BASICS
GETTING STARTED
UNDERSTANDING THE DISPLAY SCREEN
UNDERSTANDING MODE INDICATORS
UNDERSTANDING STATUS INDICATORS
USING THE KEYBOARD
USING POINTER MOVEMENT KEYS
ENTERING DATA
EDrnNG DATA
REFERENCE
[ENE]
ENTERING NUMBERS
USING NUMERIC KEYS
USING TYPING KEYS
ENTERING PORMULAS
EDrrING FORMULAS
USING COMMAND MENUS
CUPBOARD
APPUCA'HON
RESUME
TOPIC INDEx
HELP
64
66
ExIT
Fig
4b
LESSONS
m
REFERENCE
WORKSHEET BASICS
LESSON SEGMENT
‘ml
QUICK REFERENCE AND EXAMPLES
CLIPSOARD
DETAILS
APPLICATION
RESUME
TOPIC SELECTION
HELP
EXIT
US. Patent
70
Mar. 7, 1995
Sheet 4 of 18
'
x
72x‘ Flg. 5a
LEssoNs
‘ml
5,395,243
x
l
QUICK REF INDEX
\
\
l
[m
GErnNG STARTED
ml
UNDERSTANDING sTATusINDICAToRs
UNDERSTANDING MCDE INDICAToRs
USING POINTER MovEMENT KEYs
EDmNG DATA
UsING NUMERIC KEYs
UsING TYPING KEYS
REFERENCE
-
SMIGHLES
IE
USING HELP
RErRIEvING I=ILEs
UsING EUNCRDN KEYS
mm 1%
CLIPBDARD
APPLICATION
RESUME
QUICK REF INDEX
HELP
74 "\
76 x
ExIT
u 5b
\
LEssoNs
m
\
[
UsING TYPING KEYs
[ism]
UsING TYPING KEYS
EFF.‘
KEY
ALT
REFERENCE
\
DEscRIPTIoN
ALT-MUsT BE USED
sIMULTANEoUsLYwITH OTHER
TYPlNG KEYS. IT INvoKEs
El?n
MAcRos AND COMMAND LANGUAGE
@
mm
BKSP
CUPBOARD
APPLICATION
ENTER
I
\
BACKSPACE - ERAsEs THE
CHARACTER TO THE LEFT OF THE
CURsDR.
ENTER - COMPLETES THE
CELL/ ENTRY.
REsUME
QUICK REF rTEM
CUP
DETAIL
HELP
EXIT
US. Patent
Mar. 7, 1995
Sheet 5 of 18
5,395,243
\
Lisso?s
will
Im
Em
REFERENCE
\
DESK HEFINDEX
\
‘
woHKsHEET BASICS
UNDERSTANDING MoDE INDICATORS
UNDERSTANDING sTATLIs INDICATORS
USING POINTER MovEMENT KEYS
EDITING DATA
USING NUMERIC KEYS
[m]
USING TYPING KEYS
[MI
CUPBOARD
RETRIEVING FILES
HELP
ISAVING FILES
APPUCATION
0N KEYS
EXITING 1-2-3
USING 1-2-3 FUNCTIONS
SAVING FILES
AUGNING wDHKsHEEr LABELS
HEsuME
DESK HEF INDEx
HELP
an
x‘
LEssoNs
SAVING FILES
THE FILE SAVE COMMAND SAVES THE CURRENT
WORKSHEET AND ITS SETTINGS TO DISK.
REFERENCE
‘ml
CONSIDERATIONS
@
- SAVE FREQUENTLY TO AVOID LOSING YOUR
WORK.
CUPBOARD
APPLICA‘I'ION
RESUME
- usE FILE NAMES THAT FIELATE TO THE PURPOSE
OF THE WOFIKSHEET. ALSO, USE FILE NAMEs THAT
ARE EASY TO REMEMBER. FILE NAMEs CAN BE UP
TOBCHARACTERS LONG, INCLUDING THE UNDEFILINE
(_) OR HYPHEN (-I. SPACES cANNoT BE usED. LOTUS
AuToMATIcALLY ADDs THE .WK1 EXTENSION TO THE
END OFAFILE. YOU DoNoT HAvE TODOANYTHING
DESK REF ITEM
CUP
HELP
EXIT
US. Patent
Mar. 7, 1995
Sheet 6 of 18
90 '\
92
5,395,243
. 7a
\\
LEssoNs
CUPBOARD INDEX
ToPIc MENU
_
[USING TYPING KEYS (QUICK)
REFERENCE
NoTE ABOUT ALTEHING RANGE LAELS
ALIGNING WORKSHEET LABELS (DESK)
APPucATIoN
RESUME
CUPBOARD INDEX
wRITEA NoTE
HELP
ExIT
\
LESSONS
TITLE: UsING TYPING KEYS \
lml
\
w
usING TYPING KEYS
TOP'C MENU
KEY
.
ALT
REFERENCE
CUPBOARD
APPucATIoN
ALT- MUST BE USED
SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH GTHER
TYPING KEYS. 'IT INvoKEs
_
E
oEscRIPTIoN
MACROS AND COMMAND LANGUAGE
>
BKSP
ENTER
PmGRAMS'
BACKSPACE - ERAsEs THE
CHARACTER To THE LEFT OF THE
cURsoR.
ENTER-COMPLETES THE
CELL/ ENTRY.
RESUME
CUPBOARD ITEM
HELP
ExIT
US. Patent
Mar. 7, 1995
Sheet 7 of 18
110 »\
LESSONS
REFERENCE
5,395,243
Hg. 76
TITLE:
uSER NOTE
TEXT OF THE NOTE...TEXT cAN BE wRmEN ALL THE
WAY TO THE END OF THE LINE
wITHOT WORRY, BEcAuSE IT
-
AUTOMATICALLY wRAPS TO THE
m
NEXTI-IIE
CUPBOARD
APPUCATION
RESUME
CUPBOARD cREATE
SAvE
114 \
HELP
EM
Flg. a
SKILL BUILDERTM
LESSON PATH
TOPIC PATH
WORK SUPPORT
LESSON SEQUENCES ON SPECIFIC SUBJECT
MATTER AREAS.
EASY ACCESS TO BRIEFINGS ON SPECIFIC
TOPICS AND TASKS.
ACCESS To THE AcTuAL SOFTWARE PROGRAM.
CHOSE HOW YOU WOULD UKE TO USE SKILL BUILDER. HIGHLIGHT YOUR
ANSWER WITH THE TAB KEY, THEN PRESS ENTER, OR CLICK ON IT WITH
THE MOUSE. CHOOSE HELP FOR MORE INFORMATION.
PATH SELECTION
HELP
EXIT
US. Patent
Mar. 7, 1995
Sheet 9 of 18
Fig. 10
@M
PROMPT USER
REGARDING
CUPBOARD FEATURE
5,395,243
\
202
USING
CUPBOARD ?
YES /_ 206
‘
l
PROMPT USER
TO INSERT
CUPBOARD DISKETTE
f-zn;
PROMPT USER TO
SELECT PATH
220
PATH
SELECTED ‘.7
YES
222
PROMPT USER TO
SELECT COURSE
250
LESSON PATH ?
Egg-D
NO
24
TOPIC PATH ‘.7
214
\
PROMPT USER TO
INSERT CD-ROM
APPUCATION
CD-ROM IN ?
US. Patent
Mar. 7, 1995
Fig. 11
f 250
GENERATE UNIT
5,395,243
Sheet 10 of 18
"'\
SELECTION DISPLAY
252
254
USEFI INPUT ?
256
YES
260
258
N
UNIT SELECTED
HANGECOURSE
?
YES
YES /— 258
PROMPT USER
TO INSERT CD-FIOM
OPTIONS
?
?
260
CD—ROM IN
?
‘
GENERATE
HELP DISPLAY
YES /_262
GENERATE LESSON
SELECTION DISPLAY
FOR SELECTED UNIT
ANY KEY
264
USER INPUT
‘.7
.
YES
OPTIONS '?
CONDUCT
LESSON
272 J
GENERATE
HELP DISPLAY
264
NO
YES
US. Patent
Mar. 7, 1995
Sheet 11 of 18
y- 28"
5,395,243
Hg. 12
GENERATE OPTIONS \
DISPLAY
282
284
USER INPUT
?
YE
286 5 S
TOPIC MENU
'2
302
QUICKREF
‘.7
MESSAGE TO USER
SELECT UNIT
DESKREF
‘_7
CUPBOARD
?
YES
294
LESSON IN
PROGRESS ‘?
MESSAGE TO USER:
NO LESSON TO RESUME
APPLICATION
US. Patent
Mar. 7, 1995
32a
GENERATE TOPIC
INDEX DISPLAY
GENERATE TOPIC
SELECTION DISPLAY
Sheet 12 0f 18
5,395,243
.
Hg. 1 3a
\
322
MESSAGE TO USER:
SELECT UNlT
MESSAGE TO usea: \
NO LESSON TO RESUME
348
L_--—>
YES
US. Patent
Mar. 7, 1995
Sheet 13 0f 18
Fig. 1 3b
6)
352
250
NO
354
370
QUIC'fREF
356
YE
@
NO
420
DESKREF
?
YES W
NO
358
470
CUPB?OARD
NO
YES
600
5,395,243
US. Patent
Mar. 7, 1995
Sheet 14 of 18
@370
5,395,243
Fig. 14
' GENERATE QUICKREF /372
INDEX DISPLAY
396
YES
QUIGKREF
'2
NO
372AQUICKREF
YES
VAlLABLE ?>—
258 m
MESSAGE TO USER:
N0 INFORMATION
40o
250
No
LESSON
MENU '2
NO
320
402
AVAILABLE FOR
SELECTED ITEM
I
YES 0
YES
TOPIC MENU
?
______l
404
YES
38“
‘
DISPLAY INFORMA‘I'ION
FOR SELECTED ITEM
?
406
42a
m
NO
470
YES
CUPB?°ARD
408
CUPBOARD
NO
APPLICATION
?
YES
NO
LESSON
IN 2>YE_S>©
ROGRESS
NO
/_ 412
MESSAGE TO USER:
NO LESSON TO
RESUME
sTonEnEM
ONCLIPBOARD
‘
MESSAGE TO USER:
rrEM ALREADY
CUPPED
\ 394
600
US. Patent
Mar. 7, 1995
Sheet 15 of 18
420
GENEHATE DESKREF
5,395,243
Flg. 1 5
/422
max mspuw
424
w
446
YES
426
NO
a
250
“a
428
w
YES
DESKREF
VAILABLE ?>_
NO
450
YES
430 W0
3
MESSAGE TO USER:
NC INFORMATIQN
AVAILABLE FOR
N0
320
452
YES
SELECTED ITEM
K
‘__.____]
370
454
Y
‘”\‘
DISPLAY INFORMATiON
FOR seuzcnsn ITEM
456
‘E8 W
NO
470
YES w
N0
N0
LESSON IN >YEi©
PROGRESS ?
NO
F ‘62
MESSAGE TO ussn=
no LESSON TO
assume
STORE n'su
ON CUPBOARD
‘
MESSAGE TO USER:
ITEM ALREADY
CUPPED
US. Patent
Mar. 7, 1995
CUPBOARD
5,395,243
Sheet 16 of 18
Fig. 16
‘70
GENERATE CUPBOARD /472
INDEX DISPLAY
YES
'
NO 498\
496x
MESSAGE TO USER:
ITEM ALREADY
CLIPPED
STORE ITEM
ON CUPBOARD
V
5°”
478 "\
YES
CUPBOARD
GENERATE CUPBOARD
ITEM DlSPLAY
?
NO
250
NO
504
YES
9
NO
506
482
TOPIC MENU
‘.7
WRITE A NOTE
?
484 -\
YES
508
GENERATE CUPBOARD
CREATE DISPLAY
320
YES
m
YES
QUICKREF
?
370
w
NO
420
NO
512
YES
APPLEATION
600
APPLICATION
NO
514
LESSON IN
YES
PROGRESS ?>"@
/-516
W
MESSAGE TO USER:
NO LESSON TO
RESUME
l
US. Patent
Mar. 7, 1995
Sheet 17 0f 18
600 Fig. 17
APPLICATION
602
RUN
N
'PPLICATION 9
YES
SAVE CURRENT SESSION /-604
DATA IN GLOBAL FILE
I
GO TO DOS, LEAVING
STUB IN MEMORY
/-606
I
START APPUCATION
BATCH FILE
508
I
LOAD APPLICATION
/-610
RUN APPLICATION
/612
EXIT APPLICATION
/615
ASSIST TSR
I
REMOVE APPLICATION
ASSIST FROM MEMORY
/- 618
I
EXIT APPLICATION
BATCH FILE
620
I
LOAD INTERACTIVE
/- 622
LEARNING PROGRAM
7
RETRIEVE SESSION DATA / 624
FROM GLOBAL FILE
@280
5,395,243
US. Patent
Mar. 7, 1995
Sheet 18 of 18
5,395,243
Hg. 1 8
m
65°
s54
652
YES
658
SELECT
CUPEPARD
r656
f
DISPLAY I
TITLE " ITEM
@
NO
NO
660
fQUICKHEF
YES
YES
662
/ E“
666
YES
SELECT -> DISPLAY
TOPIC
ITEM
NO
NO
670
f
YES
DESKREF
SELECT
TOPIC
672
—>
74
DISPLAY
ITEM
676
YES
I
NO
NO
580
/_
CHANGE
COURSE?
YES
682
f
684
688
S
SELECT L, SELECT _, DISPLAY
COURSE
TITLE
ITEM
YE
NO
NO
690
W92
YES
694
DISPLAY
YES I
ITEM
NO
H5
NO
1
5,395,243
2
gram, a reference mode in which the user may access
INTERACTIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
textual reference information about various subject
matter areas of the application program, and an applica
tion mode in which the user runs that actual application
This is a continuation of US. application Ser. No.
07/765,563, ?led on Sep. 25, 1991, now abandoned.
program being learned.
The interactive learning system in accordance with
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
the present invention also provides a method of learning
The present invention relates to a computer-driven
interactive learning system for use in learning a com
puter program for an application, such as a word pro
cessing, in which a number of different modes of learn
an application program in which three different learn
ing paths may be utilized. One of the learning paths is a
l0 lesson path during which the user works through a
sequence of audiovisual lessons relating to various fea
tures of the application program being learned, and then
ing are accessible to the user of the system.
Many computer programs exist for performing often
upon completion of the lesson sequence, uses the actual
application program to reinforce the audiovisual in
used functions such as word processing, ?nancial
spreadsheeting, and database functions. Such computer 15 struction provided by the system. In a second learning
programs are referred to herein as application pro
path, the user may select a topic relating to a feature of
grams. Examples of application programs in widespread
use are LOTUS 1-2-3 and WORDPERFECT. “Appli
cation program” as used herein also includes an operat
ing system program such as the DOS where a user is
learning to use the operating system program.
The training of personnel in the use of application
programs may be performed by various methods. Such
training may be accomplished via a traditional approach
in which students are taught by a teacher with written
reference materials, such as a user’s manual for the
the application program being learned and then receive
either audiovisual lessons or electronic textual reference
information regarding the selected topic. In a third
learning path, the user may run the application program
without initially receiving any system training, but may
access electronic textual reference information relating
to the application program, while the application pro
gram is running, without the need to exit the application
25
program.
These and other features and advantages of the pres
application program. In addition, each student may be
ent
invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill
provided with a computer for executing the application
in the art in view of the detailed description of the pre
program being learned so that the instruction is aug
mented by hands-on experience. This traditional type of 30 ferred embodiment, which is made with reference to the
drawings, a brief description of which is provided be
instruction has disadvantages such as the relatively
low.
infrequent scheduling of classes and limited availability
of personal instruction due to class size.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One alternative to the traditional approach to learn
ing application programs is the use of computer-driven 35 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the electronics of a
preferred embodiment of an interactive learning system
interactive learning systems which can be used by a
in accordance with the present invention;
single student. One such interactive learning system is
FIG. 2 is an illustration of an options display gener
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,797 to Whitney, et a1.
ated during the operation of the learning system;
That patent describes a computer-driven software train
ing system in which a computer is coupled to a cassette 40
tape player system. The training system operates by
FIG. 3a is an illustration of a unit selection display
generated during operation of the system;
FIG. 3b is an illustration of a lesson selection display
I selectively activating the cassette player to provide oral
generated during operation of the system;
instruction to the student, and by analyzing the stu
FIG. 4a is an illustration of a topic index display
dent’s keystrokes input while the computer program
being taught is running. If the student makes the correct 45 generated during operation of the system;
FIG. 4b is an illustration of a topic selection display
keystrokes, the tape player is turned on and the oral
lesson continues. If an incorrect entry is made, the
generated during operation of the system;
learning system enters the correct entry and proceeds
with the next portion of the training lesson.
display generated during operation of the learning sys
FIG. 5a is an illustration of a quick reference index
Another computer-driven interactive learning system
tem;
FIG. 5b is an illustration of a quick reference item
is described in US. Pat. No. 4,622,013 to Cerchio. That
patent describes an interactive software training system
display generated during operation of the system;
FIG. 6a is an illustration of a desk reference index
which trains a student to use an application program.
display generated during operation of the system;
The training system works by interpreting the data
entered by the student for the application program.
That interpretation allows the training system to deter
mine if the student requires additional instruction before
proceeding with the next portion of the application
program instruction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an interactive learning sys
55
FIG. 6b is an illustration of a desk reference item
display generated during operation of the system;
FIG. 7a is an illustration of a clipboard index display
generated during operation of the system;
FIG. 7b is an illustration of a clipboard item display
generated during operation of the system;
FIG. 7c is an illustration of a clipboard create display
generated during operation of the system;
tem and method for use in learning an application pro
FIG. 8 is an illustration of a path selection display
gram, such as a word processing program, that provides
generated during operation of the system;
different modes of learning to a user and gives the user 65
FIG. 9 is an overview of the methods of learning
great flexibility in using the various learning modes.
available in accordance with the present invention; and
The learning modes may include interactive audiovisual
lessons that simulate the operation of the actual pro
that controls the operation of the learning system.
FIGS. 10-18 are ?owcharts of a computer program