Non-linear quest-based learning apparatus and method

A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions thereon that when executed provides a method of learning in a cloud-based learning environment, wherein students are presented with a group of quest files, each quest file corresponding to a non-linear quest-based curriculum, the method comprising:

• presenting a student with a group of quest files and allowing the student to pursue a non-linear quest path to reach at least one predetermined learning objective;
• wherein the group of quest files and the at least one predetermined learning objective are associated with at least one standard;
• and
• prompting the student to provide a least one of a plurality of student-mediated factors for each quest file of the group of quest files, and wherein the plurality of student-mediated factors comprises any factor that permits a student to influence (1) quest path choices of other students, or (2) non-linear quest-based curriculum creation by teachers.

A method of searching for a quest file in a cloud-based learning environment, the method comprising:

• receiving a search term comprising at least one of a tag, an author, a subject matter, an average time to completion, and an average rating;
• parsing a database of quest files having a creative commons license, wherein the parsing is based upon the received search term to arrive at a list of responsive quest files, and further wherein a quest file comprises a computer-accessible file comprising instructions for a quest activity that is presented to a student when the student has met all prerequisites associated with the quest file;
• and
• transmitting at least one responsive quest file.