System and method for managing continued attention to distance-learning content

A computer system to facilitate management of a user's continued attention to distance learning content, the system comprising:

• a general purpose computer including:
• a central processing unit and an operating system configured to run multiple program applications concurrently;
• and
• a player suitable for presenting the distance learning content;
• and
• a distance learning application comprising code executable on the central processing unit as one of the multiple program applications and including a plurality of modules executing on the central processing unit including an event module operable to identify events concerning another one of the multiple program applications, an event processing module operable to identify a prescribed event among the identified events, and an action module operable to interrupt a presentation of the distance learning content at the player to the user in response to the prescribed event.

A method for ensuring a user's continued attention to distance learning content, comprising the steps of:

• executing code on a processor of a machine comprising a distance learning application that configures the processor to control the presentation of distance learning content to the user on a display connected to the computer, the computer having an operating system configured to concurrently run multiple program applications other than the distance learning application;
• identifying events concerning one of the multiple program applications other than the distance learning application using an event module executing in the processor;
• processing the identified events so as to identify a prescribed event among the identified events using an event processing module executing in the processor, and
• interrupting the presentation of the distance learning content on the display connected to the computer in response to the prescribed event.