Instructional management system

A user interface apparatus of an instructional management system for presenting text and graphics information to a user, the interface being targeted to scholastic environments and comprising:

• (a) at least one computer connected to a computer network, the computer having user input means, a video screen, and data storage means coupled thereto;
• (b) instructional and administrative information stored in an electronic format in the data storage means of the computer;
• (c) virtual school means, operated by the computer and coupled to the data storage means, for providing a networked virtual reality environment so that one or more users of the computer network can access the instructional and administrative information by grouped functions, wherein the user selects among the grouped functions by accessing one of a plurality of rooms within a school representation displayed on the video screen, the networked virtual reality environment thereby presenting the user as a real-time entity within the virtual school means so that the user interacts with other users and elements therein, wherein the virtual school means further comprises:
• (1) main panel means, operated by the computer and displayed on the video screen, for presenting the instructional and administrative information along substantially the majority of one side of the screen;
• (2) the portion of the video screen not occupied by the main panel means divided substantially into first, second, and third sections;
• (3) directions panel means, operated by the computer, for guiding the user in correct and efficient use of the user interface by displaying instructions on the video screen, the directions panel means being displayed in the first section of the video screen and comprising:
• (i) text means for displaying text on the video screen directed to on-line training and help functions for the user interface;
• (ii) tutor means for presenting audio and full-motion video on the video screen in conjunction with the test displayed in the text means;
• (4) list panel means, operated by the computer, for presenting information from a currently active database on the video screen and accessing the database elements, the list panel means being displayed in a second section of the video screen;
• and
• (5) status panel means, operated by the computer, for displaying a message indication describing which room the user is in and the function being performed.

An instruction management system, comprising:

• (a) a computer having user input means, a video screen, and data storage means coupled thereto;
• (b) instructional material stored in an electronic format in the data storage means of the computer, the instructional material comprising a database of lessons, references, tools, and associated assessment elements for presentation by the computer;
• and
• (c) learning path editor means, operated by the computer and coupled to the data storage means, for authoring curriculum sequences from the instructional materials using graphical icons displayed on the video screen to represent various elements of the curriculum sequences and the interaction therebetween wherein the learning path editor means comprises:
• (1) modify means for creating, deleting, opening, closing, editing, and copying sequences;
• (2) verify means for verifying the technical integrity of sequences;
• (3) install means for installing a verified sequence onto the system;
• and (4) clipboard means for temporarily storing sequences, and edit means for cutting, copying, pasting, clearing, and selecting sequences to and from the clipboard means.

A scheduling apparatus for an instructional management system, comprising:

• (a) a plurality of computer coupled together in a computer network each having user input means and a video screen coupled thereto;
• (b) instruction management means, coupled to the computers, for delivering courseware for presentation on the video screens of selected computers;
• and
• (c) scheduling means, coupled to the computers and integrated with the instruction management means, for delivering specific courseware to specific computers during specific time periods, wherein the schedule means further comprises templates for identifying computers, sessions, courseware assignments, and the dates when specific courseware assignments will be provided to specific computers, the scheduling means further comprising:
• (1) means for creating, changing, and deleting schedule templates identifying the courseware to be presented on the computers,
• (2) means for viewing templates, and
• (3) means for creating and editing a schedule for a current date in the template.

A system monitor apparatus for an instructional management system, comprising:

• (a) at least one workstation coupled together in a computer network;
• (b) instruction management means, operated by one of the workstations and coupled for communication with the remaining workstations, for delivering courseware for presentation on selected workstations;
• and
• (c) system monitor means, operated by one of the workstations and coupled for communication to the remaining workstations and the instruction management means, for gathering information in real-time on the state of each of the workstations, wherein the gathered information includes user information describing the status of the user working on the workstation, workstation information describing the status, location and configuration of the workstation, and application information describing the type and status of the courseware operating on the workstation, wherein the system monitor means further comprises:
• (1) means for viewing in real-time a set of predefined information fields;
• (2) means for sorting the information by the list of predefined information fields;
• (3) means for assigning a temporary activity sequence to a user;
• (4) means for viewing sequence information and for assigning start and end dates for a temporary sequence to a user;
• and (5) means for logging and displaying system log information and system maintenance log information.