# US 6,212,358 B1 · Learning system and method based on review

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- Number: US 6,212,358 B1
- Document ID: US6212358B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 09/255,398
- Filed: 1999-02-22
- Granted: 2001-04-03
- Earliest claimed: 1996-07-02
- Inventors: Chi Fai Ho; Peter P. Tong
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6212358B1

## CPC

- G09B 5/14: with provision for individual teacher-student communication
- G09B 7/00: Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers (mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F)
- G09B 7/04: characterised by modifying the teaching programme in response to a wrong answer, e.g. repeating the question or supplying a further explanation
- G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B)

## Abstract

A system and method to provide dynamic reviews for individual students. In one embodiment for a student, the system selects an un-learnt line-item, and generates detailed learning materials for the un-learnt line-item. Then the system selects a learnt line-item based on one or more learnt-line-item-selection rules, and generates summarized-learning materials on the selected learnt line-item for the student to review. The summarized-learning materials include study-plans. The detailed learning materials may include questions, in addition to study-plans. For an un-learnt line-item, after presenting the generated learning materials to the student, the present invention assesses the student's understanding in the line-item. If the assessment is satisfactory, the un-learnt line-item is re-classified as a learnt line-item. In another embodiment, the present invention accesses a line-item probability value, which is used to select a line-item. If the line-item is an un-learnt line-item, the invention generates detailed learning materials for the student; and if the student is successful in learning the materials, the invention re-classifies the line-item to a learnt line-item. If the line-item is a learnt line-item, which is selected based on one or more learnt-line-item-selection rules, the invention generates summarized learning materials for the student. The invention then repeats and selects another line-item.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A computer-aided learning method to reinforce a student's learning of a subject through reviews, the subject including a number of line-items, with at least one being a learnt line-item, which is a line-item that the student has achieved a preset level of learning, the method comprising the steps of:
selecting a learnt line-item, by a first computing device that can access a network, based on one or more line-item-selection rules; and
generating summarized-learning materials on the learnt line-item for the student, wherein the student can learn the materials in a second computing device that can access the network;
such that although the student has achieved a preset level in learning a line-item, that learnt line-item still might be selected with its learning materials generated for the student so as to reinforce the student's learning of the subject through reviews.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on the level achieved by the student in learning that learnt line-item.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on the time elapsed from the time when the student has achieved the preset level for that line-item.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on whether that learnt line-item has been selected before so as to discourage selecting a learnt line-item that has been selected before.

### Claim 5

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim wherein:
the subject includes at least one un-learnt line-item, which is a line-item that the student has not achieved the preset level in learning that line-item; and
the method further comprises the step of selecting an un-learnt line-item before the step of selecting a learnt line-item.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 5 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on whether the learnt line-item is related to the selected un-learnt line-item so as to reinforce the student's learning of the subject through association.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 5 further comprising the step of generating detailed learning-materials for the selected un-learnt line-item.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first computing device is a server computer, and the second computing device is a client computer.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 1 wherein the network includes a private network.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 1 Wherein the network includes a public network.

### Claim 11

A computer-aided learning apparatus to reinforce a student's learning of a subject through reviews, the subject including a number of line-items, with at least one being a learnt line-item, which is a line-item that the student has achieved a preset level of learning, the apparatus comprising:
a selector configured to select a learnt line-item, by a first computing device that can access a network, based on one or more line-item-selection rules; and
a learning-material generator configured to generate summarized-learning materials on the learnt line-item for the student, wherein the student can learn the materials in a second computing device that can access the network;
such that although the student has achieved a preset level in learning a line-item, that learnt line-item still might be selected with its learning materials generated for the student so as to reinforce the student's learning of the subject through reviews.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the selection of the learnt line-item depends on the level achieved by the student in learning that learnt line-item.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the selection of the learnt line-item depends on the time elapsed from the time when the student has achieved the preset level for that line-item.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the selection of the learnt line-item depends on whether that learnt line-item has been selected before so as to discourage selecting a learnt line-item that has been selected before.

### Claim 15

A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim wherein:
the subject includes at least one un-learnt line-item, which is a line-item that the student has not achieved the preset level in learning that line-item; and
the selector is also configured to select an un-learnt line-item before selecting a learnt line-item.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein the selection of the learnt line-item depends on whether the learnt line-item is related to the selected un-learnt line-item so as to reinforce the student's learning of the subject through association.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein the learning-materials generator is also configured to generate detailed learning-materials for the selected un-learnt line-item.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the first computing device is a server computer, and the second computing device is a client computer.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the network includes a private network.

### Claim 20 (depends on 11)

A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the network includes a public network.

### Claim 21

A computer-aided learning method to reinforce a student's learning of a subject through reviews, the subject including a number of line-items, with at least one being a learnt line-item, which is a line-item that the student has achieved a preset level of learning, and with the line-items being stored in a line-item storage-medium, the method comprising the steps of:
selecting a learnt line-item from the line-item storage-medium based on one or more line-item-selection rules; and
generating summarized-learning materials on the learnt line-item for the student;
such that although the student has achieved a preset level in learning a line-item, that learnt line-item still might be selected with its learning materials generated for the student so as to reinforce the student's learning of the subject through reviews.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein:
the subject includes at least one un-learnt line-item, which is a line-item that the student has not achieved the preset level in learning that line-item; and
the method further comprises the step of selecting an un-learnt line-item from the line-item storage-medium before the step of selecting a learnt line-item.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 22 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on whether the learnt line-item is related to the selected un-learnt line-item so as to reinforce the student's learning of the subject through association.

### Claim 24 (depends on 22)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 22 further comprising the step of generating detailed learning-materials for the selected un-learnt line-item before the step of selecting a learnt line-item.

### Claim 25 (depends on 22)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 22 further comprising the step of generating detailed learning-materials for the selected un-learnt line-item after the step of generating summarized-learning materials on the learnt line-item.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 25 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on whether the learnt line-item is related to the selected un-learnt line-item so as to reinforce the student's learning of the subject through association.

### Claim 27 (depends on 25)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 25 wherein the step of generating detailed-learning materials comprising the steps of:
generating a detailed study-plan for the line-item; and
presenting the detailed study-plan to the student.

### Claim 28 (depends on 25)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 25 wherein after the step of presenting the detailed-study-plan to the student, the method further comprises the steps of:
generating questions on the line-item for the student;
presenting the questions for the student; and
assessing the student's answers to those questions to determine the level achieved by the student in learning that line-item.

### Claim 29 (depends on 22)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 22 further comprising the step of transmitting the generated summarized-learning materials through a network.

### Claim 30 (depends on 21)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on the time elapsed from the time when the student has achieved the preset level for that line-item.

### Claim 31 (depends on 21)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein
each line-item has a weight;
the weight of each learnt line-item is a function of the time elapsed from the time the student achieved the preset level for that line-item; and
the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on the weight, which de-emphasizes the line-item the student has just achieved a preset level of learning.

### Claim 32 (depends on 21)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein:
each line-item has a difficulty level;
each line-item has a weight;
the weight of each learnt line-item is a function of the time elapsed from the time the student achieved the preset level for that line-item; and
the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on the weight, which de-emphasizes a line-item the student achieved a preset level of learning more than a fixed period ago.

### Claim 33 (depends on 21)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on the level achieved by the student in learning that learnt line-item.

### Claim 34 (depends on 21)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein
each line-item has a weight;
the weight of each learnt line-item is a function of the level achieved by the student in learning that line-item; and
the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on its weight, which emphasizes on reinforcing a student's learning of a learnt line-item whose weight is lower than other learnt line-items.

### Claim 35 (depends on 21)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein each line-item has a difficulty level; and
the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on the difficulty level of the line-items.

### Claim 36 (depends on 35)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 35 wherein:
each line-item has a weight;
the weight of each learnt line-item is a function of its difficulty level; and
the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on the weight, which emphasizes on selecting more difficult line-items.

### Claim 37 (depends on 21)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein the step of selecting a learnt line-item depends on whether that learnt line-item has been selected before so as to discourage selecting a learnt line-item that has been selected before.

### Claim 38 (depends on 21)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 21 wherein the step of generating a summarized-learning material comprising the steps of:
generating a summarized study-plan for the line-item; and
presenting the study-plan to the student.

### Claim 39

A computer-aided learning method to reinforce a student's learning of a subject through reviews, the subject being divided into un-learnt and learnt line-items, with a learnt line-item being an item the student has achieved a preset level in learning, and with the line-items being stored in a line-item storage-medium, the method comprising the steps of:
selecting a line-item from the line-item storage-medium based on a probability value;
if a learnt line-item is selected, then generating summarized-learning materials of that learnt line-item for the student;
such that although the student has achieved a preset level in learning a line-item, learning materials of that learnt line-item might still be generated for the student so as to reinforce the student's learning of the subject through reviews.

### Claim 40 (depends on 39)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 39 further comprising the steps of:
if an un-learnt line-item is selected, then
generating detailed learning-material for the un-learnt line-item, and
if the student has achieved a preset level in learning that line-item, then re-classifying the un-learnt line-item as a learnt line-item; and
repeating from the step of selecting a line-item.

### Claim 41 (depends on 40)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 40 wherein the step of selecting a line-item also depends on:
the time elapsed from the time when the student has achieved the preset level for that line-item if that line-item is a learnt line-item, and
whether the learnt line-item is related to the un-learnt line-item just selected if an un-learnt line-item has just been selected.

### Claim 42 (depends on 40)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 40 wherein:
the step of generating summarized learning-material for the learnt line-item comprises the steps of:
generating a summarized study-plan for the learnt line-item; and
presenting the summarized study-plan to the student; and
the step of generating detailed learning-material for the un-learnt line-item comprises the steps of:
generating a detailed-study plan for the un-learnt line-item;
presenting the detailed-study-plan to the student;
generating questions on the un-learnt line-item for the student; and
presenting the questions for the student; and
the method further comprises the step of assessing the student's answers to those questions to determine the level achieved by the student in learning the un-learnt line-item.

### Claim 43 (depends on 39)

A computer-aided learning method as recited in claim 39 wherein:
each line-item has a difficulty level; and
the step of selecting a line-item also depends on:
the level achieved by the student in learning that line-item if the student has learnt that line-item before, and
the difficulty level of that line-item.

### Claim 44

A computer-aided learning apparatus to reinforce a student's learning of a subject through reviews, the subject including a plurality of line-items, with at least one being a learnt line-item, which is a line-item that the student has achieved a preset level of learning, the apparatus comprising:
a selector for selecting a line-item from the plurality of line-items based on at least one line-item-selection rule; and
a learning-material generator coupled to the selector for generating learning materials of the selected line-item for the student;
such that although the student has achieved a preset level in learning a line-item, that line-item might still be selected with its learning materials generated for the student so as to reinforce the student's learning of the subject through reviews.

### Claim 45 (depends on 44)

A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 44 wherein:
the subject includes at least one un-learnt line-item, which is a line-item that the student has not achieved the preset level in learning that line-item;
if the line-item selected is a learnt line-item, then the generator generates summarized learning-materials for that learnt line-item; and
if the line-item selected is an un-learnt line-item, then the generator generates detailed learning-materials for that un-learnt line-item.

### Claim 46 (depends on 45)

A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 45 further comprising a network interface device configured to transmit the generated summarized-learning materials through a network.

### Claim 47 (depends on 44)

A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 44 further comprising:
a storage-medium for storing the line-items; and
a rule-storage medium for storing the one or more line-item-selection rules.

### Claim 48 (depends on 44)

A computer-aided learning apparatus as recited in claim 44 further comprising:
a study-plan generator for generating study-plans;
a presenter for presenting to the student;
a question generator for generating questions; and
an assessor for assessing the student's answers to questions.