The present invention relates to on-line instructional systems and, more particularly, to such systems that incorporate 3D tools and analytics-based monitoring to create an individual learning environment suitable for all students, regardless of their physical location.
The demands on today's students and the volume of content to be learned (i.e., assimilated knowledge) are constantly increasing. At the same time, there is a need for a deeper understanding of various topics that are often relegated to a cursory presentation in a traditional classroom setting. Moreover, the access to a quality education is limited and uneven worldwide, even in the presence of current global communication network capabilities. A toll such as “distance-learning” is helpful in some circumstances, but has not been found to be the break-through technology to raise the standard of academic instruction in most circumstances.
In particular, much of the content presented in a distance-learning environment is necessarily constrained into a flat, two-dimensional form (comprising lectures and videos, for example) that are readily formatted for sharing across a computer network. Such a two-dimensional presentation can create a gap in the student's understanding of how to apply what is learned to real life.
Additionally, it is reasonable to consider that various subjects would be more effectively presented in 3D form, providing a “real world” foundation that enhances the learning experience. For example, certain scientific studies that include laboratory experimentation and analysis of 3D objects face difficulties in being fairly represented in today's conventional 2D distance-learning environment.
Furthermore, students have a range of backgrounds, experiences, and learning abilities; as such, a learning platform that is inclusive of this variety by providing access to 3D tools and content that engages all of the senses is considered to be preferable in reaching a larger base of students worldwide.
The needs remaining in the prior art are addressed by the present invention, which relates to on-line instructional systems and, more particularly, to such systems that incorporate 3D tools and analytics-based monitoring to create an individual learning environment suitable for all students, regardless of their physical location.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a “learning platform” is configured as a network element that may be accessed by a student, who interacts with various modules in a knowledge base, as well as associated analytics, to receive instruction across a wide range of subject matter areas. A 3D imaging system located at the learning platform interacts with the knowledge base and analytics module to create the various 3D projections as incorporated within each learning module to enhance a student's comprehension of a given topic.
Advantageously, the inventive learning platform is configured to create a holistic learning environment, providing supplemental information in the form of context, current events, depth of subject matter, inter-disciplinary learnings, and the like. The student-based data collected by the learning platform may be used in a variety of ways, such as to discern a best “learning style” for a given student, creating an on-line community of individual students with similar interests that may live on different continents, and the like.
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention takes the form of an on-line instructional system utilizing 3D image capabilities for enhancing the learning experience. In particular, the on-line instructional system comprises a learning platform implemented as a communication network element, the learning platform including a service management component for controlling access to the learning platform such that only subscribed students are permitted to participate in on-line instruction, a knowledge base including a plurality of separate databases, each database associated with a different academic discipline and including a plurality of individual lesson modules including one or more interactive 3D objects, and a 3D imaging system coupled to the knowledge base, the 3D imaging system configured to identify interactive 3D objects associated with an on-going instruction session and provide capability of 3D object manipulation by a subscribed student of the on-line instructional system.
Other and further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent during the course of the following discussion and by reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the drawings,
A significant improvement in on-line learning situations is provided in accordance with the principles of the present invention in the form of 3D instructional capabilities and an interactive knowledge base driven by analytic processes. Opening up the third dimension for students via 3D technology, while also providing a holistic approach using the senses (e.g., touch, video, audio), results in a solution that will help students learn more efficiently and develop a deeper understanding through self-guided discovery, as well as teacher-guided learning.
In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of 3D tools and capabilities are provided for use by a student at his/her location. Additionally, a “learning platform” is configured as a network element that may be accessed by a student, who interacts with various modules in a knowledge base, as well as associated analytics, to receive instruction across a wide range of subject matter areas. The learning platform is configured to provide content in a personalized manner for each student, as will be described in detail below.
Advantageously, the learning platform of the present invention is also applicable for use in a “small group”/classroom setting, with individual students and an on-site instructor all having access to the 3D-presented content and ability to interact with various objects and manipulatives. The ability to bring such a classroom experience to areas around the world that have limited “local” educational resources is invaluable.
As will be discussed in detail below, the on-line instructional system of the present invention is based upon a network-connected learning platform that includes a “knowledge base” of learning modules that have been specifically developed to not only present the substantive material, but also provide different options for how to interact with the material, allowing for an individual student to utilize his/her best learning style for best comprehension of the particular material being presented. The knowledge base interacts in an on-going basis with a “3D imaging system” that is able to configure (perhaps in real time) certain subject matter for a specific student, without needing the student to have extensive 3D capabilities at his/her location. An analytics tool is an important module also included in the learning platform, where the analytics tool is used to monitor all aspects of a student's learning experience and pro-actively modify the sequencing or presentation style of certain material (for example) when trends indicate that the student is having difficulties with a specific subject.
In particular,
While each of these individual components will be discussed in detail below, it is to be understood that the inter-operability of each component to share tasks and modify aspects of a student's learning experience in real time is based upon the continual sharing of information among the various components.
Service management component 12 is primarily used for controlling access to learning platform 10, including not only general access in the first instance, but also managing various access levels and capabilities/functionalities available to different users. For example, some students may have access to only selected learning modules, or may only be able to implement and use certain 3D tools (the latter perhaps as a function of the type of device that the student is using). Certain schools, learning centers, communities, or the like may have different levels of subscription, depending on the needs in their specific learning environments. While not shown in detail, it is contemplated that services management component 12 includes individual elements that perform user verification, record and store access history logs, monitor subscription records, and the like.
Knowledge base 14 of learning platform 10 is a foundational component of the on-line instructional system of the present invention. In particular, knowledge base 14 includes sets of learning modules developed for a number of well-defined academic disciplines. For explanatory purposes only (and thus not considered to limit the scope of the applicability of the present invention), knowledge base 14 is shown in
Under the control of the learning platform service provider, knowledge base 14 is created, updated, and managed to provide relevant and thorough teaching aids for numerous subjects. Indeed, it is an advantage of the learning platform of the present invention that knowledge base 14 may be configured to include presentations from reputable experts on various subjects, where such information would not be available to most students in a conventional classroom environment, let alone in regions around the world that have minimal access to facilities such as museums, universities, concert halls, and the like.
3D imaging system 16, also included in learning platform 10, is a foundational aspect of the present invention, providing the ability to add the third dimension to the presented material and giving the student a more “real world” setting within which to learn the material being presented. As discussed below, 3D imaging system 16 is particularly configured to allow a student to manipulate 3D objects included within a lesson. Indeed, as mentioned above, a significant aspect of the present invention is the providing of 3D tools for enhancing the learning experience (i.e., “breaking through” the barrier of a computer display screen) to engage with a student in this real-world fashion.
Continuing with the description of learning platform 10 as shown in
It is to be understood that the various components included within learning platform 10 may be organized in several different configurations, the specific arrangement shown in
As mentioned above, one aspect of the present invention is the ability to use/access learning platform 10 in a classroom environment. This classroom access capability is depicted as a schoolroom 28, which may utilize a single 3D display 29 for involvement with a classroom of students. Schoolroom 28 may also provide access to learning platform 10 via several smart devices 22 (for the sake of brevity, “smart devices 22” will be described below as “laptop 22”, with the understanding that other types of display/data entry devices may serve the same purpose).
The ability to provide 3D-based activities as part of a learning session is considered to be a significant advantage of the present invention, which takes the form of using 3D imaging system 16 to interact with various types of user devices and enable bi-directional control of 3D objects presented as part of a particular lesson. For example and as shown in
In another embodiment, a 3D communication device (such as a 3D “mouse”) may be used to control an interactive presentation via learning platform 10 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Details on exemplary 3D communication devices may be found in our co-pending application Serial No. PCT/US19/21070, filed Mar. 7, 2019 and herein incorporated by reference.
While useful, the worldwide reach of sensory-based learning may be limited by the need for laptop devices with advanced graphic capabilities for producing a 3D display as shown in
In various embodiments of the present invention, a student's gestures may be used to control the manipulation of 3D objects as projected on a display, in this case eliminating the need for the student to utilize a mouse, keyboard or touchscreen. In this manner, students in remote locations that otherwise lack access to certain tools and experiences are able to have a more “hands-on” learning experience. For example, a student studying anatomy may be able to “hold”, and “rotate” a 3D display of a human heart to gain a greater understanding of its details.
Continuing with a discussion of the benefits of implementing 3D tools in an on-line learning experience,
While not exhaustive, the various features shown in
Thus, a significant aspect of the present invention is the provision of knowledge base 14 that is regularly updated to maintain timeliness of the presented material, and includes “vetted” material presented by subject matter experts. Additionally, the learning modules are particularly configured to leverage the capabilities of the 3D tools to enhance the learning experience.
For example, Chemistry 72 is shown in the illustration of
For the purposes of illustration, it is presumed that a student has selected module 72M4 “Chemical Kinetics” for instruction. As with conventional computer-based interactive systems, the student may utilize one or more of keyboard, mouse, voice, touch, or movement controls to activate this particular module.
Also shown in
Advantageously, learning platform 10 is configured to create a holistic learning environment, providing supplemental information in the form of context, current events, depth of subject matter, inter-disciplinary learnings, and the like.
An additoinal aspect of the present invention involves the ability of analytics module 18 in combination with services management component 12 to use a specific student's geographical location to supplement the learning environment. For example, a student resident in the Chicago area and interested in the “unified field theory” may be sent a message about an upcoming lecture at the University of Chicago on this subject. A student in the Dallas area interested in bio-fuel development may receive a message regarding a conference on alternative energy sources scheduled for the following week in Ft. Worth.
The capabilities of service management component 12 to track physical locations of students, coupled with the abilities of analytics module 18 to create an information of a student's areas of interest, allow for learning platform 10 to expand the context of instruction beyond the on-line tools.
Another community-based tool is the capability of service management component 12 and analytics module 18 to process area and interest information for multiple students in a manner that allows for the identification of various “interest groups” of subscribed students. For example, the student associated with device 22-a of
While a significant portion of a sensory-based learning experience involves the “touch” sense and 3D manipulation of objects, it is to be understood that other aspects of the present invention relate to various types of visual and audio presentations of instructional material.
Audio-enhanced learning is another tool that may be used in several ways. For example, infusing certain types of music into the learning experience may assist with a particular student's ability to focus on a computer-based activity. The volume of the infused music may further be controlled to assist in this endeavor. Audio-enhanced learning may also take the form of listening to a presentation of the material itself, as discussed above in association with
Another significant aspect of the present invention is the ability to utilize analytics module 18 to provide real-time assessment of a student's progress through one or more portions of knowledge base 14. This information is contemplated to be accessible not only by the student, but by teachers and program administrators. In the case where primary and secondary students are utilizing the learning platform, parents/guardians may access this information as well.
This collected information in terms of time spent, preferred learning styles and tools, etc. can all be organized and presented in various forms, such as 3D graphical breakdown illustrating peaks that are correlated to time/energy spent per subject/day/month, or any other quantifiable set of metrics. The ability to report this type of information is useful in presentations to the student, as well as parents and teachers. Indeed, the use of analytics module 18 to evaluate a student's interactions with learning platform 10 is able to determine areas where a student is struggling, and then utilize advanced analytics to suggest other content modules and/or learning tools and styles that can augment the student's fundamental understanding of the topic.
Additionally, the ability to monitor and track modules and courses that have been mastered by a student allows for the system of the present invention to “flag” any missing pre-requisites a student may have for an advanced topic, and suggest modules that may be utilized to fulfill that requirement. In terms of preparation for college, the learning platform may be used to ensure that a given student has mastered the necessary courses.
It is contemplated that this utilization of analytics module 18 thus provides a personalized learning environment, which may be further enhanced with external activities such as study groups, trips to museums, and the like. Indeed, these advanced analytics may also be used, as mentioned above, to supplement learning in areas of interest for a particular student (where analytics module 18 is used to determine these areas of interest). Again, suggestions may be location-based, including university activities, available experts in a given field, and the like.
Indeed, these advanced analytics may also be used, as mentioned above, to supplement learning in areas of interest for a particular student (where analytics module 18 is used to determine these areas of interest). Again, suggestions may be location-based, including university activities, available experts in a given field, and the like.
It is intended that the environment of presentations provided by learning platform 10 is dynamic and fluid, allowing for different modules to be sequenced in different orders for specific students. The presentation mode is automatically adjusted, via analytics module 18, based on a student's educational needs, struggles and emphasis, providing a “personalized” learning environment.
While the present invention has been discussed in connection with preferred embodiments, it will be understood that various modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present disclosure is intended to be exemplary only, with the scope of the present invention covering any adaptations or variations thereof. For example, different labels for the various features, screen sections, and database organizations may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Indeed, this invention should be limited only by the claims appended hereto, and equivalents thereof.
This application claims the benefit of the following applications: U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/748,481, filed Oct. 21, 2018; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/748,482, filed Oct. 21, 2018; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/748,486, filed Oct. 21, 2018, wherein each of the above-identified applications is incorporated by reference herein.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2019/057289 | 10/21/2019 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62748486 | Oct 2018 | US | |
62748482 | Oct 2018 | US | |
62748481 | Oct 2018 | US |