AU2005100727A4 - An educational system - Google Patents

Description

07-SEP-2005 13:57 From:NYNNES PAT&TM ATTORN 0733421292 To:0262837999 o AN EDUCATIONAL METHOD 0 I FIELD OF INVENTION SThe present invention relates to a method and system for teaching language.

The present invention has particular but not exclusive application for teaching the ci English language to young children. The specification provides examples of o teaching the English language to children, but this is by way of example only and the it method may be applied to any person depending on their competence and learning Sage. Reference in the specification to using the method to teach the English language is also by way of example only and other languages may be taught by the method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Most methods of teaching the English language rely on one mode of presentation such as using text books, CDs and audio tapes, worksheets and oral drills. Each of the current different modes of teaching the English language are aimed at students with different competency levels because some modes require an initial English language competency before they can be used by the student. Most of these methods are 'text-based approaches'. None of the current modes of teaching appear to cater for the young, pre-literate child who can not write or read.

Furthermore, the current modes of presentation are sequential and linear in the way the English language is taught. None of the current modes of presentation appear to be dynamic and respond to the individual students' needs, abilities and learning style preference. Consequently, the student often has an academic and tedious experience of learning a new language through the current modes of presentation, which are often grammar and rule-based. Students often find it difficult COMS ID No: SBMI-01473860 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:02 Date 2005-09-07 07-SEP-2005 13:57 From:WYNNES PFT&TM ATTORN 0733421292 To:062837999 P.6/18 i n -2- 0 o to relate real life use of the language when they are taught with the current methods C) as the approaches are non-contextualized and therefore do not represent real English for real-life purposes.

1 5 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative method of Steaching a language which overcomes at least in part one or more of the Sabovementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The current invention was developed in response to teaching method developments and a better understanding of how to teach languages. The invention is based on the concept of exposing the student to different multi-dimensional teaching processes involving different senses and engaging different aspects of thinking, including variations in Individual learning styles, so that the student experiences the language in every day type situations and realistic encounters. This encompasses the use of 'common language' (or colloquialisms), a language feature not included in current traditional, text- and grammar-based approaches. In order to develop a multi-dimensional teaching method, it was necessary to develop new programs and modes of presentation, integrating the various modes of presentation to produce a single competent method of teaching a language.

In one aspect the present invention broadly resides in a method for teaching a language to a student including viewing a video, live-streamed or broadcast presentation involving the use of the language by the student; COMS ID No: SBMI-01473860 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:02 Date 2005-09-07 07-SEP-2005 13:57 From:WYNNES PAT&TM RTTORN 0733421292 To:0262837999 P.7/18 i-3" 0 o selecting a learning option from an interactive medium or related website by ^C the student depending on their age, English and technical competency level and learning style preference; performing a task or lesson from the selected learning option; and S assessing the student's level of competency after finishing their task or lesson.

0 SThe method may also include additional steps of directing the student to o different tasks and options to reinforce the learning of the previous task or lesson.

N The method may also include a further step of reassessing the student's competency level after the additional tasks and lessons have been completed.

The video presentation is preferably a television-type episode that can be viewed through a television, computer or other suitable medium. The video presentation is preferably designed as part of the core product from which a student may be directed to other suitable presentation products.

The website and interactive media preferably have similar tasks or lessons.

The website is preferably updated regularly with new material. New or additional interactive media is produced when there is sufficient new material or a new edition is produced.

The interactive medium is preferably a DVD media format providing the student with a variety of options to explore and develop their language competency.

The options preferably include language, music and dance options, animation options, live action options, reading and game options. Live action options may include video segments involving people speaking the language in real life situations.

The animation option may include an option of the student making their own COMS ID No: SBMI-01473860 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:02 Date 2005-09-07 07-SEP-2005 13:58 From:WYNNES PFT&TM RTTORN 0733421292 To:0262837999 P.8/113 n -4- 0 o animation game during which the foreign language use is elicited by way of providing a a voice-over for the animated sequences created by the student.

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CO/ The method preferably involves a plurality of media formats. The method 0 preferably involves a plurality of interaction types including games, animation, karaoke and computer based options. The method preferably uses a variety of topics and interests to engage students of different chronological or developmental Sage. The method preferably has media formats, topics and interests that are 0 suitable for preschool students. Preferably the tasks and lessons for young children

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do not involve reading or writing as instructions or teaching input is provided through auditory prompts and vocalizations. The method preferably has tasks and lessons for young children which involves vocalization and visualization of Instructions and teaching.

The method preferably involves a video presentation in the form of a television-type episode that forms the base from which related tasks or lessons are performed with other suitable presentation products.

In another aspect the invention broadly resides in a system for teaching a foreign language including a plurality of video presentations for involving and exposing a student to the use of a foreign language in a real life situation; and an interactive DVD or website that allows a student to develop their competency in a foreign language using a variety of media formats and assessing their competency after they have finished a lesson or task.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01473860 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:02 Date 2005-09-07 07-SEP-2005 13:58 From:WYNNES PAT&TM FTTORN 0733421292 To:0262837999 P.9/18 mn 0 0 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.S In order that the present invention can be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein; Figure 1 is a flow diagram showing how a student uses the educational S method and system; and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic presentation of the language learning method and system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment is described for an 8 year old student learning the English language. As shown in Figure 1, students of different ages can use the method and system but for the purposes of providing a preferred embodiment and by way of example only, the method used is in relation to an 8 year old child.

With the method, an 8 year old child and possibly other members of their family will initially view a video presentation in the form of television-type broadcast episode on their TV. The episode may include a live action drama segment, animation, music, dance and activities. Each episode will introduce specific characters, stories and music in a manner that will teach and reinforce particular language themes or targets. The episode will refer the student to complementary and integrated interactive media, being a website or products that form part of the educational system such as specifically produced DVDs and CDs.

If the student chooses to enter the website, they will have the option of accessing games, live actions segments, music, animation, stories and other COMS ID No: SBMI-01473860 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:02 Date 2005-09-07 07-SEP-2005 13:58 From:WYNNES PAT&TM ATTORN 0733421292 To:062837999 P.101118 -6- 0 o interactive language-related matter, if they are subscribed members. If the student Is Sunsubscribed, they will have limited access to options on the website which will provide them with the opportunity to test and explore the website so that they can 0 make a determination whether to subscribe. If the student decides to subscribe, it is possible to subscribe online.

Ci Students, who are subscribers and entering the site for the first time, will be 0 initially graded according to their preferred learning style, their English language o proficiency and the level of technological proficiency. In the present preferred C embodiment, the 8 year old student may have the choice to select an icon which matches their play choice. Their play choice or learning style is selected from music, live action or animation. The 8 year old student will then complete an English language assessment to determine language proficiency, The English language assessment is preferably presented as a game but is designed to test their competency with the English language. The game is provided as a "point and click" game using the mouse on the computer, not a keyboard which assumes at least, basic literacy. The student's ability to use basic computer skills tests their level of technological proficiency which determines the range of media formats that are then made available to them.

When the assessment has been conducted and the information analyzed, the student is graded as a beginner, intermediate or advanced. The 8 year old student then begins to work their way up through the levels of the selected play choice such as live action, animation or music.

If the 8 year old student selects the music icon, the screen will present a series of English language karaoke games. The karaoke games are image rather than text based. The 8 year old student can watch and respond in English, or other COMS ID No: SBMI-01473860 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:02 Date 2005-09-07 07-SEP-2005 13:58 From:WYNNES PFT&TM RTTORN 0733421292 To:026283799 P.11/18 n -7- 0 O target language to characters vocalizing songs and rhymes that they can sing and also repeat. This is different to some current kareoke games, where the words are

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displayed on the screen with a white ball bouncing over them. The 8 year old student can record and make copies of their own performances if they have additional software such as a webcam and a small microphone. Keeping a record of their performances serves as a measure of their English language competency as on 0 a specified date and a determination as to whether the student has improved may be Sconducted by comparing later recorded performances. Preferably the initial games c are call-and-response and chant based games. As the student improves, the complexity of the English in the games and songs increases thereby increasing their English language competency.

If the student chooses the live action icon, the student watches drama segments from the prepared episodes and is presented with games based on narrative construction. For example, the student may choose to finish a particular story of a short drama segment or they may choose to be an author and select the most appropriate English language response for the on screen characters in a drama segment.

If the student selects the animation icon, they can use defined character images to create their own animated stories. As the student progresses through the levels, they may choose to use additional hardware and software, such as weboam and microphone, to film themselves and record their own voices speaking the English language as voice-overs as part of their own animated sequences.

At any stage the student may select another icon and begin working through the levels of a different play choice. For example, the student may move from live COMS ID No: SBMI-01473860 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:02 Date 2005-09-07 07-SEP-2005 13:59 From:WYNNES PRT&TM RTTORN 0733421292 To:0262837999 P.12zle mf -s.

0 o action to animation at any stage or when they have reached the highest level in the Slive action selection.

The website preferably has additional icons which can lead the student to a feedback section, promotions or a merchandise section.

The website will be continually updated on a regular basis, such as every 6 Smonths, to include new games, new challenges and new levels for all play choices.

For example, the live action icon will include video segments from the latest of series Sof the broadcast TV episodes.

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The interactive media format such as DVD is available as part of the learning system and will include many of the games, music, animation and lessons that are provided on the website. As the website is updated with new learning material, a new DVD may be produced with this material for students who do not subscribe to the website.

The method and system may also be represented as an institutional tool for use in the classroom to a larger number of students. The represented method and system may also include a teacher's guide to assist teachers in helping students learn with the method and system.

ADVANTAGES

The advantages of the preferred embodiment of the present invention include providing a method and system for teaching a foreign language which encourages the experimental or productive use of the target language in context. It does so by providing a multi-media format that responds to the student's language and technological competencies and learning preferences (or type of intelligence) to COMS ID No: SBMI-01473860 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:02 Date 2005-09-07 07-SEP-2005 13:59 From:WYNNES PRT&TM ATTORN 0733421292 To:0262837999 P.13/18 m- 0 0 provide an integrated, dynamic non-sequential, non-linear language learning method C) and system.

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VARIATIONS

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within o the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

c Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01473860 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:02 Date 2005-09-07

Claims (1)

1. 07-SEP-2005 13:59 From:WYNNES PRT&TM ATTORN 0733421292 To:0262837999 P.14/18 0 0 CLAIMS 1. A method for teaching a language to a student including viewing a video, live-streamed or broadcast presentation involving the use of S the language by the student; 0" t selecting a learning option from an interactive medium or related website by Sthe student depending on their age, English and technical competency level and learning style preference: c performing a task or lesson from the selected learning option: and assessing the student's level of competency after finishing their task or lesson. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are additional steps of directing the student to different tasks and options to reinforce the learning of the previous task or lesson, and a further step of reassessing the student's competency level after the additional tasks and lessons have been completed. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein a video presentation in the form of a television-type episode forms the base from which related tasks or lessons are performed with other suitable presentation products. 4. The method of any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the tasks and lessons for young children involve vocalization and visualization of instructions and teaching. COMS ID No: SBMI-01473860 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:02 Date 2005-09-07 07-SEP-2005 13:59 From:WYNNES PRT&TM ATTORN 0733421292 To:0262837999 mf -11- 0 o 5. A system for teaching a foreign language including a plurality of video presentations for involving and exposing a student to the use of a foreign language c) in a real life situation; and t"- an interactive DVD or website that allows a student to develop their competency in a foreign language using a variety of media formats and assessing their competency after they have finished a lesson or task. 0 DATED THIS SEVENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2005 WORTHSEEING MEDIA HOLDINGS PTY LTD by its Patent Attorneys WYNNES PATENT AND TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS COMS ID No: SBMI-01473860 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:02 Date 2005-09-07