AU2008200370A1

AU2008200370A1 - Teaching management system

Info

Publication number: AU2008200370A1
Application number: AU2008200370A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Santamaria
Original assignee: DMS SYSTEMS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: DMS SYSTEMS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-01-24
Filing date: 2008-01-24
Publication date: 2008-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 2028-01-24
Also published as: AU2008200370B2

Description

24. Jan. 2008 17:23 Actuate IP Group No. 5007 P. 4 rM Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT

APPLICANT:

NUMBER:

FILING DATE: INVENTION TITLE: DMS Systems Pty Ltd TEACHING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM The following statement Is a full description of this invention, Including the best method of performing it known to me: COMS ID No: ARCS-176699 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:31 Date 2008-01-24 24. Jan, 2008 17:24 A ct ua te I P G r u No. 5007 -2- 00 o TEACHING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SField of the Invention The invention relates to task and assessment management systems for schools and ci education staff, and in particular, to an electronic teaching management system which provides a comprehensive automated means of managing all areas of teaching and allows a user(s) to perform and manage their day-to-day teaching, en omanagement and/or assessment responsibilities.

00 Whilst the Invention may be applied to any task management or application for any osuitable organisation, for convenience sake, it shall be described herein in terms of a management system for use by a teacher or other education staff, Background to the Invention The teaching profession involves a high level of management and organisational skills. Teachers are required to build a course curriculum according to regulatory criteria, monitor student progress, create daily lessons, assess student work and write reports as part of their role and ongoing duties. This can be stressful and time consuming to the teacher, especially around student assessment and report writing time.

The predominant method used by most teachers to manage their classes and students is to keep paper records. Class lists and lesson plans may be written by hand In a journal, or other document holder, with student's marks and comments also being recorded. This method is extremely Inefficient as it results in the double handling and recording of information, particularly in relation to student reports.

Occasionally, it is necessary to officially audit records to validate how students have achieved a certificate, such as a high school certificate. Typically, in order to retrieve this information, auditors would need to look at each Individual assignment the student has completed, attendance records, and the content of the lessons given to the student, which can be qufte tedious.

COMS ID No: ARCS-176699 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:31 Date 2008-01-24 24. Jan. 2008 17:24 Actuate IP Group No, 5007 P. 6 -3- Q0 Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a comprehensive automated teaching management system that allows a user(s) to manage their dayto-day teaching, management and/or assessment responsibilities.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a teaching management system including: at least one server having at least one database accessible by at least one user; o an Interactive interface which provides a means for said user(s) to interact with the Sserver(s) and/or each other via a computer connected to said server(s) over a 0 0 distributed communications network; 0at least one teaching curriculum; an administration/student record means; at least one assessment tool; at least one managing tool; and at least one reporting tool whereby the teaching management system provides a comprehensive automated teaching management system which allows said user(s) to perform and manage their day-to-day teaching, management and/or assessment responsibilities, It Is preferred that the server may be located at the school or at an alternate remote location.

It is preferred that the user may be a teacher, administrative/other staff member and/or a student, It Is further preferred that Interface has provided at least one page/screeen that allows the user to access the features of the system, such as the assessment tools, the managing tools and the reporting tools.

It is preferred that a first assessment tool enables a user to build at least one assessment task based on a curriculum structure.

It Is preferred that a second assessment tool enables a user to create assessment criteria for an assessment task(s).

COMS ID No: ARCS-176699 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:31 Date 2008-01-24 24. Jan, 2008 17:24 Actuate IP Group No. 5007 P. 7 -4- OO It is preferred that a third assessment tool is preferably a grading tool which enables a user to assess a student for an assessment task.

It is preferred that a first managing tool enables a user to organise lessons and daily class activities, whereby the user is able to plan and create day to day lessons and also keep a records of all the lessons In the curriculum.

o It is preferred that a second managing tool enables a user to organise homework tasks, whereby the user is able to set, organise and monitor the completion of o homework/assessment tasks.

0O 0 It is preferred that a third managing tool enables a user to manige student 0 attendances and records and make note of student behaviour.

It is preferred that a first reporting tool provides for a tool to create an overall report, preferably for a student, by allowing the user to select information recorded in the database using the managing and assessment tools and collate the Information into a readily understood report.

It is preferred that a second reporting tool provides for a class overview of various recorded information, such as class activities, marks for each assessment task, and comments on students.

It is preferred that the teaching management system is further adapted to be integrated with the student administration system such that student details and enrolments can be imported and collaborated.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood we will describe by way of non-limiting example of a specific embodiment thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures Figure 1 shows a main page of the teaching management system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows an example of a curriculum structure of the teaching management system according to an embodiment of the invention.

COMS ID No: ARCS-176699 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:31 Date 2008-01-24 24. Jan. 2008 17:24 A c t u a t e I P G r o u p No. 5007 P. 8 O0 Figure 3 shows an example of a lesson plan of the teaching management 0 system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIgure 4 shows an example of an attendance record of the teaching management system according to an embodiment of the Invention.

Figure 5 shows an example of a homework plan of the teaching management osystem according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 shows an example of a grading tool of the teaching management N system according to an embodiment of the invention.

00 O0 Figure 7 shows an example of a student report of the teaching management system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 shows an example of an overview report of the teaching management system according to an embodiment of the Invention.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention The present invention provides a comprehensive automated teaching management system 1 which allows a user(s) to perform and manage their day-to-day teaching, management and/or assessment responsibilities. Overall, the system allows a user to manage every aspect of teaching, such as building a curriculum based on regulatory standards, building assessment tasks, managing students, and allowing student reports to be produced easily and quickly. It is envisaged that the features and functionality of the system 1 may be varied as desired to suit the needs and/or requirements of different teachers, schools or applications.

Generally, it will be the class teacher who will use the system. However, it Is envisaged that the user may also be interpreted to be any administrative other suitable staff member of a school, or perhaps even a student in some cases can also use the system. For example, the Principal of the school may wish to Import the relevant curriculum for each class, or the office administrator may change the student's contact details.

COMS ID No: ARCS-176699 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:31 Date 2008-01-24 24.Jan. 2008 17:25 A c t u a t e I P G r o u P No. 500) P. 9 -6- 0O The system 1 preferably has provided a server (not shown). It is envisaged that the 0 oserver can be located either at the school or at an alternate remote location outside Cl the school premises. The server may preferably comprise a computer made by any suitable computer manufacturer such as Hewlett Packard, Dell, IBM, Toshiba or the like. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the server is preferably adapted to C be integrated with the administration system of a school and have at least one user's computer (not shown) connected thereto via a local, remote and/or distributed ocommunications network or connection. Alternatively, it is envisaged that any other suitable electronic device such as a PDA, mobile phone or the lke may also be Oemployed. In an alternate embodiment, the system could be provided on individual N computers which could be used in conjunction with an existing administration system

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0 storing student details andlor records.

0 The server preferably has provided at least one database (not shown). The database(s) is/are adapted to store information relevant to the system such as student details, student attendance, curriculum structure and requirements, teaching methods, lesson plans and class activities, assessment tasks, student grades, comments and/or any other suitable information. The system can utilise a Microsoft Access platform for Windows operating systems. However, it is envisaged that any other applicable software or customlsed software and/or platform could also be used to work with any operating system.

The user is able to interact with the system via a software interface 2 on the display screen of their computer that is adapted to be easy to use and provide quick access to all the features of the system. The interface Is preferably in the form of a software application which enables a user to interact with the system/server and enter, modify, save and retrieve information. The Interface has provided at least one page/screen that provides access to a feature(s) of the system. A main page 15 shown in Figure 1 preferably allows the user to quickly link to the various features of the system, such as the curriculum, student records, assessment tools, the managing tools and/or reporting tools via specific links. The main page 15 has provided at least one link 11 including, but not limited to, curriculum, students, teaching, grading, settings, back up import, individual student summary, class overview, class worksheet and/or student comments. The links 11 are preferably depicted as icons, interactive text, buttons and/or selections on a drop-down menu or the like. The user can select the relevant link 11, which will then direct the user to another page/soreen specific to that particular feature/functionality. Each page/screen provided by the COMS ID No: ARCS-176699 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:31 Date 2008-01-24 24. Jan. 2008 17:25 Actuate IP Group No.5007 P. -7- 00 interface has at least one menullink which enables a user to easily navigate and be 0 odirected to the different features of the system and/or returned back to the main/previous screen(s). It is further envisaged that each page/screen may also have provided at least one option 12 which can be selected, by highlighting and/or clicking the option, and/or at least one editable field for entering Information.

The system 1 has provided a curriculum structure 20. The curriculum structure 20 is oadapted to be developed from a curriculum standard which is provided, or can be n obtained, from an appropriate regulatory authority. The applicable regulatory authority will be the authority that regulates the teaching curriculum for the users Cl area, for example, in the state of Victoria, Australia, the Department of Education 00 o sets the Victorian Essential Learning Standards. In a preferred embodiment, the 0curriculum standard can be Imported into the system to ensure that all teaching and assessment regimes meet the regulatory standards for particular grades or year levels for any particular course of study. The system 1 is then adapted to enable a user to build their curriculum structure 20 for a particular class, year level, course of study and/or school. The curriculum building structure 20 can preferably be accessed and used by selecting the "Curriculum" option on the main page 15. It is envisaged the system 1 may have provided a wizard which is adapted to simplify the process for selecting and/or importing the relevant curriculum standard and assisting a user to build the curriculum structure in order to meet all the skill requirements for passing a certain task and/or grade level.

The system 1 has provided at least one assessment tool. A first assessment tool (not shown) is an assessment task creator which is adapted to enable a user to build at least one assessment task based on the curriculum structure 20. The assessment task creator is preferably adapted to be integrated, and work in tandem, with the curriculum building feature to satisfy the curriculum standards. The user is able to select a level (for example Grade 4) within the curriculum structure 20 and/or requirement that must be met, and then assign a project or task that students are required to undertake in order to meet the teaching and grading requirements.

A second assessment tool is an assessment criteria creator which Is adapted to enable a user to create and set assessment criteria for an assessment task. The assessment criteria creator is adapted to be. integrated or associated with the assessment task creating tool. For each assessment task the user builds assessment criteria by which the student will be marked against for the assessment COMS ID No: ARCS-176699 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:31 Date 2008-01-24 24.Jan. 2008 17:25 A c t u a t e I P G r o u p No. 5007 P. 11 -8- 0O task. The assessment criteria creator is adapted to create a sub-form detailing the assessment criteria that a user can use to correct a student's work, which can be accessed via a "Grading" page, as described below. The user Is able to assign marks, weighting, due dates, codes and/or other relevant factors which can be used to maintain a progressive record of the student's achievement throughout the year. It c is envisaged that the first and/or second assessment tool may preferably have provided a wizard function which is adapted to automate and/or simplify the process oof a user going through the various steps required to create and set one or more assessment tasks and assessment criteria.

0 cN A third assessment tool is a grading tool 30 which enables a user to assess each

OO

0 student for each assessment task, whereby the assessment task and assessment ocriteria can be imported from the database once it has been created using the first and second assessment tools. In practice, if the user wished to mark a student on a particular assessment task, they would choose the "Grading" button from the main page 15. Once directed to the grading menu on the grading tool page 30, the user would then select the student from a class list, and then the relevant assessment task from a list. A sub-form 31 Is then displayed detailing all the criteria for the assessment task. The user can then enter the student's mark/weighting for each assessment criteria. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system will then automatically calculate and assign the relevant grade for that particular assessment task based on calculations and settings which have been programmed into the system and/or allocated to the grading method for that assessment task/course of study. The user can also record comments/feedback provided to the student regarding the standard of work. The grading tool preferably has provided a means which enables the user to measure and determine the student's progress in relation to a National Standards progression, provided by regulatory authorities, and adjust the system's output, including teaching and assessment regimes, to best match each student's capabilities.

The system preferably has provided at least one managing tool. The managing tools are preferably adapted to be integrated with the system and accessible via a common location, such as a 'teachlng" menu on the home page of the system. It is further preferred that each management tool may be separated by its own menu/page or tab divider. A first managing tool is preferably designed to enable a user to create, organise and manage lesson plans. The first managing tool is a lesson plan and activity creator 40 which enables a user to plan and create day-to- COMS ID No: ARCS-176699 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:31 Date 2008-01-24 24.Jan. 2008 17:26 Actuate IP Group No. 5007 P. 12 -9- 0 day lesson plans and activities and also keep a record of all past and future lessons in the curriculum. For example, the user could select a date from the previous week, l and review what lesson was given on a particular day, or enter lesson topic and points for a lesson to occur the next day. The lesson plan and activity creator 40 is designed to function as a daily planner which allows a teacher to keep track of the l activities engaged during class each day for later reference.

oA second managing tool Is homework tool 50 which is adapted to enable a user to set, organise and monitor the completion of homework tasks/assessment tasks.

O Using this tool 50, the user Is able to plan and create homework tasks, including 0 recording the date the homework was set and any submission deadlines. The user 0can then track the completion of homework tasks by each student and record O comments for a given task and/or set of tasks. It is envisaged that this information can be obtained in a report for use in parent/teacher interviews and/or student counselling.

A third managing tool is a student attendance record 60 which Is designed for the management of student attendances and records. The student attendance record can be used to record a student's daily attendance for each and/or all classes. The tool 60 can also be used to record observatlons/comments regarding a student's behaviour andlor general performance. It Is envisaged that this information can be obtained in a report for use in parent/teacher interviews and/or student counselling. It is envisaged that a review can also be performed after parent-teacher Interviews have occurred.

The teaching management system 1 has provided at least one reporting tool. A first reporting tool is a student report 70 which is designed to create an overall report for a student by allowing the user to select information recorded in the database, using the managing and assessment tools, and collate the selected information into a readily understood report which details the student's performance, The student report may be adapted to collate the marks and comments which have been recorded for completed assessment tasks to provide an indication and/or update of their performance.

A second reporting tool is an overview report 80 which is designed to provide a user with a class overview of various recorded information, such as class activities, marks for each assessment task, and comments on students. The class overview report COMS ID No: ARCS-176699 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:31 Date 2008-01-24 24. Jan. 2008 17:26 Actuate IP Group No. 5007 P. 13 O0 allows a user to track the progress of all students and provide a comparative analysis across the entire class to determine which students may require further attention or l recognition.

The reporting functilonality, and types of reports generated, may be varied and l dependent on the requirements of the user. It is envisaged that additional reports able to be compiled and generated by the system may include, but not be limited to, oan assessment summary sheet, general overview of the curriculum domains and dimensions, overview of class activities, class lists, summary of student o comments/record and/or any other suitable report required. The reports generated Cl may be targeted at teachers, principals, students, parents and/or any other suitable O0 o person.

0 It is preferred that the teaching management system 1 Is further adapted to be Integrated with the student administration system such that student details and enrolments can be imported directly into the database and information can be collaborated automatically. Thus, WIf a student enrolled into a class or changed their details in any way through the school administration, the changes would also be updated and implemented in the teaching management system.

Preferably the system 1 allows for information that is relevant to future teaching years/semesters be stored for re-use in a future teaching cycle, Information likely to be re-used would include the curriculum structure, assessment tasks, assessment criteria and/or the lessons. it is envisaged that the data, particularly that relating to the course structure, can also be exported to a separate file. This information can be given to a replacement teacher so that the recording of student's learning and assessment, for example, is continued uninterrupted.

Further, because all the information relating to a student's education is recorded in the system 1, Including each individual assignment the student has completed, along with attendance records, and the content of the lessons given to the student, it Is envisaged that the system will be able to be used as an efficient audit system for validating the achievement of a particular certificate or award.

The teaching management system 1 is adapted to be tailored to the needs of a user and future embodiments may incorporate additional features to achieve this. The COMS ID No: ARCS-176699 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:31 Date 2008-01-24 24. Jan. 2008 17:26 Actuate IP Group No. 5007 P. 14 -11- 0O system preferably has provided a settings section which is adapted to enable the 0 ouser to customise the features provided and/or functionality of the selected features.

The invention provides an electronic means for recording the day-to-day management of a classroom or a course of study. The system preferably allows a cteacher(s) or education staff to build a curriculum structure 20 based on five levels of assessment which can be built through a wizard or constructed manually. As the otasks are set and completed, the teacher can grade a student's work and the system will automatically link to the curriculum structure 20 and update student's assessment immediately. Teachers can then prepare for report writing at a mouse click rather than spending hours to make manual links during a stressful time. Teachers can also

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o track and monitor a student's progressive performance and achievements at any otime. The system 1 is designed such that any information stored within the database can be collated into a report and printed out for the teacher, student, parent or any other suitable person. The system 1 is designed to be linked with the school's administration system to eliminate the double handling of information. The system 1 also assists education providers and schools in the auditing process of the curriculum studies.

While we have described heroin a particular embodiment of a teaching management system 1, it Is further envisaged that other embodiments of the Invention could exhibit any number and combination of any one of the features previously described, However, It is to be understood that any variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

COMS ID No: ARCS-176699 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:31 Date 2008-01-24

Claims

24. Jan. 2008 17:26 Actuate IP Group No. 5007 P. -12- o The claims defining the invention are as follows: O 1. A teaching management system including: O c- at least one server having at least one database accessible by at least one user; San interactive software interface which provides a means for said user(s) to Interact with the server(s) and/or each other via a computer connected to said server(s) over a distributed communications network; a curriculum structure; Oan administration/student record means; at least one assessment tool; Oat least one managing tool; and 0 at least one reporting tool whereby the teaching management system provides a 0 comprehensive automated teaching management system which allows said Ouser(s) to perform and manage their day-to-day teaching, management and/or assessment responsibilities. 2. A teaching management system as claimed in claim I wherein the server is any suitable computer located at the school or at an alternate remote location. 3. A teaching management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the interface has provided at least one page/seresen that allows the user to access the features of the system, such as the assessment tools, the managing tools, student records and/or the reporting tools. 4. A teaching management system as claimed in claim 3 wherein each page has provided at least one link which enables a user to easily navigate and be directed to the different features of the system and/or returned back to the main/previous screen(s) preferably depleted as icons, interactive text, buttons and/or selections on a drop-down menu or the like. A teaching management system as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein each page/screen has provided at least one option which can be selected, by highlighting and/or clicking the option, and/or at least one editable field for entering information. 8. A teaching management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the curriculum structure is adapted to be developed from a curriculum standard which is COMS ID No: ARCS-176699 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:31 Date 2008-01-24 24. Jan. 2008 17:27 Actuate IP Group No. 5007 P. 16 13 00 provided, or can be obtained, from an appropriate regulatory authority and can be imported into the system. 7. A teaching manugement system as claimed In claim 1 wherein a first assessment tool is an assessment task creator which is adapted to enable a user to build at least one assessment task based on the curriculum structure. o8. A teaching management system as claimed In claim 7 wherein the user is able to soledt a level within the curriculum structure and/or requirement that must be met o and then assign a project or task that students are required to undertake in order 0 to meet the teaching and grading requirements. 00 o9. A teaching management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a second assessment tool Is an assessment criteria creator which is adapted to enable a user to create and set assessment criteria for an assessment task. A teaching management system as claimed In claim 9 wherein the user builds assessment criteria for each assessment task by which the student will be marked against for the assessment task. 11. A teaching management system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a third assessment tool Is a grading tool which enables a user to assess each student for each assessment task. 12. A teaching management system as claimed In claim 11 wherein the system will then automatically calculate and assign the relevant grade for that particular assessment task based on calculations and settings which have been programmed into the system and/or allocated to the grading method for that assessment task/course of study. 13. A teaching management system as claimed in claim I I or claim 12 wherein the grading tool preferably has provided a means which enables the user to measure and determine the student's progress in relation to a National Standards progression, provided by regulatory authorities, and adjust the system's output, including teaching and assessment regimes, to best match each student's capabilities. COMS ID No: ARCS-176699 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:31 Date 2008-01-24 24. Jan. 2008 17:27 Actuate IP Group No. 5007 P. 17 14- 00 14. A teaching management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a first managing O o tool is a lesson plan and activity creator which enables a user to plan and create day-to-day lesson plans and activities and also keep a record of all past and Ct future lessons in the curriculum. Cl 15. A teaching management system as claimed In claim 1 wherein a second managing tool is homework tool which is adapted to enable a user to set, o organise and monitor the completion of homework tasks/assessment tasks. S16. A teaching management system as claimed in claim 15 wherein a third managing 00 1 tool is a student attendance record which is designed for the management of o student attendances, records, behaviour and general performance. 17. A teaching management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a first reporting tool is a student report which is adapted to collate the marks and comments which have been recorded for completed assessment tasks to provide an indication and/or update of their performance. 18. A teaching management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a second reporting tool is an overview report which is designed to provide a user with a class overview of various recorded information and/or allows a user to track the progress of all students and provide a comparative analysis across the entire class to determine which students may require further attention or recognition. 19. A teaching management system as claimed in any preceding claim which is adapted to be integrated or associated with the student administration system such that student details and enrolments can be imported directly into the database and information can be collaborated automatically A teaching management system as claimed in any one of the above claims which further comprise a wizard for assisting in the creation of particular features and/or functions of the system. 21. A teaching management system as substantially described herein with reference to the drawing figures, COMS ID No: ARCS-176699 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:31 Date 2008-01-24