Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
  • G09B5/00—Electrically-operated educational appliances

Definitions

• the invention relates to a computer system for performing several types of independent education, training and administrative tasks in a virtual world of learning, in particular a university or a business school, according to the preamble of claim 1.
• US 5 829 983 describes a computerized training system for use within companies.
• This system consists of a central system and many decentralized systems for the locally distributed trainers and the associated trainees.
• the task to be solved by the system is to maintain a uniform level of training through a uniform training target and monitoring the achievement of goals.
• WO 98/13807 a computer-assisted training system for students is known, in which the profiles of the students i.e. their performance, learning progress and lack of training are determined. Depending on this profile, the education of the students is controlled. Here, the students can be in one place or in different places.
• the object of this invention is to develop the system known from US Pat. No. 5,829,983 in such a way that it can be used more flexibly and universally and is easier to use.
• changes should be made faster without restrictions and easier to implement during ongoing operation.
• the advantages of the system according to the invention are that the use of the known Internet technology (for example HTML, Java / Javascript, DHTML, CGI / Perl, Java applets / servlets) and the additional division into subsystems with modules ensure flexible use. Self-learning programs, for example on CD and from the intranet, are therefore easy to integrate and the subsequent installation of audio elements is made easier. Another advantage is that different modules can be used in both subsystems without having to make major changes.
• the use of internet technology also offers the possibility of easily simulating a virtual learning world in accordance with the normal world.
• FIG. 1 schematic structure of a web server used in the system
• Figure 2 schematic representation of the dependencies within the virtual learning world
• FIG. 3 schematic representation of the first subsystem ("general campus”)
• Figure 4 schematic representation of the structure of the second subsystem ("individual campus”)
• Figure 5 schematic representation of the structure of the forum for general information
• Figure 7 structured representation of the structure of a curriculum
• Figure 8 schematic representation of the dependencies between seminars, curriculum and second subsystem
• Figure 9 schematic representation of the structure of a seminar
• Figure 10 schematic representation of the process when dialing into the second
• Subsystem and Figure 1 1 schematic representation of the dependencies within the virtual learning world ("campus").
• the hardware that was used in the exemplary embodiment is shown schematically in FIG. 1;
• the main component is a web server of a known type.
• the web server contains a "servlet engine” which manages the servlets, provides the servlet interfaces and stores the classes of the application program interfaces (abbreviated to API: Application Programming Interface).
• the web server has persistent data storage in the form of an object-oriented database , abbreviated with OO-DB, connected.
• the technical part is designed as an object-oriented, database-supported structure, as a result of which the resulting complexity is easy to master.
• Object-orientation has been maintained continuously by the analysis and design of object-oriented in the exemplary embodiment using UML with Rational Rose and using an object-oriented database - in the exemplary embodiment, the "object store" database was used -.
• PIET Plate for intranet-based education and training.
• Platform independence has been achieved through the use of open standards; the implementation was carried out entirely in Java, using standardized Java interfaces and using web technology 3 with a browser as a client.
• the subsystems and modules are constructed with side support.
• the pages are predominantly HTML-based intranet pages; however, PDF files were used for extensive documents (e.g. for printing).
• the pages of the subsystems and modules are arranged hierarchically and some pages form subsets of another page. The individualization of the pages - i.e. the same type of page looks a bit different depending on the specifications or has different content - was achieved by querying individual data records from
• Serverlet APIs which consist of Java class libraries, were used in the exemplary embodiment for participant and rights management and for additional group management, the learning content of the various training programs, the current status and course of the training of each trainee in the selected training programs, participant management, a dictionary module and a publicly accessible communication forum.
• a real "3D world” was dispensed with in the exemplary embodiment; only "rendered” views from a 3D world were added to the individual image files as background.
• the methodological part consists of a first freely accessible subsystem and a second subsystem that is only accessible after a registration process and can only be reached via the first subsystem.
• the subsystems contain branches to various modules; some of these are the same for both subsystems.
• the first subsystem consists of an entrance area ("front page") and a connecting page, which is called "general campus”.
• the second subsystem consists of only one connection page and is called “individual campus”.
• Linked to the connection pages are the modules library (dictionary and document management), seminar, assessment, "Infodesk” (general and personal information forum) and "pin board” (public accessible communication forum); other modules such as "internships / exercises, forums, tests" depend on these modules.
• the places that are assigned to the "Actor” class relate to people and are divided into natural persons, for example visitors, participants and virtual persons, for example mentor, tutor.
• the natural person "Visitor” is a person who selects the computer system and accesses it the general information.
• the participant on the other hand, is a person who is known to the system through a registration and who is one Undergoes training. He has access to all information related to his training.
• Natural persons also include the moderator, who maintains the system, corrects incorrect connections, provides feedback on the content, answers questions and evaluates the registrations, and the lecturer who supervises seminars and related lessons and is responsible for their content.
• the assessor and the specialist coach are also natural persons, one of whom is assigned to an assessment and responsible for its content, while the other is assigned to a forum and is responsible for its structure and operation within the forum.
• Data sets are assigned to natural persons with the exception of the visitor in the computer system, by means of which they are clearly identifiable for the computer system and on the basis of which the computer system allows the modules to work.
• Various tools are available to natural persons to perform their tasks.
• the moderator has an administration tool for evaluating the registrations, which enables him to maintain the participant database (remove or block unwanted participant entries).
• the tutor like the mentor, is a virtual person; they are programs that have a certain range of responses to possible inputs from the subscriber.
• the mentor (participant-specific: travel guide) consists of dynamically generated information with tips; For example, the mentor uses the variable data set in combination with the seminars associated with an apprenticeship as a starting point to give the participant specific tips for their further procedure. Depending on the situation, the tips are displayed, for example, the result of a test or an internship.
• the mentor is the constant companion of every participant during the training and an integral part of every page (module) used.
• the "administration" location (third class) essentially consists of a database; it also includes the tools with which the actors can perform their tasks, such as the registration process, basic and additional administration and editing tools.
• the administration database contains the two Participant data records explained above; these are on the one hand the fixed data record ("status data”) and on the other hand the variable data record, the so-called “log book”. Furthermore, the administration includes a mechanism that constantly updates the points in the log book (points account); Assessment and the scores obtained from the tests.
• variable data record "logbook” is a list of information about the seminars started and completed by the participant, about the learning group and the forums of the participant and about the point at which a participant leaves the computer system or the seminars, forums, etc. Other Entries are available for assessments, accepting new training programs and possibly other events, and each action and the result are saved in chronological order with the date.
• Status data and logbook are created during registration.
• the address data must be entered; These are the participant name together with the first name, from which the participant name that is unique for the computer system is formed according to a defined scheme, the email address, the telephone number and the address.
• the possibility is provided in the computer system for further data e.g. Enter organizational unit.
• a registration date is created automatically.
• the educational goal i.e. the training program can be entered.
• the participant can choose the password (password) independently.
• the participant name and the password are used to identify the participant when logging in.
• the computer system uses these two data, ie the participant profile together with the selected training program and the progress made, in order to generate the various subsystems and modules such as "campus”, “seminars” etc. and actors (mentor, tutor) individually for each participant or adapt to changed conditions.
• a mechanism has been implemented for the distribution of the participant feedback, which distributes the feedback to the system administrators, moderators and lecturers. This feedback function can be accessed from all sides of the system.
• the information is delivered electronically in the form of emails.
• the “front page” opens in the first subsystem.
• connection page "individual campus” has the schematic structure shown in FIG. 4; it has additional links to special modules such as the assessment, the specific seminar offer (curriculum) and the current level of training of the registered participant (Infodesk).
• Infodesk are generated individually for each participant by the computer system based on the data in the logbook.
• the dynamic elements present in the modules e.g. personal address, changing graphic elements etc.) improve the acceptance among the participants because they create variety.
• the connection to the assessment is only active when dialing in for the first time, since the assessment has to be carried out once at the beginning of an apprenticeship. After the assessment has been successfully completed, this connection is deactivated.
• the computer system Based on the results of the assessment, the computer system creates the participants' seminars in a curriculum.
• the curriculum is a list of seminars to be completed and the link to the curriculum replaces the connection to the assessment.
• the location "Infodesk” serves for general or individual information; FIG. 5 shows the schematic structure when linked to the "general campus".
• FAQ frequently Asked Questions
• FIG. 5 shows the schematic structure when linked to the "general campus”.
• the program overview is linked to text pages, the brief descriptions of the respective training courses including their essential content
• the place "Infodesk” in the individual campus differs from the corresponding place in the general campus in that the possibility of viewing / changing personal data (eg password) replaces the registration (Figure 5b).
• the place “assessment” relates to the initial assessment; this module is made available by the computer system at the beginning of an apprenticeship by the participant. Without successful completion, the computer system refuses to enter the apprenticeship.
• FIG. 6 shows the process schematically.
• the assessment consists of about 30 multiple-choice questions that relate to the learning content relevant to the respective training.
• the assessment questions form part of the total number of questions from tests that belong to the seminars of the corresponding training. In order for the computer system to find out these questions, they are provided with an additional identifier ensure that they are suitable for the assessment
• Computer system selected by means of a random generator; this makes it difficult to exchange questions among the participants.
• the computer system evaluates the results of the "assessment”. For this purpose, the distribution of correct answers to different learning content is determined and it is determined which training units (“seminars”) need not be attended on the basis of prior knowledge.
• training units train units
• the "tests" described below were simply declared as passed.
• the total number of points achieved in the initial assessment is stored in the logbook. It is credited to the points account for the online certification.
• the locations "seminars" each contain a specific learning topic. They are identified by the seminar short name, the seminar title, the seminar description, the author, the email address of the author, the creator / responsible person and the symbol. The short name is clear and clear
• the seminar is recognizable for the computer system, a version identification and a status are saved
• the versioning of the seminars allows dynamic interpretation, ie the seminars can be changed continuously by the author, so that the latest requirements can be taken into account (e.g. by new subject areas or A change in the certification conditions).
• the status labeling of the seminars makes it possible to change the content of seminars afterwards without unnecessarily hindering participants who have already started the seminar in their work.
• Status labeling is: in progress (will be new) set)), act iv, expiring (may be ended by the user, but not started again), has been replaced (immediate replacement, also of the seminars that have started, with a new version, points already achieved are deleted), deleted without replacement (points are deleted).
• the computer system evaluates the status information of the individual seminars and determines the version valid for the participant.
• weighting of the seminars is also provided, so that there is an additional influence on the decision regarding the successful completion of an apprenticeship.
• the units dependent on the seminars such as assessment, evaluation system and mentor, are automatically adapted to the current status of the seminars.
• the structure of a seminar is shown in Figure 9.
• the seminar has a special seminar page with a brief description of the seminar including the learning objectives.
• the page contains two "counters" of dynamic elements. One shows what percentage of the possible total number of points the participant has already achieved serves as motivation before starting a new seminar.
• the second counter shows the number of pages in this seminar and, in comparison, the number of pages already worked through by the participant.
• Start seminar on the page, which leads to the targeted sequence of learning content pages (Lessons Ll, ).
• a seminar is considered to be completed if all compulsory modules, ie lessons, internships, tests, have been successfully completed.
• the duration of the seminar is determined dynamically from the times for the individual modules.
• the seminars are stored in the computer system for each participant with the data: seminar type, start time, time of last action, status (started, completed, canceled), accumulated score, list the seminar components (lessons, tests, internships), start, end, score for tests, current page for lessons and the point at which the participant left the seminar in order to start again at this point.
• a seminar consists of a sequence of the lessons (L), internships (P) and tests (T) described below.
• a lesson is a sequence of HTML pages that are automatically generated by the computer system with an appearance defined by a template and the control symbol ("Page forward”, “Page back”, “to the beginning / end of the lesson", “Back to the individual campus ”) can be provided.
• Each lesson is explicitly marked as a compulsory or elective module.
• An internship includes a guided, step-by-step trial of a practical activity. This activity is part of the seminar content, so the internships can only be activated from the seminars. They simulate important documents for the seminar; z. B.
• the internship is filling out an account plan during training as an account manager. This is made available digitally and provided with tips and help pages.
• the crucial requirement for the internship is the ability to check the participant's inputs and to enable the computer system to respond directly to them. This is done by the virtual person "Tutor" who gives direct feedback on the completion, provides help when necessary and offers alternatives.
• internships are Java applets; they are individual development for the individual seminars. They are stored in the computer system as a collection and can be called up by a connection symbol on the relevant HTML page within the seminar.
• the tests are essentially simple multiple choice tests that give direct right / wrong feedback. For the individual questions, it is possible that either exactly one or more answers are correct.
• the questionnaires are generally included
• Checkboxes generated a corresponding note gives the participant information about how many answers can be correct.
• the test questions are weighted by individually defining the number of points that can be achieved for the correct answer to the question.
• the participant receives an assessment that expresses whether the performance was sufficient and gives him tips on which topics he may still have to work on.
• the computer system adds the points resulting from the evaluation to the participant's points account in its logbook.
• the "Forum” module identifies a communication platform to which each participant has access and in which information of any kind between the
• the location "curriculum” (module for knowledge transfer) is an HTML page with the list of seminars to be completed by the participant with a brief description of the seminars (Figure 7). It was created by the computer system based on the desired training and the result of the initial assessment ("Assessment ") established and replaced the link with the location" Assessment "on the connection page” individual campus “( Figure 4). In order to obtain a clear structure, the seminars on areas of knowledge WG1, WG2, ... are summarized in the "Curriculum" area. The order of the seminars to be worked out is determined by the curriculum. Each seminar in the list is provided with a control symbol above which the seminar is activated Control symbols have a color code that indicates which of the seminars the participant has already completed and which are still to be attended. The seminars are modular in the curriculum and the integration of a seminar in the curriculum works according to the scheme shown in Figure 8.
• the ability to version the seminars creates difficulties when a participant may need a long time to complete all seminars.
• the curriculum for his education and qualifications has changed.
• the computer system always follows the latest curriculum, i.e. at the end of their training period, the participant will find a different curriculum than the one he started with - if he needs an above-average amount of time to complete the content.
• the location "library” comprises two sub-modules: 1. a dictionary module with the possibility of searching for specific terms and
• the dictionary module usually contains: all possible abbreviations, all process terms, definitions and guidelines, materials for the individual training courses and various overview lists. 2. Document management with a directory through which important supporting documents can be downloaded in HTML form or as PDF files.
• the dictionary module consists of a search page.
• the term definitions shown as a result contain a list of documents with further information.
• the content of the document is displayed by marking the corresponding document.
• the dictionary module is still linked to the seminars. In this case, the definitions of terms determined are displayed in a small separate window so that the actual content of the seminar remains visible at the same time.
• the publicly accessible communication forum (“pin board”) is connected to the publicly accessible entrance area and contains relatively simple methods of sending messages read or "pin” and a search function. It is used to provide information about new announcements, requests for help and internal job offers related to the seminars currently being offered.
• a visitor reaches the location "general campus” via the title page (cf. FIG. 3). From there, there is a connection to the modules "pin board, library, info desk / registration” and to the second subsystem "individual campus". The computer system refuses without registration the entry into the second subsystem.
• the "Infodesk / Registration” module is therefore particularly important for the visitor, since it contains information about the registration procedure to become a participant and the "Assessment".
• the structure of this module shows the Figure 5.
• the registration symbol must be activated.
• all the required data is requested via a page with the name "registration table” and a participant entry is created.
• the registration process is thus completed for the future participant.
• the participant entries are then checked internally by the "moderator", the unwanted data record removed that obviously contain incorrect or game data. Based on the checked entries, a status record and a logbook about the participant are created in the computer system and the access data are sent to a specified email address. The participant receives a password and thus access to the entire entrance area.
• the participant dials in, the password is checked. If it is wrong, the participant receives a short message that either the password has been entered incorrectly or that he has to register first. Then he will be directed back to the "general campus". Via the "Enter your campus” connection, the participant has access to the "individual campus” after registration. The connection and dial-in to the “individual campus” takes place in the manner shown in FIG. 10.
• the “mentor” greets the participant and tells them the first steps; For example, the registration data can be viewed, changed and possibly re-entered. Subsequently, the participant has to undergo an assessment. The participant cannot take part in training programs without the initial assessment.
• the answers to the multiple choice questions are not answered directly, but when the participant has answered all questions is answered by the computer system determines an evaluation.
• the curriculum for the participant is drawn up on the basis of the evaluation and the training program known from the registration. From this point in time, this curriculum is firmly integrated in the individual campus of the participant. who congratulates the participant on his initial assessment, explains his curriculum and gives a tip as to which seminar the participant should start with. The participant can then start the training, which he can continue regardless of time and place the practice regarding the course of an apprenticeship.
• the computer system enables multiple educational goals to be pursued simultaneously. On the other hand, there is also the possibility of using the computer system without training goals. In this case, access is limited to general seminars that are not assigned to any training.
• the participant With each new dial-in, the participant is greeted by the "mentor" and the respective service provided by the mentor is adjusted. If the participant has completed seminars during their training, they have the opportunity to attend them again if they choose to not sure about the subject yet, but they are marked separately on its curriculum page.
• An internship is offered at a stand of the seminar process and leads directly back to the seminar after completion. The participant can repeat the internship as well as the actual learning times of the seminar several times.
• the participant During a seminar, the participant is given the opportunity to check their own progress at regular intervals. The participant checks himself during the tests. He therefore independently carries out a test online, which gives him feedback on how far the previous material has been understood and at which points he should perhaps go deeper. Is the total score of all tests of a seminar below a certain one, which can be defined separately for the seminar
• the participant receives a message from the computer system that he must repeat the seminar.
• the participant If the participant has completed all of the seminars required for their training and has not achieved the total number of points required for an online certificate, they are given the choice of which seminars they would like to repeat. When a seminar is selected, the score for this seminar is set to zero and all tests of this seminar are activated again.
• the computer system performs online certification based only on the participant's cumulative score from the tests. This online certification takes place when all the seminars included in the curriculum have been completed and the cumulative score from the tests exceeds the number of points required for certification

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Educational Administration (AREA)
• Educational Technology (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
• Electrically Operated Instructional Devices (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=7630517

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (2)

• 2000
  • 2000-02-09 DE DE2000105987 patent/DE10005987A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2001
  • 2001-02-02 EP EP01907486A patent/EP1277188A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
  • 2001-02-02 WO PCT/EP2001/001109 patent/WO2001058234A2/fr not_active Application Discontinuation

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